The Scout Squad – Gameweek 36

This week’s dust-up over selections from our ‘expert’ panel is threatening to be about as lengthy and action-packed as a Tony Pulis seminar on “Total Football”.

Scout Pick veterans Mark, Paul and Jonty and Career Hall of Fame numero uno Peter Kouwenberg have agreed not to disagree on all manner of options.

As a result, most of the team has pretty much picked itself, so expect Harry Kane and Gabriel Jesus up front, Mohamed Salah in midfield and a defensive unit including Spurs and Burnley defenders in front of a keeper from either Liverpool or Newcastle.

There are, however, maverick moments in between the unanimity.

Mark has gone full Huddersfield, including big-scoring Scrabble effort Florent Hadergjonaj, as we all tremble with excitement at the prospect of the Terriers’ home match with Everton.

Paul has laughed in the face of the template by suggesting Olivier Giroud for the frontline, and both Peter and Jonty think 11.5 is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for a fourth-choice midfielder; in this case Alexis Sanchez.

We’ll be back later in the week to see if they found anything to argue about at all, and in the meantime, here’s the full breakdown of the choices made by the fully assimilated Scoutborg Collective.

Peter Says…

We’re coming into the most demanding part of the most challenging season I can remember, as match dynamics change according to league positions and other priorities (both for teams and individual players).

For example, Stoke City surely can’t afford to sit back and pray for a goalless draw or damage limitation in the early kick-off at Anfield, leaving them even more vulnerable to the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Unless, of course, Liverpool’s star trio have their feet up on the bench as they fish out their passports for Rome.

I’ve hedged my bets a little by selecting Alberto Moreno, Salah and Danny Ings from the Reds, but suspect only the Egyptian will make the final cut.

I’ve been playing “chase the ace” with Burnley players over the last few weeks, bringing in Chris Wood and Kevin Long just in time for the exiting Ashley Barnes and James Tarkowski to remind me that I was playing a fool’s game.

I’m now going with a trio of Matt Lowton, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Barnes for their collision with Brighton.

My final treble-up comes at Wembley with the predictable selections of Ben Davies, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane against a Watford side whose recent away form sees them place third for goals conceded and bottom for goals scored.

On a superstitious note, my own team may yet omit the England striker this Gameweek – and he always punishes my lack of faith.

That accounts for precisely half my selections, with both Manchester clubs also providing a pair of players apiece as Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus look to repeat last Sunday’s goalscoring exploits at the London Stadium and Chris Smalling is joined by Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean will surely be keen to bite the hand that once fed him, particularly as Arsenal’s focus is likely to be on Atletico Madrid anyway.

Jonty Says…

A certain Anfield-related Twitter account may end up making our mind up for us regarding our final Liverpool selections.

In a perfect world, Golden Boot leader, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) top scorer and all-round football sensation Salah is the first name on our list, particularly with a home clash against relegation-threatened Stoke.

But with Liverpool conceding precious away goals to Roma in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, it remains to be seen whether the Egyptian will face the Potters. If the noises suggest that he’s being rested, then we will need to act fast to come up with an alternative plan.

With Reds rotation in mind, I’ve put forward both their stopper Loris Karius and budget defender Ragnar Klavan for selection. The encounter with Paul Lambert’s troops looks good for a clean sheet and whichever looks more certain of a start should earn a place.

I think there is also plenty of value to be found in Burnley assets, as they take on a Brighton side that over their last six road trips has only one clean sheet, conceded nine goals and scored just four.

Their budget price tags will be needed should I get my way and ensure a raft of premium-priced assets earn a spot in our final XI.

In particular, I’d like to see a Manchester City double-up of Jesus and Raheem Sterling for their trip to a West Ham side that has shipped 13 goals over their last six run-outs.

Similarly, I’m backing Kane to overcome his recent troubles, on social media and in front of goal, and punish a Watford outfit that are simply awful on the road, conceding nine in their last three away trips. I’d like to see him teamed up with Son Heung-min as well, who has been prolific at Wembley, with nine Premier League goals to his name so far.

Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez also gets a tentative fourth billing in midfield. I feel he could take advantage of his former employers and their Europa League distractions.

Paul Says…

Liverpool, Spurs and Man City all face favourable fixtures and dominate the thinking behind my selection for Gameweek 36.

Admittedly, I’d rather have Firmino and one of the Reds’ full-backs in my squad, but Jurgen Klopp’s pre-European teamsheets are a factor.

The Brazilian, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, has been rested in the league fixture prior to each of their last two matches in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Klopp’s decision to withdraw Salah early on last night surely strengthens the winger’s chances of starting at home to a Stoke side that he’s already served up 13 points against – as a second-half sub – back in Gameweek 14.

With a number of big-hitters to factor in, then, Burnley and Newcastle offer cut-price solutions.

Clarets’ duo Gudmundsson (four assists in five) and Barnes (six goals in eight) are in fine form and host a Brighton defence with one clean sheet in ten on the road.

In defence, a single goal conceded in four at St James’ Park bring Martin Dubravka and Paul Dummett into consideration at home to West Brom.

Up front, differentials Olivier Giroud and Charlie Austin claim a place in my squad after both started in Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Southampton last weekend.

The Frenchman looks set to lead the line for the Blues at Swansea City and has three goals in as many appearances across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes’ decision to opt for a 3-5-2 at Wembley suggests that Austin will be unleashed from the start against a Bournemouth defence with a single clean sheet in 22 attempts.

Mark Says…

A budget defence looks vital if we’re to crowbar in a full suite of heavy-hitters.

With Kane and Jesus surely shoo-ins for Friday’s shake-down, a four-man defence might be on the cards which means that the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Hadergjonaj and James Tarkowski may just get a look in.

The spellcheck-troubling Hadergjonaj will raise eyebrows, but his service from the right flank has been a valuable weapon in recent weeks for the Terriers. David Wagner’s defence have kept two clean sheets in their last three at home, while Everton arrive at the John Smith’s stadium having recorded five shots on target in their last three – fewer than any other side over that period.

Meanwqhile, I’ve opted for “Tarky” over Matt Lowton, simply because I fancy Burnley’s set-piece threat against Brighton. The Seagulls arrive at Turf Moor having shipped 20 goals at set-plays and 14 from corners alone – more than any other defence. Kevin Long – if Ben Mee remains sidelined – may even be a more effective option with that in mind.

For that reason, I’ll be sympathetic to any cries for Gudmundsson’s inclusion in Friday’s selection, though I’m keen to show faith in both Wilfried Zaha and Marko Arnautovic.

Both are treasured out-of-position midfield prospects, and if we can manage a five-man unit, then I’ll push for their inclusion.

Zaha scored and ran Leicester City ragged on their last meeting, while Arnautovic has proved he can trouble any defence. A shuffled Man City backline may just surrender chances to the Austrian, and he has the form to provide another Gameweek return.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 35 will be Nani R U OK?, who is in 10,349th and heading for his best campaign yet across his 11-season FPL career.

The community champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Last week’s champion, Mattias, was beaten 66-62 by the Scouts.

The one to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.