Scout Notes – Gameweek 27 – Sunday

Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez grab a goal apiece and David Silva supplies a pair of assists as City move to 4-5-1 for the visit of Chelsea. Moussa Sissoko is amongst the points again for Newcastle, while Papiss Cisse impresses with a spectacular equaliser in a stirring comeback win. Despite defeat, Rickie Lambert produces the goods for Southampton once more and continues to make a mockery of his humble price tag…

City Midfield Produce
A move to 4-5-1 afforded Yaya Toure the platform to flourish as City swept aside Chelsea at the Etihad. With Roberto Mancini deciding to field Sergio Aguero as the lone forward, the Ivorian was handed the support role and highlighted his capabilities in “the hole” with the opener. Down to just 7.7 in FPL, Toure’s game time is certainly not in question – one of the few players we can classify as nailed-on under Mancini, a more advanced berth would certainly heighten his appeal, with Mancini perhaps opting for the likes of Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia or Gareth Barry in the deeper central areas instead. Such a scenario would certainly see us reconsider Toure’s potential, given the success of Michu, Marouane Fellaini and, of late, Moussa Sissoko in a similar role.

David Silva also stepped up for the champions yesterday. Fielded on the left flank, Silva assisted both goals and with maximum bonus also thrown in, he racked up a 12 point FPL haul – his second set of double figures in the last three home games. Although his form remains patchy, with three consecutive blanks in between those scores, Silva’s 5% ownership could well appeal for those looking to freshen up their midfields with a proven differential.

Dzeko Falls from Favour
Mario Balotelli’s departure to Milan was meant to lessen the likelihood of forward rotation but Roberto Mancini’s starting line-up saw just one striker included. Despite a blank against Chelsea, Sergio Aguero’s owners will at least remain confident of his starting role after his manager’s recent praise – Edin Dzeko, on the other hand, looks to have fallen further down the pecking order in spite of his recent displays. The Bosnian had started six of the previous seven, returning six goals and a pair of assists, yet was overlooked for Carlos Tevez when Mancini opted to return to 4-4-2 midway through the second period. Although Dzeko had afforded us a mid-price route into City’s attack over the past couple of months, his owners will be concerned over yesterday’s events – all the more after Tevez’s stunning strike vindicated Mancini’s decision further.

Benitez Rotation Continues to Bite
Once again, Rafa Benitez’s tinkering frustrated yesterday. This time round, it was Cesar Azpilicueta’s owners who had reason for concern after the Spaniard dropped out of the first XI, with Branislav Ivanovic moving from the centre to right-back to cover. Having started 12 of the first 13 league games of Benitez’s reign, Azpilicueta has now started just one of the last three – costing 5.7 in FPL, he had offered a relatively cheap route into the Blues backline and, with six assists to his name, has impressed going forward. Given Chelsea’s upcoming schedule, investment in their defence looks a definite tactic but with John Terry and David Luiz both returning from injuries to offer further alternatives, Benitez’s rest and rotation is likely to continue to scupper the best-laid plans.

Magpies Midfield Options
Newcastle’s January signing Moussa Sissoko produced the points yet again as the hosts came from behind to see off Southampton. The Frenchman has earned around 100,000 new owners in each of the last two Gameweeks and vindicated that show of faith by grabbing the Magpies first, taking his tally to three goals and a pair of assists in just four appearances – indeed, Sissoko’s consistency has been his main selling point, with attacking returns in all of those matches. With a favourable run of fixtures on the horizon, his price of 6.3 looks set to escalate further in light of his endeavours – bearing in mind Newcastle have now won three of the four matches since his arrival, his impact in “the hole” has been hugely instrumental in their recent rise up the table.

While Sissoko hogs the headlines, Yohan Cabaye is another to consider for those eyeing up Newcastle investment. Since returning from a groin injury in Gameweek 22, Cabaye has started five times and scored in three of those fixtures – with spot-kick duties and a share of set-pieces also factored in, his cost of 6.6 also looks reasonable, though a less advanced role than Sissoko may deter many from acquiring his services.

Both Cabaye and Fabricio Coloccini were subbed off in the second 45 due to illness and a back problem respectively but Pardew revealed post-match he is confident they will both be ready for next weekend’s trip to Swansea:

“Cabaye was pulling the strings – it was a shame to lose him. He was feeling a bit dizzy….It’s not that bad. I just told him (Coloccini) not to try those overhead kicks at his age. I think that he’ll be OK.”

Cisse Hints at Return to Form
A superb long range effort not only gave the hosts the lead, it perhaps hinted at Cisse’s increased confidence as he starts to settle following Demba Ba’s departure. Indeed, the Senegal striker has now notched three times in seven without his compatriot – while that’s not overly enticing, it’s a significant step up from three goals in his first 18 appearances by comparison. With morale on the up, he may well prove a profitable forward option over the remainder of the season, though that 8.8 FPL cost is still a little pricey for many Fantasy managers’ liking, given the comparatively cheaper options of Sissoko and Cabaye.

Lambert in the Points Again
Once again, the Southampton front man delivered for his Fantasy owners, with a goal and assist, in addition to a couple of bonus points, helping him to a third double figure haul of the season. Lambert has now scored in six of his last seven road trips and has delivered attacking returns in each of his last three Gameweeks – his most consistent scoring streak of the campaign and perhaps an indication that new boss Mauricio Pochettino is managing to get even more out of him that Nigel Adkins. Similar to Sissoko, Lambert also rose 0.3 in price last week, yet still remains at just 6.8 in FPL, despite climbing to 141 points – with three home fixtures in the next four (QPR, nor, LIV, CHE) he looks primed for further returns.

Puncheon Drops to the Bench
Having started each of the last 16 Gameweeks, the former Blackpool winger had proved a popular cut-price fifth midfielder, with his initial price of 4.5 climbing to 5.1 thanks to four goals and six assists. Bearing in mind he netted against City last time round, Puncheon’s place in the first XI was not in doubt as the Saints headed to Tyneside but with Adam Lallana now fully fit after a knee injury, Pochettino shifted Jay Rodriguez over to the right and omitted Puncheon from his starting line-up for the first time since taking the reins. Ultimately, he was afforded a 10 minute sub appearance towards the end of the game and with Gaston Ramirez off the bench late on, it’s becoming clear that the midfield pecking order under the new manager may have somewhat altered – a real concern for Puncheon’s 13% owners ahead of a kind schedule.