Scout Notes

Blades defence finally records clean sheet as Wilson blanks again

Sheffield United 1-0 Newcastle

  • Goals: Billy Sharp (£5.5m)
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus points: Ethan Ampadu x3 (£4.3m), Aaron Ramsdale x2 (£4.7m), Sharp x1

Sheffield United finally showed some of the form of last season to record their first win over the season over a poor Newcastle side.

A penalty club legend Billy Sharp (£5.5m) controversially awarded by VAR was enough to give them the 1-0 win.

Free Hitters plumping for Newcastle assets like Karl Darlow (£5.0m) and Callum Wilson (£6.6m) in Blank Gameweek 18 will be fuming at the Magpies display, who were vulnerable at the back and toothless up front.

The performance was made even worse by Ryan Fraser (£5.6m) getting sent off in the first half for two bookable offences. But the Toon were poor even with 11 men on the pitch.

Owners of premium assets looking to target the Blades may also be having second thoughts after a much improved performance.

Battling Blades

Chris Wilder’s backline which was a staple of so many manager’s teams last year has been rightly avoided this season, conceding the third-highest amount of goals in the Premier League.

The Blades had been without a clean sheet all season, and conceded goals to some of the league’s weakest attacks.

Even their last four games where they played Crystal Palace, Burnley and Brighton yielded no clean sheet returns.

But, albeit it against a poor Newcastle team, their defence looked well organised and was barely troubled all game.

Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu (£4.3m) scooped the maximum bonus after a strong defensive display. He may even have picked up an assist had Oliver Burke’s (£4.3m) touch not deserted him when going through on goal.

Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7m), who has received a lot of stick since returning to the club from Bournemouth, looked assured between the sticks as he collected two bonus points.

And had Karl Darlow (£5.0m) not been at his best, then wing-back Jayden Bogle (4.3m) would also have added to his goal tally.

Chris Wilder praised his side for their battling display, while playing down any talk of a great escape.

Regardless of what people say about Newcastle, you look at their team and they’ve got some good players, they’ve got some fabulous players off the bench and they’re an established Premier League side and we’re not. They’re established Premier League players and our players aren’t and they’re fighting for their lives and I think you saw that tonight. You saw a team that was fighting for their lives that was brave enough to play as well in and out of possession, stuff was good.”

Chris Wilder

Ogle Bogle

With Sam Baldock (£5.0m) injured, Bogle looks to have nailed down the right wing-back berth at Sheffield United and has put in some eye-catching displays.

The former Derby man bombed down the right hand side and had two attempts in the box well saved by Darlow.

On Tuesday evening, only Anthony Martial (£8.8m) had a higer expected goals tally than Bogle, without scoring.

Add this to his goal and all-round attacking display at Brighton, Bogle could be worth considering once the Blades’ fixtures clear up.

Time up for Bruce?

Steve Bruce’s Newcastle have remained bottom of most stats tables throughout the season.

The Magpies managed to defy the stats and the eye test in the first half of the campaign, picking up some impressive results along the way.

But it appears that these performances are coming home to roost.

The loss to the Blades means no wins in six now for the Geordies, who are sliding worryingly towards a relegation battle.

Fans are now calling for manager Bruce’s head, after watching their side being outplayed by all the bottom three.

But a clearly dejected Bruce quickly confirmed he would not be resigning in the wake of this result.

“Look, you’re asking the wrong person about that. I’ll never, ever walk away from a challenge and I’ve been in it long enough to have that respect. But I understand that, especially watching the first half, we weren’t good enough and at the end of the day I take the responsibility because I pick the team.”

Steve Bruce

Wilsooooooooooooon

Newcastle’s star striker has now gone four games without delivering any FPL returns.

Take penalties out of the equation, and Wilson has not scored since Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace back in Gameweek 10.

Part of this is the fault of his teammates and their tactical set-up, with Wilson appearing lonelier than Tom Hanks’ ball for huge parts of the game.

With his side having so little possession, Wilson is often seen drifting back towards his own goal in search of the ball.

But the striker is also starting to miss big chances which he was gobbling up earlier in the season.

The Toon’s only big chance of the game fell to the hitman, who headed wide from close range.

With Wilson shy of goals and service, he no longer looks to be a viable FPL asset.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Darlow; Yedlin (Murphy 84), Fernandez (Carroll 77), Schar, Clark, Dummett (Ritchie 74) Hendrick, Hayden, Longstaff, Fraser, Wilson

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Bogle, Basham (Brewster 51), Ampadu, Egan, Osborn; Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood; McGoldrick (Jagielka 94), Burke (Sharp 59)

1,188 Comments Post a Comment
  1. highsguy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, having a bit of a conundrum here

    1) How do I get City cover?
    2) Adams>Antonio & Raph>Saka for -4?
    3) Save BB?

    Johnstone* (McCarthy)
    Robbo* Coufal* Justin* (Dallas Holding)
    Salah* Bruno* Soucek* Son Raph
    Kane Bamford (Adams)

    1 FT
    0.1 ITB
    *Likely doubles

    1. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would consider a bench boost if Adams and McCarthy are fit!

      1. highsguy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, will consider it for sure. Helps that my ML opponents couldn't WC16 so have very weak benches.

    2. Eirern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can you do Kane + Raph to KDB + Antonio?

  2. Top Dog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure if this has already been discussed, but is there any reason AVL vs NEW can’t be rescheduled for Sat 23rd (FA Cup 4th Rnd)? This would keep fixture in GWK 19 and potentially give them a double (if Everton is off) or even a treble

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good question

      1. Top Dog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        With the potential for more fixtures to be postponed, you would think the PL would try and rearrange games as quickly as possible to prevent a bigger backlog of fixtures

    2. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      think theres a reasonable chance, with Villa postponements stacking up and a clear fixture slot, seems sensible

  3. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BB seems to be out of the question now for me with all the injuries/rotation. TC the likely option. Is there going to be another DGW after DGW26?

