Scout Notes

The Stock Check – Gameweek 19 – Friday

The set-piece prowess of Robert Snodgrass comes to the fore but fails to earn Hull City victory as Ross Barkley stoops to head a first goal since Gameweek 10. Here’s the Stock Check following Friday’s fixture.

On the Rise

Robert Snodgrass
Snodgrass produced two stunning free-kicks, one striking the woodwork, the other finding the top corner of Everton’s net.

His sixth goal of the season, a fourth from a dead-ball scenario, elevated him once more in our thinking as a low-to-mid price midfield asset.

The Scot’s record is therefore maintained: he has either scored or assisted 50% of Hull City’s goals this season.

That ensures that Snodgrass must remain on our radar as a fourth midfielder to allow heavy investment up front, or a fifth option in a 3-5-2.

However, Hull City’s fixtures continue to provide a major barrier.

While they next face a trip to West Brom and a vital home clash with Bournemouth, following that, the Tigers are cursed with an evil run that will likely limit Snodgrass’ output.

Mike Phelan’s side must endure visits to Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, with a home fixture with Liverpool also scheduled for the following four Gameweeks.

Leighton Baines
A beautifully flighted cross served up Ross Barkley’s equaliser and saw Baines record just a third assist of the season.

It represented the left-back’s third attacking return in six Gameweeks and came packaged with the maximum bonus points, taking him to eight over that spell.

Ronald Koeman’s decision to revert from a three-man backline, shifting Baines from wing-back to a traditional full-back role was disappointing. But that tactical tweak may be revisited and, with Everton’s schedule improving markedly, it seems wise to monitor Baines’ underlying numbers in the coming weeks.

The jury is still out on the preferred Toffees full-back option, with Seamus Coleman’s energy arguably offering a greater level of goal threat. However, Baines left-foot supply and spot-kick duties are factors in his favour, with current form suggesting that he is the go-to option.

Ross Barkley
Dare we consider Barkley?

A source of much frustration for his manager and Fantasy managers alike, he has the talent to deliver but has once again disappointed in this campaign.

Perhaps the goal on Humberside, just his third of the season, will provide the catalyst for greater contributions, though we’re unlikely to jump the gun.

Everton’s fixtures promote further attacking returns, but Barkley has never provided that consistent source we crave and expect from a player with such ability.

In Decline

Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian upped his goal threat, mustering four attempts on the night, one of which struck an upright.
But ultimately, Lukaku failed to follow up on his superb Gameweek 18 goal at Leicester City and allowed another plum fixture to drift by without profit.

In truth, this is typical of Lukaku as a Fantasy asset.

He can rarely be relied upon to deliver according to fixture; his points arrive in bouts, with his form remaining devilishly difficult to predict.

Everton are scoring goals, and the schedule remains favourable, but this is not necessarily a signpost for sustained returns from Lukaku.

Mason Holgate
Part of a three-man backline in the 2-0 win at Leicester City, the 4.0 valued defender claimed more than 35,000 new owners ahead of the trip to the KCOM Stadium, also earning a place on our Scout Picks bench.

But Koeman’s decision to depart from a winning formation and revert back to a 4-2-3-1 relegated Holgate to the bench, rendering his future as a Fantasy asset uncertain once more.

Koeman hinted that he will change personnel again for the visit of Southampton to Goodison Park on Monday.; it remains to be seen if that finds Holgate recalled and revived.

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

955 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A) Hazard + Ibra -> Mihki + Kun

    B) Costa + Siggy -> Phillips + Kun

    If you had to choose one?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      See what happens today first.

    2. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I did B with Kane, wouldn't lose Ibra just yet

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B.

      But i wont loose Costa and Ibra tbh. Who is your 3rd forward?

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Carroll.. Would need to take a -8 to swap for Kun

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          if you feel a real desire and need to bring in Kun for the Burnley game you can take the risk. You can captain him as well. But as EF said, wait to decide after today's game.

          1. Fishy-o
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Just hazard to miki

  2. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Did anyone see the Gracenote analysis on BBC Sport? Quite interesting piece on who is under and overperforming in goal terms based on chance volume and quality.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Link please?

