Scout Notes
1 November 2026 137 comments
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Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) netted his fifth goal in as many Gameweeks as Aston Villa and Fulham played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Here are our Scout Notes from Villa Park.

FIVE IN FIVE FOR JACKSON

Jackson, who was bought by over 2.3m Fantasy managers in the lead-up to Gameweek 9’s deadline, was fit to start, then.

And to his 24.2% ownership’s joy, he netted his fifth goal in as many league matches, when he squirmed his way through the Fulham defence to slide the ball past Bernd Leno (£4.5m) in the first half.

Jackson was found by Johan Manzambi (£6.1m), who, once more playing off the left, supplied his third assist of the season.

Since Manzambi’s full debut in Gameweek 5, both he and Jackson have been two of the most in-form players in Fantasy Premier League (FPL)…

Above: Players sorted by FPL points in Gameweeks 5-9

That said, Emery hooked Manzambi after 65 minutes against Fulham – likely with Tuesday’s trip to Barcelona in mind – meaning the midfielder is averaging only 71.4 minutes per start in that period.

Still, he is certainly delivering when on the pitch, with Manchester United, who are still without a clean sheet this season, up next in Gameweek 10.

EMERY ON MCGINN’S PEN MISS

Prior to Jackson’s opener, John McGinn (£5.4m) missed a penalty for the Villans.  

Playing in a No 10 role, the Scottish international hit the bar from 12 yards, notably with neither Emiliano Buendia (£5.9m) or Ross Barkley (5.0m) on the pitch.

Asked why the in-form Jackson didn’t step up to take the spot kick, Emery said…

“We have our analysis about penalty shooters, and it was McGinn who was the taker today. We are clear about which players are selected to take penalties.” – Unai Emery, via the Birmingham Mail

McGinn, who created a match-high four chances, took the penalty after Sander Berge (£4.9m) handled Leon Goretzka’s (£5.9m) header.

However, even after Jackson put Villa ahead, the hosts were poor, particularly in the second half, when Fulham were the superior team.

CASH BAN

Matty Cash (£4.3m) will be suspended for the trip to Man Utd in Gameweek 10, having picked up his fifth booking of the season on Saturday.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) could return from injury and fill in.

“Maybe Wan-Bissaka is coming back next week. I am not thinking about it. First, we have a match on Tuesday against Barcelona. Then, we have five days until Sunday to prepare and identify how we can replace Wan-Bissaka if he is not available.” – Unai Emery, via the Birmingham Mail

FULHAM IMPRESS, ROBINSON SUPERB

Fulham were very good for large parts of this encounter, and probably deserved more.

Indeed, the visitors produced 2.33 expected goals (xG) to Aston Villa’s 1.83, with Zion Suzuki (£5.0m) denying Gonzalo Garcia (£6.0m), the lively Oscar Bobb (£5.5m) and Alex Iwobi (£5.4m).

Iwobi did however claim the assist for Fulham’s equaliser when Suzuki fumbled his corner over the line.

Much the better team in the second half, Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) was arguably Fulham’s best player, with his runs in behind Cash causing real problems.

“When you believe in your players, you have to give them the chance to play and to show how good they are. Jedi’ was fantastic tonight. He did really, really well. He has the experience, he has the quality, and it’s very important for us, and I’m so happy for his performance tonight.” – Alvaro Arbeloa on Antonee Robinson, via West London Sport

After Saturday’s display, Fulham do appear to be finding their feet under Arbeloa, with only one defeat in six matches.

In that period, they’ve conceded just four goals and rank sixth for expected goals conceded (xGC).

“I think we are deciding when to press better and when we want to be aggressive. We are controlling the transition, and we are much better organised when we have the ball. It’s important for us because we are a team that want to play in the opposite half with the ball creating chances, but you know in the Premier League how quick the other attacking players are and you need to control the transitions, second balls. I think we are growing, and improving as a team every week and this is the way.” – Alvaro Arbeloa

Meanwhile, David Affengruber (£4.5m), as well as Robinson, banked defensive contribution (DefCon) points for the fourth time in six matches.

Affengruber also racked up three shots at Villa Park, all headers from set plays.


137 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Slitherene
    3 hours, 20 mins ago

    Which transfer to prioritise?

    MGW to Gross

    Or

    Hall to Cuyper

    Have a good bench, so 5 YC ban doesn't matter much.

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 19 mins ago

      2nd option.

    2. Brosstan
      2 hours, 10 mins ago

      B

  2. Babit1967
    3 hours, 19 mins ago

    Suppose Neco Williams to Konsa is a no brainer ?

  3. Snoopydog
    3 hours, 9 mins ago

    Bye, bye Gvardiol, hello (again) Konsa. Should never have sold you. Done.

