Scout Notes

The Stock Check – Gameweek 14 – Saturday

A lunging Sergio Aguero takes himself out of the equation, while a red-hot Alexis Sanchez submits a renewed and convincing bid for “essential” status. That pair are enough to overshadow a Harry Kane brace, plus further returns for Chelsea’s tri-force of Fantasy assets. Here’s the Stock Check following Saturday’s events…

Alexis Sanchez
A merciless one-man show tore a fragile and depleted West Ham United apart and elevated Sanchez to a new level as a Fantasy asset.

The Chilean continues to relish the central attacking role and, with the goals flowing, he has surely banished Olivier Giroud’s recent renaissance to cement that position.

The devastating 23-point haul delivered a massive blow to his non-owners and with Sergio Aguero’s millions now unlocked, forced them to investigate a route to recruit Sanchez. Even so, with a rise to 11.5 overnight, acquiring his services will still require compromise, creating yet another round of difficult transfer decisions.

Harry Kane
Overshadowed by Sanchez’ performance and points-haul, Kane nonetheless delivered his side of the bargain having topped this week’s Captain Poll.

Orchestrating the 5-0 drubbing of Swansea City, Kane converted a third penalty in the last three Gameweeks, before firing a second from a Son Heung-min assist.

Those goals took Kane to seven in his last six Premier League outings, eight from 11 games in all competitions this season.

It represented an instant reward for early adopters, although they will now feel frustrated having seen Aguero’s suspension drive inevitable traffic they way of the Spurs striker.

Kane’s enjoyed a price rise overnight and his form, coupled with Aguero’s ban, will likely see him established as part of the new front three template.

Christian Eriksen
Both Son and Dele Alli both provided returns in the 5-0 win, but Eriksen surpassed the pair to promote his stock as the Spurs midfield option.

The Dane delivered a brace and an assist to amass an 18-point haul. In any other Gameweek, that would have ensured a significant spike in transfers, although with Sanchez and the hunt for Aguero’s replacement the current priority, Eriksen remains largely overlooked.

Kane’s newfound popularity could also curb interest, ensuring that Eriksen remains an effective midfield differential.

Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Marcos Alonso
The dominant Chelsea trio all overcame a testing fixture at Manchester City to deliver points in the 3-1 win.

Costa claimed an 11th goal of the season, ensuring that he’s now delivered returns in 12 of 14 Gameweeks – an incredible level of consistency. Again he avoided that fifth booking and now, against the odds, seems on track to pass the Gameweek 19 cut off and avoid suspension.

Withdrawn late on with what appeared to be cramp in his hamstrings due to fatigue, Conte stated post-match that he “expected” Costa to recover to face West Brom in Gameweek 15.

Meanwhile, Hazard regained momentum with a first goal in three Gameweeks, converting a Marcos Alonso pass as the Spanish wing-back fetched a second assist of the season.

All three now look poised to enjoy significant returns throughout December, as the fixtures smile kindly and hand Antonio Conte’s side the platform to cement top spot.

Chris Brunt
Once again deployed in midfield, Brunt chose Gameweek 14 to underline his potential as an out of position prospect.

While deprived of a clean sheet, he nonetheless provided the delivery for Jonny Evans’ opener, before firing a deflected effort from 25-yards.

As indicated in our recent Frisking the Fixtures article, Brunt’s prospects are somewhat dented by a testing forthcoming schedule. However, given his attacking prospects, he arguably challenges and perhaps supersedes Gareth McAuley as the optimum route into Tony Pulis’ rearguard.

Matt Phillips
Elsewhere in the Baggies camp, Phillips continued an unexpected level of consistency with a third goal of the season, returning for the fourth successive Gameweek.

Again, West Brom’s fixtures promote caution. While the home tie with Swansea City in Gameweek 16 promises a further haul, trips to Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton, plus a Hawthorns meeting with Manchester United, will severely test the Phillips’ momentum.

Lee Grant
The veteran stand-in earned back-to-back clean sheets and a fourth shut-out of the season as Stoke City kept Burnley at bay.

With Mark Hughes expressing concerns on another Jack Butland injury setback, Grant’s stock enjoyed a significant hike.

The fixtures turn against him but, at just 4.2, there is no doubting Grant’s potential as another cheap enabler.

Christian Benteke
The Belgian exploited an uncharacteristically obliging Southampton defence to earn a brace, taking him to four goals in as many Gameweeks.

His first two goals in front of the home Palace fans, Benteke has timed his ascent to coincide with Aguero’s ban to put promote his services as a cut-price replacement.

