Scout Notes

Assessing Lingard and Iheanacho’s sustainability after latest FPL hauls

West Ham 3-2 Leicester

  • Goals: Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) x2, Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m) | Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) x2
  • Assists: Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m), Bowen, Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) | Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m), Marc Albrighton (£5.2m)
  • Bonus points: Iheanacho x3 Lingard x2 Bowen x2

Two more goals added to the Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) hype train, which even a late Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) double couldn’t derail.

The in-form striker’s brace did, however, deny the England midfielder the maximum bonus point award, although Lingard still produced a third straight double-digit haul for his 22.8% ownership.

Lingardium Leviosa

Lingard continues to fly high since making his loan move to West Ham.

He now has eight goals and four assists in nine starts for David Moyes’ men – that’s just two assists shy of his best season at Manchester United (2017/18), but from about 1,000 minutes less pitch-time.

Unsurprisingly, he’s put on over a million managers in FPL over the past three Gameweeks.

Small wonder that Lingard’s ownership levels are rising yet again following Sunday’s star turn and he currently tops the transfers-in table ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.

That starts a generally favourable run-in for West Ham during which they will host Chelsea and Everton, but also travel to Burnley, Brighton and West Brom before a final-day home fixture against Southampton.

With a Champions League place now entirely in their own hands, Moyes is unlikely to tinker with his side any more than necessary, further ramping up the appeal of Lingard and his team-mates.

Bowen For Gold

One enforced change for Moyes was replacing the injured Michail Antonio (£6.6m) up front, with Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m) stepping in and stepping up.

He scored for the third straight match, with an assist taking him to a first double-digit score since Gameweek 10.

Should he continue as a frontman, his low cost and ownership (1.8%) make him a strong differential candidate for those looking to steal a march on mini-league opponents.

It is also worth pointing out that Lingard’s latest haul was largely unaffected by Antonio’s absence, further boosting his long-term Fantasy credentials.

On the downside for West Ham, and owners of their defenders, they made it three straight weeks of either blowing, or nearly blowing, a three-goal lead.

Their most popular asset, (and FPL’s most owned defender), Aaron Cresswell (28.3%), spared his managers that pain by limping off with a hamstring injury after 52 minutes. His owners’ agony was one of a different kind, his substitution occurring eight minutes before he would have claimed a clean sheet and his first-half booking meant he scored zero points in Gameweek 31.

Speaking post-match, Moyes was unsure as to the extent of the issue for Cresswell, and also for Mark Noble (£4.5m), who injured his elbow.

“My biggest concern would be we really can’t afford to lose too many more players through injury because it will affect our performances as we go along.” – David Moyes

The pair will undergo scans this week, with any Cresswell news especially relevant for many Fantasy managers.

At least the 5.5% on Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m) gained assist points for the second straight game to offset the goals conceded, but the Hammers’ backline is looking rather too generous to encourage investment at present.

Not So Cunning Foxes

Leicester were poor in the first half, improved in the second and, in Iheanacho, have a red-hot striker.

His brace took him to seven goals from his last five starts, four of which have come with maximum bonus awards, and he now has an ownership (8.3%) bordering on the respectable.

Like Lingard, he’s attracting more managers for Gameweek 32, and the Foxes’ immediate schedule – West Brom, Crystal Palace and Newcastle at home, Southampton away – certainly warrants that interest.

Crucially, he has outscored Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) by 52 points to 23 since Double Gameweek 26, besting him for 21 attempts on goal to nine during the same period.

Many Fantasy bosses would have been hoping to evaluate the form of James Maddison (£7.2m) ahead of those fixtures.

But a Covid-19 breach by the midfielder led his manager, Brendan Rodgers, to drop him (and two others) from the match-day squad.

“We’ve dealt with that. The players are disappointed. They’re good boys, they’re not going to get thrown away. We’ll draw a line under it. They’ll rejoin us next week and we will prepare for the (FA Cup) semi-final.” – Brendan Rodgers

Defensive options remain limited in a side with just one clean sheet since Gameweek 23, although Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) underlined his attacking credentials with an assist and a match-leading 11 penalty area touches.

West Ham United XI (3-4-1-2): Fabianski; Cresswell (Balbuena 53), Diop, Dawson; Masuaku, Soucek, Noble (Johnson 82), Coufal; Fornals; Bowen (Benrahma 84), Lingard.

Leicester City XI (3-5-2): Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Amartey (Thomas 45); Castagne, Praet (Albrighton 59), Ndidi, Tielemans, R Pereira; Vardy, Iheanacho.

SHEFF UTD 0-3 Arsenal

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) x2, Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m)
  • Assists: Danny Ceballos (£4.7m), Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m) Thomas Partey (£4.9m)
  • Bonus points: Lacazette x3 Rob Holding (£4.2m) x2 Ceballos x1

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) made it four goals in six Gameweeks as Arsenal swept aside an increasingly awful Sheffield United.

So poor were the Blades that the brave souls still invested in the likes of Bernd Leno (£5.0m) or Rob Holding (£4.2m) – and that’s nearly 11% of FPL managers all in – were treated to clean sheet points for the first time in nine matches.