  4. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How does this DGW19 FH team look
    Fab (4.0)
    Creswell cancelo Chilly/Zouma Dias/Stones (Mitchell)
    KDB Salah Bruno Rash El-gazi/Ziyech
    Antonio (4.3 4.4)

    Either Chilly Dias El-gazi
    Or Zuma Stones Ziyech
    Or team not good enough in general?

    1. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is assuming Leeds south game postponed ofc

  5. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on cavani as a dgw option?

    Can't work out how nailed he is, if at all. Likely to start 1 game and off bench the other?

    Looking at a big points hit this week to achieve bench boost.

    As part of that looking at Watkins to cavani.....thanks

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wait for martial news

  6. Caleb's Kitties
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Obvious issue is no KDB. 1FT 1.1ITB. Likely going Salah TC.

    Mccarthy (forster)
    Robbo dias coufal dallas (mitchell)
    Salah bruno son raphinha (stephens)
    Kane bamford (DCL*)

    A. Kane/stephens to davis/KDB -4
    B. Kane to vardy
    C. DCL to ings (if no dgw for leeds)
    D. Save FT

  7. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any idea when Villa vs Everton would be rescheduled if postponed?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nobody does. Gw29 if everton are knocked out?

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Villa is going to have a quadruple GW in GW38

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        TC Martinez

      2. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly this

      3. Top Dog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        See my thoughts above, can’t see any reason why AVL can’t play NEW the Saturday after they MCI, which would still give them a double gameweek

  8. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55644144

    Villa-Everton possibly off. Must cast doubt on a City double? What with Leeds-Soton too I don't know whether I'm coming or going lol

    Mane>KdB(tc) in doubt now, BB shelved. Might just TC Salah, switch DCL to Antonio and cross fingers.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seasons a mess....

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Took Keane (11pts) out for Saiss (1pt) on FH - that how the pros do it 😎

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch. That hurts.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I actually don’t give a sh1te anymore:lol:

        Five seasons ago, I’d have been writing to my MP demanding he raise the issue in PMQs

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Given the football-related crap some MPs are willing to raise in parliament for a few cheap votes, it would've been worth a try.

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Classic move right there!

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Only us experts can really enjoy such a moment of excellence 😛

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Champion! 🙂

  10. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    General question - would you BB if you had 4x single GW players on your bench?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who are they?

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If they okish then yeah why not. Bench boost messes with the mind, best thing is to get it out the way.

        1. rokonto
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          This, and wc

      2. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Based on current predicted postponements etc...

        McCarthy - Dallas - Son - Brewster

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You wouldn't actually bench son would you! Brewster is 1pt max and not sure McCarthy is that great if only one game so borderline for me

          1. Andy Mac
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Not in reality no! just highlighting the 4 players with SGW vs the 11xDGW players I have in my squad

            1. Pat Bonner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Best way to look at it is to give us the players who would be on your bench if you don't use BB and then can work out value from there?

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, if they were nailed players with good fixtures.

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        McCarthy - Dallas - Son - Brewster

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Really helps if you tell us who players are

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        have just added. see above PB...

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends who they are. If they are like Leno Bamford Raphinha Son type players then yeah.

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        just posted above camzy

      2. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        McCarthy - Dallas - Son - Brewster

  11. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would I be correct assuming Randolph(4.4m) is the safe pick for a few weeks?

    Lukasz Fabianski injury update: Monday 13 Jan 16:52
    https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/january/13-january/lukasz-fabianski-injury-update

    West Ham United can confirm that Lukasz Fabianski is likely to be out of action for just a couple of weeks after undergoing a scan. “The scan has showed some slight inflammation and irritation of scar tissue, which is quite common after surgery, and obviously the source of the discomfort he felt on Friday.
    “We now just need to let the inflammation settle down and expect Lukasz to be available again within a couple of weeks.”

    1. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Old article.

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Is it? It was dated today on WHM site. Any update - will Fabs be back for the doubles?

          1. Pinturicchio10
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Today isn't Monday the 13th.

              1. Pep bites Kun
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                lol - good point! 🙂

        2. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Good option for a Martinez swap then.

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            The article I posted is old - sorry 🙂
            Yep, I'm thinking this or good for BB, if he's fit

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Looks like Fabianski should play

            1. Pep bites Kun
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Thanks for that

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Now you tell us.....

      • PortisRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        For the next 6 weeks.
        A) Anthonio
        B) Watkins
        Or
        C) Save the transfer and stick with Wilson (but playing Smith-Rowe in gw19 (New).
        D) Any other suggestion (Have Kane & Bamford).

        1. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I like C.

      • SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Score predictions?

        Mci 3-0 bha
        Tot 2-0 ful

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          City 2-0
          Spurs 3-1

      • F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm the only player in the top 15 or so of my ML that doesn't have Son for this week (almost everyone else FH)

      • jayzico
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any news on the Leeds/Southampton game being postponed?

      • Boom Boom Sheikh the Toon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Help Appreciated
        0.2ITB 1FT BB TC WC

        I was planning to BB 19 but with fixture mayhem it doesn't seem to be as worthwhile, I blame that luthario Grealish for Villas outbreak.

        Fabianski* Martinez
        Dias* Chilwell* Cresswell* Dallas* KWP
        Salah* Fernandes* Son* Soucek* Grealish
        Wilson* Bamford* DCL

        a)Stick
        b) DCL Cresswell to Antonio Stones -4 and BB
        c) DCL Grealish Fab to Davis KDB 4m gk to TC KDB