In Decline

Sergio Aguero
Incredibly, the Argentine is now poised to miss seven matches in all competitions and six Gameweeks due to suspension this season.

A four-match ban, covering the next four Gameweeks, looks guaranteed following Aguero’s horrific lunge on Chelsea’s David Luiz – it could even be extended further.

Having already missed three matches and two Gameweeks early in the season, this latest incident represents a disturbing new development for Aguero as a Fantasy asset.

Already shipped by over 250,000 managers to this point, it remains to be seen if the City striker can be forgiven and can regain his former status as a Fantasy royalty.

Theo Walcott
Hooked off on 65 minutes and drowned out by Sanchez’ outstanding hat-trick, Walcott’s stock suffers a major blow.

Suddenly, with funds flooded by the Aguero sale, Fantasy managers no longer need to risk compromise with their choice of Arsenal’s midfield, easing the route to Sanchez.

Walcott will, therefore, be an obvious fall-guy, although, with Stoke City at the Emirates up next, he has an immediate opportunity to address matters.

Pedro
Another cheaper alternative to suffer a blow, the Spanish winger was withdrawn on 49 minutes and watched on while his replacement Willian scored a crucial Chelsea goal.

The threat from the Brazilian was always present but has now escalated ahead of Chelsea’s favourable run of opponents.

With Hazard, Costa and Alonso the clear trio of top targets in Conte’s ranks, we have to question the merits of holding or investing in Pedro at this time.

Joe Allen
The Welshman returned from suspension for Stoke City but was unable to break into a winning side, taking his place on the Potters bench.

Introduced on the hour-mark, Allen is nonetheless uncertain to work his way into the starting XI for the Gameweek 15 trip to Arsenal, with Xherdan Shaqiri currently occupying the role behind lone striker Jon Walters.

Sam Vokes
The budget striker joined Steven Defour and Matt Lowton on the bench as Sean Dyche shuffled his pack for the visit to Stoke. Andre Gray was restored to the starting XI, having been largely kept in reserve in recent weeks.

While the changes failed to halt a run of dismal away results, an instant return for Vokes is far from certain ahead of the Gameweek 15 meeting with Bournemouth.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,324 Comments Post a Comment
  1. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What's the highest points from a player you had on your bench in a gameweek this season? I had Holebas' 15 pointer on my bench in Gw8 when I played Pva(1 point) over him.

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Capoue 13.

      • Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Capoue just about every week at the start of the season

        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          this, then i played him n got nowt 🙁

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            These

            1. tm370
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Capoue multiple times and Anichebe's 13. I assumed Coutinho was out so left Anichebe first sub. There have been less annoying weeks.

              I think this might be my worse benching season so far, although there have been some contenders.

    2. NachoMan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Happy to make the top 500 overall for the first time! Not so happy that my strike force of Kun, Victor and Austin managed a measly 2 points between them.

      Kun and Victor to Costa and Nacho before inevitable price falls/rises or wait and see on Costa's flag etc?

      1FT 0.2 ITB.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        No point making transfers before the games of the day have finished.

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      My ML leader is now 34 points ahead of me. We play 2 halves so this half finishes on GW19. I have 5 weeks from now to do something about it. Below I'm posting my team CAPITAL letters are the players he also owns.

      Foster - PICKFORD
      Mustafi - LOVREN - Cedric - Francis - Amat
      SANCHEZ - HAZARD - FIRMINO - Siggy - Erikssen
      KANE - AUSTIN - Anichebe

      1.4 ITB

      Which players should I be getting rid of and which differentials would you suggest till GW19?

      Alonso is a certain transfer in this week for Mustafi/Lovren or I could remove both for Double Chelsea defence.

      Would really appreciate your thoughts!

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe Tot+Che rather than a double-up in Def. If you're looking for a def diff - maybe also consider Brunt Wba oop. Hopefully Siggy - Erikssen will be enough of a diff in attack.

    4. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Having such a mare gone from 50k to 350k in 3 weeks..

      Hits for cedric and Austin look absolutely stupid now but the real error I made was knee jerking out Alexis during that international break.

      1. James101
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yule recover that mate.

    5. James101
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      GTG?

      Grant. Foster.

      Alonso. Pieters. McAuley. Francis. Kingsley.

      Firmino. Sanchez. Hazard. Siggy. Phillips.

      Costa. Kane. Nacho.

      Or would you take a hit this week for a Keeper / Defender?

      I could upgrade Kingsley or foster by £0.3 to get somebody with better fixtures...

      I like the idea of a deeper bench over christmas.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Looks OK. I guess.

