Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Gameweek 30 – Saturday

Harry Kane and Olivier Giroud maintain their relentless goal rush to underline the struggles of Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City striker drew another blank in a 3-0 win over West Brom, in a match that saw David Silva continue to boost his stock amongst the pack of midfield heavy-hitters. Here are the notes from Saturday’s Gameweek 30 events…

The Silva Service Continues

David Silva notched his fourth goal in five league starts as Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 home win over West Brom. In light of the sporadic returns from the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard in recent weeks, the Spanish playmaker has now firmly established himself as a prime pick among the top-bracket midfielders.

While City’s form has stuttered of late, Silva has been an irresistible force and a reliable source of Fantasy points. He’s now returned goals or assists in nine of his last 14 league starts (along with 16 bonus points), displaying a level of consistency which has left both Hazard and Sanchez in his wake in 2015. Home ties against West Ham and Aston Villa in City’s next four (cry, mun, WHU, AVL) provide further encouragement for Silva’s 25% ownership.

Sergio Aguero was again put in the shade. Deployed in a 4-4-2 with Wilfried Bony, Aguero returned a blank and has now gone five outings in all competitions without a goal – he’s blanked in seven of nine league starts since his return from injury in Gameweek 21. The Argentinian marksman again had his fair share of opportunities – fashioning nine attempts throughout the 90 minutes – but he was denied by Baggies’ stopper Boaz Myhill on four occasions.

Aguero’s limited returns in recent weeks will be of great concern to his 28% ownership, with Olivier Giroud, Diego Costa and even Wayne Rooney surpassing his recent output. Not surprisingly, Aguero has suffered more sales than any other player in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) overnight.

Elsewhere, Manuel Pellegrini named four changes from the team that lost to Burnley at Turf Moor. Eliaquim Mangala, Frank Lampard, Fernando and Bony were all handed starts as Edin Dzeko, Fernandinho, Martin Demichelis and the injured Yaya Toure dropped out.

Bony opened the scoring with his first goal for the club since signing in January, whilst Fernando supplied the assist for the Ivorian’s strike and scored a goal himself, earning three extra bonus points for his contribution to City’s victory.

Baggies Wronged As Foster Is Ruled Out

West Brom take credit from restricting the champions to three goals after Gareth McAuley was wrongly sent off in the second minute. It’s expected that Craig Dawson will now be handed a one-match ban as a result of Neil Swarbrick admitting his error following yesterday’s match.

Boaz Myhill – who replaced the injured Ben Foster in nets – made an astonishing 13 saves, providing an early return for those who had him ready on their FPL bench to replace first-choice Foster. Myhill is priced at just 4.0 in the FPL and is now set to claim a starting berth for the remainder of the season with the confirmation that Foster has been ruled out for six months after damaging cruciate knee ligaments against Stoke in Gameweek 29.

Renlentless Kane Fires Hat-Trick

Having ranked neck-and-neck with Sergio Aguero in our captain poll this Gameweek, Harry Kane vindicated the 34% of Fantasy Football Scout readers that backed him by netting his first league hat-trick in Spurs’ 4-3 victory over Leicester City.

Kane has now notched 11 goals in his previous eight starts and looks indispensable in light of his 6.3 FPL price tag and Tottenham’s run-in – they face only one top-five side (MCI) in their last eight, with five bottom-12 clubs (bur, AVL, new, HUL, eve) remaining on their schedule.

Mauricio Pochettino named an unchanged side from the XI that fell to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last time out. Nacer Chadli – who skied two clear-cut chances – and Andros Townsend flattered to deceive for the second week running; they now look prone to rotation with Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela waiting in the wings. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen registered his second assist in four starts, having drawn blanks against QPR and Manchester United.

Much to the frustration of Fantasy managers that recruited Danny Rose for Tottenham’s double Gameweek, Spurs failed to keep a clean sheet for the seventh fixture in succession, although Rose did bag an assist for Kane’s penalty. Any hopes of Spurs keeping out Leicester were dealt a huge blow in the third minute when Hugo Lloris was forced off after a collision with team-mate Kyle Walker. The French shot-stopper suffered a lacerated knee, which could rule him out of the Lilywhite’s trip to Turf Moor that follows the international break.

