Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Gameweek 4 – Sunday

Angel di Maria steers United to their first win of the season with a goal and assist against QPR. Wayne Rooney and Ander Herrera mirror the Argentine’s returns, while Juan Mata is also on the scoresheet in an emphatic 4-0 demolition.

Di Maria Dazzles on Home Bow
Handed a berth on the left of a midfield diamond, the Argentine leapt to Fantasy managers’ attention with a pivotal role in yesterday’s rout. After somewhat fortuitously opening the scoring with a free-kick, Di Maria teed up Juan Mata for the hosts’ fourth and turned in a performance that is set to get the bandwagon rolling ahead of next week’s trip to Leicester. Indeed, with home matches against West Ham and Everton allied with a trip to West Brom in the next four, some may even be contemplating a shift to 3-5-2 in order to accommodate the Argentine in their starting line-ups.

Rooney Back in the Points
While Robin van Persie blanked once again, the England star replicated Di Maria with a goal and assist against the R’s. Handed a role alongside the Dutchman, Rooney certainly staked a claim to continue in the advanced role – certainly, on current form, there’d be no real surprise if Van Persie dropped out to accommodate Radamel Falcao.

Nonetheless, Van Gaal’s decision to sub off Juan Mata, despite the Spaniard netting for the second time this term, resulted in a change of position for Rooney, who tucked in behind the front two. There’s no doubt such a scenario would prove detrimental to both Rooney and Mata, and bearing in mind the Colombian only failed to start due to jet lag, there are still many question marks surrounding United’s attack right now.

Herrera Off the Mark
Judging by yesterday’s display, the Spaniard may yet prove to be a legitimate Fantasy option for the season ahead. Herrera had been written off as a source of points due to a deep-lying role but the arrival of Daley Blind allowed him to shift to the right of the midfield diamond against the R’s and serve up a goal and assist. At just 7.3 in FPL, Herrera certainly looks worth monitoring if he can continue in the same role.

Van Gaal Moves to Four at the Back
The United boss admitted pre-match his decision to opt for a four-man defence was mainly down to injuries. With the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling sidelined and Luke Shaw fit enough only for the bench, Van Gaal was forced to field Tyler Blackett at centre-half, with Marcos Rojo covering on the left. While a second consecutive clean sheet is promising, it’s worth bearing in mind United have played against promoted opposition in those last couple of matches – with uncertainty still surrounding their first-choice personnel at the back, though, many may opt against investing in the Red Devils’ defence for now.

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1,403 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Van Dal
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    dodged a bullet at start of season by not picking Cahill or Terry!

    1. faux_C
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah Terry's been my biggest mistake so far this season. Was all set to go for a budget defence, but a few articles on here persuaded me not to and I've regretted it ever since.

    2. rickardinho
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I almost had Terry-Shaw in defence hahah

  2. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mutch > Boyd for my 5th mid and save 1.0, good move?

    1. Game of Stones
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Boyd a better option atm than Mucth, but depens on formation

    2. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Got Siggy?

  3. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Some things which were considered essential by many at the start of the season...

    A Chelsea defender.
    Man Utd 'coverage'.
    Siggy

    Any others I'm missing? 1 out of those 3 looking good so far.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Rvp overpriced
      Sturridge overpriced

    2. VougieDipond
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      young/bojan 😯

      1. BeachBadger
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Did anybody ever call Bojan essential though? 😆

  4. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    First year that FPL manager has a top 1k finish after winning the whole thing?

    Tom Fenley...

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/38036/history/

    Sitting pretty.

    1. The Machine
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      First year that someone defends has title after winning the whole thing*

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Too early to tell. If I was a betting man, which I am, I'd say no.

    3. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      no offense to anyone, but it's been a funny start... many solid managers are struggling and most people at the top seem to have no finish in top 100k

      1. The Machine
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not really....

        1. elkunaguero
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I must have looked at a small sample

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Top 1000 league...

            http://fantasy.premierleague.com/my-leagues/5955/standings/

            And please don't mention that Triggerlips is second.

