The Catch-Up – Gameweek 8
Filed under: Site Features - Posted by: Mark
Having drawn back the dull curtain of the international break, we can now bask in the light of domestic football once more, whilst taking time out to “catch-up” on fortnight’s coverage here on the Scout…
Teamsheet Talking Points
The break has, once again, been tortuous when it comes to injuries. Having faced Robin Van Persie’s knock in the last hiatus, this time around it was Marouane Fellaini and David Silva who fell foul of setbacks with both now absent for the weekend. There were the usual string of squad withdrawals to sift through but today’s team news and updates to the injuries and bans table should provide you with a guide to the full landscape going into the deadline.
With a fortnight’s window, Facer took to the magic sponge to deliver a couple of reports “From The Physio” – first looking at the mechanics of Gaston Ramirez’s dead leg, before switching attention to David Silva earlier this week – delivering a spot-on prognosis of the Spaniard’s situation prior to City’s update today.
Zooming to January, and with the African Cup of Nations lineup now decided, we also took time out to assess those players likely to be involved and therefore absent from our Fantasy reckoning in the New Year.
Looking Forward
First we frisked the fixtures, with Stoke City, Arsenal and Newcastle earmarked as purple patch teams for the weeks to come. Once the schedule had been eyed up, we moved on to recommending players for the month ahead as the Watchlist got the regular refresh. There then followed no less than five Watchlist articles over the break as Olivier Giroud, Dimitar Berbatov, John Arne Riise, Jon Walters and Hatem Ben Arfa all got the treatment.
Here’s just a sample of Stilicho’s take on Giroud’s potential…
“Whilst long-term there is the possibility that Wenger will adopt the same horses-for-courses approach with his forwards as he has with his centre backs, it seems profoundly unlikely that he would puncture Giroud’s newly inflated confidence with a return to the bench over a run of fixtures that looks rosy for Arsenal’s attacking assets (nor, QPR, mun, RDG, TOT).”
Members Club
Our members have enjoyed a rare old fortnight. Not only have we produced three “Numbers Game” articles that analysed the goal threat on offer across the defenders, midfielders and forwards, we also managed to roll out our new Custom Stats Tables feature to open up our Opta powered database.
If you’ve yet to get the beef on what’s involved, this little article, together with this movie should demonstrate the power of this technological terror. Our members area has been awash with new stats tables made available in the public gallery right here and with the Projections updated and Chris Glover hitting home with another Moneyball article today, there’s been plenty of numbers to digest.
Talking Tactics
It seems such a long time ago but, as always, Paul scratched our tactical itch after the dust had settled on Gameweek 7 by analysing United’s diamond midfield that was so effective in their 3-0 win at Newcastle. Here’s a concluding snippet from our latest Technical Area…
“While the tactical spotlight has mainly centred on Chelsea since the arrival of Eden Hazard and Oscar, United’s shift of system over these last few games certainly hints at another evolution under Ferguson. Whether it’s to protect the shaky defence or find a solution to integrate the two summer signings alongside Rooney or perhaps a combination of both, the diamond affords a definite alternative to the usual 4-4-2 and gives United another dimension to their style of play as Ferguson attempts to wrestle the title back from Roberto Mancini’s City.”
Weekly Regulars
Friday’s Scout Picks perhaps brought few surprises with the big guns firmly expected to deliver this weekend. Mid-price hopefuls Kevin Nolan and Michu are again backed to deliver with strong home fixtures, while Dimitar Berbatov’s return to fitness had him slot straight back into our lineup.
If you’re looking for something different, we delivered that just a few hours ago – Paul drilled deeper on the potential offered by Olivier Giroud and mid-price midfielders – Leon Osman and Adel Taarabt.
That saw us into Saturday morning and brought an end to the fortnight’s coverage, leaving only the Pre-match preamble to see us over the line.
If you’re still left wanting more, don’t forget to check out this week’s ScoutCast, offering and audio walkthrough the break and the regular preview of the weekend action. Thanks for listening.
About The Author
“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
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Yeah the scene has changed so much. I like Kendrick Lamar. Nice lyrics and style. Pharcyde - http://www.youtube.com/… » -
Yep! » -
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Gers23 got it ^^^ »
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Adebola. Only from the Birmingham City years. » -
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*quiet nights! »
“I understand you don't consider Dempsey a striker. He has developed into playing in different positions, but for me he is a pure striker. ”
Andre Villas-Boas reveals his views on Clint Dempsey's best position.
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October 20 at 6:10 am
AliQew says:
vorm > mannone
lambert < berba
4 point hit
yay or nay
October 20 at 6:12 am
Hubert says:
nay
October 20 at 6:14 am
AliQew says:
meant lambert > berba my bad
October 20 at 6:13 am
DownUnder says:
Lambert to Berbs for FT, yay
October 20 at 6:15 am
AliQew says:
cant man , need to free up $
October 20 at 6:18 am
VanPersienator says:
I’d save your transfers or just do Lamb > Berba
Swansea have one last good fixture so switch him next week to Mannone if you must or Begovich
If you want more Ars get an attacker
October 20 at 6:19 am
Barca forever says:
nay
October 20 at 6:17 am
Snake Juice - BerbaBane says:
DownUnder is everywhere on these boards.
Are you MartinUnreal’s son?
October 20 at 6:19 am
Berbilly Giroudmore - Betis for La Liga 2013 says:
Surprised that MartinUnreal isn’t on tbh. Very unlike him to be getting some sleep
October 20 at 6:28 am
Snake Juice - BerbaBane says:
True, true.
