Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Gameweek 3 – Saturday

Diego Costa recovers from a hamstring problem to strike twice in Chelsea’s stunning win at Everton. Stoke stun champions City at the Etihad, United toil to a draw at promoted Burnley, Gylfi Sigurdsson steers Swansea to victory over West Brom, while Palace share the spoils with Newcastle in a six-goal thriller at St James’ Park.

Costa Recovers to Net Yet Again
Described as a “big doubt” ahead of the trip to Goodison by Jose Mourinho, the summer signing scored twice as Chelsea hammered Everton 6-3. Costa was sold by over 155,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers as a result of last week’s hamstring scare but, in a week where both United and City’s premium frontmen failed miserably, his consistency may well persuade many to simply buy back – with home matches against Swansea and Villa on either side of a trip to City in the next three, it’s difficult to see him not delivering the points once again.

Another Goal for Ivanovic
Chelsea’s marauding right-back continues to blaze a trail at the top of the defender rankings after serving up another set of attacking returns at Goodison. Jose Mourinho’s defence may be struggling to keep out their opponents right now – yesterday’s display was uncharacteristically poor at the back – but with two goals, an assist and five bonus points in the first three Gameweeks, the Serbian, despite his lofty 7.1 price tag, continues to look the best route into Mourinho’s backline.

Blues Midfielders Rack Up the Points
While Costa served up a 12-point return, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas owners will be a little concerned after the duo managed just an assist apiece in the Goodison rout. The pair were overshadowed by Nemanja Matic (a goal and two assists) and Ramires (a goal and assist) and their lack of overall impact, allied with Costa’s consistency, merely strengthens the Spain international’s claim as the most reliable route into Mourinho’s attack right now.

Naismith Nets Again
It’s three goals in as many appearances now for Everton’s budget striker. Tucked in behind Romelu Lukaku, Naismith added to goals against Leicester and Arsenal and now stands neck-and-neck with Costa at the top of the forward standings on 24 points. The Toffees have seven decent fixtures in the next nine to pick up in performance – upcoming trips to Liverpool and United means many may choose to overlook their main assets until the schedule eases in Gameweek 8, though.

United Stumble Once Again
Even with new boy Angel di Maria on board, the Red Devils were unable to find a way past Burnley in yesterday’s lunchtime encounter. Louis van Gaal retained the 3-4-1-2 system and handed the Argentine a role alongside Darren Fletcher in central midfield – this allowed Juan Mata to tuck in behind the front two, though the Spaniard was subbed off with a knock and may well be subject to sales on the back of another poor display. The fixtures may still be in United’s favour, but in this sort of form, many Fantasy managers will be re-assessing their options.

Stoke Stun the Etihad
Mark Hughes’ side upset the form book with a stunning 1-0 win at champions City. With Bojan Krkic warming the bench for the entire match, Mame Biram Diouf tucked in behind Peter Crouch and fired his first goal for the Potters to announce himself as a potential mid-price option ahead of a very favourable run of fixtures. Stoke now have home clashes with Leicester, Newcastle and Swansea allied with trips to QPR and Sunderland in the next five Gameweeks, offering every chance to maintain their momentum.

City Forwards Fail to Deliver
After scoring as a substitute in each of his first two appearances, Sergio Aguero was handed his first start of the season in yesterday’s loss. Despite lasting the full 90 minutes, the Argentine was unable to find a way past Asmir Begovic – City mustered just two shots on target over the entire match. Stevan Jovetic earned over 490,000 new owners last week after his brace against Liverpool but lasted just over an hour before making way for Edin Dzeko, and with Arsenal and Chelsea up next, his bandwagon may prove to be a short-lived one.

Austin the R’s Hero
Having watched his side suffer a 4-0 hammering at Spurs last weekend, Harry Redknapp switched from 3-5-2 to a 4-4-1-1 for the visit of Sunderland. With Loic Remy edging out the exit door, Charlie Austin recovered from a hamstring problem to lead the line, with Leroy Fer handed the role in “the hole” behind him. Austin’s winner suggests he may still be one to consider in the mid-price forward bracket, and with Remy’s departure looking likely, he looks assured of a starting berth for the R’s – with one home match in the next four, though, Redknapp’s side may be ones to watch for now.