    1. x.jim.x
      2 hours, 22 mins ago

      Not like there’s a load of midweek games or anything

      1. Snoopydog
        2 hours, 11 mins ago

        Live dangerously

  4. GoonerByron
    3 hours, 9 mins ago

    Made the mistake of going against Arsenal defence on WC for this fixture. Have Konsa, but benched him and started Cash. Now tempted to get a second Arsenal defender straight in. What would you do here?

    A) Keep Cash (On bench)
    B) Cash -> Timber
    C) Cash -> Calafiori
    D) Cash -> De Cupyer

    Can't afford Gab.

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      C

  5. have you seen cyan
    3 hours, 5 mins ago

    Is Saliba even getting back in this PL team?

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      3 hours, 3 mins ago

      Is Mitoma really going to be a starter when de Cuyper is better than him?

      1. have you seen cyan
        3 hours, 2 mins ago

        Maybe not.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      Konsa RB perhaps

  6. Royal5
    3 hours, 4 mins ago

    What are Cherki owners doing with him?

    1. Snoopydog
      2 hours, 3 mins ago

      Have him on the bench for next GW currently. If he doesn't play midweek may start him but been burnt twice. Likely offload after IB, maybe for Palmer or Isak. Too much cash!

  7. Tinmen
    3 hours, 3 mins ago

    Timber or De Cuyper folks. Who’s the better pick ?

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 29 mins ago

      De Cuyper while he's still out of position.

    2. Snoopydog
      2 hours, 16 mins ago

      De Cuyper. Been a mainstay from the start. Until he's dropped - or more likely no longer oop - not going to swap him for anyone.

  8. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    3 hours ago

    "Emery hooked Manzambi after 65 minutes against Fulham – likely with Tuesday’s trip to Barcelona in mind."

    Did Emery sub him shortly after Fulham equalised?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      3 hours ago

      *Didn't

  9. #1 Arne Engels Fan
    2 hours, 57 mins ago

    Interesting to hear Glasner saying he'll be "changing things" from now on at Forest

    will he be switching from playing 7 at the back to 8 instead? or passing the ball around the defensive line for 90 minutes from now on instead of just 88?

  10. DagheMunegu
    2 hours, 56 mins ago

    Best Schade replacement up to 7.4 ?
    (Not Gross)

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      Tavernier

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        2 hours, 54 mins ago

        Manzambi

    2. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      Kudus

      then use the extra 1m to buy a time machine and get him in last week

    3. Royal5
      2 hours, 53 mins ago

      Rogers

      1. DagheMunegu
        2 hours, 48 mins ago

        Have him already

    4. have you seen cyan
      2 hours, 53 mins ago

      Tav. Thats what I did yesterday.

  11. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 52 mins ago

    Which move to make?
    A. DCL > Isak
    B. Hall > Gabriel (alongside Konsa + Calafiori)
    C. Roll

  12. banskt
    2 hours, 51 mins ago

    I sold Calafiori, Konsa, De Cuyper, and Palmer in my WC9. Rant over, on to the next.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 51 mins ago

      Ouch

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 51 mins ago

      If it’s helps I benched Konsa and Verbruggen

      1. banskt
        41 mins ago

        I forgot that I also sold Verbruggen.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 50 mins ago

      Ha, I sold Konsa (10), benched Calafiori (8) and started Gabriel (6). Oops!

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      2 hours, 40 mins ago

      but why....

      1. banskt
        37 mins ago

        Well, I thought ...
        - Konsa & Calafiori are minutes concern, and I didn't want triple Arsenal over their tricky fixtures.
        - De Cuyper will lose his attacking role and bought Vuskovic.
        - I will never captain Palmer, so Ro feed dc6

        1. banskt
          35 mins ago

          * I will never captain Palmer, so went Rogers.

  13. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 51 mins ago

    Tempted by this

    Gvardiol MGW DCL to Silva 5.5m Isak

    5.5m mid would be benched

    Thoughts?

  14. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 48 mins ago

    Folks buying up Manzambi before the Barcelona fixture.

    Slow down FFS.

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 27 mins ago

      I'm looking to sell!

  15. Henning
    2 hours, 43 mins ago

    Mbuemo to Tavernier for free ?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      2 hours, 15 mins ago

      not sure about tav. but sell mbeumo for sure

  16. Ajax Hamsterdam
    2 hours, 41 mins ago

    A Kinsky to Raya (own Konsa and cala)
    Or
    B Davis to tark

    Playing BB and b would mean
    Konsa Cala tark muha de Cuyper

    Maybe bit too much ?

    Would really appreciate some help 🙂

  17. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    2 hours, 36 mins ago

    Best option here folks???

    A- Muhremovic
    Or
    B- Van Hecke

    Cheers everyone!!

