Scout Notes
11 March 2018 627 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Everton get things right at both ends of the pitch for a change, while Leicester City see off a sorry West Brom and Huddersfield throw everything at ten-man Swansea City to no avail.

A Cenk Tosun strike and yet another Brighton own goal secured Everton a vital victory as the Seagulls’ five-match unbeaten run came to an end.

The Turkish striker was signed by 10,000+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers this week – presumably with more than half an eye on the Toffees’ Gameweek 31 fixture at Stoke City – and he responded with his second successive goal.

Owned by just 0.5%, he’s fast becoming a differential candidate who also delivers bonus points – his two scoring matches have brought in five of those.

Overall interest in Everton assets was minimal heading into the Gameweek, with Theo Walcott’s 24,000+ new managers making him the club’s most popular choice, although some 124,000 have also sold him on over the last three Gameweeks.

He looked like he’d opened the scoring when Yannick Bolasie’s cross ended up in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled a Gaetan Bong own goal, with plenty of pressure but no touch coming from the England midfielder.

Walcott was then subbed off with what looked like a calf issue on 72 minutes, with coach Sam Allardyce confirming post-match that Walcott had suffered cramp and was likely to be “okay” for the visit to Stoke up next. Allardyce also added that Gylfi Sigurdsson played on despite picking up a knock to the knee; presumably he will also need assessment before the Potters trip.

Maximum bonus on the day went to Fantasy legend Leighton Baines, who set up Tosun’s goal and also picked up a clean sheet for a chunky 12-point haul on his first start since Gameweek 13.

And it could have been even better for the left-back when Everton were awarded a late penalty, but Wayne Rooney ended up taking the spot-kick, which was promptly saved by Mat Ryan.

Allardyce later confirmed that the striker is unlikely to retain penalty duties, with Tosun, Sigurdsson and Baines all in the running to take the next. That could add to Baines’ appeal, although his 5.6 price tag, a lack of double Gameweeks and matches with Man City and Liverpool in the next three will dissuade investment from all but the most fanatic of followers.

It was a first clean sheet in nine matches for the Toffees, while Brighton have not managed a single shut-out over the same period, with Ryan’s second penalty save in four Gameweeks a major consolation prize for his 149,000+ owners.

Glenn Murray and Pascal Gross were among the top 10 most signed players heading into Gameweek 30 – they’d had five goals and three assists between them over the previous four fixtures.

But they were kept very quiet at Goodison Park, while a red card for Anthony Knockaert means he’ll miss an FA Cup quarter-final with Man United and the two Gameweeks that follow.

Baggies looking Championship-bound

An opening goal from Salomon Rondon, set up by Oliver Burke, gave West Brom fans some hope of a desperately-needed revival for a side seven points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Four Leicester City goals later it was more Apocalypse Now than The Great Escape for the Baggies faithful, and even a Gameweek 31 fixture at Bournemouth is not going to encourage investment in their misfiring players.

Leicester won’t be in league action next weekend – they’re facing Chelsea in the FA Cup – but should they prevail against the Blues they’ll be in line for two double Gameweeks before the season’s end.

A decent enough schedule – only matches with Spurs and Arsenal look particularly taxing – should also prompt interest in their assets, with Riyad Mahrez the main man.

He scored one goal and set up another, for Jamie Vardy, at The Hawthorns, and has now produced returns in 11 of his last 14 Gameweek starts (nine goals, four assists).

Some 78,000 managers signed him for Gameweek 30, and he responded with back-to-back goals and double-figure hauls – he now has five of the latter this campaign.

Only one bonus point came his way, however, as he was tackled five times and fired two shots off target.

Vardy actually lost 28,000+ in ownership ahead of the Gameweek, but made it five goals in seven matches with a stunning finish from Mahrez’s through-ball.

The other scorers were Vicente Iborra and Kelechi Iheanacho, who were both awarded maximum bonus. The striker also produced an assist, as did Marc Albrighton and Ben Chilwell.

That was a welcome boost for the defender’s 1.3% ownership as the Foxes have now gone six matches without a clean sheet, meaning investment in their players for a probable double Gameweek 34 away at Burnley and home to Arsenal is likely to involve Mahrez and Vardy alone.

Defiant Swans frustrate Huddersfield

The final side with a Gameweek 31 fixture, Huddersfield, had 30 shots to 10-man Swansea City’s zero, but couldn’t find a way past the visitor’s defence in a 0-0 draw.

Jordan Ayew, the second most signed striker of Gameweek 30 with 63,000+ new owners, was dismissed for a tackle on Jonathan Hogg after just 10 minutes and will now miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Spurs and a further two league matches.

He’ll be back for a potential double Gameweek 34 involving home matches with Everton and Southampton, making him a solid budget striker option for Wildcarders.

In truth, either Ayew or Hogg – or even both – could have seen red in the incident, which prompted a supreme backs-to-the-wall performance from the visitors.

Keeper Lukasz Fabianski earned nine points from the shut-out, two bonus and a save point, although it was a mark of the Terriers’ lack of real quality in the final third that he was only required to make four stops.

