Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Gameweek 9 – Sunday

Samuel Eto’o bags a brace as Everton ease past Burnley. United clinch a last-gasp point at home to Chelsea thanks to Robin van Persie, whilst Alan Pardew’s half-time changes inspire Newcastle to victory at the Lane.

Van Persie Leaves it Late

Robin van Persie struck his third goal in five appearances late in injury time to earn United a 1-1 home draw with league leaders Chelsea. He may be far from justifying his 12.4 price tag, but the Dutchman is at least providing the goals to raise the Red Devils’ hopes of a title challenge and looks in pole position to retain the lone striker role ahead of Radamel Falcao, should Louis van Gaal continue with his current formation when the Colombian recovers from a knock. With Wayne Rooney also back from suspension next week, however, Fantasy managers will have to wait and see how the United boss opts to line up from here on in.

Angel Di Maria disappointed his 39.5% ownership by serving up a blank against the Blues but the underlying stats remain strong – the former Real Madrid man still, nonetheless, produced four attempts on goal and five key passes across the 90 minutes. Although some owners may now be considering selling for Alexis Sanchez or Eden Hazard before next weekend’s deadline, Di Maria does have three excellent home fixtures in his next four from Gameweek 11 onwards (CPL, HUL, STK) – a schedule that could see him rack up the points once again.

Drogba Proves an Able Deputy

Jose Mourinho’s side still remain undefeated, even without talismanic striker Diego Costa, who didn’t travel to Old Trafford. Instead, it was left to Didier Drogba to do the business up top – the Chelsea legend nodding home his first Premier League goal since 2012 in his first league start of his second tenure at Stamford Bridge. With basement-dwellers QPR up next for the Blues, question marks remain over whether Mourinho will risk Costa, whose combination of hamstring and illness problems could be set to frustrate his declining band of owners yet further. Chelsea have picked up four points in the two matches without the Spain striker and with another international break around the corner, it remains to be seen whether his manager will feel it necessary to rush him back into action.

Elsewhere for Chelsea, Branislav Ivanovic was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence yesterday – an incident that consequently led to United grabbing the equaliser – though the 7.3-priced defender will serve his ban in the midweek Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury Town and will be available for selection once more against QPR in Gameweek 10.

Toffees Front Two See Off Burnley

Everton strike duo Samuel Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku were both amongst the goals yesterday in a 3-1 win at Burnley. The former bagged a brace in just his second start of the campaign, whilst Lukaku continued to show signs of consistency, notching a fourth in his last six appearances, with bonus points also acquired in two of those displays.

With European commitments to consider, Roberto Martinez’s rotation policy is paying off for the Toffees right now – it’s two consecutive wins in the league, with three goals scored in each of those fixtures. Having impressed against Aston Villa last weekend, Ross Barkley was victim to his manager’s rotation this time round and made just a 26-minute cameo from the bench in the victory. Steven Naismith did, however, retain his starting spot, though the Scot disappointed his 25.4% ownership with his fifth blank his last six outings and was fielded on the flank in order to accommodate Eto’o in a central role alongside Lukaku.

Baines’ Blistering Form Continues

The left-back notched yet another assist and also walked away from Turf Moor with two bonus points to ensure his place atop the Fantasy Premier League defender rankings. A total of six assists is already more than Baines managed across the entire 2013/14 season, and with the Toffees’ kind upcoming fixtures in mind (SWA, sun, WHM), his imperious form looks set to continue. Available for 7.1, he may be the second dearest backline option in the game, but with three double-figure hauls already to his name, Baines is arguably shaping up for his strongest season so far for the Toffees.

Spurs Suffer Euro Hangover

Yesterday’s shock defeat to Newcastle means that the north London outfit have taken just six points from five matches after Europa League fixtures this season – a fact that now means they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table. However, whilst Cristian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli struggled against the Toon, Emmanuel Adebayor did at least pick up returns in the Tottenham attack. The Togo international scored his side’s goal in the 2-1 loss, and also received maximum bonus points, as he returned to the starting line-up after being rested against Man City in Gameweek 9. Spurs have good fixtures ahead (avl, STK, hul), but with only six goals now scored in their last seven in the league, managers are likely to have reservations over investing in their attackers right now.

Toon Fringe Players Spark Comeback

Newcastle have now recorded back-to-back wins despite the loss of their star striker Papiss Cisse to a knee injury ahead of yesterday’s clash. Instead, it was left to their squad players to pick up the points, with half-time substitute Sammy Ameobi and Ayoze Perez, in his first start of the season, grabbing the goals. Remy Cabella also emerged from the bench, and delivered the cross for Ayoze to head home Newcastle’s second, and the 7.2-priced midfielder will now be hopeful of regaining his starting berth for the first time since Gameweek 6 when Alan Pardew’s side take on Liverpool next weekend. Once again, the 4.4-priced Gabriel Obertan retained his starting position and looks increasingly integral to the Magpies’ fortunes this term.

1,386 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Save my FT this week?