      1. liiusions
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        https://twitter.com/GracenoteLive

        Basically Chelsea have got lucky to be top, Liverpool are the best 'performing' team

        1. Kered
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Typical! Lol

          "Liverpool is not top of the league because Chelsea is overperforming its chances at both ends but also its points compared to GD." #cfc #lfc

          "This good work though is all undone at the other end as Liverpool is one of the worst EPL performers in conceding more than forecast."

          Read what you want to read.. but I see it as Chelsea are taking their chances and doing well to be top of the League where as liverpool are losing it ato the back. Simple really..

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Chelsea are getting the rub of the green, no doubt

            1. Dynamo Chicken
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I see that rub of the green as their class showing.

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                City match for example. KDB should have finished it.

                1. Postman Ty
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Do we really need to go over all of the errors that have let to Liverpool dropping points of their own fault? This is complete bs. There is no fluke about Chelsea having a 32-4 goal difference and winning 13 games in a row. Every team has missed sitters and had sitters missed against them. There is also quality in being able to win by a 'professional' 1-0, as Liverpool showed today. Liverpool's defence is still nowhere near where it needs to be to win a title.

          2. liiusions
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            All I've said is what the article said, not my views

            1. Kered
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Actually those are your views.. you "summed it up" by saying chelsea are lucky to be top.

              But the article actually shows that they are taking their chances, which depending on how one reads it, could go down as Skill and Tactics not "Luck" as you declscribe it.

              1. Licky
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                They've been very clinical but lucky at the other end. But they're not as good as people think they are.

              2. liiusions
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                The article is showing that Chelsea are over performing. It's that simple.

          3. Licky
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            They have been quite lucky in a lot of matches, defensively they're not as good as you'd think, look at the match against City. Teams seem to just roll over for Chelsea.

            1. Kered
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I'm not saying they are solid defensively, because there have been a few times they could have conceded were it not for a blocked shot or big save.. But teams aren't scoring, I wouldn't put that down to luck.

          4. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Defo agree about taking chanches. Was comparing captain candidates stats and goal conversion made for interesting reading.

            Also sometimes these stats can hide alot like the actual quality of the SOT etc.

  3. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Dont know what should I prioritize first:
    Snod → Phillips Defoe →
    Benteke

    Or Kane → Costa...

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wait and see what happens today. Kane can score against anyone so no point wasting a transfer. Personally if those are the decisions I would be pretty happy sticking as they are all good performing players.

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Okay thanks, will post again to get some more opinions. But tbh I think its time to ditch Snoddie

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Snoddy has terrible fixtures ahead - yesterday was an outlier. I agree

  4. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who will we see in todays Chelsea match? Dirty Diego, or Calm Costa.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Calm Costa - he is scoring goals - he does not need to get in dirty tactics.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Dirty Diego but no cards.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        this. lol

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      CC

  5. Rage
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I've used my wildcard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    can you fine people please give me your opinion 🙂

    cheers

    heaton / pickford
    Walker / Bailly / Ake / Chambers / Amat
    Eriksen / Sanchez / Lallana/ Snodgrass / Allen
    Zlatan / Costa / Origi

    1. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Pickford, Bailey, Allen and Origi all have to go if you're on a WC surely

    2. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Think Bailly is off to AFCON no? Pickford also out for a while I think.

    3. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      loose pickford, baily, chambers, origi and try again

    4. jay01
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Bailly is going to the African cup of nations ain't he?

    5. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Why the strange defense? Bailly is off to AFCON, isn't he? Get Rose over Walker I feel. Valencia over Bailly. The 3rd striker options are all in the same boat. Origi/Benteke/Rondon/Defoe, nothing between them. Not a fan of rotating Snodgrass and Allen though.

      1. jay01
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I would do snodgrass (bad fixtures) to Phillips and origi to benteke

    6. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Is this your WC team or your team that needs wildcarding?

