Scout Notes

Scout Notes – United On The Slide

Sales in Manchester United’s assets continue on the back of a second defeat in three, while Huddersfield Town regain their scoring touch just when they need it the most.

Four wins in the last six matches, five clean sheets in seven…you’d be excused for thinking that all is well at Manchester United.

But yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United was their second in three Gameweeks, and there’s a strong sense of a team out of balance, form and confidence.

The individuals remain stellar, the prospects rather more earthbound.

Phil Jones and Paul Pogba, sold by 97,000 and 99,000 respectively ahead of Gameweek 27, returned to the starting XI at St James’ Park.

Anthony Martial was another brought back into the fold as coach Jose Mourinho continued to chop and change his side to accommodate new signing Alexis Sanchez, who was captained by 78,000+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers looking for a major differential.

Take-up in the Chilean has been slow since his move to Old Trafford, but he’s now in 5.1% of squads, only to blank for the second time in his three matches as a United player.

Jesse Lingard’s form is even worse.

Yesterday’s defeat marked a fifth successive blank and he’s been subbed off just after the hour-mark in each of the last three Gameweeks since Sanchez arrived.

The England midfielder was the third most sold player (169,000+) heading into the weekend and is second only to Marcos Alonso for sales since then, with a further 34,000 parting company.

Pogba, who has seven blanks from nine starts since returning from injury, is also among the top five for Gameweek 28 most sold as faith in United’s attack, in particular, is set to plummet due to both the Newcastle result and the upcoming schedule.

The Red Devils will face Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City in the near future and should they beat Huddersfield in the FA Cup fifth round, their Gameweek 31 clash with West Ham will need to be rescheduled.

That would leave just two ‘strong’ fixtures – a trip to Crystal Palace and a visit from Swansea City – over the next six Gameweeks.

A Champions League tie with Sevilla only adds to their busy schedule, hiking the likelihood of rotation.

The first leg is four days before Gameweek 28’s visit of Chelsea, the second leg three days after Liverpool come to Old Trafford.

Magpies showing form

A first home win in the league since October underlined the improved form of a Newcastle side that has now lost just twice in nine league matches – and both of those were against Man City.

But that doesn’t promote the need for investment in their players.

The Magpies’ schedule is a decidedly mixed affair, with four away fixtures (bou liv tot lei) and two huge home match-ups, versus Southampton and Huddersfield, to come over the next six Gameweeks.

That Gameweek 31 trip to Spurs will need to be rescheduled, though, should the north London club defeat Rochdale in the FA Cup this weekend.

Matt Ritchie scored the winner yesterday – his first goal of the season – from a Dwight Gayle assist, with the former given maximum bonus for a third 11-point haul of the campaign.

Loan signing Martin Dubravka picked up two bonus points in a fine nine-point debut in which the goalkeeper helped secure Newcastle’s first clean sheet in five matches.

That should finally kill off any hope 18.2% of FPL managers were harbouring of their man Rob Elliot regaining the number one jersey.

The 4.1-priced stopper is now third in that particular pecking order, with Karl Darlow returning to the bench yesterday.

Terriers find some bite again

Steve Mounie starred as Huddersfield made it back-to-back 4-1 wins in all competitions.

The Terriers followed up an extra-time triumph over Birmingham in the FA Cup with a vital victory against Bournemouth.

And the Benin international was at the heart of the win, scoring one goal and earning two assists as Huddersfield prevailed in the league for the first time since Gameweek 16, lifting themselves out of the relegation zone for good measure.

Maximum bonus handed Mounie (5.7) a season-high 15-point return – only the third time he’s managed double digits in the campaign.

Huddersfield’s schedule (wba tot SWA CRY new bha WAT) will tempt some to invest in Mounie’s budget charms, but he has been consistently rotated with Laurent Depoitre by coach David Wagner.

The Belgian striker missed the Bournemouth match with a foot problem, having started in three of the previous four Gameweeks.

Midfielder Aaron Mooy provided an assist on the day and was unlucky not to be on the pitch when Huddersfield were awarded a late penalty.

The Australian, the side’s designated spot-kick taker, had been stretchered off with a gash to the knee by then, leaving Rajiv van La Parra to convert.

