Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Sanchez Denies Battling Clarets

A contentious win for Arsenal at Turf Moor sheds a favourable light on key players from both sides, while a Charlie Austin brace reinvigorates Southampton as Everton’s season lurches ever closer to the disastrous.

Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the last-gasp penalty Arsenal required to find a way past Burnley, the Gunners are finding some form and their stars edging towards Fantasy recognition.

Inevitably, some managers will consider flirting with today’s match-winner Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has now scored back-to-back goals and has three strikes and an assist from his last five starts.

Yes, Sanchez surely only took the penalty because Alexandre Lacazette was off the pitch, while his 11.8 price tag is still far too steep given the alternative options screaming for attention – not least Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

But his class is not in doubt, while the Gunners’ next five fixtures (HUD MUN sot whu NEW) offer plenty of potential for more of the same from a player who, for some, could prove a devastating differential.

While Sanchez will be a stretch too far for most, Aaron Ramsey is enjoying an equally consistent five-match run. Today’s assist was his third from those five outings, with a couple of goals adding further lustre to a midfielder priced at just 7.0.

It’s also back-to-back clean sheets for a defence that has benefitted enormously from the return of Shkodran Mustafi (5.4).

In the seven matches he’s started this season, Arsenal have conceded just a single goal.

That upcoming schedule looks particularly promising for the Gunners’ backline, with even the visit from Man United offering the promise of returns should Jose Mourinho decide to revert to his now familiar negative tactics when facing top-four rivals.

Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil missed Sunday’s victory through illness, with Arsene Wenger confirming post-match that the playmaker “will be short for Wednesday” when the Gunners host Huddersfield.

No luck, but no panic for Burnley

We almost feel partly responsible for Burnley conceding the last minute spot-kick, having talked up Lee Mason’s fondness for penalties in Thursday’s Men In Black.

Despite that cruel last-minute twist, there was again much to admire about the Clarets’ defensive work. They were seconds away from a fourth straight shut-out, ensuring that our faith in their backline remains intact.

Not that faith was entirely the order of the day – a combined 504,000+ managers benched either Stephen Ward or Ben Mee for today’s clash.

The former is the most popular defender in the game, with 22.1% ownership, while his team-mate is in 12.5% of Fantasy Premier League squads, which puts him in the top ten.

Sean Dyche’s rearguard restricted Arsenal to just two shots on target, and only the two Manchester sides have conceded fewer goals than Burnley’s 10 from 13 matches this season.

The Clarets’ immediate schedule (bou lei WAT STO bri) promises more of the same.

Ward and Mee have started every single league match this campaign, while goalkeeper Nick Pope is also an ever-present since taking over from Tom Heaton in Gameweek 4.

All three remain sound investments for a hectic period when nailed-on starters will be at a premium.

Austin powers Saints win

Southampton had failed to find the net in seven matches this season prior to the visit from Everton, scoring just nine goals from 12 generally dreary encounters.

It says much for the Toffees’ meltdown mode that the Saints hit four today, though recalled striker Charlie Austin clearly deserves credit.

In his first start under Mauricio Pellegrino, the injury-prone forward scored twice and fired five shots in the box – no striker had more in Gameweek 13.

He’s owned by just 0.4%, a figure that will most likely rise on the back of Sunday’s instant impact.

But those seeing cut-price differential material in the 6.0-priced Austin might want to pause and reflect on a schedule that includes trips to Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and Man United and a visit from Arsenal over the next eight Gameweeks.

Elsewhere, Steven Davis (5.1) moved up to fourth in the value midfielder charts after scoring his third goal of the season, while Dusan Tadic netted for the first time since Gameweek 2.

Meanwhile, the 8.5%-owned Ryan Bertrand made amends for being part of a defence that’s kept just a single clean sheet in eight matches by providing two assists in a nine-point performance.

The Saints might well kick on from this heartening win, but, given their schedule, it would seem wise to wait until the New Year before we seriously re-consider any revival under Pellegrino.

Ineptitude and now injuries for Everton

Let’s start with the positives.

Positive, actually, because the only reason to be cheerful at Everton is the form of Gylfi Sigurdsson, who now has a goal and an assist from his last two starts.

The midfielder has the fixtures (WHU HUD new SWA) to profit further, and he might now have penalty-taking duties as well, with Leighton Baines suffering an injury in Sunday’s defeat.

But Everton are so poor at present – they’ve conceded nine goals in the last four painful days and the 28 they’ve shipped domestically is the worst record in the Premier League – that taking a punt on any of their assets looks very ill-advised.

That defence can only improve, though it might now be without both Baines and Michael Keane.