  6. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I'd like to swap Siggy to Sterling, which is best?

    a) Siggy > Sterling, Alonso > Van Djk
    b) Siggy > Sterling, Forster > Valdes
    c) Siggy > Sterling, Eriksen > Alli

    1. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      b

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely C
      I'm also doing siggy to stirling for Burnley game

    3. jay01
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      c

    4. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B for me buddy.

    5. Fishy-o
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      C

  7. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A Chelsea-Stoke 1-1 draw with Willian and Bojan goals will be wonderful.

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      My dead team cup opponent has Bojan and I've triple Chelsea... I wouldn't care for that result at all!

    2. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      boo!

  8. greghammer95
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    John Motson by far my favourite commentator.

    Terry back in squad today (18), possibly for a Luiz rest to avoid suspension?

    I hope everyone is ready for rotation today.

  9. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Yes or no

    Out: Hazrad & Siggy
    In: KDB & Pedro

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No way

  10. Dynamo Chicken
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Holgate could still work out just fine. I have no worries about a cheap player that only plays full games and scores me points when he does.
    Rose did a bit of that last season.

    1. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You trying to convince us or yourself?

      1. Dynamo Chicken
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Good question, just saying what I see Roy.

        1. Dynamo Chicken
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Just a theory of course, time will tell. Glad it was Furious Mori coming on for one point though

    2. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Really?

  11. Release The Ox
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kane and Siggy to Kun and Phillips for a hit??

    Obviously would capt Kun next gameweek.

    Foster DDG
    Walker Jones Alonso Kone McAuley
    Hax Sanchez Siggy Capoue Hojberg
    Ibra Kane Anichebe

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, probably.

    2. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, pull the trigger man

    3. Fishy-o
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

  12. hackneylad
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Best '7th' attacker?

    A. Carroll (playing 3-4-3, Capoue as 5th mid)

    B. Phillips (playing 3-5-2, Anichibe as 3rd striker - more money ITB)

    Or maybe the second option could be Cabaye instead... Thoughts appreciated!

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. hackneylad
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Epic

    2. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I went A--needed that extra dough for my pricey defense.

  13. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    The way Dominick Cruz took that loss was great

    Cruz and McGregor = real men

  14. greghammer95
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone with Costa captain today please don't expect much from him. I've gone with him. So far my average (not doubled) captain score is 3.7

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      It's fine. I've captained him so he'll do very well.

  15. WVA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone watching sport relief the final score? Very good

  16. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Bruntinho hatrick be welcome today

  17. Rage
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I'VE USED MY WILDCARD!!!

    please help people, what would you change?

    Heaton / Forster
    Valencia / Rose / Ake / Brunt / Amat
    Hazard / Erikson / Lallana / Phillips / de roon
    Zlatan / Costa / Defoe

    please help 🙂

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe downgrade a keeper?

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

      If have sanchez in for his good run, easy to downgrade him too..

    3. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Needs Sanchez in for Eriksen

  18. 824545201
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    15 minutes til this site explodes.

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      ISIS?

  19. ARKHAM
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Jumping three places in the mini league by scoring 0. Unbelievable Jeff.

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Did that too, in both the top 10k and 1k any season leagues 🙂

    2. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      How?

  20. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    i did wc to have kun ibra and kane butttt left in the mid with just lallana erikson and philips, what do you think about it? thanks

    1. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Fine

    2. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      All still good for now.

      A United mid will surely be desirable soon though

  21. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Jones on the bench- that will hurt a lot of line ups

  22. pax888
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Really need some help with my team!

    2 free transfers & 0.2 in the bank.

    What would you do?

    Heaton
    Alonso Brunt Evans Lovren
    Sanchez Hazard Mane Eriksen
    Ibrahimovic Benteke

    Pickford Fletcher Anichebe Amat

  23. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A) Zaha and Defoe

    or

    B) Phillips and Benteke

    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I like B as i think Zaha only has one more game before AFCON

  24. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    If anyone here is looking for a film recommendation:

    'Searching for Sugarman'

    Absolutely great film about a musician from the US who was obscure in his home country but huge in apartheid South Africa.

    Great soundtrack too, and on Netflix

    1. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Superb film!

      1. Coaly
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Just rewatched it and enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

        It really is a very good film and the albums are excellent too