October 20 at 6:17 am
Hanamichi - I'LL NEVER CAPTAIN A MIDFIELDER AGAIN says:
Just emailed to FPL about the prices today. Hope we can see something on status page soon.
October 20 at 6:19 am
Berbilly Giroudmore - Betis for La Liga 2013 says:
Urgh, couldn’t you have waited until Jenkinson was due to rise before you sent it?
October 20 at 6:36 am
Natster | The Shuffling says:
October 20 at 6:18 am
roooooooooneyyyy says:
so what are we thinkin about RVP getting benched? starting to worry now
October 20 at 6:18 am
Barca forever says:
doubt it, he’ll start IMO
October 20 at 6:22 am
mito21 says:
Would love that. If you thought he was going to sit you keep him right? I have noticed a pattern with your moves. Sell if you think they are going to kill it and keep if you think they are going to sit it.
October 20 at 6:31 am
roooooooooneyyyy says:
isnt that how the game is supposed to be played?
October 20 at 6:20 am
Berbilly Giroudmore - Betis for La Liga 2013 says:
NEW POST for 15 mins lol http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....ameweek-8/
October 20 at 6:20 am
Barca forever says:
start mannone vs norwich
or
start jaask vs saints
???
October 20 at 6:23 am
roooooooooneyyyy says:
mannone
October 20 at 6:26 am
ManofKent - boing boing says:
Too many decent capatain choices this week. I keep swapping between Berba RvP and santi
October 20 at 6:40 am
Natster | The Shuffling says:
Cut Santi as he is less likely to explode, imo, and continue swapping.
October 20 at 8:48 am
AC a little silhouette of Milan says:
RVPizzle is the only way to feel comfortable
October 20 at 7:15 am
The Zooooomz says:
Bergovic
Kolorov-ivanovic-Rafael
Hazard-bale-carzola-routledge
RvP-ba-berba
Subs- Gazzinga-McCartney-gorkks-Mikel
I used my WC for this team. Thought?
October 20 at 8:13 am
Lucky_2010 says:
kolorov … rotation risk, not sure he’ll playing today??? for city def nail on definitely komp, zaba(should play most of time), lescott 50/50 ……
your mid seem decent should do well and mikel not good fantasy perspective pts return (at most 3 pts) so i think get sterling instead of him for 5th mid (no harm to bench him) though lol … so wish you good luck on your wc team yeeeah !!!
cheers.
October 20 at 8:44 am
AC a little silhouette of Milan says:
Ivanovic is I would lose for Wilson and then change Mikel
October 20 at 8:23 am
Cheeseoid says:
Am I the only person with no intention to buy Sterling?
October 20 at 8:44 am
AC a little silhouette of Milan says:
I already have him and will play him but wouldn’t burn a transfer to get him otherwise as totally unproven.
October 20 at 8:37 am
enriquetan says:
Need advice for my team. Still have a wildcard and £2.1. Thinking of using it now as some players are waning off in value and form. My team:
Begovic (Krul)
skrtel, lescott, hangeland (gunter, fabio)
bale, mata, santi, dyer (kacaniklic)
tevez, graham, suarez (C)
I have a new team in mind looking like this
Begovic (Foster)
Baines, Huth, skrtel (caulker, fonte)
bale, pienaar, santi, nolan (sterling)
tevez, berba, suarez (C)
no more money in bank after this transfer
Is the new team solid enough? is there any other way I can improve on the newer team? Appreciate all comments. Cheers!
October 20 at 9:25 am
Brumfor1st says:
New team looks solid.
Consider downgrading Huth to Wilson (read latest article) saves 1mill and it would appear Wilson is a much bigger threat.
Rest of the team is solid, my only worry is suarez (he’s certainly a very good choice this week, but what after)
October 20 at 9:25 am
Brumfor1st says:
Morning guys.
Bit of a dilema, need a hard hitting. Lasting core for my team..
a) Rafael, Bale, Ba
b) Verm, HBA, Suarez
Allready have Baines/ Hangelaand and i’ve never gone down the strong hard hitting defender route before… for some reason i’m being attracked too it even though verm doesn’t have great form.
Somebody slap me into sense please
October 20 at 9:42 am
Craggy Island All Priests Over 75s says:
A), by about a kazillion miles
October 20 at 9:27 am
jolones says:
Considering getting rid of Tev for Berba for a 4 point hit. Am i being ridiculous?
October 20 at 9:47 am
Craggy Island All Priests Over 75s says:
Yeah I wouldn’t take a hit for it, rev likely to start this week. Do it next week for free, unless you have a tonne of other transfers that need ‘hurried along’
October 20 at 9:51 am
Craggy Island All Priests Over 75s says:
-rev
+tev
…though could be a good new nickname
October 20 at 9:36 am
kanubelieveit says:
Foster or Begovic for this gw?
October 20 at 9:49 am
Sparker says:
I’m unsure why so many are punting for Begovic this week. Saves yay, but clean sheet? Think I’ll save him for home games.
October 20 at 10:08 am
Jonah says:
Surely obviously Foster?
October 20 at 9:56 am
Hurricane H says:
Guys, I need help with my caption choice, my instincts say Berba but logic is with Santi.. Help!
October 20 at 10:00 am
Christian says:
I have both as well.
Captain Berbatov.
Santi vc.
I feel some big booming Berba points on the way
October 20 at 10:35 am
Hurricane H says:
Just what I wanted to hear, cheers fella!
October 20 at 10:40 am
powdersnow says:
I wish people would stay on topic on these boards…