Maximum bonus instead went to Huddersfield’s Florent Hadergjonaj, who produced an extraordinary eight successful open-play crosses – which created seven chances – from right-back.

Midfielders Alex Pritchard and Aaron Mooy created four chances apiece, while Tom Ince had no fewer than eight shots, including five in the box.

Pritchard, with a goal and two assists from the last four Gamweeks, is perhaps the most attractive prospect of those players for Gameweek 31’s home match against Crystal Palace, although he was replaced by Collin Quaner on 65 minutes yesterday.

That could be a concern, given that Huddersfield were chasing a winner, but the midfielder had managed only 45 minutes in the previous Gameweek against Spurs, which was a likely factor in his substitution.

Up front, Steve Mounie had eight shots, all in the box – more than any other forward in the Gameweek to date.

Three of those were on target, and he is arguably the Terriers’ most likely attacking target for Gameweek 31.

Some 80,000 FPL bosses have already brought him in over the last three Gameweeks on the back of two goals and as many assists in the three matches that preceded yesterday’s stalemate.

627 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Rash
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Would love to have Aub kaku Kane in my wildcard team but leaves the midfield very light.. so I have to choose between aub vs kaku?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Auba + Lukaku an option too 😉

      But yeah I definitely wouldn't recommend all three.

      1. Rash
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Not a chance I'm going without Kane!! Made that mistake last season.

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          So did Willy Wonka

  2. eamonhegg
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    (-4) for the follow?
    A - MAne & zanka
    B - Van Dike & Mooyyyy

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

  3. Shultan
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Im only one point behind my ML rival & we both have our 2nd WC & chips, however looking at his team value he has +2 mil more at 106.
    Would you say that makes him more likely to win. He can afford 5 decent mids at 7+ & 2 good goalies for his WC team to BB but i have to go for a cheap 5th mid

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It’s gives him a slight advantage but in the end it’s all about picking the players that score and I won’t make a huge difference having a few extra milk in your budget.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Wont make much difference...

      Every price bracket has potential points scorer, so not a big deal

  4. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I didn’t watch the game. Why was Benteke subbed?

    1. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tactical

      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        In what sense?

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Zaha came on, it was a straight choice between Sortloth/Benteke to stay on, he chose Sorloth

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It sometimes happens when you're rubbish.

    4. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Was poor, at least Sorloth was trying! Had planned to possible go with him in my FH team, def not now! Going Tosun instead.

  5. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    CANDEIAS

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      WATP

      1. Super Silva
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        hun

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Windy ass and candy ass, nice.

    3. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      We are the people. 🙂

  6. Pierce34
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Just a few minutes until I find out that Ramsey is benched, meaning I would get Jordan Ayew off the bench!

    1. Patch
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I do hope you are right about Rambo I got a sickly gross instead of him

      Please let Rambo be benched.

      I will buy him for GW32

      1. Patch
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Fantastic first rule of fight club, player has to be nailed..

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey not even on bench hahaha

      1. Pierce34
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Even better, puts me out of my misery quicker. Welcome to my first XI, Jordan Ayew!

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey not in the squad

    4. TheRealDog
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Jammy bench points

    5. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch mate, no Ramsey, I started Ayew so I'm over the pain of it all now haha and looking forward to my Auba(C) punt!

  7. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    A) zaha and king
    B) stanislas and king
    C) mounie and king
    D) benteke and king

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

    Team News: ARS vs WAT
    Referee: Martin Atkinson

    ARS: Cech, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Holding, Mustafi, Iwobi, Elneny, Özil, Mkhitaryan, Xhaka, Aubameyang
    Subs: Ospina, Chambers, Wilshere, Joel Pereira, Nelson, Welbeck, Nketiah

    WAT: Karnezis, Holebas, Mariappa, Prödl, Janmaat, Pereyra, Capoue, Richarlison, Doucouré, Kiko Femenía, Deeney
    Subs: Bachmann, Britos, Hughes, Carrillo, Sinclair, Gray, Okaka

    1. DAZZ
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No koscielny

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        No clean sheet

    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The state of that Arsenal 11. Watford 2-0 win

    3. Rash
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kiko oop 😯

      1. d3bug
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Nope

        1. mookie
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          RW in a 4-2-3-1 methinks

          1. d3bug
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Janmaat will play there. According to twitter

            1. mookie
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Ah, okay! Cheers!

      2. michudagawd
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Janmaat is the oop one.

    4. michudagawd
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Joel Pereira?

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

        *Joe Willock

    5. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Cmon Doucoure!

  9. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsey not.in squad

  10. Patch
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsey dropped like third period french

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Rested again ?

  11. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I absolutely hate Arsene Wenger

    1. Patch
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He is a nasty piece of work leaving Rambo out in the cold

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Just rested for the Europa

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Why is Ramsey the only player in the league who apparantly cant play 2 games a week. He was rested last weekend.

          At least Wenger could fcking say something in his press conferences, demented old fool.