        1. James101
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Ha

          But not really?

    6. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Need a Clyne treble to save this..

    7. dfroes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Up to 6k in the world, my best ever...

      Maverick decision to ditch Aguero and Coutinho to Kane and Hazard this week!

      Joyfull times

    8. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yesterday evening everyone was saying that this was the new template

      Hazard Sanchez Firmino Siggy
      Costa Kane Austin

      But you must have a pretty decent team value to create this right?

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yep

      2. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Going without Costa or Kane and having Defoe is an option of short.

        1. AndyCook
            7 years, 3 months ago

            This is what I have done

        2. AndyCook
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Or a terrible defence

            1. tm370
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              I can't manage it. I'm going with Hazard, Firm, Sanchez, Eriksen, Sig, Kane/Costa and Austin from next weekend (Anichebe sub).

              Defence is not as good as I'd want it to be though - Kosc, Lovren, Holebas, Pieters and Amat. Will hopefully be able to swap Holebas for Soares depending on price rises (I missed yesterday so lost 0.3 on my potential deals).

              I wish I'd pulled the plug on transfers earlier during the season, or I'd wish there was a couple of days break before transfers hit. The price losses have killed me a bit.

          • AndyCook
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Also makes a huge difference if you fit Costa at 9.5

              1. AndyCook
                  7 years, 3 months ago

                  Got*

              2. Speaking Words of Wisdom, R…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                I've just done a -4 to get this front 7 last night before the rises. 0.1ITB, defence is Heaton, Walker, Cedric, Holebas, with Evans, Amat and Fletcher on the bench. TV is about 105 I think

              3. geo4chg
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                This is my front 7, luckily got Costa early and made Coutinho/Aguero to Sanchez/Kane for this week, worked out well.

                Other players are Heaton, Pickford, Alonso, Lovren, Evans, Holebas, Amat and Capoue.

                Might bank my transfer this week.

              4. Kvothe
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                I got Eriksen instead of Siggy, so it could be achieved with 1m less.

            • Olivier Bernards watch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              I don't have sanchez. However, my midfield has great fixtures next week,

              Mane (WHM), Hazard (WBA), Siggy (SUN), Snodgrass (CRY)

              surely it doesn't make sense to take a hit to bring him when all of my midfielders have a reasonable chance of big scores for this week? Or does it?

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                I wouldn't do it unless price rises will cause you a problem.

            • Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              So no brainer?
              A. KDB + Diomande
              To Kane + 5th midfield fodder for -4
              Any chance Kun missing will benefit KDB and even if so are the fixtures just too bad for city
              B. Going without Kane and doing Walcott > Eriksson is another option
              C. Option B and Diomande to Nacho for -4

              1. Kvothe
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                I beleive that KDB could benefit from Aguero absence.

            • Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              My cup opponent only needs around 40 points from Smith vs Liverpool to knock me out. Time to hide behind the sofa.

              1. Albrightondknight
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                You are out of the cup then. That really is an epic fail.

            • ILOVEBAPS
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Haz & Austin
              or
              Pedro & Kane??

            • United10
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Would you bring in Sanchez for KDB on free transfer?

              1. tm370
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                yes

              2. Kvothe
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                Probably as a FT, yes.

            • MQ
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              GW#15 team:
              Forster
              Walker, Lovren, Smith, Alonso
              Wally, Hazard, Milner
              Costa (C), Austin, Lukaku

              Jaku, Cap, Redmond, Nyom
              1 FT, 2.2 ITB

              Any thoughts?

              1. Deatgaia
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                Take out kaku for defoe and find a way to fit either sanchez or Erikssan before the manu match. Wait till friday to do it though

                1. MQ
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 3 months ago

                  Why the wait?

            • Pinky Blinders
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Up 2-0 away before 30 min passed. Rest up Phil, we got it from here.

              1. Kvothe
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                Lol

            • John3.16
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Caught Sanchez captain this week. Managed to claw back some ground. Thoughts on the set up now;

              Foster

              Azpi / Cedric / Stones

              Hazard / Sancz / Siggy / Frimi

              Costa / Tekke / Austin

              Jaku / Pieters / Capoue / Kingsley

            • GoodFella93
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Should I use 'All Out Attack' to bench Walker (MUN(A)) and play Fer (SUN(H))?

            • evilfish
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              For a 4th mid to accompany Sanchez, Hazard, Siggy

              a) Eriksen
              b) Alli
              c) Lallana
              d) someone else

              Have Kane, Costa, Austin so no Liverpool cover