Opinion

Scout Mission – Gameweek 10

There’s no shortage of topics for us to monitor ahead of this weekend’s fixtures. Diego Costa’s expected return for Chelsea, Wayne Rooney’s effect on the United formation, Arsenal’s midfield set-up against Burnley and Liverpool’s much-maligned frontman are all amongst this lunchtime’s menu.

Costa’s recovery…
Back in training yesterday, the omens look good for a return to action at home to QPR. With Didier Drogba playing all but 16 minutes of Chelsea’s last three matches over the last week or so and Loic Remy still injured, Jose Mourinho has even been candid enough to admit Costa is likely to feature against the R’s. It remains to be seen just how many minutes his manager will afford the Spain international but, having scored in each of his four home appearances, he may well be given enough time to wreak havoc against a backline that has conceded more away goals than any other team so far.

Martinez’ use of Ross Barkley…
After starting back-to-back matches in all competitions upon his return from injury, the Everton youngster was utilised as a second-half sub in last weekend’s win over Burnley. With Samuel Eto’o staking a claim for more minutes by bagging a brace, though, Roberto Martinez has decisions to make as the Toffees entertain Swansea, with the Cameroon international potentially restricting the minutes of Barkley or Romelu Lukaku, as evidenced by last week.

Kane’s opportunities at Villa…
It’s eight goals in 12 appearances now for the Tottenham youngster after he struck in last night’s cup win over Brighton. Despite his side’s toils up top – just six strikes in the last seven Gameweeks – Kane has been used sparingly by Mauricio Pochettino in the league, with Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor handed a start apiece in the last two Gameweeks. Given his form, though, it seems a matter of time before he’s finally entrusted with a first league start – at 4.8 in FPL, we’re keeping an eye on his pitch time as the north London side roll up to Villa Park.

Aarons and Obertan as budget prospects…
Back-to-back wins at Spurs and City will have filled Newcastle with confidence ahead of the weekend home encounter against Liverpool. The Reds’ porous backline looks there for the taking right now and with the fixtures improving after this one, Newcastle’s budget wide men have the chance to stake a claim for our attention. Obertan has a goal and an assist in the last three now, whilst Aarons notched on his comeback at the Etihad last night – more of the same and they may well find themselves on our watchlists.

Balotelli’s reaction at St James’ Park…
Emerging from the bench to notch against Swansea in the cup, the Italian relieved some of the pressure after a woeful start to life on Merseyside. Nonetheless, Balotelli is still awaiting that first league goal and with Daniel Sturridge still injured, he looks set to lead the line at St James’ Park again – will his midweek strike against the Swans be the shot in the arm his season needs?

Wenger’s shuffle of his midfield assets..
A 2-0 win at Sunderland brought Arsenal a second clean sheet of the season last weekend. On both occasions, Arsene Wenger has moved away from his 4-1-4-1 formation and utilised a 4-2-3-1 – last weekend saw Alexis Sanchez benefit from the central role behind Danny Welbeck to fire both his side’s goals. With Aaron Ramsey set to return to the starting XI against Burnley, though, Wenger must decide whether to utilise the Welshman in the double-pivot and allow Sanchez to retain his position through the middle or move the summer signing back to the flank against the Clarets, thus allowing Ramsey more freedom to bomb forward and join in his side’s attacks.

The United shuffle on Rooney’s return…
Available after a three-match suspension, the United skipper is expected to shake off a foot problem in time for Sunday’s derby trip to the Etihad. In Rooney’s absence, Louis van Gaal has moved away from a midfield diamond and switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj earning increased pitch time. With Radamel Falcao also in line to recover from injury, though, Van Gaal has options aplenty – West Ham caused City problems aplenty with a 4-2-3-1 last weekend and the Red Devils’ boss could well retain his recent system, with Falcao and Juan Mata on bench-warming duties.

Zaha’s return as a mid-price differential…
After grabbing an assist off the bench against Chelsea in Gameweek 8, the on-loan youngster seems to have finally convinced Neil Warnock he’s worthy of a starting role. Zaha ousted Jason Puncheon from the Palace XI for last week’s clash with West Brom and looks poised to keep his place out wide at home to Sunderland this Saturday. Certainly, the situation is worth monitoring for now – Zaha is ineligible to face parent club United in Gameweek 11 but if he turns on the style against the Black Cats, at 5.3 he could be worth considering after the next international break is out of the way.