    DDG
    Baines / Bertrand / Clyne
    Fab / Siggy / Sterling / Tadic
    Costa / Aguero / Welbeck

    Bench - Moore / Boyd / Hutton / Gilks

    1ft, 0.1ITB

    Considering getting De Gea out and would like to dsave some cash but can't see any great options? Also looking at bringing in Chambers for a SOU def GW13.

    Should I be trying to crowbar in the likes of ADM or Sanchez?

    Cheers

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      DDG to Forster?

      1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Already have Bert, Clyne & Tadic

        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Oops

          Probably just save then

          1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Hopefully he'll rack up some save points!

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I'm in a similar position, I want to get Hazard but don't know how to do it

      1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        We have an almost identical team. Almost brought Haz in for Fab the last two weeks but Fab is just so consistent. Sterling would be my midfielder out but still need a bit of cash from elsewhere, hence DDG may have to vacate. Guzan is my thinking out of them all but double villa defence does not sound good.

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          I was thinking of getting Guzan too, not many good defences around this year

  2. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I'm taking the JoA train to Oblivion this GW.

    I can't take another week of the Costa "will he/won't he" saga (Siggy too).

    After a decidedly average week, a -8 mini WC is just the tonic.

    Bego + Siggy + Costa -> Courtios + Sanchez + Berahino.

    Three surefire starters with very good prospects.

    ALL ABOOOOOOOARD!

    1. The Finnisher
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Choo chooo

    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Methanol

    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Your funeral

    4. Crystal
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I was tempted by this yesterday, Costa, Sterling Naylor for Bernie/Sanchez/Baines. All for the cutdown price if -4

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        How tempted?

        What did your crystal balls tell you?

        1. Crystal
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          There's definitely a rumbling in them. I need Baines regardless and need to find a route

    5. Mahesh_Kumar
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Bad move

  3. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    With Sakho out buy:

    A) Eto'o
    B) Berahino

    1. Sean
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      b

    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Is he out?

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      B

    4. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Injury Link?

        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Apt Username 😉

          1. Mahesh_Kumar
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            +1

          2. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            + you can't understand

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Tabloid speculation.

    5. Crystal
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      The scan is today, no confirmation yet

  4. Tornado
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Adrian or guzan or foster best keeper for next few games?

    Other keeper is krul

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Decide after the game tonight

    2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Fixture wise Guzan or Adrian

  5. diabydoesgallas
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    How does this team look for this weekend? Right to captain Hazard over Costa? Think he has good potential for a haul against QPR.

    Forster (4.0)

    Kompany / Baines / Bertrand (Wisdom / Duff)

    Hazard (c) / Siggy / Tadic / Downing (King)

    Costa / Aguero / Welbeck

  6. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    It's Benteke time.

  7. hobocopter
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Feels like a tough week in terms of transfer decisions. Would like to have Sanchez but can't think of a neat way of getting him in. Would mean Siggy becoming a serial 2-pointer mid like Jedinak, or Welbeck/Costa becoming Berahino/Sakho. ugh. Wilson to Chambers it is!

    1. kitier katba
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Jedinak's pens propel him out of the 2-pointer category

  8. Spatburgunder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    @ELLY88 I'll be keeping my (attacking) Saints players I think. Full of confidence and lets face it Manu , City, and Arsenal are not exactly tight at the back at the mo

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Good reasoning, I agree that none of the "big" teams they face are in anyway defensively sound.

  9. Mavric Marco
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    For those of you thinking of ditching Sterling this week just remember Newcastle Vs Liverpool games always have goals in them...

    11 Dec 2010 Newcastle United v Liverpool 3-1

    01 May 2011 Liverpool v Newcastle United 3-0

    30 Dec 2011 Liverpool v Newcastle United 3-1

    01 Apr 2012 Newcastle United v Liverpool 2-0

    04 Nov 2012 Liverpool v Newcastle United 1-1

    27 Apr 2013 Newcastle United v Liverpool 0-6

    19 Oct 2013 Newcastle United v Liverpool 2-2

    11 May 2014 Liverpool v Newcastle United 2-1

    1. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      *All those results in the Prem btw

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Good thing it's not 27th of April 2013 so.

      1. Mavric Marco
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        🙄

    3. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      4-3, collymore!!!!!

      1. Mavric Marco
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Yea epic game

      2. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Probably my favourite ever Premier League game.

      3. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😥

    4. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Those years have on form torres or suarez

      1. Mavric Marco
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        but this year there's an on form Balo, oh wait...

  10. The Finnisher
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Maybe I am just scarred from Costa after almost every move I looked at doing would have yielded me more points (Berahino, Lukaku and the Pelle/Sanchez double). 😡

  11. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    will there be chelsea and swansea pressers today before their league cup games tomorrow?

  12. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard Costa Aguero all good captaincy options this GW. Who are we thinking?

    1. Willis.
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard no brainer

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      United's defending was somewhat better but I still think Aguero could have a field day. Currently looking at him.

    3. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Aguero is the safest bet don't you think?

      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I think theyre all equally good options tbh.

    4. diabydoesgallas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard/Aguero/Sanchez, in that order for me.

    5. The Finnisher
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Aguero

    6. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Only Kun is good pick out of those unless Costa is fit to start...

