I wanted a new format for the Scout Notes this season. Don’t worry, we’ll still be meticulously dissecting the key games in detail and bringing you news on injuries, suspensions and the usual analysis. I just wanted to bring you something a little lighter each week addressing some of the key talking points. So here it is then – what we’ve learned from gameweek one so far…

Fabregas provides the first bandwagon of the season…
Make no mistake, the performance from the Arsenal skipper sent shockwaves through the fantasy football community. Largely overlooked due to a tepid return last season, not to mention the absent fixture in gameweek 2, his two goals and two assists in the stunning 6-1 win at Goodison has suddenly placed him at the very top of our watchlists. A home game with Portsmouth in gameweek 3 offers more potential profits but can Arsenal and Fabregas repeat Saturday’s returns at United and City in gameweeks 4 and 5? I’m not so sure, although those fixtures and the missing match in midweek is unlikely to be enough to prevent Fabregas being the most transferred in midfielder in the next few days (as of this morning, he was already top).

Wenger will vary his formation away from home…
The Arsenal boss touted a 4-3-3 in the pre-season but at Goodison he appeared to go with a 4-2-3-1 with Fabregas flanked by Van Persie and Arshavin just behind Bendtner leading the line. Denilson and Song provided the cover, allowing Fabregas to make those foraging run forwards that proved so damaging. If that system continues, Fabregas should continue to profit and Bendtner’s returns could also exceed expectations. Wenger’s first formation at the Emirates against Portsmouth will be interesting.

Arsenal have a player in Vermaelen…
The new signing from Ajax commanded the Gunners defence with a calm assurance and rounded his debut off with a first-half goal. Arsenal conceded a consolation to Saha but it’s clear that in Vermaelen they have a defender who could enhance their clean sheet gathering abilities this season. Bonus points from the Fantasy Premier League game are also around the corner when Arsenal’s attacking talent has a quieter day.

Rodallega has a wagon of his own…
It’s now 4 goals in his last 5 Premier League outings for the Wigan striker, who was a constant threat to the Villa defence in the fine 2-0 win. Tipped as the budget striker in Friday’s predictions article, Saturday’s performance, capped by a stunning striker from 25-yards, certainly suggested he could excel under Martinez at the JJB. Koumas’ goal and two FPL bonus points, confirmed him as worthy of consideration too.

Lescott will be at City within a fortnight…
It’s difficult to see how Moyes can continue to resist City’s overtures for the England centre-back. Lescott is rumoured to have suggested to Moyes that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to take the field. His presence appeared to disrupt Everton’s entire back four, as the Gunners ripped them to shreds. The missing fixture in gameweek 2 probably prevented heavy investment in the Goodison backline. The 6-1 drubbing and a disgruntled Lescott was surely enough evidence to suggest that none of the Everton defence can be considered for the opening few weeks, at least until the Lescott situation is resolved.

Some of us forgot Drogba…
The fact that Anelka was last season’s leading scorer appears to have clouded the judgement when it comes to Drogba. He demonstrated against Hull that he can more than match the Frenchman when it comes to fantasy output. Owned by a humble 9% of Fantasy Premier League managers before the opening game; this morning his bandwagon is moving faster than the Fabregas express. Strong fixtures to come too. All aboard.

Ancelotti is still polishing his diamond…
Chelsea failed to impress in their opening game and at times, looked laboured. Ballack would be unlucky not to start at Sunderland next time out. His introduction for Mikel, shifting Essien back to the holding role, introduced a new sense of urgency in Chelsea’s midfield. Lampard’s role shifted with the introduction of Deco and his apparent lack of goal attempts will concern those fantasy managers who invested heavily in him over the likes of Gerrard and Arshavin. I for one, aren’t panicking. Lampard’s time will come and, like last season, Lampard and Chelsea could flourish for goals away from the Bridge.

But he appears to fancy Bosingwa after all…
The Chelsea boss stated the Portuguese international at right-back against Hull, ousting Ivanovic to the bench. The Serb did arrive back late from international duty in South Africa, plus Bosingwa offers a greater attacking threat for home games. Are we likely to see this full-back spot rotated then? It looks that way. For me both Bosingwa and Invanovic remain risky fantasy selections.