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1,146 Comments Post a Comment
  1. - DC -
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Worth a - 4 to do Moreno to Chambers?

    1. Hammers Select
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Not in my eyes.

      1. - DC -
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Frees up cash for a transfer I want to make down the road. Better player to own for the next few GW's? Surely?

        1. Hammers Select
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          Yeh but not for a hit.

          The only way I would go for it, if you really need rid and you play for monthly prizes, as this hit wont be considered in the total monthly points total.

    2. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      No

    3. nibby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      nah

    4. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      I wouldn't

  2. Feed tha Sheep
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Best def fr Lovren?
    A. Chambers
    B. Cresswell
    C. Another up to 6
    D. Keep

    1. Hammers Select
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Chambers for few weeks, then switch to Robertson GW 17.

    2. Suarezista
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      A

  3. Gooner97
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Would you do:

    Sterling to Manè/Chadli and Sakho to Welbz this GW with no hit?

    1. Hammers Select
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Mane and Welbz.

    2. dusan77
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Do it...Mane is the one to have

      1. Gooner97
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        still injured or is he fine?

  4. AlCapwnUK
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Start Naylor or Dummett; or use FT?

    1. jimlad
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Dummett and SAVE

  5. jimlad
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    1FT and 0.9 ITB.

    A) Naismith > Berahino
    B) Save FT
    C) Something else?

    Krul, Elliot
    Bertrand, Wisdom, Chambers, Duff, Dummett
    Tadic, Fabregas, Di Maria, Siggy, Sterling
    Costa, Aguero, Naismith

    1. Hammers Select
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      A

    2. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Save, play 352 and Get Sakho next week?

    3. Adds04
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Save play 352

  6. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Sup geezers, would appreciate some help here after another poor week.

    Krul
    Moore Rose Clyne
    Sterling Hazard Sigurdsson Tadic
    Diego Costa Agüero Welbeck

    Subs: Foster Dummett Marney Caulker

    2 FTs
    0.4 ITB

    What would you do?
    A) Caulker > Chambers / Alcaraz and save the other FT
    B) Sterling and Tadic > Sanchez and Chadli/Downing
    C) Both A and B for a hit
    D) Any other transfer

    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      A

      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Thanks Don!

        1. DonTheSpecialOne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          And I'd go for Chambers btw.

  7. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    "A 2-0 win at Sunderland brought Arsenal a second clean sheet of the season last weekend. On both occasions, Arsene Wenger has moved away from his 4-1-4-1 formation and utilised a 4-2-3-1 – last weekend saw Alexis Sanchez benefit from the central role behind Danny Welbeck to fire both his side’s goals. With Aaron Ramsey set to return to the starting XI against Burnley, though, Wenger must decide whether to utilise the Welshman in the double-pivot and allow Sanchez to retain his position through the middle or move the summer signing back to the flank against the Clarets, thus allowing Ramsey more freedom to bomb forward and join in his side’s attacks."

    Is that really the case? I was under the impression that Ramsey was more effective as the second double-pivot (like last season)

    1. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Purely from the perspective of goal-threat I mean of course

    2. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1? It's about the same from an attacking perspective, I guess. Only from a defensive POV, the CDM doesn't go forward at all.

      1. thetinkerman
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Ok... not watched Arsenal or Ramsey really and trying to understand what has changed from last season

        1. Elniñorules
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          I suppose the 4-2-3-1 from last season provides a bit more width to the attack, so that would give more space for the likes of Ramsey to run into.

  8. 2 goals 1 cup
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Planning some risky but potentially good long term transfers...

    Lovren, ADM, Siggy > Baines or Ivanovic, Ramsey, Downing -4

    • Lovren needs to go for obvious reasons
    • ADM although great has tough fixtures and will lose value for that reason
    • Siggy same as ADM

    • Leaning towards Ivanovic over Baines due to fixtures and consistency.
    • Ramsey is a risk but has played a full game plus a couple of sub appearances now and is up against bottom of the league Burnley.
    • And downing has form and fixtures in his favour for a pretty good price.

