Scout Notes
30 October 2016 3296 comments
Paul Paul
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A Belgian duo light up Sunday’s pair of fixtures as Romelu Lukaku grabs his customary goal against West Ham, before Eden Hazard nets for the third successive Gameweek as Chelsea see off Southampton at St Mary’s.

On the Rise

Eden Hazard
There is no doubt that Chelsea’s move to 3-4-3 has handed Hazard the freedom to flourish.

Afforded licence to drift centrally when the Blues are in possession, the revived Belgian scored for the third consecutive league outing, bagging a goal and an assist in the 2-0 triumph.

After peaking at 10.3 in Gameweek 5, he has dropped to 9.8 in recent weeks, yet an explosive return to form – having notched against Leicester City and Manchester United – could now trigger a transfer scramble.

Sunday’s 14-point haul was Hazard’s highest of the season and takes him to just seven points off the top of the FPL midfield standings.

Romelu Lukaku
Second only to Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho for acquisitions ahead of Gameweek 10, Lukaku was also the most-captained player by the top 100 FPL managers.

The Everton striker justified that show of faith with a goal and assist against West Ham and is now the top scoring FPL forward.

His run of consistent displays under Ronald Koeman shows no sign of abating – Lukaku has served up points in six of the last seven Gameweeks ahead of next weekend’s trip to Chelsea.

Diego Costa
A superb second-half strike at St Mary’s maintained a remarkable run that has harvested FPL points in eight of Costa’s first 10 Gameweeks.

Yet again he kept out of trouble and remains on four yellows – impressively, Costa has been booked in just one of the last six league matches.

Although there’s been a recent clamour for 3-5-2 due to the number of high-scoring midfielders, the Costa, Lukaku and Sergio Aguero front line is becoming increasingly appealing for those prepared to invest big funds up top.

In saying that, Hazard is now only one point behind Costa and 0.5 cheaper.

Yannick Bolasie
After finding the net against Burnley in Gameweek 10, Bolasie is another player to shed his erratic form under Koeman.

An assist for Lukaku’s opener means he has now produced points in five of the previous seven Gameweeks.

Arguably the only guaranteed starter in the Everton attacking midfield three, his assist was the fourth of the season – already bettering last term’s tally of three while at Palace.

For those already holding Lukaku, though, Everton’s upcoming schedule – which hands them encounters with Chelsea, Southampton and Manchester United in the next four – may well deter a double-up.

Victor Moses
Handed a fourth straight start as a right wing-back by Antonio Conte, the Chelsea midfielder provided the assist for Hazard’s opener.

Moses was also amongst the goals in the Gameweek 8 win over Leicester City and seems to have cemented a regular role in the Blues’ 3-4-3 formation.

Priced at just 5.5 in FPL, the Nigerian international offered a decent goal threat throughout Sunday’s clash and, having convinced Conte of his worth, may yet emerge as a viable budget midfield option.

Cesar Azpilicueta & Marcos Alonso
It’s four clean sheets in as many matches for the Blues since the change of tactics.

Again, the Spanish defender’s suitability to the bonus points system prevailed and helped him to a pair of additional points at St Mary’s.

Impressively, Azpilicueta has been awarded bonus points in six of the first 10 Gameweeks and has collected at least one extra point on the five occasions that his side has registered a shut-out.

Sitting in 11% of FPL sides, he’s now climbed to joint-fourth in the defender rankings, level with Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin on 45 points.

Even so, with John Terry looming as a factor on the bench and Kurt Zouma soon to return from injury, it’s not yet clear if Conte will keep faith with his current back-three in the mid-term. Marcos Alonso, at left wing-back, therefore appears to offer a more secure option.

Ross Barkley
Barkley nudged back onto the radar with a finely taken volley for the Toffees’ second.

Unlike his fellow midfielder Bolasie, this was Barkley’s first attacking returns since Gameweek 2, when he earned an assist away to West Brom.

Having dropped to the bench as recently as Gameweek 8, Barkley is unlikely to clamber ahead of Bolasie for those eyeing up the Everton midfield. A price tag of 7.2 to the former Eagles winger’s 6.0 means that Barkley remains peripheral in our thoughts for now.