The pair limped off at St Mary’s, with David Unsworth offering a gloomy post-match assessment on both.

“Leighton has done his calf, unfortunately. We’ll probably assess him more tomorrow. We’ll reassess him, but it looks like he’s going to be struggling for Wednesday. Michael was a bit different. I don’t know whether it was concussion. He was with the doctor at the end of the game and I haven’t had the chance to speak to either yet.”

5,621 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Lukaku+Vardy+TC >> Morata+Niasse+Sané

    Elliot
    Otamendi • Daniels • Duffy
    Mo Salah • Richarlison • E. Hazard • RLC
    Vardy • Kane • Lukaku
    (Fabianski / Ward / Yedlin / TC)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      For a -4, sorry 🙂

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. George James
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes great moves

    4. Ed
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. Our teams would only differ myself having Kiko instead of Yedlin...

    5. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Get it done imo.

    6. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Deffo

    7. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Why Niasse rather than Calvert-Lewis?

    8. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yup looks good.

    9. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all 🙂

  2. Kanteisking
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Team this week is and Jones a doubt. 0.2ITB

    Ellliot
    Azpi, Ota, Ward, Jones
    Richarlison, Sane, Salah, Sterling
    Kane, Morata
    Subs : Fab, Tammy, TC, Mariappa

    a) Tammy to Wilson
    b) Jones to Mustafi
    c) TC to LC

  3. drughi
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Jones>Mustafi worth a hit ? Got naughton coming in for jones if he is out.

  4. Greko82
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Yes or No

    After next gw.
    Pogba + Kaku > Hazard + Firminio + 0.4 itb.

  5. The real slim shady
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Did something stupid. Already regreting it. Sold Silva and Vardy for Mane and Firm.

    1. columbo
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Lol

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Probably works out.

    3. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      What?

    4. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      They do have blinding fixtures.

    5. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      counts on their platingtime over christmas

  6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    speroni worth getting? or is it hennesey from now on?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Wouldn't get him until he starts again.

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No not worth getting speroni

    3. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Neither is worth getting, their defence is yet to keep a clean sheet and we are not sure who is No.1

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        sooo cheap tho as enablers

        could do speroni henners for a mere 8.3

  7. Sims
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Captaincy very tough call

    Hazard
    Morata
    Kane
    Salah

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I own all 4
      Hazard for me

      1. Sims
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        not worried about possible benching?

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard to me

    3. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Haz for me

  8. Henning
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso and Pogba out for 4.8 Def and Hazard?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No

  9. Chunnam
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Repost : Too much choice! Who to captain?

    A) Kane
    B) hazard
    C) salah
    D) morata

    Currently on Kane because its stung me every time I haven’t

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I have all 4
      Hazard for me

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

  10. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RLC better value than Zaha?

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Value, yes, probably.

    2. columbo
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      What I'm trying to decide. Zaha will return more but is he worth the extra outlay, I ain't so sure

    3. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes imo having a 4.5 mid returning points now and then is a blessing

    4. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      ofc

    5. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No - but obvs way cheaper

    6. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      100%

  11. Rash
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero tcarroll to niasse hazard done now need to make decision on the defence

    Davies Jones naughton ward mee

    .6 itb 0ft

  12. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Pogba & Silva -> Gross & Hazard (-4)?

    Cheers

    1. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. Lord Bendtner, TGSTEL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Personally I think Haz will be essential until Jan.
      But having a ManC asset also will probably

  13. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is the scout cast on this week?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe thursday apparently

  14. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Go without Man City attack for the next couple of GW

    Yes or no

    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A bit risky

    2. The Curse of Falcao
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I would say no

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      tripple up

    4. Giles G
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think it's fine to

  15. Syd.
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Oops - Think La Liga should invest in goal line technology

    https://twitter.com/footfanbase/status/934882270271492099

    1. The Curse of Falcao
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Just saw that, what a mare...

  16. FortunesAlwaysHiding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I've been offered Pedro for Lallana in a draft league game. Subs are used in this game. Stick with Lallana or twist?

    Thank you for any feedback

    1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Stick

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      trwist

      1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Given that I have Firmino, is it worth twisting you reckon?

  17. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Got bottomed :
    Fabianski-Elliot
    Mee-Monreal-Jones-Kiko-Memba
    Gross-Richerlison-Sterling-Hazard-Salah
    Lukaku-Niasse-Morata

    Need to take a hit on this lot ? Already brought in Hazard for Silva with the FT

  18. Lord Bendtner, TGSTEL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Dilemmas dilemmas, and hopefully some one can give advice....