Foxes Impress In Another Pointless Display

Following two unproductive Gameweeks in front of goal, Leicester returned to scoring ways in emphatic style at White Hart Lane as once again an encouraging performance went unrewarded. David Nugent and Jamie Vardy each tallied a goal and an assist, while Matt James whipped in the cross for Wes Morgan’s equaliser. Vardy had the beating of right-back Kyle Walker all day and looks set to be rewarded with a run of starts as Leicester’s campaign reaches its climax.

Nigel Pearson made three alterations to the Foxes outfit that drew with Hull City, drafting in Kasper Schmeichel, Leonardo Ulloa and David Nugent for Mark Scwharzer, Riyad Mahrez and Andrej Kramaric. Despite lining up in a 5-4-1 formation, the visitors adopted a 3-4-3 shape for the majority of the encounter, with Jeffrey Schlupp and Ritchie de Laet pushed forward, almost as wingers.

Leicester were dwarfed by Tottenham in terms of possession (66% to 34%) yet fashioned more attempts at goal (14 to 10) and more attempts on target (five to four) than the Champions League hopefuls. With a double Gameweek and four decent fixtures on the horizon (WHU, WBA, SWA, BUR), the Foxes’ low-priced attacking contingent remain worthy of consideration in the short-term.

Giroud The Executioner Once More

Olivier Giroud was on target for the fifth successive league clash and netted his sixth in five outings in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United. The Gunners’ man of the moment was in a clinical mood at St James’ Park, finishing two of his three attempts on goal.

With 13 strikes in just 1252 minutes of pitch time, Giroud is arguably matching the goalscoring exploits of rival north London counterpart Kane. Yet despite his rich vein of form, Giroud ranks sixth with regards to ownership among the FPL forward roster, with only 14% of managers finding a place for him in their squad.

Saturday’s brace is sure to trigger an upsurge in investors: he’s already attracted over 15,000 FPL transfers in overnight – more than any other player. Having said that, Arsenal and Giroud do have the blank fixture in Gameweek 33 looming, leaving the Gunners facing an unattractive next four (LIV bur [BLANK] CHE).

Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott made way for Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck in Arsenal’s three behind Giroud, with the pair both notching assists on Tyneside. Elsewhere, in defence, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista were handed starts ahead of Hector Bellerin and Per Metesacker. Much to the frustration of Bellerin’s 4% ownership, the Spanish right-back was introduced late into the match for a two-minute cameo.

Long Strike Keeps Saints Ticking

Shane Long netted his first goal since November 8 as Southampton ran out 2-0 winners over Burnley. Manager Ronald Koeman opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Long on the right flank behind the out-of-form Graziano Pelle who earned a recall.

The Saints’ fourth clean sheet in seven delivered more points to their heavily backed defence, with Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand both picking up assists to complement their shut-out bonuses.

The Saints did, however, suffer a potentially major injury blow as Fraser Forster was rushed to hospital after twisting his knee after just 14 minutes. The results of the subsequent scan will afford us a clearer picture, yet Koeman admitted that his prognosis was “looking bad”. The injury brought Kelvin Davis into the fray and, with Forster possibly missing the remainder of the season, the 4.4-priced FPL option now comes onto the radar as cover of a Southampton rearguard that’s now kept 14 clean sheets.

Over in the Clarets’ camp, star man Danny Ings drew a blank for the fifth consecutive week, only mustering two goal attempts against Southampton’s organised back line.

Sakho delivers cruel blow to Black Cats

Hammers hitman Diafra Sakho left it late to consign new Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat to defeat in his first match in charge, ending West Ham’s seven-game winless streak in the process. Sakho scored his second goal in five starts with his fourth effort of the night, turning in a deft flick from Mark Noble.

As expected, Advocaat named national compatriot Patrick van Aanholt in the starting line-up, plumping for a 4-3-3 set-up that saw Steven Fletcher and Conor Wickham provide width for central striker Jermain Defoe. Adam Johnson made an 18-minute cameo after his club suspension was lifted earlier in the week.

Gomis inspires Swans late show

After threatening to score on several occasions last Gameweek, Bafetimbi Gomis tallied just his third goal of the campaign in a 1-0 victory at Villa Park. Gylfi Sigurdsson had an uneventful afternoon by his standards, mustering just a solitary goal attempt and penalty area touch throughout his 64-minute appearance.