In Decline

Phil Jagielka
The Everton skipper went into Sunday’s match as their top scoring defender, having started all nine of the opening fixtures.

Dropped to the bench as Ramiro Funes Mori came in alongside Ashley Williams, Jagielka’s absence coincided with the Toffees’ first clean sheet in six Gameweeks.

Funes Mori earned a single bonus point to return seven points and stake a claim for regular inclusion, though the upcoming schedule hardly appears conducive to clean sheets.

Winston Reid
The West Ham skipper toppled off the Suspension Tightrope after earning his fifth yellow card of the season.

Reid had racked up 29 points in the previous three Gameweeks but now sits out the Gameweek 11 home clash with Stoke.

With Spurs, United, Arsenal and Liverpool in the subsequent four, clean sheets may well be in short supply for Slaven Bilic’s side.

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  1. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    OK final question for the night thanks for responses so far...

    Current team:

    Heaton, Pickford
    Valencia, Holebas, McCauley, Stones, Amat
    Mane, Sanchez, Sterling, Son, Antonio
    C.Benteke, Aguero, Grabban

    Think I need to get rid of Brnteke, Son, Antonio and Valencia

    Before price rises which is best:

    1. Austin, Hazard, Cameron -4 keep Antonio
    2. Austin, Kingsley, Firmino, Coutinho -8
    3. Daniels, Hazard, Coutinho, W.Keane -8
    4. Alonso, Hazard, Gundogan/Moses, Austin -8
    5. Something else...

    1. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      4 imo

      1. Blue Gaffer
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Which 5.5 mid?

        1. Kante Be Bothered
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          moses

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Austin, coutinho, chadli, alonso?

  2. Kante Be Bothered
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender 5.0 or under? Holebas maybe?

    1. Four Four Boyz
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He is definitely flavour of the month! Good effort for looking at your defence, I really need to sort mine out but there is always something more exciting / pressing to address.

      1. Kante Be Bothered
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Me too! I have Bellerin and he seems to be a waste at 6.5. Want someone a lot cheaper so i can get in Firmino or Hazard

    2. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Stoke have regained some solidity and have good fixtures (I.e pieters at 4.4)

      Bournemouth defence also an option, smith at 4.8

      Lovren is at 4.9 if you dare risk Liverpool defence (cracking fixtures)

      West brom also have a good run of fixtures coming up

      In other words, hard to tell

      1. Kante Be Bothered
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yea its hard to decide. I might go with Pieters because Butland is returning soon and he is the cheapest

    3. KING_ZLATAN
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      By Fixtures will be lovren?

    4. Rex Lapis
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Morgan?

    5. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Leicester, stoke, bou and possibly Burnley

  3. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Play Holebas vs pool or Evans vs lei?

    1. Four Four Boyz
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Holebas. Could get in the points offensively...

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Evans

  4. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Hey guys,

    Team is in a bit if a mess so might take my first hit if I need

    Foster
    Williams Kos Evans
    Wally* Sanchez Antonio* Firmino
    Rashford* Kun Lukaku

    Jaku Capoue* Pieters Amat 1FT 0.0ITB

    If I was to take a hit who has to go first?

    Cheers

    1. Four Four Boyz
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Rashford. Walcott should be fit for Spurs, Antonio looked OK from what I saw and Capoue can wait. Rashford is a wasted first team spot.

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Rashford ---> Austin is easily done and the wait on maybe taking a hit?

        1. Four Four Boyz
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Do it!

    2. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      You need to get at least 1 Chelsea player in there

    3. janowsc
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Save Rashford for Swansea imo

    4. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Rashford > Austin

  5. Mynametidus
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Heaton/Pickford
    Holebas/Evans/Mustafi/Vertongen/Kingsley
    Son/Sterling/Ozil/Capoue/Coutinho
    Lukkaku/Kun/Deeney

    2FT 1.7 itb

    Son,Sterling and Deeny to Gundogan,Hazard and Austin
    Sterling Deeny Ozil to Gundogan,Sanchez Austin
    Just Deeney and Son to Gundogan and Costa No loss

    Maybe to much faith in Gundogan at 5.5?