But it was more about the Gunners’ attacking fluency at Bramall Lane, with Lacazette’s opener a fitting finish to a clever flicked assist from the impressive Dani Ceballos (£4.7m).

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has not been afraid to play his younger stars this season and, in the absence of three key attackers, he handed Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m) a rare start in what has been an injury-hit campaign.

The striker responded with a goal, but the match was more forgettable for fellow starlet Bukayo Saka (£5.2m), who had only just come back from another issue, only to limp off with a thigh problem after 68 minutes.

Arteta was guarded about the injury after the game.

“He had discomfort in his thigh and it’s the last thing that we need because we’re missing some big players at the moment and we don’t want to lose another one. I don’t know the extent. Hopefully, it’s not that serious.” – Mikel Arteta

Some 7.2% of FPL managers will have to wait and see on their man, who could be a key figure in Arsenal’s good run-in, with tricky matches against Everton and Chelsea offset by encounters with four of the bottom five and 13th-placed Crystal Palace.

The problem for anyone considering Arsenal options is Europe, with the Gunners’ only real chance of securing a Champions League place next season involving winning the Europa League.

Should they progress from Thursday’s quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague, Arteta is highly likely to rest key men for the semi-final ties which come before Gameweeks 34 and 35.

That’s a problem for another day, and there is at least only one issue involving Sheffield United players – just don’t own them.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Baldock, Stevens, Ampadu; Egan, Osborn, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood; Burke (Brewster 64), McGoldrick (McBurnie 64 ((Mousset 83)). 

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Chambers, Holding, Mari, Xhaka; Ceballos, Partey; Saka (Willian 69), Pepe, Martinelli (Elneny 83); Lacazette (Nketiah 89).

Elsewhere in Gameweek 31

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652 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worth bringing in Lloris ahead of the doubles? Got Son and Kane

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am as he has a nice GW34 fixture too

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep. My bench in GW33 will be comprised heavily of Spurs players!

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same dilemma, think it depends on City coverage and how you can cope with GW33.

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No idea. Still winging it at the moment. Got both WC and BB ready just no idea what moves to make!

      2. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not for me , not bringing in any spurs def

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you go there get Reg imo

      He's more or less nailed given lack of alternatives and at least has chance of double returns. I wouldn't back a cs in either of the DGW fixtures given state of defence there - the payback feels more likely in 34.

      Distrust Arsenal deeply but I'd prefer Leno here on in

  2. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Already own Kane and Son.

    A) Lloris & Davis (Spurs triple)
    B) Leno & Vydra

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A would be four Spurs

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry - misread Davis as Davies, if you will need to play the forward then B

  3. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The WBA fixtures don't look so prime any more do they 🙂

    I've been pointing out for a while that their defence has been pretty solid in the second half of the season but the uptick in attack has been shocking to see. I almost expect them to turn over Leicester now in the wake of the cup semi.

    The other teams that I think is being slightly misjudged is Burnley. They have more or less swapped defensive records with WBA and are leaking goals for fun. The Leeds home record especially is also now really solid. I'm not sold on the idea of attacking them for hauls.

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Agree with most of what you're saying here, I've had a good wildcard but getting Lowton as my 5th defender looks a shocking decision.

      I'll be looking elsewhere for the captaincy than WBA/Leeds moving forward.

  4. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If DCL had played and got a hattruck he would have got me 17 points. He got me exactly the same by not showing up. Lovely

  5. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Got some decisions to make...

    Transfers already sealed in stone are:
    Cresswell to TAA
    DCL to Nacho

    I want to also replace the keeper for -4
    Currently on Pope but want to change to Lloris or Patricio.

    Lloris has a double GW but Patricio has three great matches in a row. I don't plan on changing keeper again for a while. Which is the better option?

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you went Lloris, who is your keeper for GW33

      1. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Good point. Probably replacing the keeper for -4 this week means Lloris is actually the only option thinking about it though, as even if the other had a clean sheet it would only earn me 2 points. I might just risk keeping Pope for this week then change next week to Patricio. Cheers.

  6. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Roll my ft?

    Leno
    TAA - Alonso - Rudiger
    Salah - Son - Jota - Lingard
    Kane(c) - Vardy - Iheanacho

    Forster, Holding, ESR, Masuaku

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yup - nice team

  7. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning Guys

    I have Neto in my team but looks like he wont be back anytime soon?

    I have 1.2M ITB so looking for a replacement for him

    Below is my current team
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Mendy | Forster

    Dias | Shaw | TAA | Rudiger | Holding

    Son | Jota | Salah | Lingard | Neto

    Iheanacho | Kane | Vydra
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Should I also start Dias and start with a back 4 or back 3?

    Appreciate any comments!

    Thanks

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lucas Moura

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      There’s a strong argument for you to start with a back 5 with that defence and roll the FT so you have 2 FTs for GW33 which could be useful.

      If you’re set on selling Neto, I would look at Greenwood.

      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I stupidly took a punt on Stirling last GW so need to transfer him out for Son.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          If you have to sell Neto for a hit, I’d just bench him this week. You’re squad is more than strong enough to cope.