The Swans recorded their eleventh shut-out of the season at Villa and now embark on a pair of winnable home ties within an obliging run over the next five (HUL EVE lei new STK). This could provide a platform for further defensive returns with Kyle Naughton, at just 4.3 in FPL, likely to be a prime target. Sigurdsson and Gomis can also be cited as potential differentials during this five-game spell. Jefferson Montero’s impressive display off the bench may also nudge Garry Monk to reconsider his starting line-up and formation over the forthcoming run.

Villa’s disappointment was compounded by an injury to striker Christian Benteke. He was forced off with 15 minutes remaining with a hip problem and will be assessed over the international break.

Murray and Zaha Combine For Eagles Win

Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha struck the goals to earn Alan Pardew’s side the points in the Potteries: the Eagles have now recorded wins in four of their last five away matches. Murray notched his fourth goal in as many outings for the London club, while Zaha recovered from a hip complaint in time to score for the second game in succession from Murray’s flick.

Yannick Bolasie picked up where he left off against Queens Park Rangers, using his pace and trickery to influence proceedings and earn a penalty for the visitors. It’s now three assists in two starts for the DR Congo winger, as the Eagles’ wide men continue to torment opposing full-backs. Meanwhile, Jason Puncheon recovered from injury to start but drew a third consecutive blank. The performances and output of Zaha and Bolasie have now blurred the picture when it comes to selecting a mid-price differential from the Eagles midfield options.

Palace now have three home ties in their next four, with City, West Brom and Hull all due at Selhurst Park next. Pardew’s side have, however, won just one of their last four on home turf.

Hughes Shuffles Potters Backline

Despite taking the lead after 14 minutes through Mame Biram Diouf (his third goal in five appearances), Stoke couldn’t record a third successive home win, having not conceded in their previous two Britannia Stadium clashes. Victor Moses sat out the encounter with a knock and there were further changes of note at the back.

Phil Bardsley was left on the bench with Geoff Cameron getting the nod at right-back. Meanwhile Philipp Wollscheid returned to the squad but only made the bench as Hughes kept faith with Marc Wilson alongside skipper Ryan Shawcross. It remains to be seen if Wollscheid earns a recall for the trip to Chelsea in Gameweek 31.

1,484 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2 FTs and this lot:

    Panti
    Ivanovic - Rose - Dawson
    Haz - Silva - Sterling - Eriksen
    Kane - Aguero - Austin

    Forster - Boyd - Clyne - McShane

    is Rose ➡ Naughton most logical move here? Or should I do sth else instead?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      dawson maybe suspended

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          as an aguero owner it hurt me to say it but aguero drops rather deep/wide when bony/dzeko is on the pitch this season

  2. Jax
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    benteke...get him in they said.

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Don't listen to those voices, I said.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        can you hear us woy?!

        i think he may be finally reaching out from his fpl forum delusion

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      'They' haven't got a scooby doo

  3. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    How would you improve this team?

    Guzan | Krul
    Ivanovic | Clyne | Bellerin | Naughton | C.Dawson
    Silva | Cazorla | Walters | Eriksen | Hazard
    Aguero | Kane | Austin

    1.6 ITB 1 FT

    Can i get away with saving FT this week?

  4. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Why is Dawson supposedly getting a ban?

    What's the difference between this one and the O'Shea/Brown case a few weeks ago? Just that this ref admitted he ballsed up rather than refusing to admit he was wrong?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      yep, the ref admitted he was wrong so apparently it means dawson will get the ban. That's what is being reported

      1. CABAYE4
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        The whole refereeing system needs a reboot. The people in charge are a total joke. Howard Webb was useless when he was a ref and now he's in charge of the rest of them.

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      That's it, bizarre eh!

    3. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      The other ref claimed that he saw Brown make the foul, this one mistook McAuley for Dawson

      1. CABAYE4
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Ridiculous rule. Why should that matter?

    4. The Machine
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      The red card was overturned in the process as well (brown)

      Remember gibbs red was shifted to ox too before the red card being overturned as the fa didn't well it deserved a red

      1. CABAYE4
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        All we need is consistency. Decide what the rules are, tell everyone and then follow them.