  6. KING_ZLATAN
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard essential ? If yes should I do mane to hazard. Will have Sanchez haz cout Allen capoue

    1. Four Four Boyz
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Not essential. Got to factor in team balance as well...not sure I like Allen and Capoue. Relying on Allen performing on a regular basis.

    2. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yup he is. Chelsea also have a good run of fixtures pretty soon as well.

      1. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        No he isn't

        1. Kante Be Bothered
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Why not? He is in really good form and is the 3 highest scoring midfielder

          1. Knowledgeable meerkat
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Do you understand the term "essential"? It is something that one cannot be without.

            I feel it's so overused on here and has lots it's value as a word. Essential means essential in my book. Hazard, for all his form and upcoming fixtures, simply cannot be deemed "essential"

            1. Kante Be Bothered
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              Then what player would you consider to be "essential"?

    3. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hard to have the likes of Sanchez, KDB, hazard, two pool mids, etc. You have to choose the right four that you think will come through. None are essential. A lot are desirable.

    4. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Not essential, but I think hes slightly ahead of sanchez in the order for me because of the price gap.

  7. Rex Lapis
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Baines to?
    A. Stones
    B. Morgan
    C. other def under 5.1m?

    1. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      b

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      B

  8. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Which is best:

    1. Hazard, Gundogan, Alonso, Austin -8
    2. Firmino, Coutinho, Austin, Kingsley -8
    3. Hazard, Coutinho, Daniels, W.Keane -8

  9. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Foster (Japu)
    Walker Mustafi Williams (Kelly Amat)
    Sanchez Firmino Coutinho Allen (Fletcher)
    Aguero Deeney Lukaku

    1 FT. 0.0 ITB

    A. Williams > Morgan/ Smith
    B. Deeney > Austin

  10. Kante Be Bothered
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Moses for sure. Gundo not nailed i think

  11. Teahupo'o
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Grant
    Holebas Stones Vertonghen
    Firmino Coutinho Redmond Son
    Costa Aguero Lukaku

    (Foster, Capoue Valencia Smith)
    1FT 0.4 ITB

    A) Valencia ➡ Cahill (exact money)
    B) Valencia ➡ Pieters (save money)

    ??

    1. CunkOnFPL
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      A with Alonso

  12. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Got Mane already no Chelsea

    1. Firmino, Coutinho, Kingsley
    2. Hazard, Moses/5.5 mid, Alonso

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Coutinho, chadli, alonso?

  13. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Is Gündogan actually an option?

    1. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      yea in fifa 17 ultimate team he is pretty good

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Id say so, yes.
      Though I reckon he'll be about as good as moses.

    3. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Cheap and avg position was extremely advanced in latest game. Have other issues to deal with, and would like to see more of a track record (in current side), but is on my radar.

  14. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Welcome back to my team heaton, getting Cech in on my WC was a mistake.

    1. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Getting rid of Courtois in my WC was a mistake for me as well 🙁

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Heaton a very good value pick. Might get him when I have the chance.

  15. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Suggestions here?

    Foster, jaku
    Walker, williams, pva, pieters, wilson
    Mane, coutinho, sterling, walcott, son
    Costa, lukaku, benteke

    1ft, 0.1itb

    Was looking at getting in Austin for benteke and taking a 4 or 8pt hit to get hazard/KDB.

    1. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Was wondering how your midfield was so strong then I realised there's no Sergio

      Id probably try to find a way to free up funds for mane > hazard if you want him in

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Was thinking son + benteke + sterling > hazard + gundogan/chadli + austin potentially?

        8pt hit though...

  16. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Is Toby back for the NLD?

  17. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Isn't there normally a few goals in the North London Derby?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, dont see why so many selling Walcott.

    2. Jay_
        9 years, 5 months ago

        See a post on here the other day, showing no side has scored more than 2 goals in the last 8ish games in the fixture (Could be wrong but I think that's what I see)

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Interesting. I think the last one was tight iirc. But before that I thought it was quite high but that is only from memory

    3. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Coutinho or Firmino?