        2. JfA
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I done exactly the same, has effectively cost me 14 points as I would have captained Salah instead and now a -4 to get Son back and get rid of Neto.

    3. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am going back to Soucek, don't have as much budget as you but need someone mainly for bench boost this week.

      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Would you start Dias or Holding?

        Not sure on going with a back 5??

        1. JfA
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Dias all day long.

  8. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BB, FH chips left.
    Should i BB this gw ?

    Mendy, Forster
    Dias, Rudiger, Holding, Phillips, Shaw,
    Kdb, Bruno, Salah, Jota, Lingard,
    Iheancho, Kane, Davis

    Plan is Kdb and Davis to Son and William Jose or Fabio Silva for a -4 hit

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d BB, it’s a good week to play it with that team.

  9. Brimble82
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    When do I get to share my ‘Rough with the rough’?

  10. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    start one:
    a) rudiger (BHA) already have Mendy
    b) Holding (FUL)
    c) Castagne (WBA)

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tough. between a and c for me.

  11. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Should I hold off WC for another week?

    Martinez
    Coufal, Dias, Digne
    Bruno, Son, Lingard, Gundo
    Bamford, Kane, Vardy

    Pope, Dallas, Raphinha, Dunk

    1ft, 0.0 itb

  12. David Brains - OH NO!
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is a wildcard worth -8 points at this stage? ...or hold for future gameweek, possibly double?

    Current team (with -8)
    Martinez
    TAA - Dias - Coady
    Bruno - Son - Jota - Lingard - Salah
    Kane - Iheanacho
    Subs: Foster Bamford Coufal Lascelles

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keep the WC

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would try and avoid hits wherever possible at this stage of the season. How many players would you change if you WC?

  13. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Simple question as regards to Bale. Sell or give him one more chance?

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Might as well keep him but only if you have Son too.

  14. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Better combo for this week?

    a) Meslier and Gundo
    b) Forster and Lingard

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      b

    2. tommo-uk-
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lingard one

  15. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Areola(ars), Digne(TOT) OUT
    Lloris(eve, SOU), Semedo(SHU) IN

    For a hit?

    1. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just have to ask yourself it is worth taking a hit for Lloris, considering you have to replace him on his blank GW (and Spurs defence isn't exactly bullet proof).

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sanchez is my second keeper (:
        Yep, can't trust them at the back but it's a double. Anything can happen!

  16. KANTEnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BB this lot or TC Kane in GW32?

    Forster, mendy
    TAA,Holding,Dias,Rudiger,Coady
    Son,Salah,JLingz,Jota,Mahrez
    Bamford,Kane,Iheanacho

    Cheers!

    1. tommo-uk-
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TC

  17. tommo-uk-
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team A
    Total Points: 1990
    No Chips Remaining

    Mendy/Forster
    Coady, Rudiger, Philips, Fofana, Holding
    Salah, Jota, Lingard, Bruno, Son
    Kane, Nacho

    Vs

    Team B
    Total Points: 2003
    No Chips Remaining

    Ederson, Martinez
    Digne, Vestergaard, Azpi, Stones, Shaw
    Jota, Gundo, Bruno, JWP, Son
    Kane, Ings, Bamford

    Who’s your money on?

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. hibster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      that extra forward for B could be a real benefit

  18. alsybach
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What do you think peeps?

    A simple swap Sterling —- son
    Or Neto + Sterling —- LucasM and son?

    Other midfielders are jota, fernandez and lindgaard

    Merci

  19. El_Gigante
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Rudiger, Cresswell*, Dias (Digne, Konsa)
    Salah, Gundo, Lingard, Bruno, Raphinha*
    Kane (tc), DCL* (Brewster)

    2FT, 2.9itb. FH and TC left, no WC

    A. DCL, Raphinha > Nacho, Son?
    B. DCL, Gundo > Nacho, Son?

    Or wait until next pressers?

  20. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to prioritise here?

    A) Pope > Patricio
    B) Gundo > Pereira
    C) Dias > Alonso (play Martinez as GK)
    D) Pope, Gundo > Patricio, Bowen (-4)

    1. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      * C is with Digne out instead of Dias

  21. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    would you do this

    KDB, Neto, Lacazette > Son, Bruno, Nacho for -8 hit

    I have Kane

    1. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't ditch Laca.

  22. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Fuming I lost Jlingz on wildcard gunna cost me -4 to bring him back in now for neto

    Leno
    TAA Holding Coady
    Salah Son Bruno Jota Neto
    Iheanaco Kane

    Forster Fabio Silva Amartey Mitchell

    Neto and Fabio Silva to J Lingz and fodder -4?

  23. JfA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Greenwood or Maddison.
    Surely Maddison is nailed and no Europa league, better fixtures and surely a desire to get in that England team.

  24. abunab
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do I bring in Iheanacho for Bamford for a -4 hit?

    Quite fancy Patrick against Liverpool defence, but there is Iheanacho's form and West Brom. I have Vardy already but is the double up worth it for a -4 hit?