    1. DBry
      1 hour, 18 mins ago

      Both good, but i just went VH

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        1 hour, 13 mins ago

        Good move mate!! Yeah both good!! Very close!! Should have thrown Vuskovic in there too

  18. Deulofail
    2 hours, 31 mins ago

    Good to go? Not sure about bench and captains. Could BB, but there are some other good weeks for that coming up

    Trafford
    Gabriel (C)alafiori Konsa
    Rogers Kroupi Ta(v)ernier Gross
    Isak Jackson Evanilson

    Kinsky(lee) | Vuskovic, Hinshelwood (BRE), Muharemovic (TOT)

    1. Deulofail
      2 hours, 30 mins ago

      3FTs. 7.0 ITB

    2. ==rvn10==
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      Don't bother with the bb. Very strong eleven this week as well!

  19. Absolutely Muñozed
    2 hours, 28 mins ago

    Konsa and De Cuyper will stay on bench thanks to Cherki and Munoz 1 and 0 pointer.

  20. Barnaby Wilde
    2 hours, 26 mins ago

    When Kroupi.Jr is fully fit and ready to start games, what will be the first choice Bournemouth attack?

      1. Azool
        1 hour, 3 mins ago

        I’ve dabbled with that but he’s picked some clueless fans to represent their clubs. Most express what they think should happen rather than having an understanding of how the manager works and what he thinks. Notable exceptions are the Brentford fan, he’s good and the Everton fan is quite good also. The Leeds fan is terrible. They should let us know what their FPL histories are so we can put weight to it.

  21. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 20 mins ago

    I am never starting Leif Davis ever again. He will live on my bench forever more.

    1. have you seen cyan
      2 hours, 18 mins ago

      Leif bugs me. Had him since GW1, I played him once I think for a blank, but I still want to see my bench players do good.

      When he was previously in the PL my opinion on him was this - he is great, but Ipswich suck and there is no one to finish his chances.

      I was hoping this season things would be different, and it looked like it at the start with some good returns, but since then, its been bad.

      Not sure I even want him in my BB, seems like a 1 or 2 pointer is guaranteed.

  22. Udo
    2 hours, 17 mins ago

    May I've a vote which would you rather on a long term?
    A: Araujo
    B: Jacquet

    1. DBry
      1 hour, 19 mins ago

      B

  23. JohnnyCroat
    2 hours, 13 mins ago

    Can field a solid XI with Le Fée as sub #1 for the next GW.
    My thoughts for over the international break will be on how to upgrade one defender.
    Have Califiori, de Cuyper, Gvardiol. Who else would be a must have for later weeks? Money not an issue.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 hour, 34 mins ago

      Konsa/Gab, Silva, Van Hecke, Vuskovic take your pick

  24. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 12 mins ago

    Anyone captaining an Arsenal defender next GW? Should be 6 points at minimum...

    1. have you seen cyan
      2 hours, 9 mins ago

      Its tempting, even Isak is tempting.

      Just don't know if its worth the risk going against massive Haaland EO, if you aren't chasing.

    2. Might go (H)avertz

  25. DBry
    2 hours, 5 mins ago

    Silva or De Cuyper?

  26. Anyone punting on Havertz next week?

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      1 hour, 59 mins ago

      Guaranteed to start too

      1. Not again Shirley
        1 hour, 48 mins ago

        Is he though. Arteta could easy go for the Gyok on what paper is a relatively easy game.

        1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
          1 hour, 12 mins ago

          Yes looks like Gyok will start champs league

  27. leo_messi
    1 hour, 58 mins ago

    Gvardiol to :

    A) Van Hecke
    B) Silva

    1. have you seen cyan
      1 hour, 57 mins ago

      B

  28. Lucky Z
    1 hour, 57 mins ago

    Anyone considering Robertson at 4.3? Is he nailed?

    1. have you seen cyan
      1 hour, 57 mins ago

      Nah, minuets aren't very good.

      1. Not again Shirley
        1 hour, 47 mins ago

        Well you say that but he generally plays full 90 or subbed post 60 (never less) or doesn’t play at all. Of recent he is 1st choice.

        1. have you seen cyan
          1 hour, 41 mins ago

          Yea, because Udogie keeps having injury problems.

  29. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 hour, 52 mins ago

    Best move this gameweek?

    A. Hall > Gabriel
    B. Kinsky > Raya
    C. DCL > Isak
    D. DCL > Evanilson
    E. Roll

    1. Not again Shirley
      1 hour, 10 mins ago

      DCL to Jason Lee would be an improvement.

    2. Not again Shirley
      1 hour, 6 mins ago

      Raya overpriced for Arsenal defence imo

  30. Lucky Z
    1 hour, 49 mins ago

    Rushworth eve | Gross BRE | Davies BOU | Thomas eve

    Does this bench deserves BB this GW? Thomas can go for any other DF up to 4.6

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 mins ago

      No