Scout Notes
17 September 2017 3652 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Another big win for Manchester United flatters to deceive as Romelu Lukaku produces a double-figure haul that still may not be enough to halt sales of the Belgian.

Earlier in the day, Chelsea and Arsenal play out a goalless draw which saw David Luiz become the next Chelsea defender to see red to cause a headache for his sizeable ownership.

Here are the notes from Gameweek 5’s final fixtures.

Lukaku’s late show fails to halt sales

When Antonio Valencia crashed the ball into the Everton net four minutes into the match, a 4-0 result looked like the least Man United could expect from their day’s work.

By the end of an often lethargic showing, three late goals put a decidedly flattering gloss on the exact same outcome.

Romelu Lukaku was wasteful until the final flurry in which he scored once – his fifth goal in as many league matches this season – and set up the equally disappointing Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the midfielder’s first strike of the campaign.

Lukaku’s 12-point haul could and should have been doubled. He missed a big chance in the first half having been put through by Juan Mata, and then seemingly surrendered penalty duties to Anthony Martial for United’s fourth goal.

Indeed, post-match, Jose Mourinho provided some insight on that situation – indicating that Lukaku may well have relinquished duties from this point on.

“The penalty-taker today was Juan Mata, but he was out, so I let the players take the decision.”

That may compound matters for Lukaku, who, despite today’s 12-points, continues to see his ownership dwindle.

Over 51,000 managers have already sold him ahead of Gameweek 6 and, having been part of 60% of squads, he is now down to 55.6%, having suffered close to 108,000 sales going into Friday’s deadline.

That still means a majority of managers remain happy with the returns on his 11.7 price tag, though there is a feeling that the Belgian is closer to a barren run than a bonanza.

He led the way with four attempts today, but Jesse Lingard‘s 29-minute cameo produced more penalty area touches (6) than Lukaku’s five, with the substitute’s flick also setting up the forward’s goal.

United’s fixtures are on the cusp of stiffening. A Gameweek 6 trip to a defensively organised Southampton will be tough, although a visit from Crystal Palace a week later should prove rather more fruitful.

After the October international break, however, United will travel to Liverpool and Chelsea and entertain Spurs in what could be a treacherous four-Gameweek spell.

Sergio Aguero‘s 20-point burst at Watford, allied to a long run of good fixtures to come for Man City, has reminded us all that the Argentinian is Fantasy royalty.

More than 216,000 have now bought him since yesterday’s hat-trick, with Roberto Firmino (39000+) and Lukaku (37,000+) the main fall guys.

Mkhitaryan, who tops the FPL midfielder standings after his nine-points against the Toffees, remains a far more popular target than his team-mate, aided by the injury to Paul Pogba.

The Armenian is already the fifth most-bought player for Gameweek 6, with the majority (as happened ahead of Gameweek 5) swapping him in for Pogba.

And United assets at the back are still delivering good returns, with Phil Jones (5.1) unlucky not to sweep up bonus points – his baseline of 17 was easily the strongest in the Red Devils’ defence – with only Valencia’s goal scuppering the chances of extra points.

As for Everton, their horrifically tough start to the season is now at an end, and it’s come at a heavy price.

The side have been winless since a narrow Gameweek 1 victory over Stoke City, and they’ve lost three straight in the league, conceding ever more goals as they’ve gone.

Confidence is low, and their attack is toothless – only Swansea City have managed fewer attempts than the Toffees’ 42 (Spurs lead the way with 105).

At 4.3, right back/wing-back Cuco Martina could be a bargain now that Everton’s schedule takes a turn for the better (BOU, BUR, bri). We’ll learn more as to his starting credentials when coach Ronald Koeman decides on his line-up for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland.

No goals, but points to be had

Arsenal visiting Chelsea and leaving with a point from a goalless draw was one of the more surprising results of the weekend.

It was great news for the 10.9% of managers who tempted fate by sticking by Sead Kolasinac, the muscular Bosnian recording a second consecutive clean sheet to keep him top of the Gunners’ defensive standings with 23 points.

His added attacking threat just about justifies the hefty 6.0 outlay he demands, and if Arsenal can continue to show the resilience on display at Stamford Bridge, he looks the most attractive route into an often untrustworthy backline.

The match was not a classic – Danny Welbeck led the way for goal attempts with a meagre three – and it was another case of wait and see when it came to the sides’ two big-ticket men Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard.

Both had to make do with appearances from the bench and the 11.9 required to secure Sanchez’s services looks too high a price to be pay until he’s starting and scoring regularly, even with an immediate schedule – WBA BHA wat – that promises much.

Hazard, at 10.5, is rather kinder on the wallet, and Chelsea’s fixtures are even better, a Gameweek 7 visit from a rampant Man City notwithstanding.

But coach Antonio Conte has made it clear he will not be rushing the Belgian back into action too quickly, and neither should we if he continues to be given limited pitch-time.

That Man City match will have to be endured without David Luiz as the 24.0%-owned Brazilian was given a straight red towards the end of today’s encounter.

The centre-half, an ever-present at the heart of the defence this season, will now miss two Gameweeks, with Antonio Rudiger his most likely replacement.