The extent of the injury to the Australian midfielder, who is in 5.6% of FPL squads, will be assessed this week, but he does have close to a fortnight to recover for Gameweek 28’s vital trip to West Brom.

The penalty came after new signing Alex Pritchard was fouled in the area. That capped a fine first home start for the ex-Norwich City man, who also scored and received two bonus for a 12-point haul.

The victory brought a five-match losing streak to an end and that favourable schedule, plus a guaranteed Gameweek 31 fixture (at home to Crystal Palace) should they lose to Man United in the FA Cup next weekend, could promote interest in their key assets.

Defensively, however, they remain fragile, with no clean sheets since Gameweek 21.

Off day for Cherries

Bournemouth went into the match on a seven-match unbeaten run, but were a shadow of the team that had seen off Arsenal and Chelsea in recent weeks.

Striker Callum Wilson’s four goals and two assists during that run prompted a further 101,000+ FPL managers to bring him in this week, only for their man to struggle badly.

He had no shots at all – the entire team managed just two on target all match – but a good schedule (NEW lei TOT WBA wat CRY) should persuade his 10.2% ownership to hold for now.

The Cherries’ goalscorer, Junior Stanislas, has both form and fixtures on his side. He’s scored two goals and provided another two assists in the last four Gameweeks now, suggesting his 0.5% ownership might not stay so low for long.

Should West Brom lose to Southampton in the FA Cup next weekend, Bournemouth’s Gameweek 31 match against the Baggies will be confirmed, further adding to the appeal of their assets.

659 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    If you have not yet used your free hit, do you plan on doing so during a BGW?

    If so, which one?

    If not, when would you use it?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Polly gw35 will yield the best results

    2. MTPockets
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Hopefully gw35 (btw the two doubles).

      • MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Almost certainly GW35

      • Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Well, I’ve already used WC so will use FH for first double and with few transfers over remaining GW will have 9 players in GW31.

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          If you use FH for double,you can't use BB or TC

      • #Swish41
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Really, I thought everyone would use it on 31. Guess it depends on actually who will have a blank in 31.

        1. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I was originally thinking GW31 as fewer teams likely to play and thus harder to field a team.

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            If you don't use it gw35 it's just going to prove trickier to navigate the dgws either side

      • Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Check the hot topics - 80% on here seem to favour 35

        1. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks, I didn’t know it was there!

        2. #Swish41
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks - no idea that was here

      • Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        31.

    3. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      My defense:
      Pope/Elliot
      Otamendi Jones Kenny Chilwell Francis

      A Elliot out for Lossl
      B Ota out for VVD
      C Jones out for VVD

      Which transfer is best? Or does anyone have another good transfer idea?

      1. MTPockets
          6 years, 1 month ago

          B, although west ham have tended to score when Arnie plays (8 of last 9).

      2. Sadio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Kane and Firmino look great as strikers 1 and 2 in my team.

        Who should be striker 3?

        A) Ayew
        B) Niasse
        C) Vardy

        1. #Swish41
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Aguero 🙂 - those 3 have shot me up the ranks!

          1. #Swish41
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Vardy of those though - great fix and form!

        2. Louis Cypher
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Having had niasse for months and took him out last GW

      3. The real slim shady
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Gonna ditch Hazard. But don't know for whom.
        Any suggestions?
        Got Salah, Ox, Ibe, Walcott atm.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Check back through the hot topics

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Reply fail

        2. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          you should deal with ox first, or at the same time

        3. Ozist
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          KDB

      4. SW6
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Seems like I am miles behind, is there some knowledge/news on blank GWs & DGWs? Is there an FFS article?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Check back through the hot topics

          1. SW6
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks 🙂

          1. SW6
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Ah perfect

      5. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        A) Naughton/Robertson & Walcott
        B) VVD & Arnautovic/Ramsey
        C) Vertonghen/Monreal/Davies & Deulofeu

        Cheers

        1. joeydelucchi
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          vvd & ramsey imo

          arnie has swansea and burnley coming up and if u have their defenders which i do, then you dont want him

          naughton and monreal also on my radar tho

        2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          VVD and Wally... Ramsey always at the Physio room

        3. Batchain
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          JoeyD, that doesn't really make sense. If you think Arnie will score more you should get him, others in your team are irrelevant.

