We’ve pared down our approach to Scout Notes, focusing instead on specific individuals as opposed to analysing each and every team this time. With another five fixtures still to follow today, here are some of the main points of note from Saturday’s games:
Luis Suarez
Backed by so many Fantasy managers going into the clash with Norwich, the Uruguayan found himself pitched against an inspired goalkeeping performance from John Ruddy. Suarez was, once again, superb but wasted opportunities and was denied by the woodwork twice. That will be no consolation to his owners, and particularly those who handed him the armband. Given the fact that Suarez will have recorded several efforts off target and failed to score over the 90 minutes, it will be interesting to see if he misses out on Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus when they’re handed out on Monday.
John Ruddy
Few Fantasy managers would have been bold enough to select John Ruddy for yesterday’s trip to Anfield with any real confidence. The Canaries keeper produced a series of saves to break Liverpool hearts- according to his FPL stats, Ruddy defied the home side 8 times and stands a decent chance of returning some bonus when the points are handed out tomorrow morning.
Demba Ba
The in-form striker went into the clash with Wigan with five goals in his last three matches and found the backing of many Fantasy managers as a result. It was a frustrating day for Ba however and, having seen a second-half header stopped on the line by Ali Al Habsi, he was replaced by Shola Ameobi on 68 minutes. Ba’s ability to string back-to-back matches together remains a concern and the statistics show that he has failed to complete 90 minutes all season. Ba has been subbed off in each of his last five games and with Ameobi showing form and Hatem Ben Arfa now fit, Ba’s partnership with Leon Best is under pressure.
Jamie O’Hara
At last, the influential Wolves midfielder returned some Fantasy points with a second-half strike that earned Mick McCarthy’s side an unlikely point against Swansea. Featured in our recent Monitor article for Members, O’Hara has been a consistent performer for Wolves this season – our Members need only examine his current ICT Index placing to see just how influential he’s been. Saturday’s goal was, however, his first tangible Fantasy points in what has been a frustrating season. Should Wolves enjoy a positive spell of results, there’s no doubt that O’Hara could come to the fore.
Danny Graham
A goal and an assist at Molineux continued Graham’s promising spell and brought him further to the attention of Fantasy managers. Like Steve Morison at Norwich, Graham has adjusted well to the top flight and is offering decent budget potential up front. Sadly, with Daniel Sturridge and Demba Ba almost in the same price bracket, the Swan’s striker has been largely neglected as a Fantasy option. The Swansea midfield options, with Scott Sinclair the Rolls Royce, ably assisted by Nathan Dyer and Joe Allen in the budget bracket, remain the more likely attractions. Allen came to fore with a goal in the 2-2 draw – a prospect raised by Big Dunc in this week’s Differentials.
Chris Brunt
Just a week after rewarding his owners with a goal in the 2-0 defeat of Wolves, the Baggies skipper fluffed a first-half penalty at Villa to lose them points. Brunt may well lose spot-kick duties to the recalled Peter Odemwingie as a result. Brunt did at least demonstrate his worth from set-pieces, flighting the corner for Jonas Olsson’s equaliser and then providing another assist from a corner for Paul Scharner’s winner.
Shane Long
According to Roy Hodgson, the Irishman has suffered a serious knee injury as a result of Alan Hutton’s reckless challenge. Long was forced off mid-way through the first half and will undergo scans early next week. Should he face a spell out of the side, this would see Odemwingie installed as a certain starter in the central attacking role and, more intriguingly, Somen Tchoyi would be boosted as a Fantasy option – he would seem likely to come into the side to partner Odemwingie should Hodgson keep faith with 4-4-2.
Stephane Sessegnon
After failing to live up to his potential following a superb pre-season and with early promise shown in terms of goal threat, Sessegnon suddenly exploded in the 2-0 win at Bolton. Significantly his performance coincided with a change of formation from Steve Bruce with Connor Wickham brought in to the lead the line alongside Nicklas Bendtner. The Dane, along with Sessegnon, seemed to drift behind Wickham and offer support on either flank and had a hugely effective game as a result. With three strong home fixtures to come in the next four and, with Sunderland showing positive form, Sessegnon, along with Bendtner, could now start attracting interest once again having seen his price drop from 6.5 to 6.1 in the FPL.