    7. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez 😎

    8. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Costa if I know he starts

    9. Mahesh_Kumar
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Easy. Costa. If fit, he will play against QPR to get some match fitness

    10. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Aguero. I'd be tempted by Alexei Sanchez if I had him.

  13. Fantasy Gold
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Any advice would be much appreciated. 1 FT, 2.3 itb.

    Begovic McCarthy
    Baines Moreno Clyne Naylor Moore
    Sterling Siggy Fabregas Tadic Boyd
    Aguero Welbeck Pelle

    No idea what to do. Any ideas?

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling to Sanchez seems the popular move

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Can't bring myself to do that, however enticing Sanchez as an option is.

        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Could you do Moreno to Chambers and Siggy to Sanchez the week after?

  14. HVT
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I'm sick of all this moaning and whinging by Costa owners, turns me off this place.
    What are non Costa owners with spare cash to buy to do?

    1. Sebbo29
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Non owners have it easy: no need to buy him. Relax and watch the price fall. As long as you have Fab or Hazard ur OK and can still buy Costa later when he is cheaper

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Whole thing is a mess either way, I held back on Moore>Baines at the weekend so I could do Pelle> Costa this week now it looks like I didn't need to hesitate 🙁

        1. SPorting
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Ah, so you're really mad at yourself and you're venting that anger at Costa owners.

          1. HVT
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Yes right now I hate this game I haven't posted my score cos it's crap,
            I would Wc but for whom?
            I'm trying to lay low with a Grav change but good ol Sporting has blown my cover!

  15. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I really want to get rid of Welbeck but he's just so cheap!

    1. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Keep, he'll come good

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        lol

    2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I've only had him one week but I understand the feeling.

    3. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      He just needs a rest. Arsenal and England have overplayed him recently. No game this midweek so he should be rested and ready to shin a few sitters over the bar from 2 yards out on Saturday.

  16. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Leaning towards starting Moore (WBA) over both Siggy (eve) & Clyne (hul) as I think Leicester will keep it clean at home. Moore does seem to have goal threat in set-pieces. 1st sub Chambers becoming joint top scorer in my entire squad this GW has also influenced my decision to go for "fixtures over fame". Plain stupid you think?

    1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Moore will be my first sub, no reason to think they'll keep a cleanie

  17. DRY PEANUT
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero -4 or Costa FT?

    Need to downgrade Siggy to a 5m midfielder

  18. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Need Ideas.. 2FT 0.3ITB

    Krul
    Clyne Bertrand NTaylor
    ADM Siggy Sterling Fab
    Kun Costa Wellbeck

    Mannone Wisdom Moore Rl Ahmadi

    ADM, Sterling, NTayor Out?
    Sanchez, 6.1M, Baines In?

  19. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Where's the guy who captained Costa, and put VCS on Hutton?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Mourinho.

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      In the chapel.

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Praying?

  20. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So Mourinho's comment from more than a week ago that Costa will be back ready in time for Spain's international fixtures are looking less sarcastic by the minute 😀

  21. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Moreno ➡ Chambers.

    1. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      RF to Grim Reaper.

  22. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Keep Falcao?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Rooney's coming back

    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No ditch ASAP, costing you big time has shown no form and always injured.
      He's living on his reputation ATM.

  23. HP.
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Sanchez or Hazard captain this week?

    1. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez (C)

      ..with a 😎 thrown in

  24. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Chelsea will visit Anfield in GW11, I think Mourinho will keep Costa fully fit for that game.
    Drogba and Schurrle will start next 2 games for Chelsea, Costa may come off the bench in the game with QPR

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No reason to risk him off the bench.

  25. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So:

    If Drogba starts midweek - is that an indication to Costa starting vs QPR?

    1. Willis.
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No.

      It means Sakho is out for a month.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😀

    4. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Drogba will start midweek, and Costa will start against QPR. Drogba and his zimmer frame can't play 3 times in 6 days.

  26. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Any news about Sakho and Siggy?

    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sakho having a scan today. Siggy is fine.

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Ty

  27. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Best defender for 4.0 or below?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Moore

    2. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Wisdom, or is he 4.1 now?

      1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        4.2, already have him.

    3. vova
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Moore probably

    4. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Steven Taylor

  28. DRY PEANUT
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    This Burnley team may go down as the worst ever prem team

    1. The Finnisher
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Boyd deserves better

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Derby had Robbie Savage when they got 13 points

      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        *11 points

        (4 of them from Sam Allardyce's Newcastle)

    3. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      They're not very good but they're far from the worst. Derby were the worst, absolutely terrible.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I miss those days.

  29. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Fabregas has 4 YC... If I were Mourinho, I'd play him in the cup game and "suggest" that he gets booked... then he misses QPR but back for Liverpool and fully rested for CL...

    1. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      yea, could happen knowing Jose

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Should have had 1 extra so he could miss the midweek game. Bad planning.

  30. DIegoCosta19
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    How does this look for next week???

    Lloris
    Clyne Chambers Baines
    Alexis Fabregas Siggy Hazard
    Costa Pelle Welbeck

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Strong if Aguero doesn't fire & Costa play.