      6. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Are people selling Kun to Kane?

        1. SW6
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, but not yet, and maybe not till after Kun plays Arsenal

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Chelsea not looking good as well

        2. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Not sure. Jesus could be back by next GW, so that may push me over the line

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Who needs Jesus with Kun back in form?

            1. Chris_White
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Good question, but Pep loves to rotate.

            2. budi
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              no matter how good his form is, kun might be rested from time to time due to man city has not been knocked out in any cup competitions, especially since he played almost all game when jesus was out

        3. MTPockets
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Depends if Jesus actually plays some football.

          • Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Hard to do after 4 goals... but PL is locked up so Kun may be CL and FA priority

        4. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          To further my previous post on remaining chips...

          If you have a WC, which DGW are you planning to use it for?

          Personally I will use it the week prior and use the Bench Boost on the DGW itself.

          I regretfully spunked my TC on Kane GW22.

          1. MTPockets
              6 years, 1 month ago

              After the blank. gw32/33

            • Stats Don\'t Lie
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              I'll use it when I feel the need tbh. Think people get a bit too caught up in the dgw hype, and I think leaving the second wc as late as gw33 might not give you enough time to make significant gains from it!

              1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Week 32/33 is ideal... this approach got me 189 in DGW last year

          2. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Sanchez damaging United's attack same way he damaged Arsenal's. Don't get me wrong he's a great player but way too selfish, wants to do everything by himself, probably why it never quite worked out for him at Barca and why City and Bayern didn't get him in the end.

            1. SW6
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              That's complete nonsense imo.

              1. Stats Don\'t Lie
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                If you watch him play there are so many times you just think pass it, or he drifts deep to get the ball and play it out and start occupying spaces other players are in.

                1. SW6
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Sanchez was the only one that looked like doing anything vs Newcastle, apart from maybe Mata when he came on. Utd are playing 'good' football from 5 to 10 years ago, which isn't bad but its outdated. And I don't believe Mourinho is the motivator he once was.

                  And finally, Lukaku is, and always has been, a flat-track bullying donkey

            2. MTPockets
                6 years, 1 month ago

                There's something strangely satisfying in seeing United fail, even when it includes Sanchez. Not sure why - west ham supporter so no particular bugbear.

              • goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Doubt the mercenary cares.

              • Greenbackbøøg…
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Still, better having Sanchez hog the ball for you than someone like Rashford

              • Rik Waller
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                He has the ability to justify being greedy, much like Kane, Ronaldo etc. Proved this last year with all the goals he got for Arsenal

              • HashAttack
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                United would have had a far better chance of scoring if Martial occasionally passed it to Sanchez instead of always trying to score himself

            3. joeydelucchi
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              for the first time all season i am 'almost' happy with my team...

              FAB
              coleman

              FERN
              JONES
              WARD
              chilwell - swap to bardsley/lowton once confirmed who is chosen
              Mariappa

              MAHR
              SAL
              STE
              KDB
              RAMBO

              KANE
              FIRM
              niasse

              thoughts please?

              1. FCSB
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                not keen on the CAPS and layout matey

                1. joeydelucchi
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  cheers , great comment!

                  1. FCSB
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    calm down hun... yeah its good, not too template so theres opportunity for you to climb the leaderboard

                    1. joeydelucchi
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      cheers DDFC....you know what its like, hard enough to get 1 reply on here so i appreciate it.

              2. SoccerBoi69
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                We have 10 players the same so... Yeah, it's alright. I have the same plan for Chilwell. Possibly keep, if he plays, but likely to switch to Lowton.

                Lloris
                Alonso VVD Jones
                KDB Sterling Salah Walcott Ramsey
                Kane Firmino

                Foster Niasse Chilwell Fernandez

                1. SoccerBoi69
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  *almost happy with my team too. I can afford to keep Alonso so hoping it's worth it as I imagine a lot will jump ship.