        It's not rocket science.

        1. Anorak
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          There is consistency here though.

          The 3 situations are different.

          Gibbs/AOC the wrong man was sent off, then the incident was reviewed and the red card overturned as the ball was going wide.

          Brown/O'Shea the ref says he saw Brown make the foul, so he sent him off, but replays show he didn't, so the red was rescinded.

          This one the foul is not in doubt (unless there is an argument made of a covering defender), just the wrong player sent off, so the ban should transfer directly.

  5. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    FPL is all abt luck! 😉

  6. Jax
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho, Sturridge

    Subs: Jones, Johnson, Toure, Lucas, Gerrard, Lambert, Balotelli

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I guess rodgers sees gerrard as a liability now

  7. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool lineup to play Man United: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho, Sturridge

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      above 😉

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks YMA.....

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        beat him to it. you lose.

        1. copps
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          you sound like a proper loser doing this 😆

          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            you sound like a girl

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

    De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Herrera. Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Young, Rooney.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      di maria fail

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        he's on sabbatical

        1. The Light Knight
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Fancy name for an Anfield bench

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Same team!! Come on boys

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Mata

      😯

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        yes...

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Juan Mata 😯

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Why not? You say that like Mata'a crap or something.

    5. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      5-3-2 formation I'd wager

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        433 with Fellaini at the point.

      2. CABAYE4
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Surely 433 like last week?

        1. The Light Knight
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Nah, that's what LVG wants you to think 😉

          1. Numb
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            You will have to look

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers Demi...

    7. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Unchanged I think? Nice.

    8. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers OCProdigy

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        * Parm

        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          * Steve

          1. Konig Luther
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            😀

          2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            🙂

    9. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Odd looking side.

  9. The Machine
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    DI maria dropped

  10. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Confirmed #LFC team v @ManUtd: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho, Sturridge

  11. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Confirmed #LFC team v @ManUtd: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho, Sturridge

    1. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Confirmed #LFC subs v @ManUtd: Jones, Johnson, Toure, Gerrard, Lambert, Lucas, Balotelli

  12. Anorak
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming Dawson picks up the McAuley ban on Monday, my GW31 transfer plan is in tatters (Bellerín to Dawson).

    So which WBA defender is next in line to play the next 3 weeks for me (QPR/LEI/cpl)?

    Lescott (5.1m Form:4.2)
    McAuley (4.8m Form:3.6)

    Or should I be looking somewhere else for my short term defender punt (7m to spend)?

  13. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Confirmed #LFC subs v @ManUtd: Jones, Johnson, Toure, Gerrard, Lambert, Lucas, Balotelli

  14. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    United XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Rooney. #mufclive

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

    Team sheets anyone?

    1. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Wait 5 mins

  16. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    United subs: Valdes, Rafael, Rojo, Di Maria, Januzaj, A Pereira, Falcao. #mufclive

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Not a bad bench!

  17. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero > Rooney (C) is very tempting, imo.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Only for 1-week?

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Possibly. Not sure.

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mane is waste of space. Clearly

    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      sell him for Alexis

    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      you're clever

  19. Anorak
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling wingback and Dí Maria dropped.

    UFPL decisions just got a little bit harder (both in line to replace 4pt players - Sanchez/Puncheon).

  20. It's only Carlton Cole…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    My GW will be decided by the Chelsea line up. If Zouma doesn't feature then McAuley will make an appearance with his -3

  21. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Got 'im, too easy 😛

    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      😛

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        😉

        And there's afters from the police 🙂

    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      🙂

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        😉

        🙂

        😛

        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          This

  22. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone for the teams?

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      *got.

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Team news anyone?

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      barcelona unchanged

  24. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    No ADM 😯 he's off

  25. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Dat United bench....

  26. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    In another lifetime McAuley and Dawson would be brothers

  27. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Sturridge not on bench? Is he injured?

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He's on the pitch.

      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        not yet.. but he will

    2. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      anyone biting on this?

    3. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Not back to fitness at all

    4. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      ?

  28. Keej
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    SKY Game

    Costa or Hazard Captain? First to 5.

    Cheers.

  29. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Still no team news. #NoPatience

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      daily fail