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Coutinho for me

      2. Four Four Boyz
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Toss a coin. I have both 😉

        1. Kante Be Bothered
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I don't have a coin. Can you toss it for me (;

    4. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hurry up lads get hazard.He's rising tonight 🙂

    5. MOZIL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Predicted score for Stoke vs Swansea?

      1. Twelve years a slave
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Stoke 3 Swansea 1

        Allen 10 min
        Allen 40 min
        Allen 60 min
        Pieters own goal 92 min
        Arnautovic s/o

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          So if I need one defender from tomorrow nights match who should I get?

          1. Twelve years a slave
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Shawcross 3 assists for Allen

            1. Cheeseoid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              That would do it. I need to get someone in to captain in Sky and Dawson is expendable

              Not much to choose between Shawcross, Pieters and Cameron as far as I can see but Cameron is 0.4 cheaper

              1. MOZIL
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 months ago

                Whats your predicted score?

      2. semiconductor
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        0-0

    6. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hazzy and Costa overkill?

      Thinking of Haz and Chadli in for Wally and Son. Althought I have Vert and Kosc with tricky fixtures coming up so not sure what the f to do

      1. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        no.Costa is going to be the top scorer this season and hazard is fantasy gold

    7. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Kos/Son -> Morgan/Firmino?

      Heaton Pickford
      Kos Walker Holebas Evans Amat
      Sanchez Theo Coutinho Son Capoue
      Aguero Lukaku Austin

    8. Batshuayi Crazy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Cant decide if Hazard worth the transfers:

      A) Hazard, Sterling & alternate b/n Allen/W. Keane, -4 hit
      B) Hazard, Benteke & alternate b/n Allen/Capoue
      C) Firmino, Chadli, Benteke

    9. Fingerspitzengefühl
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Price rises 1 hour earlier than usual lads, remember that!

      1. Twelve years a slave
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Isnt it later, for those of us living overseas?

        Still 1 hour to go, ?

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          5 minutes to go.

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Within 10 mins

          1. Twelve years a slave
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            So when the clocks change, the price time changes too?

            1. Cheeseoid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              Stp arguing and get those transfers done goddamit!

        3. Jay_
            9 years, 5 months ago

            2-3 minutes

        4. Fingerspitzengefühl
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          just got hazard and lovren in for bellers & wally

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Sell Bellerin for a Chelsea def? Thoughts on what to do here would be appreciated!

        Foster, Jak
        Bellerin, Dawson, Kone, Vertonghen, Amat
        Sanchez, Walcott, Firminio, Coutinho, Allen
        Aguero, Deeney, Rashford

        Considering Bellerin and Deeney to Azpi and Austin/other

        1. BROOKLYN GOONER
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          What's the rush to get in Chelsea defense with Everton, Spurs, and Man City in next four? Deeney to Austin looks sufficient.

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Ta

      3. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Rise Hazard Rise

        1. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Cut this nonsense out, will you?

          1. Chucky
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            I am off to bed.bye

      4. PepSala
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Help Please

        Pickford (Jaku)
        Walker Bellerin Smith (Valencia* Amat)
        Sanchez Firmino Walcott* Allen (Stanislas*)
        Aguero(c) Lukaku Austin

        1FT and 0.1 ITB

        So many problems here, dont know where to start. Any suggestions?

        1. Twelve years a slave
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          The only real problem is Valencia
          The rest can wait.

        2. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I don't think you have many problems tbh. Walcott will be back next week. Stanislas probably will too but you will know more nearer the time and you have 3 perfectly good playing defenders.

          1. PepSala
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Jaku is on the bench and Pickford is playing for arguably the worst defense in the EPL. Theres that problem too.

      5. semiconductor
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Lovern or holebas??

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Holebas

        2. semiconductor
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          With the upcoming fixtures into consideration too

      6. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I remember the days when man united attacking assets were so important

        I feel like it's been a good few years since they were regularly good fpl choices - comparing hazard, Costa, coutinho, firmino, mane, Aguero, kdb, Sanchez, Lukaku etc etc etc

        Compared with lingard, fellaini, pogba, mata, delay, martial Herrera, Rooney, rashford and of course currently Ibra

        United for several seasons now have been dire for fpl and as a passionate fan, it isn't half difficult 😆

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          RVP was the last one

      7. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        🙂

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Beasting it in Sportseck 😉

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            PDM did this week.

            1. Cheeseoid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              I haven't finished yet