    Any thoughts?

    1. Red Devil Swede
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      ADM has Palace, Hull, Stoke in next 3 home games. But also looking to get rid.

  9. Pap Le Cissier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    So the Sakho news doesn't really help me much...

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Still have a chance 😉

      1. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        True, makes me question my transfer plans though. Was thinking a straight swap to Berahino but now wondering if I should just take a hit and get Terry and Sterling out for Chambers and Sanchez

  10. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Begovic has only 12 saves and 10 goals conceded in 9 games.

    3 of these came saves during a clean sheet meaning :

    In 7 games where he conceded a goal he had 19 shots on target, an average of 2.7 per game.

    You'd have to think the clean sheets will come pouring in soon

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      with the fixtures they have coming up I highly doubt it

    2. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Aaaand then you have a look at his fixtures..

      Bego -> Adrian/Fabianski after GW12

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      I never understood the Begovic hype. Stoke aren't as tight as they were under Pulis, and he's not a save magnet.

      1. ADucksBehind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        According to numbers they are tight

  11. IronDuke
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Afternoon chaps

    I have 2FTs and 0.0m in the ode bank.

    Begovic (Gilks)

    Moore Hutton Moreno PvA Clyne

    Silva Sterling Siggy Hazard Marney

    Costa Aguero Welbeck

    Not needed to make a transfer in a while and, so far, keeping my finger off the trigger has worked pretty well.

    Would you make any changes this week? Wondering whether to get Rambo back, as Silva has a knock.

  12. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    SA: "Sakho is touch and go for Saturday. We will see what he's like tomorrow and make a decision from there."

    They will change flag on FPL or not ?

    1. chocolove
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      why change the flag?
      touch and go = doubtful/uncertain, hench yellow flag

  13. Hostage
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    What proportion of players have used their wild card already? I'm not sure how to find out.

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Around 44% It was posted somewhere

  14. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    last chance saloon for Welbeck?

    I'm thinking to do either Sterling to a Chelsea mid or Welbeck to Pelle, but Pelle being on 4 YC and Welbeck playing Burnley at home, I may wait on that one

    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      anything less than double digit returns he is out of my team for costa

      i am between ditching wellbeck or berahino so i can have one of the 2 along kun + costa

  15. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    It's scary that West Ham have already played City, United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton yet sit 4th in the league. We should expect an improvement over their easier fixtures, surely? 😯

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      and yet I only have Tomkins, but I am ok with this

    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      i bring sakho for this gw 😀
      i know, i know, but hes awesome

    3. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      what transfers did you make ?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Mannone/Sterling -> Sanchez/Adrian.

        Adrian's a save magnet, and West Ham's defensive returns should see an upturn soon.

        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          I like Adrian but i went for Lloris and got Tomkins

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          Hey, where have you been the last 10 days?

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 4 days ago

            I've been busy recently. How have you been? Got a transfer in mind?

        3. Jebiga
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          nice ! am i crazy with my transfers ? -4 hit

          hazard (c), sanchez and sakho in
          sterling, siggy and costa out

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 4 days ago

            I would keep Costa and Siggy. Sanchez and Sakho are great players though, if you can squeeze them in another way.

            1. Jebiga
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 4 days ago

              Thanks mate !

  16. Pea Soup
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Sterling to Ramsey!

    Got to have been in your thoughts this week?

    1. Trigg ⭐️
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Good point ..

      Arsenal have an easy home fixture and nobody seems to be mentioning him at all!

  17. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    NEWC goal attempts conceded at home....

    Bye bye Sterling?

    😕

    1. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Yes.

      Link?

    2. Woy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Whats the stat?

  18. Juve9le
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Play Siggy or Berahino for this GW?

    1. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Siggy

    2. The King
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Berahino, but preferably both.

      1. Juve9le
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Can't... Have ADM Fab Sterling Tadic
        Welbz Costa...

    3. MikeD
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      I have the same conundrum between siggy and ulloa...

      1. MG7
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        siggy 100%

        1. MikeD
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          West Brom defence has been a charity of late though.

