Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Sanchez Denies Battling Clarets

A contentious win for Arsenal at Turf Moor sheds a favourable light on key players from both sides, while a Charlie Austin brace reinvigorates Southampton as Everton’s season lurches ever closer to the disastrous.

Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the last-gasp penalty Arsenal required to find a way past Burnley, the Gunners are finding some form and their stars edging towards Fantasy recognition.

Inevitably, some managers will consider flirting with today’s match-winner Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has now scored back-to-back goals and has three strikes and an assist from his last five starts.

Yes, Sanchez surely only took the penalty because Alexandre Lacazette was off the pitch, while his 11.8 price tag is still far too steep given the alternative options screaming for attention – not least Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

But his class is not in doubt, while the Gunners’ next five fixtures (HUD MUN sot whu NEW) offer plenty of potential for more of the same from a player who, for some, could prove a devastating differential.

While Sanchez will be a stretch too far for most, Aaron Ramsey is enjoying an equally consistent five-match run. Today’s assist was his third from those five outings, with a couple of goals adding further lustre to a midfielder priced at just 7.0.

It’s also back-to-back clean sheets for a defence that has benefitted enormously from the return of Shkodran Mustafi (5.4).

In the seven matches he’s started this season, Arsenal have conceded just a single goal.

That upcoming schedule looks particularly promising for the Gunners’ backline, with even the visit from Man United offering the promise of returns should Jose Mourinho decide to revert to his now familiar negative tactics when facing top-four rivals.

Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil missed Sunday’s victory through illness, with Arsene Wenger confirming post-match that the playmaker “will be short for Wednesday” when the Gunners host Huddersfield.

No luck, but no panic for Burnley

We almost feel partly responsible for Burnley conceding the last minute spot-kick, having talked up Lee Mason’s fondness for penalties in Thursday’s Men In Black.

Despite that cruel last-minute twist, there was again much to admire about the Clarets’ defensive work. They were seconds away from a fourth straight shut-out, ensuring that our faith in their backline remains intact.

Not that faith was entirely the order of the day – a combined 504,000+ managers benched either Stephen Ward or Ben Mee for today’s clash.

The former is the most popular defender in the game, with 22.1% ownership, while his team-mate is in 12.5% of Fantasy Premier League squads, which puts him in the top ten.

Sean Dyche’s rearguard restricted Arsenal to just two shots on target, and only the two Manchester sides have conceded fewer goals than Burnley’s 10 from 13 matches this season.

The Clarets’ immediate schedule (bou lei WAT STO bri) promises more of the same.

Ward and Mee have started every single league match this campaign, while goalkeeper Nick Pope is also an ever-present since taking over from Tom Heaton in Gameweek 4.

All three remain sound investments for a hectic period when nailed-on starters will be at a premium.

Austin powers Saints win

Southampton had failed to find the net in seven matches this season prior to the visit from Everton, scoring just nine goals from 12 generally dreary encounters.

It says much for the Toffees’ meltdown mode that the Saints hit four today, though recalled striker Charlie Austin clearly deserves credit.

In his first start under Mauricio Pellegrino, the injury-prone forward scored twice and fired five shots in the box – no striker had more in Gameweek 13.

He’s owned by just 0.4%, a figure that will most likely rise on the back of Sunday’s instant impact.

But those seeing cut-price differential material in the 6.0-priced Austin might want to pause and reflect on a schedule that includes trips to Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and Man United and a visit from Arsenal over the next eight Gameweeks.

Elsewhere, Steven Davis (5.1) moved up to fourth in the value midfielder charts after scoring his third goal of the season, while Dusan Tadic netted for the first time since Gameweek 2.

Meanwhile, the 8.5%-owned Ryan Bertrand made amends for being part of a defence that’s kept just a single clean sheet in eight matches by providing two assists in a nine-point performance.

The Saints might well kick on from this heartening win, but, given their schedule, it would seem wise to wait until the New Year before we seriously re-consider any revival under Pellegrino.

Ineptitude and now injuries for Everton

Let’s start with the positives.

Positive, actually, because the only reason to be cheerful at Everton is the form of Gylfi Sigurdsson, who now has a goal and an assist from his last two starts.

The midfielder has the fixtures (WHU HUD new SWA) to profit further, and he might now have penalty-taking duties as well, with Leighton Baines suffering an injury in Sunday’s defeat.

