Scout Notes

The Stock Check – Sunday

A breathless day brought an avalanche of assists, two unlikely hat-tricks, a Hawthorns goal-fest and a frustrating array of missed opportunities at Anfield. With the Fantasy Premier League crown seemingly going right to the bonus point wire, the drama may not be over just yet. Here’s the Stock Check from Sunday’s season climax.

On the Up

Gareth Bale
The Welshman looked to heading for his third consecutive blank but, yet again, Bale came up with the goods to cut through the Sunderland resistance and hand Spurs a precious win. While the goal proved futile for Andre Villas-Boas’ side, Bale’s late strike was a major factor throughout the mini-leagues and in the race for the Fantasy Premier League crown.

Andy Carroll
The big Geordie has enjoyed a superb end to the season, capped today by another unplayable display which translated into a brace of assists. Carroll ended the season returning a goal or assist in eight of his last 13 league outings. It seemed unlikely at the turn of the year, but his destination next season will now be of interest in Fantasy terms.

Kevin Nolan
With Carroll in form, Nolan’s output normally picks up and it was no surprise to see the former Bolton midfielder return to the scoresheet – a hat-trick was unexpected, however. Nolan ended the season having returned in five of his last seven home league matches, recreating the form that saw him become such a hot property in the early Gameweeks.

Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian continued his close season run of form with a third goal of the season to justify his Scout Pick selection and delight the 100,000 managers who have drafted him in over the last two Gameweeks. Coutinho returned in three of his last four league matches. Priced at just 6.5 on his arrival in the Fantasy Premier League game, Coutinho’s starting price next season will be a key factor in our pre-season plans.

Romelu Lukaku
Once again, the Belgian started life on the Baggies bench to emerge and show his undoubted credentials with a stunning second half hat-trick to take him to 17 goals for the season. Like Coutinho, Lukaku’s starting price will be a key factor next term, as will his destination with the likes of Swansea and West Ham already knocking on Chelsea’s door for a loan deal.

Javier Hernandez
A bit part player all season, the Mexican ended the season offering a stark reminder of his qualities by fetching goal and assist returns at the Hawthorns to add to his goal in the win over Swansea. “Little Pea” proved to be a dramatic end of season differential, it remains to be seen if he can be more than that under David Moyes.

Juan Mata
The Spaniard has been ticking over with assists, having returned five in his last seven league starts, but chose the final day to return to the scoresheet. Today’s early strike was Mata’s first since Gameweek 25, repaying those who had kept the faith to the season climax.

The Arsenal Defence
While Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla have dominated our thinking when it comes to Arsenal’s attacking assets, the Gunners defence ended the season having conceded just two goals in the final six league outings. The likes of Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna have offered strong value, then, while Laurent Koscielny’s run of form and second league goal of the season was timed to perfection.

Going Down

Daniel Sturridge
A hat-trick at Craven Cottage last time out boosted his appeal going into the final day clash with relegated QPR. It looked set to be a blood bath and yet, in a typical final day twist, Liverpool and Sturridge failed to take their opportunities and settled for a 1-0 win to offer little but frustration to those Fantasy managers who had backed Sturridge to play a key role in a Liverpool landslide.

Carlos Tevez
The Argentine looked to have the form and fixtures to offer an end of season burst but, with City faltering, Tevez ended the campaign with just a single assist from his last six league appearances. His final day was cut short on 49 minutes today, replaced by Sergio Aguero, another City player who has provided little but frustration over the season.

Vincent Kompany
City’s villains aren’t limited to attacking areas. Kompany had looked to be the most secure option, outside of Joe Hart, going into the season climax and yet the Belgian failed to figure in any of the final three fixtures – the fact that City conceded a shock three goals to Norwich was at least consolation for irritated Kompany owners.

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

2,445 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Is there anything to be salvaged by saying that 1061 is somehow attached to 1000, thus part of the top 1000? 😉

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Humans' fixation on round numbers is illogical. Nuff said.

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Well you can say your rank was 1k for this season?

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    3. Holy See
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Grasp straws much? 😉

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    4. MCH
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      No doesn't count!

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  2. Pen_Pal
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    So it all came down to today. I trailed my mini league leader by 39 starting the day. I decide to bench lukaku on the basis they were beaten 4-0 last week and were playing a united side looking to give SAF a good send off. When the team sheets arrived in I thought good decision lukaku is on the bench but so too is azpil who I have starting. As the day develops I notice his team aren't doing much but my guys are doing well...this could be on yet! Then lukaku starts scoring no sign of azpil either so there's a chance of some extra points from the bench. Then the 82nd minute arrives and benitez ends any hope of lukaku coming off my bench by bringing in azpil. At the end of play with bonuses added I pulled back 25 points on my rival 15 shy of what I needed to win the league. Exactly the extra points that lukaku would have given me had he been in play.

    I think I want to cry but also want to marvel at the tension that FPL creates. 38 game weeks and it came down to the wire. This type of thing is what makes all of us love the game and I for one can't wait for next season to start so I can take my crown back in my mini league!

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  3. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Managed to creep into the top 100k.

    That'll do Pig. That'll do.

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    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Don't worry mate, I'm 80K ish. Dreadful stuff

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    2. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Not bad for a chump 😉

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      1. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        You beat me anyways

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      2. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Next season Reedy, next season......

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        1. Reedy
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          🙂

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  4. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    So pre-season membership is 10 pounds?

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Was last year, Mark may alter that on the basis of how much Opta are charging him

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      1. AK ⭐
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Well yeah.. Definitely a member next season though 😀

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  5. the axolotl
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    trivia – only 2 players have more that scholes’ 97 yellow cards. who are they?

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    1. bitterandstout
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Patrick Viera, Joey Barton?