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Why though ? He is hardly going to spill the beans so the opposition can plan better for the game. I really wanted to bring in Ramsey but it was simply too much of a risk ?

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              He clearly doesnt give a shit about the league, might as well just say who will be left out when he doesnt care if he wins or loses the game.

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Why though ? For what reason ? He doesn’t pick his team and leak team news to help FPL managers. Annoying I know and you have my sympathy 🙂

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Why?

  12. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Cech; AMN Mustafi Holding Kola; ElNeny Xhaka; Ozil Iwobi Mkhitaryan; Aubameying.

    Ramsey not in the squad, odd.

    1. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Arsene minding him for EL it seems!

  13. Rash
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ffs Ramsey another shocker buy last week

  14. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is Ramsey considered their most important player or something?

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

      Wenger seems to be managing his time given his injury history

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Prioritising the EL certainly.

        1. fiveyears
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Will be fascinating to see the fall out when Leicester (or god forbid Burnley) pip them to 6th

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say Özil but Ramsey is definitely up there when he's fully fit and firing.

  15. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I can't be the only that wants Deeny to score to do his celeberation? 😀
    Cojones

  16. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Richarlison surely in with a shout this week with that defence wow haha cmon richa!!!!!! Time to become a hero

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

      *Kiko

  17. Queens of the South Age
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys. Heading away for a week with limited Internet access so might need to do something earlier than usual. What's thoughts on these for a -4?

    Kane > Tosun
    Son > Zaha

    Gives me below for 31. I know some are at risk of not starting but don't think any are worth more hits.

    Foster
    VVD Schindler Shawcross
    Salah Mane Zaha Choupo
    Tosun Wilson Depoitre

    Wildcard in 32 and bring Kane back in.

  18. West Hammered
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ffs where is Ramsey! Another red arrow, can’t catch a break at the moment. Willian or Ramsey my transfer options this week of course I pick the one who doesn’t even play.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey was rested for Europa last week and it looks like it again ...

      1. West Hammered
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        #wengerout

  19. SADIO SANÉ
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    well there you have it - got Mahrez and Ramsey in, kept Sterling, and ignored GW31 mids (including Mane) - one delivered, one failed, one probably fails..standard 😐

  20. Dokdok666
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Janmaat playing as winger? hmm...

  21. @persecuted_by_mods
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Can you use your one normal transfer during a week in which you free hit? If so do you make that transfer then use the free hit or use the free hit and then make the transfer? Cheers

    • Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      So has Lacazette disappeared off the face of the earth?

      Must go down as one of the worst transfers in recent memory. Catastrophic waste of 50 millions big ones.

      1. Zilla
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        he's injured

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He was ruled out for 6 weeks due to injury. Has it been 6 weeks? I lost track.

      3. Rash
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Had surgery

      4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He's been injured the last 5 weeks, 9 goals and 4 assists before that

      5. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Well, that will go down as one of the most ignorant comments in recent history.

        1. Over Midwicket
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Oo, bit harsh

          1. Pariße
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Just fairly ignorant then 🙂 He's Arsenal's top goalscorer.

      6. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        actually think he could be alright in future.
        living off scraps for a lot of the time when Sanchez & Ozil weren't performing.

      7. Over Midwicket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Ah, had no idea. Thanks lads.

    • Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/972813367135043584

      For those asking, @6_LKOSCIELNY and @aaronramsey are rested for today's match

      #AFCvWFC

    • @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      2FT this week and currently thinking
      Alonso > Baines
      KDB/Walcott (if injured) > Zaha

      possible a 3rd transfer as well for a depoitre replacement.

    • fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Well that's Arsenal ignored between now and the end of the season

      1. Pasqualinho
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Only if they stay in the Europa. Looks likely for at least another round, I know.

        1. fiveyears
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Takes us up to 34 at the very least

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Auba will get a few goals ...

      3. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Auba will play practically all remaining league matches so he's an interesting option and differential if you want/need one.

        1. fiveyears
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I know what you're saying but 6-7 changes in the league will surely affect his success

      4. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Auba is as nailed as they come though.

    • el polako
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I bought Koscielny this GW 🙁
      Getting Mee's 6 points off the bench 🙂

    • #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Koscielny and Ramsey rested hahahahah
      Wow small club mentality

      Hope arsenal get wholloped

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        why is that small club mentality?

        1. fiveyears
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I'll be honest, I can't work out why a manager would revert to a losing team rather than trying to maintain the momentum from Thursday. Got a weekend off next weekend.

    • klavan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Janmaat OOP, great fixtures after gw31, could be a great option

      1. mookie
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Kiko RB and Janmaat RW? Would've thought it's the other way around.

        1. klavan
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          janmaat is more attacking player

          1. mookie
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Fair enough. Kiko looked good too when he came on for Deulofeu a few weeks ago.

    • Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Anybody planning to get rid of some big guns for just next GW?

      Have Otamendi, Mahrez and Kane not playing and thinking of taking a hit (-4) to remove 2 of them and have 11 starting.

      On 9 players atm- Is it overkill to go for 11 for a hit we reckon?

    • Zilla
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mousaa