But Everton are so poor at present – they’ve conceded nine goals in the last four painful days and the 28 they’ve shipped domestically is the worst record in the Premier League – that taking a punt on any of their assets looks very ill-advised.

That defence can only improve, though it might now be without both Baines and Michael Keane.

The pair limped off at St Mary’s, with David Unsworth offering a gloomy post-match assessment on both.

“Leighton has done his calf, unfortunately. We’ll probably assess him more tomorrow. We’ll reassess him, but it looks like he’s going to be struggling for Wednesday. Michael was a bit different. I don’t know whether it was concussion. He was with the doctor at the end of the game and I haven’t had the chance to speak to either yet.”

5,621 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Is it just me, or does Alexis look a bit like Charlie Chaplin in that photo?

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Nice first comment to get the conversation rolling 😛

  2. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Lukaku Pogba richarlison
    To
    Wilson Salah hazard

    (-8)

    Yay or nay?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Nay! How much ITB?

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        0.7
        Don't like united attacking players
        Not sure they'll score too many in their next 3 fixtures

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Do you have Morata? If so, just do Lukaku+Pogba > Wilson+Salah

          1. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Got morata, given Chelsea fixtures, really looking at morazard

          2. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Keep richarlison?

    2. Trevez
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yay

  3. Kuqi Monster
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Elliot Krul
    Mustafi Naughton Francis Ward Moreno
    Silva Sterling Salah RLC Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Vardy

    (A) Vardy->Morata.
    (B) Lukaku->Morata

    Thoughts?

    Whilst Vardy hasn't exactly been setting the world alight he has some decent fixtures coming up and B would also allow me to do Silva->Hazard later.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B then! A is far too top heavy

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Why Always Mee

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Evening all.

    Best use of 2FTs here? Would like Morata or Sane. Only 0.6ITB 🙁

    Elliot
    Otamendi • Daniels • Duffy
    Mo Salah • Richarlison • E. Hazard • RLC
    Vardy • Kane • Lukaku
    (Fabianski / Ward / Yedlin / TC)

  6. Jar Jar Winks
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    aguero eriksen or mortal and hazard or hazard and jesus?

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'd have the moratal

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Mortal* 😆

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Mortal? I’d want Hazard over Eriksen

  7. Rash
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Sané taking my captain score now to 106 really frustrating having a much better team than most in my MLs but counting for nothing with poor captain scores

    1. Jar Jar Winks
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      i captained him, was really disappointed

  8. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Help, I've had a shocker.

    Elliot
    Otamendi Azpiliqueta Mee Daniels
    Salah Sane Silva Gross
    Lukaku Kane

    Fabianski Abraham* Carroll Long*

    1 ft and 0.4 itb

    Was planning for Lukaku -> Morata.

    Should I keep calm and do this or do I need a more fundamental change?

  9. Red Rock
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best £5m Striker?

    Will Niasse fit straight back in to the starting lineup?

    1. Sam1878
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Depends a lot on the manager situation, if it's still undsworth i'd expect him to get game time.

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    GW Rank in.

    FPL not messing around anymore 🙂

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure it is for me.. is the average still 28?

      1. McEwan
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        43 now

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Yea still not updated for me!

  11. Mark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Gutted about Tarky. I really thought I was in for a massive bench luck reprieve. He had a storming game too. But can't complain on the GW overall. Made a silly error starting Abraham, just thought it was all or nothing with a back injury.

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      When is next scoutcast?

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I think Thursday, though I won't be in attendance next week. Gutted because no doubt there will be RLC banter flying and I won't be able to retaliate.

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          You should really be making jonty eat some humble pie about RLC

          1. Legomané
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Ruben Legendary-Cheek, oh yeah!

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Least you didn’t do sterling to sane!

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Are you selling Scott Dann?

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Not yet...I’ll hope for a recall or a Tomkins breakdown...has to be Morata in first as I have four decent defenders for GW14.

    4. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      With only 2 playing today, I was hoping for a grey arrow, things couldn’t have worked out much better. Probably my best gw rank with a team that I didn’t hold out much hope for being honest

  12. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Pick one?

    A. Pogba + Daniels
    B. Hazzard + Mariappa -4

  13. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Just noticed the GW rank update - looks like I've had a much better week than expected. 🙂

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Probably my best GW rank ever (outside of DGWs) in fact.