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      • Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        keane and phill neville?

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        1. bitterandstout
            10 years, 10 months ago

            might we be overlooking Robbie effin Savage?

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        2. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Must be Keane

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      • Nerdlinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        18th overall... not too shabby! Cheers for peoples advice over the season and thanks to Mark and co for a cracking season of input

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        1. Robe Wan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Bravo

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        2. Live4pool
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          nice

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        3. Declan
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Great stuff, Fair play.

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        4. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Well done!

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        5. brianutd-why always we? 20
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          My lucky number congrats

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      • Captain Shirokov
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        1,027

        RAGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

        👿

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        1. Live4pool
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          ouch

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        2. SPorting
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Bit expensive for an S2.

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          1. MCH
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            lol

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        3. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Tell me about it. Hurts. But still a great season, what?

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      • rdpx
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        6730th

        very pleased with that I was 24K in GW32!

        Just to torture myself, anyone have any idea where I would have finished if I had not sacked Lukaku and got 2246pts?

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      • Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Lots of really nice posts tonight.

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        1. Robe Wan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Well deserved

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        2. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          +1 its lovely. And obviously you lot have done a tremendous job this year.

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        3. rdpx
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Well thanks for the site G. It's a good'un for sure and long may it continue.

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        4. Live4pool
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          end of season emotions 😉

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        5. Declan
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Great bunch of lads.

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        6. Holy See
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          I have been on a bit.

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        7. SPorting
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          And you had to ruin it with this one.

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        8. Declan-
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          All well deserved Mark, Granny and co. The banter on here is fantastic

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        9. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          And then there is yours about Arsenal on the previous page 😉

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          1. Feanor
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Horrible last week for me. Three months to chew on it.

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      • Muniains Tears
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Gameweek 31 rank: 35,504
        Gameweek 38 rank: 8,341

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        1. bitterandstout
            10 years, 10 months ago

            nicely done!

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        2. Johnny too hotty
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Lads me and another guy are tied on same points. What happens now? I've been top all season and he caught me in final week. I feel sick. If Walcott scored I would have won. fML.
          What does it get ranked on or shall we share the money pot

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          1. 1966 was a great year for E…
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            It goes on fewest transfers.

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        3. thetinkerman
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          New post. Accidental first post from me!

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            1. Reedy
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Cheers Tinks!

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        4. Declan-
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Outside 100k 😎 Thanks Aguero. I couldn't have done it without you

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          1. Reedy
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Haha I know how you feel 🙂

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          2. tw
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            😀

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          3. Declan
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Always next season Dec.

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            1. Declan-
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              I should just sleep in. I'd have had BAle (c) then. Not going to happen next year either with the leaving cert 🙂

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              1. Captain Shirokov
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 10 months ago

                +1 🙁

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        5. tw
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          finished the season with 3 greens in a row and ended on an OR rank 50k better than last year so not too shabby!

          looking to build on this year's finish of 23,336 and get in the top 10k next year

          thanks everyone for their help, advice, chat, banter etc. you've all really helped me and have also helped me to enjoy fpl and this site! cheers 😀

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        6. Kingmasson
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          47th, down from 23rd tho.....not HP

          Anybody want in to my Anytime TOP 50 league next season?.

          I'll get me coat.

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        7. Live4pool
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          ,Mission accomplished! 😎

          Back.To.Life

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        8. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Evening lads.

          Just want to say thank you for everyone who gave me all their help and advise. I'm looking forward to next season already.

          Zlat

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        9. LOCO ABREU
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Top 25k this season,outside top 500k last year. Won my Ml. Done! 😎 Greetings to all guys!

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        10. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          those WBA fans who left the game at 30 mins mark or so must be regretting it now

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        11. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Hmmm. Shipping lukaku for sturridge worked wonders for me. 🙁

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          1. Captain Shirokov
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            How about for a -4? 😎

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            1. super zlatan
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Ouch. In fairness plenty probably done it.

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        12. Captain Shirokov
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Phones again lads, would anyone recommend a Nokia Lumia 900 and how much would be a reasonable price for it (euros)?

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          1. Live4pool
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            good move
            not for a hit though

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        13. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Realised if I hadn't completely forgotten about GW14 (leaving Fellaini as last sub on my bench) I would have been

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          1. LOCO ABREU
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            It's all over sun jihai. 🙂 Great rank!

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        14. Burly - swear i wont ever (…
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Funny Old Game this.

          GW 37: Did Lukkaku > Sturridge. (Sturridge gets 15 points with a hattrick, i feel like a GOD)
          GW 38: Captained Sturridge, Lukkaku gets 16 points with a hattrick)

          Total over the 2 weeks: Sturridge = 19, Lukkaku = 18.

          This game can make you feel like the BOSS one week, and a IDIOT the next week!

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          1. Konig Luther
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            same thing, but without sturridge captain this week

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          2. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Got rid of Lukaku this week and boyce my first sub does not come on because Azpilicueta decides to play for 9mins. . . And Silva for a few only also. Still got 66points and ended up beating my rival though so happy out!!

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        15. Godfather Bandit 42
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          How many players are there in the Fantasy football scout league?

          I'm just outside 2000th...

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          1. Konig Luther
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            more than 12k

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            1. Godfather Bandit 42
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Noice

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        16. Claret14
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          not sure how happy i should be about my final rank?

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        17. FridayNightFail
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Well thanks to everybody for the advice, this was fun and I can't wait to do it again!

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        18. Brouhaha
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          yes, in the top 170,438!

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        19. coachman
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Looking for a catchy team name for next season ...any ideas ??

          This was my 1st season , finished 106k...got some great input from here..

          Can't wait to do it all over again .

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