    Team:
    Elltoit
    Daniels, Monreal, Ward
    Salah, Hazard, Richarlison, RCL
    Jesus, Kane, Vardy

    Bench: Fabianski, Fernandez, T. Carrol, mbemba

    1 FT
    1.9m ITB.

    Plan all along is to do Jesus + Vardy + T.Carrol > Morata + Sane/silva + Cheap FW. And doing two of the transfers this week for a -4p, and another for free next week, or even all three for a -8 now, to fix the bench (mbemba and maybe Fabianski) coming weeks.

    BUT, in our money league, we get prices for a top4 finish every month, currently 3rd (4p from leader) for november. Which makes me very reluctant to take a hit this GW.

    What would you do?
    Just jesus -> morata now, and wait and see?

  19. The Curse of Falcao
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    How's this looking for this GW? G2G?

    Pope
    Daniels Mee Alonso
    Salah Richarlison RLC Sterling Sane
    Morata Kane

    Elliot/ Duffy/Moreno/Abraham

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yea looks good

  20. el polako
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Will Francis be back in Bouremouth squad ?

  21. xHolmesyx
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    GK: Ryan
    Defence: Daniels, Davies, Ward
    Midfield: Richarlison, Silva, Hazard, Rlc
    Forwards: Kane, Morata, Vardy

    Bench: Elliot, Maguire, Carroll, Cedric

    1FT, £1.0M ITB.

    A) Silva > Sterling
    B) Silva > Sterling, Davies > Alonso -4
    C) Save
    D) Suggest other please?

  22. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any idea welcome please. My team

    Elliot
    Ota / Ward / Daniels
    Salah / Sane / RLC / Richalison
    Kane / Morata / Kun

    Fab / CM / Naughton / Hunem

    2FT, who to sell first?

    1. The Curse of Falcao
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kun/Hunem out I think, get a Chelsea defender

  23. MFFista
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    1.2 ITB
    A) G2G
    B) Zappacosta out for? -4
    C) uppgraderas keeper -4

    Team:
    Elliot
    Otamendi - Monreal -Zappacosta
    Hazard - Salah - Sterling - Gross - RLC
    Kane - Morata
    Subs: TAA - Gomez - Niasse - Krul

    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

  24. ellboy
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I'd be really grateful if I could get some advice on the following. I have 1 ft, and priority currently is getting Hazard in. Two choices:
    A) Jesus > Wilson (this week), Choupu > Hazard (next week)
    B) Hold FT (this week), Jesus & Choupu > Austin & Hazard.

    I have to do A tonight, otherwise I would be priced out. Personally leaning more toward B (really want to keep Jesus for midweek)

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I want Austin too but I d wait to see if he ll keep on starting.i would gold though

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Would be tempted to take a hit just to get Haz for this week

  25. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    De.bruyne and monreal
    Or
    Sane and kola

    Thanks 🙂

    1. MFFista
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Giles G
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sane & Monreal

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Really ? Monreal over kola ?

  26. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Best move here? Save FT?

    DDG
    Azpi, Daniels, Duffy
    Salah, Sane, Pogba, Richarlison, RLC
    Kane, Morata

    Elliot, Mee, Moreno, Niasse

    1FT and 0.8m

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Save FT looking nice maybe Mee over RLC

    2. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Our teams are very similar.

      DDG
      Azpi, Daniels, Dann
      Salah, Sane, Sterling, Richarlison, RLC
      Kane, Morata

      Speroni, Mee, Moreno, Niasse

      2FT and 0.4m

      Pondering whether I should just do Dann > Duffy or Dann and Sterling

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        ... to Alonso and Groß.

        In your case I’d probably save.

      2. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I would ditch Dann to Duffy imo

  27. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Dann to:

    A) Moreno/Gomez
    B) Hegazi
    C) Other (suggestions welcome - cant afford Daniels)

    1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Depends who you have. Duffy is an option.

  28. Giles G
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    What's the best way to squeeze Hazard into here??

    De Gea, Elliot
    Jones, Azpi, Ward, Moreno, Fernandez
    Sterling, Salah, Zaha, Richarlison, RLC
    Kane, Morata, Abraham

    1.5 ITB

    Thanks!

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Can’t see it without wrecking your team. Morata is enough tbh

      1. Giles G
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. Think i'll see how it goes with just Morata

  29. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A. Jesus>Morata
    B. Vardy/Richar>Wilson/Sane

    (2fts & 0.6 in bank)

    Elliot
    Daniels, Duffy, Ward,
    Hazard, Salah, RLC, Gross
    Kane, Jesus, Vardy
    Fab, Richarl, Dann, Maguire

  30. JimmyCoop
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    DDG and Silva > Fabianski and Hazard (-4): Yes or no?

    Other keeper is Elliot.