      1. McEwan
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Snap, good for a green arrow!

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Yep, will do very nicely - I'm finally making headway after being under 1 million until last week!

  14. Magic Bean
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Having picked a blanked captain in the last 3 GWs i'm heading out to the 200K mark.

    Morata or Kane this week folks?

    1. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Salah/hazard

  15. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    KDB to Hazard?

    1. MG13
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      definitely

  16. COYG
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Sorry about these posts but need your opinion, thanks

    1. COYG
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Fabianski
      Azpilicueta - Jones - Tarkowski
      Hazard - Salah - Silva - Groß
      Kane - Morata - Abraham

      —————————————

      Elliot - Dann - Mariappa - RLC

      1. Atom&Humber
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Tammy can't play against parent club

  17. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Can anyone help me get outta this dilemma?
    Was all set to take Sterling out for Haz, but is it worth now?
    Got Sane and Morata as well.

    1. AndyCook
        6 years, 4 months ago

        No

      • 404_FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        keep sterling

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      A- Lukaku Pogba richarlison
      To
      Wilson hazard Salah

      B- Lukaku richarlison
      To
      Wilson Salah
      (-4)

      1. Atom&Humber
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        B if you have morata

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          You don't think a double up is needed?

          1. Atom&Humber
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Wouldn't wanna drop pogba, what's your full team?

            1. The Red Devil
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Posted on next page, check out my front 8

        2. Snikii
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          This

          1. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            B?

    3. Atom&Humber
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Elliot
      Mustafi Daniels azpi
      Richarlison pogba ha(z)ard sane salah
      Kane Wilson

      Fab ward niasse mbemba
      Gtg??

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yup

    4. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Any obvious moves I’m not seeing?

      1FT 0.0 ITB

      Pope
      Alonso, Jones*, Dann, Mee
      Salah, Sane, Sterling
      Kane, Aguero, Wilson

      Elliot, Richarlison, Carroll, Naughton

      1. Atom&Humber
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        If you're happy with Jones then Carrol to rlc??

        1. OldBenKenobi
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Jones is a difficult one for me tbh.

      2. AndyCook
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Aguero to Morata

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            I may just but Dann is now a pain

      3. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        3.8k GW rank.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          3.9M GW rank 🙁

        2. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Aguero captain paid off for you

        3. McEwan
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          323 this week. Recovered from worst gw rank 2 weeks ago in style!

      4. Snikii
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Captain Kane or Hazard?
        Play Daniels(BUR) or Ward(bou)?

      5. AndyCook
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Elliot, Pereira
          Cedric, Montreal, Jones, Otamendi, Ward
          Salah, Sane, Sterling, Pogba, RLC
          Morata, Kane, McBurnie

          1.6 itb

          Do I

          A) Work Hazard in, probably for Pogba
          B) Stick with the mid, bring in a better keeper and work on defence

        • THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          31k gw rank

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Nice. 23k for me with 71 points 🙂 includes Otamendi’s own goal

            1. Syd.
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Same as me 😎

        • Fergiesarmy
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          need to get hazard in

          Which sounds best for a hit Silva and zaha to hazard and RLC

          Or lukaku sane to hazard and morata?

        • fplking14
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          do you think sane will be rested against southampton midweek?

          1. JoeJitzu +42
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Really don't know anymore....

        • JoeJitzu +42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Is it worth getting Hazard for Sterling or Sané?

          If yes, which one?

        • RubberDucky
            6 years, 4 months ago

            I have Zaha and thinking DLC as a 5th mid as an enabaler/actually play at times

            Is this a mistake and go for another mid 5.8 or under?

            This would allow a 3rd striker at 6.3 or less but not really sure I need one that expensive.

          • Trevez
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            I was planing on removing Jesus for Morata, but don’t think I can now considering he played 10mins,he will have to play a full game next time. What are all the Jesus owners doing?

            1. Pierce34
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Keeping. There might be some unexpected midweek rotation in general, so any transfers are not likely to be predictable in the way they pay off short-term.

            2. Legomané
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Why will he have to play the full game? Pep does whatever the heck he wants and gives FPL managers all the respect he should

              1. Trevez
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                I am just guessing, but I think Jesus will play more mins than Kun against Southampton