Luiz at least left it until he’d earned his owners a clean sheet. The 21.2%-owned Marcos Alonso was also in the points, but he was way off the bonus points with a BPS score of just 20 – only Luiz recorded a lower score among the Blues’ backline.

His 68% pass completion rate had much to do with that and the Spaniard’s net ownership is currently in decline, even though the 30 points he’s racked up makes him the highest-scoring Chelsea defender.

It would seem, however, that FPL managers expect extra from Alonso – like his two-goal, 16-point show stopper against Spurs, for instance.

For a price of 7.1, they may have a point, but Alonso is still producing consistent returns, and only five defenders have scored more points than him thus far.

One big-name player not producing so regularly is Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.

His 11.5% ownership base has paid 10.4 for 17 points to date, but after scoring against Bournemouth last time out, he was subbed off on 66 minutes at Chelsea having mustered just a single shot on target – a big chance he failed to convert.

The competition for places in our forward lines is intense. Twelve strikers have scored more points than Lacazette, while just three of them cost more than the Frenchman.

His days of double-digit ownership look numbered.

3,652 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Sepp Blattered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on what to do with FT? 1.2 ITB

    Foster - Elliot
    Jones - Yoshida - Mee - TAA - Mariappa
    Eriksen - Salah - Mikhi - Ritchie - Carroll
    Kane - Lukaku - Mounie

    A) Yoshida --> Kolasinac / Monreal
    B) Yoshida --> Naughton, Mounie --> 8.0 (-4)
    C) Get Kun
    D) Get Sanchez

  2. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Man City attack would be a welcome addition. What attacker would you bring in, and how?

    Elliot
    Alonso / Davies / Mee
    Eriksen / Salah / Mkhi / Gross
    Kane / Lukaku / Abraham

    Bench: Foster / Carroll / Rosenior / Wimmer

    1. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Im going Silva for Eriksen

    2. KISSES
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      kun, kane out

  3. Red-United
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Is Aguero really a better pick than Jesus?

    I can't help but feel he will be left out of some upcoming games.

    1. AC Pilkington
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Avoid both personally- headache

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I keep telling myself this whilst holding Kane who has blanked in 4/5 games 😀

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 10 months ago

      It could happen, but on this form seems less likely.

    3. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Umm I think his pedigree would suggest he is this season. Don't fancy either tbh

  4. Big P
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    The following players are available in one of my FPL drafts.

    In what order should I be prioritising them?

    A) Ramsey
    B) Wood
    C) Phillips
    D) B Davies
    E) Josh King

    Ta

    1. mgrea
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Bavies

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

        Why was he rested though? Is that not a concern?

  5. cuervos
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Who should I replace Stephens with that is not Jones? Or maybe do Bailly-Kola Stephens-Jones for -4?

  6. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    How did Siggy look today in the striker position?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      He wasn't really a 'striker'. Relatively ineffective. Then again, so were Everton as a whole. Had a few good chances, but once again, nothing to show for it.

  7. ooooo
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Repost:
    If Pedro is injured should I keep with Willian and take out Hart?

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      This?

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I wouldn't transfer Hart just b/c of this game. Following 4 are decent on paper.

  8. Ed
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Elliot
    Kolasinac Davies Mee
    Ritchie Mikhi Alli Mooy
    Lukaku Kane Firmino

    Danilo & Redmond > Kolasinac & Ritchie (-4) to leave the above?

    Can't do Danilo to Kola straight swap

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

    Foster Elliot
    Hegazi naughton suttner Davies Cedric
    Rlc tcarroll mkhi alli eriksen
    Jesus kaku firmino

    General thoughts?

  10. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    TM, do you manually delete all the losers in LMS or do you have a script to do that ?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I believe he does it manually. All the more reason to be thankful for him managing it all.

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Dedication, we should Amazon him a beer or something

  11. Big baller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Morata/mooy-Gros/Aguero for a hit? or just Morata-Jesus . Nedd city cover.

    1. Big baller
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      *need

  12. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    1FT and 1.6 ITB..

    Elliot/Foster
    Bertrand/Bavies/Dawson/Suttner/Mariappa
    Eriksen/Mik/Ritchie/Ramsey/RLC
    Mounie/Kane/Lukaku

    Plan is Kolasinac (WBA/BHA) in for Suttner and WC next international break.

    Thoughts??

  13. FPLAdmiral
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    What to do with this team chaps. 2FT, 0.2m ITB.

    Alonso + Morata > B.Davies + Aguero (c) is tempting me!

    Elliot
    Alonso, Jones, Naughton
    Mkhi, Eriksen, Salah, Carroll
    Lukaku, Firmino, Morata

    (Foster)(Cedric, RLC, Rosenior)

  14. MB10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Walker + assists
    or
    Stones + 1m ?

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Stones. I don't see CIty using their wingbacks as their main assisting outlet.

      1. MB10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        They have 4 between them in 5 GWs - not bad going for wing backs tbf...