Swans Midfielders Rack Up the Points
Nathan Dyer proved a deadly differential yet again after bagging a brace in a 3-0 home win over West Brom. Swansea’s flying winger added to last week’s strike against Burnley and continues to make a real case for consideration in our five-man midfields – owned by less than 2% of FPL managers heading into yesterday’s match, the 5.5-priced Dyer now sits second in the midfield standings in the FPL game.

Gylfi Sigurdsson picked up the points yet again and continues to make a mockery of his initial 6.0 price tag. Fielded behind Wilfried Bony once more, the Icelandic international served up a pair of assists, maintaining the form that has produced returns in all three of his appearances and taken him to the midfielders’ summit. The duo are clearly thriving under Garry Monk’s attacking approach, and while an upcoming trip to Chelsea may prove troublesome, Swansea then have five favourable fixtures (SOU, sun, NEW, sto, LEI) before the schedule takes a turn for the worse in Gameweek 10.

Schneiderlin Bags a Brace
The Saints midfielder was the unlikely hero as Ronald Koeman’s side picked up their first win of the season with a 3-1 triumph at West Ham. Schneiderlin scored just twice last season under Mauricio Pochettino but has already mirrored that tally after yesterday’s display and with the likes of Dusan Tadic failing to pick up the points, some may consider the 5.5-priced France international ahead of a very kind run of matches. Graziano Pelle is also on the radar after netting for the second match in succession. Having scored in the midweek cup win over Millwall, the summer signing seems to have picked up in confidence and now faces just one of last season’s top eight in the next nine Gameweeks.

Magpies Defenders in the Goals
Newcastle’s goal drought finally came to an end yesterday after a 3-3 thriller with Palace at St James’ Park. While Paul Dummett’s budget appeal looks to be over after he was replaced by Massadio Haidara at left-back, Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat both strengthened their claims for consideration by bagging a goal apiece against the Eagles.

With the likes of Siem de Jong, Emmanuel Riviere and Remy Cabella failing to net, youngster Rolando Aarons turned in an impressive display off the bench, scoring just six minutes after his introduction and also picking up an assist – at 5.0, he’s one to watch as Alan Pardew’s team prepare for a kind run of matches.

Warnock Sparks Palace Attack into Life
Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha were amongst the goals in the first match of Neil Warnock’s second spell at Selhurst Park. Intriguingly, the former returned from suspension to take his role on the right, while Zaha was introduced off the bench as a replacement for Dwight Gayle up front – we’d initially expected Zaha to take the right-flank berth but yesterday’s line-up suggests both could fit into the new manager’s plans ahead of home fixtures with Burnley and Leicester in the next three.

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2,874 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fifa las vegas
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Balo is starting!

    enetertainment so 😛

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      entertainment *

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        hope so.

  2. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Time to wildcard? Not happy with:

    Chester
    Hangeland
    Hazard
    Coutinho
    Eriksen
    Bojan

    Worth switching them to:

    Duff
    Ward
    Fabregas
    Sterling
    Ramsey
    Naismith

    ??

    1. Lucy.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing wrong with Chester, Hazard or Eriksen.

      Got any FTs?

      1. RocketMan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        this

      2. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        +1

      3. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        so much this

    2. The Hound
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hazard is good pick, eriksen will come good.

  3. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Jovetic & Bony -> Costa/Sturridge & Naismith (4 points)

    Too jerky?

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Borderline but you need Costa and Naismith is not such a poor choice.

  4. Long Juan Silva
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Studge on the wing?

    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nope, it's a 4-4-2 diamond

      1. Long Juan Silva
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Oh, nice

      2. Long Juan Silva
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Henderson at the head and Allen on the wing/side then? Are you sure 😐

        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          –––––– Gerrard
          Henderson – Allen
          –––––– Sterling

          1. Long Juan Silva
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Ah... cheers

          1. Long Juan Silva
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Cool. As long as Sturridge is up front I'm happy 🙂

  5. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    http://strawpoll.me/2462165/r

    Do Strawpolls annoy u??