            1. elkunaguero
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              cheers

      2. The Machine
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Plenty in the top 10k already ( the good finishers)

    4. Ranieri's Ghost
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Matt won 2012 and then followed up with 995th the year after
      http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/27410/history/

  5. Vardy is always having a pa…
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    RMT please!

    Bego/McCarthy
    Ivan/Clyne/Moreno/Bartley/Bruce
    Siggy/ADM/Zaha/Sterling/Wanyama
    Aguero/Naismith/Diego Costa

    I play 3-4-3 and I have 1 FT with 3.1 in the bank any help will be much appreciated!

  6. BayerNevaLusen
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Duff a good replacement for Debuchy? Already have Clyne

  7. Ady87
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Lloris (Krul)

    Lovren Evans Wilson (Naylor Wisdom)

    Fab ADM Sterling Siggy (Cork)

    Rooney Costa Welbeck

    1 FT - 0.7m ITB

    A) Save
    B) Lovren > Bertrand (Leaves £1.2m bank)

    1. mastertokalosh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      save

  8. Don Rogers FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Would appreciate some advice if anyone has a spare second or two
    My team thus far for week 5:-
    Bego (Myhill)
    Bertrand C.Davies Chamb (Colo, Bartley)
    Ramsey, Siggy, Sterli, Eriksen, Mata
    Rooney, Pelle, Naismith

    I appreciate that the defence needs some tinkering but happy to do that wks 6-8
    I have 3.8M in the bank so plenty of scope to get Costs (who I see as essential) but not sure I need to do it yet.

    Game plan is Eriksen>Chadli, Naismith> Costa but can’t help but think I might be better sitting tight this week and aim to do next week (unless CL intervenes).
    Any advice Welcome.

    1. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      12 in team would be nice but obv also need to bench a midfielder.

  9. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Debuchy --> ??

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Chambers.

      1. BayerNevaLusen
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Why Chambers? Its not like Arsenal have kind fixtures and they have been poor defensively.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Because I have him and I want some company.

          1. BayerNevaLusen
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            😛

    2. BayerNevaLusen
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Im on the same boat. Considering Duff...

  10. Ohhhhh Gary Macca!
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have 5.6m who should I replace Kelly with?

  11. Aubamazette
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hull vs Westham predictions?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      0-0

      1. VougieDipond
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        this yawnfest

      2. Don Rogers FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'm hoping 0-0

    2. Game of Stones
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      1-0

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully WHM score some goals, most people have a Hull defender 😛

    4. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Few goals. Ideally none 🙂

      1. Aubamazette
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I reckon 2-1

  12. ThunderKlopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    so suddenly Manu Utd are world beaters again on the back of beating the hapless QPR???
    Let's see - QPR also lost 4-0 to a Spurs side that were thumped by a Liverpool side that can't even put Villa away at home.
    Let's have a bit of perspective - one swallow does not a summer make and all that!

    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      absolutely... I'd be interested to see how that super offensive ManU lineup does against a more threatening opponent

      1. elkunaguero
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        QPR managed to get some decent chances... against a proper side, thye could easily have conceded 2

    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Next week it's Stoke's turn for massive improvements.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Why are you stalking people?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        *sends text message to Missus Epicfail

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I've got her phone. You look good in that thong. 😉

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            😯

  13. hazza44
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on my wildcard team? Do you think its too weak in defence? Any suggestions would be great!

    Forster (Hamer)
    Bertrand Wilsonl Duff (Taylor Moore)
    Ramsey Di Maria Fabregas Siggy (Marney)
    Costa Aguero Pelle

    0.3 in the bank

    thanks heaps guys

  14. RyanC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Really not sure what to do this week, if anything.

    Bego (McCarthy)
    Clyne Evans Lovren (Duff, Moore)
    Hazard Sterling Di Maria Siggy (Boyd)
    Costa Pellè Balotelli

    1FT. 0.4 ITB.

    Willing to give Haz another few weeks. Not sure about Balo - I got sucked in by the hype without actually liking him much as a Fantasy option.

    Stick or twist?