                  1. joeydelucchi
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    wow good team...you have a high TV by the looks of it?

                    but yea very similar, i actually swapped back Walcott for Riyad cos i am a big fan of his consistency, and they have better fixtures. but yes i am compromising a little on my defence, i dropped alonso 2 gws ago 🙂 ....jeez we are basically the same hahaha

              3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Mahrez has been out pouting (small cameo this last weekend) and is on a team that has nothing to play for... a bit of a risk tbh...

            4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Lingard --> ??
              A. Shaqiri
              B. Walcott
              Thanks.

              1. MTPockets
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Form vs fixtures. In this case though, Walcott as wouldn't expect much from Shaq vs MCI.

                • Rik Waller
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  B

              2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                so I know i’m getting ahead of myself but looking at WC for gw33.

                what would the team look like? you’d want a playing bench for BB gw34 and target DGW players. obviously want to retain key players regardless of fixtures.

                I know we don’t know for certain the teams for blanks/doubles but just preparing in my head who are the teams/players we’ll want to target? ideally teams with great fixtures and even better double gws

                Arsenal mids?
                Leicester defence?
                Swansea defence?
                Karius/fabianksi?
                Man City mids/fwd
                palace defence?
                Everton players?

                who you thinking?

                1. Mark
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 17 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Blimey...I'm still preparing my head for GW31.

                  I think it's very difficult to look ahead until we know how the FA Cup ties fall - I'd even want to see the draw to try to predict the semi-final line-up.

                  GW28 postponement would also change everything.

                  I think the key target is that future Triple Captain, though. I'll start with that and work back from there I imagine.

                  1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    I agree i’m premature, but i’ve no FH so i’ve made the planning much more difficult for myself. sure there will be tons of suggestions around gw 32 time

              3. mranonymous
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                I am looking for a nailed on 4.3m defender.... Is Simon Francis the only one? I thought Simpson was nailed but strangely he did not start this GW. Cheers all.

                1. Traction Engine Foot
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Dummett is nailed.

                2. *sigh*
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Dummett also.Toon new improved keeper.

                3. SW6
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Marriappa looks it and has 2 good fixtures coming

                4. Wild Card this!
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Francis was aweful this GW. He might be dropped.

              4. BobBradleysOpportunity
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Hello all, any advice on how to utilise my two free transfers this week? have 0 .oin the bank

                Pope
                otamendi Jones Alonso (naughton and mbemba)
                Hazard Salah Sterling Shaqiri (Choupo)
                Aguero Firmino Wilson

                Im thinking otamendi and aguero to ake and kane....but now having second thoughts after huddersfield beat bournemouth so easily

                Thoughts would be much appreciated

                1. Wild Card this!
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Maybe to get in Kane and Mee if GW31 is not an issue for you.

              5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                son is a very confusing player atm.dunno his stats .is it wise to keep him or sell him.He has had 4 blanks in a row.dunno what to do with him??any advice

                1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Luke Moura threat too... out he goes imo

              6. TeddiPonza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Current team:

                Pope
                Alonso Otamendi Mee (Dunk Mariappa)
                Son Sterling Salah Shaqiri Walcott
                (Depoitre) Kane Firmino

                2 FT and 0,5m in bank.

                Thinking Son and Depoitre TO Vardy and 5,1m midfielder.

                Thoughts?

              7. Dybala10
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Only two games so far, but Walcott & Wilson for a -4 has really not gone as I hoped.

                1. Je suis le chat
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  I have Wally, will hold. Never rated Wilson.

              8. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Alonso, albrighton and Quaner or lowton, Ibe and aubameynag?
                Which is the better option?

              9. Ozist
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Pope (Elliot)
                Azpi Jones Ota Fernandez
                Pogba walcott Sterling Salah
                Kane Firmino

                Elliot | Murray , Mcarthur , Memba

                Which one to do

                1) Pogba -> Arnie
                2) Pogba -> siggy
                3) walcott -> shaqiri

                having 1.6 ITB and 1FT

              10. sentagoda
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Will Christensen play today? I get Bavies in if no play...

              11. Trippier Hazard
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Anyone know the respective dates by when we should know the fixtures for GW 31, 34, 35 and 37? Also what is the popular advice for when to play WC if you've used your FH? My thinking is around GW32 to make the most of the remaining fixtures but 35 will be a risk.