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, those & re-posts. 🙂

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        this.

      2. Djerbil
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        will need another strawpoll for it

      3. Fifa las vegas
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        resposts are essential though, nobody would get anywhere without them......sometimes

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Yep, those & re-posts. 🙂 🙂

      4. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        🙂

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Illiterate people too.

    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I am not a fan of using them. I like to see who has voted for what as some people's opinions I weight higher than others.

      1. Djerbil
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        spot on

      2. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Elitism alert. Reported.

        1. MJ6987
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Sorry!

        2. MJ6987
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          By the way, yours is one of the "highly weighed" opinions if that helps smooth things over?

    4. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      just yours

  6. laGan1n1
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Blackpool refused to pay €125k for Benatia

    Blackpool were keen on a move for Mehdi Benatia in 2009 but the club’s chairman Karl Oyston refused to pay Clermont Foot's €120,000 (£100k) asking price. The centre-back joined Bayern Munich earlier this week from Roma in a €25m (£21m) deal.

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Karl Oyston, driving the club into the ground.

  7. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Do we know is on pens for Chelsea? Still Haz or will Costa take?
    Who is on for Pool? Gerrard still presumably
    What about Spurs?

    1. vova
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea- should be Hazard
      Liverpool- Gerrard
      Tottenham- should be Adebayor

  8. andres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    what SOT players are people getting?

    1. Lucy.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Monitoring for another game. Pelle, Tadic or JWP are intriguing.

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I kind of like Pelle... he is a striker though. Do we want a SOT player up there?

    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I have Forster, Clyne and Tadic

    3. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Schneiderlin

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        surely that was a one off?

        1. Lucy.
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          It was a one off. Don't get suckered into that one. He's a holding midfielder.

          1. andres
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            ward prowse could be the real deal right?

  9. laGan1n1
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    come on Lamela (c), lets do this!

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      big balls! I have lamela also, wish you luck 🙂

  10. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Is it worth taking a hit to take Young out as his TV is rapidly decreasing! My only problem is that it's for a benched MF...

    Any ideas on who to replace him with?

    Thanks

  11. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Consider.. Yaysayers and Naysayers Rooney+Terry>Costa+Ivanovic.. I do it today. 1.9 ITB. Yay or Nay

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No need to do today with that sort of spare cash.

  12. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Balotelli to score on his debut and celebrate by staring at the spurs end with his arms folded

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I bet he has tee shirt waiting.

  13. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Strawpoll.
    On a scale of 1 ->100, how big a Muppet am I? I still don't own Siggy 🙁

    1. gravless
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      73

    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      90%

      When you add in the price? 99% 😉

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I prefer Katie's answer but I tend to agree with your's more.

    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      110

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😳

    4. The Shadow
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      You're Snuffleupagus.

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😆

    5. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      My answer would probably upset the muppets I know.

    6. The Hound
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Still good value, need to hop aboard. It's too dangerous not to own with his price and ownership.

    7. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      55
      im about 95 though, no siggy or costa 😥

  14. Bridge Burner
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Would you trade Rooney ---> Naismith to have enough funds for Cahill ---> Ivanovic

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No.

  15. Parm
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Dier own goal please.

    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      And a red card.

  16. TRyanAir
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What do we think of Leroy Fer? Number 10, assist, crossbar, and huge aerial threat? 5.5 price...worth a shout?

    1. OShaughnessy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Make a list of all the midfielders you'd want & then tell me where Leroy Fer ranks on that list.

      1. TRyanAir
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Fair point but we all have budget constraints, as a 5th mid option?

        1. OShaughnessy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Sure. He's a *very* offensive minded mid...

          Although, I've not clue if he's got a starting role nailed down.

  17. OShaughnessy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    AVL v. Hull!

    In t-minus 19mins...