    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      stick, good team

    2. Calamity Cole
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Get fab
      balo will come good and I reckon he will score against west ham but he's to expensive for me at the moment
      Oh and you need chelsea defenders and city defenders

      1. RyanC
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Doubt I'll get any Chelsea or City defenders. Chelsea's defence have hardly filled me with confidence and they've tougher fixtures to come.

  15. JasaSR2
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Begovic/Krul
    Ivanovic/Bertrand/Dier/Wisdom/Duff
    Fabregas/Sterling/Ramsey/Siggy/Schneiderlin
    Costa/Falcao/Naismith

    Thinking about getting ADM in for Sterling, but I would have to drop Ivanovic then as I have no more money, any tips on a replacement for a then max of 6.1 in def?

    1. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think your team looks great as it is.

  16. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Can anyone suggest a transfer here?

    Krul (McCarthy)
    Ivan Naylor Duff (Clyne Wilson)
    Fab Sterling Tadic Sig (Boyd)
    Costa Rooney (c) Balo

    Thinking triple Chelsea vs City isn't ideal, so maybe Fab to Ramsey.

    Or save and next week Balo/Rooney to Welbs to free up finds to get Haz/Sanchez/Ramsey back in the middle over Tadic ...

    1. RyanC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'd stick. Good team.

  17. Trier
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Think I need to get rid of Matta this week or am I being paranoid about his security?

    If so who should I replace him with? At his value or less.

  18. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Louvren looks good option due to fixtures??

  19. Logic
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Duff(sun H ), pieters(qpr A), moreno
    (whu A)...... which two should i start with
    baines at the back?
    How do you adebayor as captain? Plays
    westbrom at home

    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Duff and Moreno

      You could but it would be a punt

    2. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Duff, Moreno.

      QPR will score this week!

    3. Logic
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      thanks.. but what do u think of ade as Capt

  20. Lizard Lips
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Why are Ivanovic owners ditching, he looks like a forward!

    1. Calamity Cole
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm trying to save up for him

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No clean sheets mainly cos he doesnt defend

  21. HVT
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Off topic,
    anyone know of a good online algebra calculator for mobile?
    Thanks.

  22. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Posted this last night...See if I can get more opinions today.

    Don't see this being said much around here...but...

    Is using your WC early advantageous due to the fact that earlier on the top are yet to pull away from the rest? If you use your WC later on, and lets say you aren't doing too well...by then the top would be far ahead of you...whilst this early in the game when they're not so far ahead is it more advantageous to use it now and steady the ship and get back on track to chasing the top as the gap is smaller?

    theory might be completely flawed...and not sure if some of you can even understand what I'm saying but yeah, thoughts?

    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      i agree - best to get the key players in to stay in touch early on

      only reason not to is if you are already in touching distance and can hold out to capitalise on a dgw

    2. ThunderKlopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      early if your team is really struggling but in my experience using a late wildcard to take advantage of double game weeks is the difference between winning mini-leagues and not

    3. The Machine
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The reason most haven't wildcarded (including myself) is that we're likely to end up with a similar team to the one we actually have right now. And there is a crazy percentage of us in top 50 atm.
      You made a point about those of us who haven't made a good start. They probably have wildcard ed already

      1. The Machine
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Top 50k*

    4. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Various answers I guess. Early on(first Int break)to gain TV. This wasn't as fruitful as in the past but many still made some decent fantasy money.

      If you do well early on then I suppose you won't play your WC as you already have the players scoring the points, and obviously then also the players that everyone are knee jerking in. Your TV will rise without the need to WC.

      Im struggling to hold out at the moment. I usually WC in week 3. This year I didn't. Im kind of sorry I didn't.

      1. Calamity Cole
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I WC in week 2 😀

      2. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        But if you don't do too well early on, would it be beneficia to use your WC to get back up there. Once you're there it's more of staying up and maintaing the rank than frantically trying to make up ground.

        Whilst if you're not doing well and hold your WC on for too long...by the time you use it ,it migh be too late to catch up, no?

    5. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      My team is very similar to a wildcard team. It would be pointless using it just so I can use it early.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lucky you then.