Drogba certainly fancies himself at free-kicks…
That’s bad news for Lampard. Always keen to get himself around a dead-ball, the Ivorian showed subtlety to stroke home Chelsea’s opening goal against Hull with Lampard looking on. Notably, Malouda also some hogged the first-half corners, leaving Frank a little redundant at times . We might have to bank on Frank upping his goal count to balance a drop in assists.

Stephen Hunt likes to walk a fine line between irritating thug and creative genius…
He varied between the two to great effect against Chelsea, joyfully slotting home the opening goal of the Premier League season, much to the shock of all those who backed a Chelsea clean sheet (just about everyone). In fairness, Hunt was clearly Hull’s main threat throughout, providing decent service in both open play and from set-pieces. With Hull’s fixtures looking decent in the short-term, expect the early, slow-moving Hunt bandwagon to start rolling from this point.

Zayatte was not a wise budget purchase at the back…
So popular in the Fantasy Premier League game as a 4.0 signing (he is owned by a huge 19% of managers), he was relegated to the bench by Brown, with Gardner starting alongside Turner. It’s likely to take a big cheque from Rafa for Turner, in order for Zayatte to pin down regular starts this season.

Martin O’Neil still isn’t sure what to do with Heskey and Carew…
It was the Norwegian on the bench against Wigan, just 24 hours after O’Neill tipped the big centre forward for a bigger goal haul this term. He won’t get that from the bench and to be honest, its difficult to see how the Villa boss can accommodate both Heskey and Carew in his starting lineup. After the performance against Wigan, it’s the least of his worries.

Mark Hughes isn’t going to show caution away from home…
Against Blackburn, he opted to leave De Jong on the bench, playing an attacking midfield of Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips and Robinho. It paid off with a 2-0 win at Rovers, although better finishing from Allardyce’s side would have changed that outcome so don’t get too excited by the City defence just yet. As a side note, Adebayor looked as though he fancied it, while Wright-Phillips left with two assists. His returns will surely benefit from the influx of attacking talent this season and his place on the right wing looks assured.

Dave Kitson needs incriminating photos of Tony Pulis…
That’s the only way he’s going to earn a start in the Stoke lineup. Fuller and Beattie started against Burnley, despite Kitson fine showing in pre-season. Fuller might be worth a look. I still fancy him over Beattie – don’t ask me why.

Rory Delap’s long throws are enough to get him picked…
Pulis rarely started with Delap in pre-season, preferring Whelan in the centre with new-signing Whitehead. It appears that Pulis was just resting Delap’s sling-like arms however. Day one of the season and Delap come straight into the side. He repaid that faith by providing the assist for Stoke’s second goal.

Liam Lawrence is a dead-ball menace…
One assist for the Shawcross opener shouldn’t get us too excited but Stoke will live and die by their set-pieces this season and Lawrence provided enough evidence against Burnley to confirm that he’ll earn significant profits from them if he stays fit this season.

Steve Bruce is stuck on 4-4-2…
The new Sunderland boss started with both Jones and Bent up front at Bolton, with Richardson handed a role wide on the left. Bruce has stated that he considers Richardson his fourth striker but wants to give the former United man the opportunity to make the wide left role his own and push for the England squad. Richardson certainly looked lively at the Reebok and looks a good option with good short-term fixtures for the Black Cats.

Bent and Jones = A handful…
A debut goal for Bent, maximum bonus points for Jones. The Sunderland strike pairing are sitting in the mid-price bracket up front and both look set for 30+ starts this season. Given the evidence of the performance at the Reebok, that should guarantee decent returns for your investment.

Milijas likes a shot…
Wolves’ new signing from Red Star was by far their best player on the day against West Ham, stinging Rob Green’s fingers on numerous occasions and providing some slick passing along the way. By the look of the defence, McCarthy’s side will need goals and Milijas looks likely to be involved when that happens.