    4. MG7
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      both

  19. blues123
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    If Sanchez plays in the hole against Burnley then he'd get similar returns, or better, as last last week. I'm not too sure about Aguero(c) and wasn't last week either. #gut choice always prevails.

    Also, if you take out the spurs game then that leaves kun with 1 goal in 3 app(Liv,sto,che) at home. Hardly great.

    1. Pea Soup
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      If you take out the Stoke game then that leaves Kun with 5 goals in 3 home games.

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

      Can we have a peek a boob at this weeks punts?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        I would also like to peek a boob.

        1. Woy
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          boobs? where?

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 4 days ago

            Honk.

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          I would like to peck a boob

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 4 days ago

            This could get out of hand.

  20. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Mane or Downing?

    1. Chris_White
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Downing. Mane not nailed and fixtures soon turn sour.

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        He is nailed when fit

        It's only for 3 weeks to cover Siggy's 2 away games and Sterling v Chelsea

  21. AarÖn Özilski
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    How much is Hazard's highest FPL point ?

    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Over The season or a single GW?

      1. AarÖn Özilski
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Single gameweek of course

        1. DonTheSpecialOne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          Has to be his hat trick against Newcastle last season I guess

        2. chocolove
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          hattrick at newcastle. 21pts my guess

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Don't be lazy. Just click on Hazard and have a look.

      1. AarÖn Özilski
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        I wanted to know his highest score in a single Gw

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          He got a hat trick against Fulham last season, could have been that.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      14 goals, 10 assists. 202 pts.

      Costa has spoiled his returns. He won't get as many goals or baps now.

      1. AarÖn Özilski
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        Thanks. Any idea on single gw

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 4 days ago

          No idea sorry. Probably around 20pts.

    4. AarÖn Özilski
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Cheers all.

  22. Game of Stones
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Begovic
    Clyne - Moore - Bertrand
    Sterling - Siggy - Fabregas - Di Maria
    Aguero - Welbeck - Costa

    McCarthy Hutton - N Taylor - Boyd.

    1 FT & 0.4 ITB

    Nothing urgent needs to be done, but quite a few transfers I would make, but actually leaning towards saving FT this week - what do you reckon? 😀

  23. Jaffalicious! #SomosCubanos
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Hmmm...

    A) Sterling > Hazard

    B) Sterling > Sanchez (-4), probs get rid of Siggy

    C) save

  24. Van Dal
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    So sakho goes from liverfail to west ham and the genius that is allardyce plays him as a striker and look whats happend. BR overated after one lucky season.

    Joke

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      not sure if serious

    2. Woy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Liverpool fan then...?

    3. AarÖn Özilski
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      But still having a terrible hairstyle.

  25. Donblaster
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Leicester vs West Brom

    Moore or Wisdom for this week...

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Wisdom

      1. Pea Soup
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        What if Foster was your keeper?

        Moore, Wisdom or Naylor..?

  26. Raoul Duke
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Some advice on my 2 transfer plans would be appreciated;

    A) Kun to Costa and Stirling to Sanchez

    or

    B) Siggy to Downing and Stirling to Sanchez

    Any advice much appreciated.

    1. Donblaster
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      I'd say B). Wouldn't want to get rid of Aguero

  27. Gooner97
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Is Manè still doubtful?

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      Koeman's presser is at half 3

      we should know more then

  28. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Good to go? Not sure about captaincy as there are so many good options. I'm hovering around the 140k mark and desperate to climb the rankings, so any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated..

    Mannone (McCarthy)
    Clyne // Bertrand // Chambers (Hutton, Moore)
    Sanchez (c) // ADM // Eriksen // Siggy (Boyd)
    Aguero (vc) // Costa // Welbeck

    1. Woy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      I'd say (C) Costa but whatevs

      1. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 4 days ago

        That was my gut feeling, I'd see what happens regarding Mourinho's comments towards him in the next couple of days...

  29. Raddy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 days ago

    Anyone going Ramsey over Sanchez?

    1. MG7
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 days ago

      me but forced because cant get sanchez