        🙄

    6. Lucy.
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing well enough to not panic about being left behind. Attempting to hold as I would be mainly changing my defence with a WC, which I think I can do by playing fixtures and doing a week at a time. Plus there aren't any stand out premium defences yet.

      1. wood is good
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        well there is one stand out defence but its your team!

        1. Lucy.
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          The emphasis on premium defence - defenders that are expensive enough to force a reshuffle of funds 🙂

          1. wood is good
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            yeah i seemed to ignore that bit! makes sense...

    7. Kowalski
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think it works on a few level.

      1. Physiological advantage
      2. If you are above players they are likely to copy your team meaning little chance of them breaking points leaps and bounds above.
      3. The maths of it are that the points are always there to be had from the start to finish so on that front a WC doesn't make much difference so long as it is used at an advantageous point in the league.

    8. Pasqualinho
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Quality over timing - Always. Look at TriggerLips' WC and read his comments throughout and after WC week. You play a productive Wildcard and it doesn't really matter when you use it.

    9. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one. I still have my wildcard but this is the latest I have held onto it in 4 seasons. Each of the last 3 years I have thought within three weeks of using it that I wasted it because (although it was good for making money that week) I could have got to a similar team incrementally without losing any more ground on the leaders in my ML.This year I am keeping hold in case of injury glut or perhaps DGW no brainer.

      I can see how this year there might be more temptation to use it early because of the Costa form if you have no other way of getting him into team without a 12pt hit or something. Last tear Suarez did not emerge until a bit further into the season and Ramsey (who was leading the way early doors was not that expensive so easy to bring in).

      To get to the point however, I do not think the theory behind using the WC now is to keep touch with the leaders (although one could argue that everything one does is motivated by keeping touch withy the leaders).

      Clear as mud.

    10. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      First time I haven't used it early.
      First time I've had a good start.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Nice going!

        1. RoysCallerAnne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Thank you 🙂

    11. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mmm...cheers all 🙂

  23. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Suggestions guys :-

    DDG Myhill
    Terry PVA Wisdom Chambers Hutton
    Fabregas Ramsey Siggy Sterling Marney
    Rooney Costa Jovetic

    1FT and £0.3 ITB

    1. Woy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Terry out

  24. Jax
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Why is there no mention of Mohamed Diame in Hull's team news?

    Is there a stipulation in his contract saying he can't play v his former team or something?

  25. EmreCan Hustle
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please rate these clubs in order of CS potential in UCL.

    Benfica, Zenit, Monaco, Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Athletic, Porto, Sporting.

    I know it's a lot, but help is appreciated.

    Thanks.

    1. rickardinho
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Porto Zenit Leverkusen athletic Olympiakos Benfica Monaco sporting

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate!

  26. wood is good
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    how did falcao lokk when he came on yesterday chaps?
    and balotelli was poor yes?

    1. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Balotelli looked his usual self, annoyed, pi55ed off but he did get some special treatment from Senderos and Hutton lol

      1. Calamity Cole
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😀

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Balotelli wasn't allowed to play. He got the poo kicked out of him all game.

    3. Game of Stones
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Balo was poor - Falcao didn't do much, got himself into the box a few times though

    4. Calamity Cole
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Falco looked good I think rvp will be second fiddle from now on
      Balo will explode when we least expect it
      Both to expensive for me though although I want falco but not just yet

  27. rickardinho
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Which one:

    A) Ivanovic (city VIL ARS)
    B) Baines (PAL liv man)

    1. Game of Stones
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ivan

  28. Lucy.
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Chester - new
    PVA - bur
    Moreno - whu
    Clyne - swa
    (all away fixtures)

    Bench Clyne?

    1. Calamity Cole
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep that's what I'm doing

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm guessing you have Siggy, so yes, bench Clyne.

      1. Lucy.
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I do indeed 🙂

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          You reckon Dzeko->Pelle is a good trade?

          1. Lucy.
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I do!

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Cool, might keep Terry( :evil:) for another week then.

              Was thinking Dzeko/Terry->Pelle/Baines for -4