    The game we've waited all weekend for.

    In fact, I circled this one on my calendar as soon as the league's schedule came out!

    No other game I'd even be tempted to watch today.

    1. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Alan Hutton 😎

    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Please score Hull! Don't care who!

    3. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      finally, someone on my wavelength

  18. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Come on Sterling , outscore Eriksen

    1. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Seems likely.

  19. Galfadez
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Knee jerked last night and traded Young to Ward Prowse. Is that so bad?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      no, should have been done ages ago

    2. gravless
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      a pile of 2 week old dung instead of Young wouldn't be bad

      1. OShaughnessy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Katie, I put all my Fantasy Football eggs in a Brady / Gronk basket this year!

        1. gravless
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          They won't let you down.

          I'm all in on Cutler, Forte, Olsen and Julio Jones

          1. OShaughnessy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Haha!

            I've been a Bears fan my whole life so, we can wish each other luck going forward...

    3. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      If you still have young you probably want to get your reflexes tested

      1. Galfadez
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        scored 1 point less than Fabregas yesterday. I would have kept him if not for the price change system.

  20. rocrocodile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Should I wildcard? Not unhappy with my team, but feel that this is a good time to do it anyway.

    Bego - Gilks
    Cahill - Chester - Ferdinand - Hutton - Wisdom
    Hazard - Mata - Ramsey - Siggy - King
    Costa - Rooney - Jovetic

    *Need to get rid of United till they show some sort of confidence
    *Unsure about Chester and Hutton (those fixtures...)
    *Unsure about Jovetic
    *Need Liverpool coverage

    What do you think?

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Poor reason to WC.

  21. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I think flashscore got it right the Liv lineup

    http://www.flashscore.com/match/ELmN4Q27/#lineups;1

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hendo Gerrard Allen
      --------Sterling----------
      -----Studge---------Ballo

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling could do very well.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I am hoovering over that Mata to Sterling transfer button

      2. Kerz
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        That set-up looks great for Sterling wow... he's gonna have an unrestricted license to float around and even ahead of Sturridge...

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      so do soccerway then

  22. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    How many here captained a City player?

    1. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      o/ (Jovetic)

    2. Djerbil
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      \o/

    3. andres
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      o/

  23. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    The next 90 minutes is all about one person.

    Go gettem, Alan Hutton

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      So called Huttinjo 😛

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Little Hutt?

    2. Djerbil
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      come on Jelavic

    3. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      The Scottish Thuram

      1. laGan1n1
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        xD

  24. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Orlando Aarons, good pick for 5th mid?

    Im about to activate WC

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      still early to tell

    2. andres
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      looked very good yesterday, tempted myself

  25. drakesdrum
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry if this has been mentioned a lot but is fiso crackthecode working properly atm?

    1. gravless
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      no

      1. drakesdrum
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Ta

  26. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjjtGjCCBpZvdHpodVVxWWFsV3dsYnpKeHRkT09kZUE&usp=docslist_api

    here's the early bird spreadsheet for those that were asking earlier

    1. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I need permission?

  27. trisonetwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Any idea why I can't find myself in the HOF? I've seen myself there before but no longer, or is members only?

    1. The Hound
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Can't u just search ure name

      1. trisonetwo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I do but I don't appear on the list.

    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Are you in the FFS league?

      1. trisonetwo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        oh is that why? I need to re-join.

  28. The Hound
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Got nobody until koscielny and Ramsey later. Hoping for a couple of 1-1 draws!

  29. Ashjrobbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Fairly common to wildcard over the international break right. How many are doing it?

    1. Djerbil
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      it used to be when we knew exactly when and whose Price was going to rise.. No advantage now unless u have a broken team

    2. The Hound
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'm setting a personal best and not doing. Thinking it would be nice to use before or after a juicy dgw.

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      2 many

  30. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I've just seen your post Gnu 🙂

    Ramsey and Debuchy Vs Sterling + 3pts

    I think I need two attacking returns from Sterling, this should be interesting! May the luckiest manager win 😉

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers. 🙂