Scout Notes – Gameweek 10 – Saturday

Sergio Aguero explodes as City run riot at home to beleaguered Norwich. Aaron Ramsey delivers his sixth goal of a sensational season, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie fire United to victory at Fulham, a change of formation helps Newcastle defeat Chelsea, while Stephane Sessegnon is in the points as West Brom dismiss Palace at the Hawthorns:

City Tear Canaries Apart
A home clash with Norwich saw us select three of Manuel Pellegrini’s side in this week’s Scout Picks and City vindicated our decision by hitting Chris Hughton’s side for seven. The Chilean dispelled any notions of rest and rotation by selecting what is arguably his strongest available side – Sergio Aguero was partnered by Alvaro Negredo once again, whilst Samir Nasri kept his place ahead of Jesus Navas on the right and Costel Pantilimon edged out Joe Hart between the sticks. As many as eight outfield players produced attacking returns in the rout and while Yaya Toure and David Silva impressed in midfield, there’s no doubt Aguero was the main man. Runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll and subject to more transfers in than any other player ahead of yesterday’s match, the Argentine’s goal and trio of assists saw him rocket to the top of the FPL leaderboard with a sensational 18-point haul. After just 10 games, Aguero has already played a part in 15 goals (eight strikes, seven assists) under Pellegrini – equalling his total involvement from the previous campaign (12 goals, three assists) and with a trip to Sunderland next weekend, the scramble for his signature looks set to intensify.

Ramsey Produces Yet Again
The Welshman continues to deliver the returns as his incredible season rolls on. Ramsey’s wonder strike helped Arsenal secure a 2-0 win over Liverpool and maintained a run of consistency which has now seen him score or assist in seven of the opening 10 Gameweeks – while Mesut Ozil’s tally ticked over with an assist, he continues to trail in Ramsey’s wake as the latter’s astonishing ownership of 52% looks set to climb again. Ironically, Ozil’s arrival from Real Madrid has proved the catalyst for his team-mate’s run of displays – Ramsey had delivered three points per game without the German and has since produced 65 points over the subsequent seven, an average of over nine points per game. Santi Cazorla’s opener highlighted the Spaniard’s differential potential – at 2% ownership compared to Ozil’s 34%, he affords an alternative premium priced option in the Gunners midfield but at 9.6 to Ramsey’s 7.0, he’s likely to remain firmly under the radar. With United, Southampton, Everton, City and Chelsea in the next seven, though, the upcoming schedule looks testing for Wenger’s side.

Pardew Shifts to 4-4-2
The Newcastle manager’s decision to switch from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 proved a masterstroke as Newcastle upset the odds to see off Chelsea in yesterday’s lunchtime opener. Once again, Loic Remy highlighted his eye for goal – previously fielded on the left of the front three, the Frenchman was partnered by Shola Ameobi through the middle in yesterday’s shake-up and grabbed the Magpies’ second to seal a 2-0 win. Remy has now notched six times in seven starts since arriving on loan from QPR and with back-to-back home games against Norwich and West Brom following next week’s trip to Spurs, the 7.8 priced forward has further chance to climb the overall standings. For Hatem Ben Arfa, however, the exodus looks set to pick up – recently shifted to the lone forward role, he was an unused sub for the Blues clash and looks consigned to a periphery once again.

United Finding Form
While City’s rout of Norwich stole the headlines, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie both delivered the goods for their Fantasy owners as United registered back-to-back league wins for the first time this term under David Moyes. The duo mirrored last week’s goal and assist apiece, meaning that Van Persie has now scored in three successive matches, while Rooney’s superb consistency under his former Everton mentor shows little sign of abating – it’s five goals, three assists and 11 bonus points in the last seven Gameweeks for the England forward. Young Adnan Januzaj chipped in with an assist and has now started three of the last four; at 5.0 he remains a strong shout in midfield but with Arsenal, Spurs and Everton next, the champions face a tough task to maintain their current form. Post-match, Moyes revealed he is sweating on news of potential injuries to Rafael, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley after all three were forced off at the break.

Tigers Home Steel
Once again, Hull’s resilience in front of their own fans proved dividend for Fantasy managers. Granted, visitors Sunderland hardly helped their own cause after having two men dismissed in the first 45 minutes but the 1-0 win continued an outstanding record at the KC Stadium which has seen the Tigers concede a single goal in five matches. With Palace and Stoke amongst the next three visitors, further defensive returns could well be on the cards for Steve Bruce’s side – only Southampton can match their goals against tally in home matches thus far.

Rodriguez in the Goals Again
Most of the talk around yesterday’s match at the Britannia surrounded Asmir Begovic’s early opener for Stoke but the Southampton forward is also worth a mention. With Pablo Osvaldo missing out completely and Steven Davis fit enough only for the bench, the former Burnley man is starting to show the sort of form which made his such a pre-season favourite – his equaliser means he has now scored in three of the last four Gameweeks and with the maximum bonus also accrued against Stoke, has racked up 28 points over that period. Rodriguez, at just 5.7, has Hull at home next weekend, though games against Arsenal, Chelsea and City in the following four look likely to halt his recent run.

Villa Drought Continues
Yesterday’s goalless draw at Upton Park means Sam Allardyce’s side now have six clean sheets in the opening 10 Gameweeks but for visitors Villa, the lack of goals is increasingly becoming an issue. The midlands outfit have now gone four matches without finding the net – Christian Benteke’s recent return from injury was expected to signal a return to form for Paul Lambert’s side but so far, the Belgian has failed to stop their toils up top. Luckily for Benteke owners, the upcoming schedule looks promising – home games against Cardiff and Sunderland, in addition to a trip to West Brom should offer a solution, though Lambert has worries elsewhere up front; Gabby Agbonlahor missed out with an ankle problem yesterday, whilst Andreas Weimann was subbed off with a hamstring problem just before the hour mark. Those considering Benteke may have some concern that, with Lambert’s other attacking options crocked, Villa’s attacking fluency may be disrupted and limit the Belgian’s potential.

Sessegnon Helps Steer Baggies to Victory
Subject of last Thursday’s Monitor article for members, the Benin international was back amongst the points as West Brom eased past Palace at the Hawthorns. While Morgan Amalfitano’s Fantasy owners were relieved to see the Frenchman recover from a knee problem to take his place in the XI, he blanked and was shifted to right-back following Billy Jones’ early withdrawal through injury. Meanwhile, Sessegnon supplied an assist in the 2-0 win and with home matches against Villa, Norwich and Hull in the next seven and trips to Newcastle and Cardiff, he looks a viable midfield option over the next few Gameweeks. Up top, Shane Long was the third different forward handed the role forward role in as many weeks after both Victor Anichebe and Nicolas Anelka missed out through injury and illness respectively.

Johnson an Illness Absence for Reds
The Liverpool right-back was a late withdrawal from yesterday’s game due to illness. In Johnson’s absence, Brendan Rodgers was forced to hand young Jon Flanagan the berth on the right of midfield in a 3-4-1-2 before the half-time withdrawal of Aly Cissokho saw him move to a flat back-four with Philippe Coutinho introduced. After the match, the Reds boss revealed Johnson was forced to go to hospital with the problem which is rumoured to be associated with his jaw – the defender’s owners will be hoping of a swift return for next week’s home clash against Fulham as the Merseysiders look for a response to last night’s loss.