  15. yLLacs
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Chicharito, Alli, Millov > Kane, Atsu, RLC(4.5)??
    or
    Chicharito > Rooney
    Chicharito, Millov > Rooney Atsu

    so many options, need to get rid of Chicharito....

  16. RubberDucky
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Well the last 20 mins changed my GW.

    59pts. Should I be happy?

    Only on FFS for 1st time today.

    How are most people doing?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Good score,45 here.

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I welcome you into our fold. A few notes
      1) You will see lots of RMTs
      2) The community here is strong and helpful
      3) Enjoy yourself
      4) We all hate Pep

    3. Nascimento
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I got 71 and wasn't happy - fell a fair bit. Quite a highscoring gw.

  17. mr messi
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Who's doing Lukaku to Aguero?

  18. Francescoli
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Elliot / Forster
    Jones / Cedric / Naughton / Maguire / Mbemba
    Mhiki / Salah / D.Silva / Xhaka / Carroll
    Kane / Lukaku / Firmino

    A) Firmino > Vardy
    B) Xhaka > Atsu
    C) Save

    1FT 0.1 ITB

  19. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Likelihood that Siggy will start midweek cup game?

  20. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    De Gea (Elliott)
    Hegazi Mee Bertrand Stephens Hun
    Silva Ramsey Eriksen Gross Carroll
    Aguero Kane Firmino

    Happy with team for now, but worried about the price rises form the players I want in my wildcard team. E.g downgrade de Gea, jones in, firmino to Lukaku maybe, and get one of Salah/Mkhi in. Now the time to wildcard?

  21. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Final one:

    A) Eriksen Jesus (No Pool, have Kane)
    B) Salah Kun (Have Kane)

    1. sirmorbach
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'd go with B

    2. istanbul05
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B

  22. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    I wish the watchlist on here showed player prices. would be so valuable.

  23. My Name Is Prince
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Any news on Kola? Is he okay?

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      wondering the same, he might rise tomorrow or tuesday.. would like some confirmation before

  24. LosBlancos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Are there no injury concers for Kolasinac then?
    I noticed him limping until the whistle

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      He survived a leg breaker from Luiz. Will be sore in the morning but otherwise he's fine

  25. SAS
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    RMWT pretty please xx

    Foster, Mayhill
    Alonso, Otamendi, Laselles, Mbemba, Hunemeier
    Eriksen, Salah, Mkhitaryan, Richie, Grob
    Aguero, Lukaku, Hemed

    1. sirmorbach
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      great team, I like your midfield

      1. SAS
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Thank you man.

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    my prediction for the weekend

    pep decided to rotate v palace with CL game midweek and chelsea a few days after that. People start posting on saturday night "can't trust pep" and asking what they should do with their city players

    kane gets a haul and is rising whilst the most popular transfer is aguero to kane saturday night

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Don't stop there. I was just about to un-zip.

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Are you getting Wood then

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Groẞ... but Yeẞ.

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Quite possible. 12.5m is still too much though.

    3. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      So Aguero isn't going to play the next two games?

  27. sirmorbach
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    who should play?

    Lascelles (BHA away), Mee (HUD home) or Carroll (WAT home)?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Mee or Lascelles. BHA have been pretty poor going forward, so I'd perhaps prioritise Lascelles.

      However, are you also playing Elliot in goal? If so, I'd pick Mee.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        great point, mate. I am indeed playing Elliot.

        Mee it is!

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          No worries! I'm doing exactly the same myself.

      2. 32chickens
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        This

        And laschelles

  28. Areid13
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone triple captaining Agüero this week? Home vs palace…not many more favourable fixtures than that

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Ever heard of a DGW? They can be pretty lucrative if you get it right!

      1. Areid13
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        In fact I have and also I'm aware that players get rotated in dgws

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      you do realise he will probs rotate half the squad and probably have problems becouse of that?

      1. Areid13
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Why will he be rotated?

  29. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    The late Kak show was bitterly painful as an owner who captained Kane in a ML of Kak captainers and Kane non-owners. Look likely to fall 100pts behind after just 5 pitiful weeks.

    Foster Myhill
    Davies Bertrand Aké Jones Long
    Eriksen Coutinho Mooy Carroll Romeu
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

    1FT 1.0ITB
    A. Lukaku > Aguero(c)
    B. Bertrand > Mendy
    C. Aké > Kolasinac
    D. Coutinho > Salah...was convinced Couts would play in front 3 til Mané return 🙁

    Or a couple of the above for a (-4)

    Or WC to something along the lines of :

    Fabianski Elliot
    Alonso Davies Jones Naughton Mbemba
    Eriksen Salah Atsu RLC Carroll
    Kane Aguero Firmino

    Cheers, from a disillusioned Legomané 🙁

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 10 months ago

      c or d

  30. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Guys one more blank from Kane and he surely has to go right ?

    2 goals from 6 wont be acceptable for the most expensive forward in the game.

    Agree?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Why were you calling for me to be banned for predicting that Kane would blank this weekend (and he did 🙂 )

    2. osullg26
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Ah he's hit the woodwork a fair bit so far and has just been plain unlucky in some cases... Lovely run of games coming up