Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Hazard Blows Baggies Away

Eden Hazard again provided the spark of brilliance for Chelsea, making his late contribution an extraordinarily high scoring Gameweek.

The Belgian fired two goals to double his tally in home matches this season, moving to 11 overall and six in the last six Gameweeks.

Owned by a modest 8.1%, Hazard was captained by just over 119,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. They went into Monday night’s clash desperate for him to produce in light of big returns from Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah and he duly obliged.

Olivier Giroud’s presence as the lone striker in Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 proved significant. It was his lay-off that provided the assist for Hazard’s opener – a crisp strike into the bottom corner.

Giroud made his first start and lasted until 61 minutes until replaced by the fit-again Alvaro Morata.

Returning from a back injury far sooner than expected, the Spaniard provided the pass for Hazard’s second – a stunning finish from 20 yards.

Inevitably, Hazard went on to pick up the three bonus points – a seventh maximum of the season – to move to a total of 22.

Hazard has dropped in ownership in eight of the last nine Gameweeks, losing 419,000 managers over that period.

But even though he goes to Manchester United in Gameweek 28, with Manchester City to follow that, his current form and output makes it very difficult to dispose of his services.

The availability of Giroud and Morata are big factors, with Hazard looking far more menacing as a direct goal threat playing off a recognised striker.

It remains to be seen how that particularly pecking order forms, with Conte’s selection for Friday’s FA Cup tie with Hull City likely to offer clues. As it stands, it would be no surprise if Giroud remains in the starting XI.

Post-match, though, Conte’s thoughts on his strikers were mainly restricted to their lack of match sharpness:

“Morata missed one month with a pain in his back and I hope we’ve solved the situation.
For Giroud it’s the same, he’s coming from a muscular problem and for us it’s very important for him to go into our idea of football and understand the right positions, for example the first goal was a clear example of our idea.
Now it’s very important for him and Alvaro to play games, they need to find the best physical condition. Training is okay but games are better and more important.”

Alonso absent again

The night begun inauspiciously for Fantasy managers, with Marcos Alonso again missing out.

The wing-back was the most sold player heading into the Gameweek with 220,000 managers moving him out. However, there were still 1.3 million disappointed managers who were forced to turn to their bench to fill the void.

Alonso was sidelined with fatigue at Vicarage Road in Gameweek 26, but there were reports that the Spaniard had returned to training. However, Conte confirmed pre-match that he had suffered a twisted ankle in Saturday’s session.

With Chelsea’s next Gameweek action on Sunday February 25, Alonso should have the recovery time, and we will likely hear more on his situation in Conte’s press conference later this week.

In his absence, Davide Zappacosta lined up at left wing-back with Victor Moses on the right. It was the latter who produced on the night, scoring from a Cesc Fabregas deflected pass in between Hazard’s goals. It was Moses’ second goal in three starts.

He helped Chelsea keep their fourteenth clean sheet of the campaign, their seventh in ten Gameweeks. That provided a welcome reprieve for those still holding Andreas Christensen.

The Dane was again withdrawn early on 73 minutes, replaced by Gary Cahill, who dropped to the bench. But Christensen booked his clean sheet, a first since Gameweek 19 having missed out on shut-outs in Gameweeks 23 and 24 due to injuries that saw him depart short of the hour-mark.

Sturridge blow for Baggies

As for the Baggies, their plight remains perilous though their first-half performance will have given Alan Pardew some encouragement.

Daniel Sturridge’s injury after just two minutes is a major concern, particularly with Jay Rodriguez facing an FA charge that could see him suspended for a lengthy spell.

The Baggies boss is optimistic, though, that Sturridge’s latest injury setback will be a short one.

“We’re hoping it’s not too bad. We don’t think it’s a tear or anything. It might keep him out of the FA Cup (match against Southampton on Saturday), but he could be back in a couple of weeks.

In Fantasy terms, West Brom continue to offer slim pickings, though should they go out of the FA Cup to Southampton, their Gameweek 31 fixture with Bournemouth would make them a more attractive proposition.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

516 Comments Post a Comment
  1. proczell
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    1FT 2.7 ITB

    Elliott - Pickford
    Davies - Jones - Kenny - Gomez - Long
    Haz - Salah - Lingard - Milivojevic - RLC
    Wilson - Kun - Kane

    Have all chips available. Time for WC now?

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

      No wait for the gw 31

  2. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard.. stick or twist?

    Possibly for a Spurs Mid.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping

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

        Twisting for Eriksen is tempting

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

      Imo stick if ur doing a single move like hazard to Eriksen but if u are doing like hazard + lingard to Eriksen + an upgrade its worth it then. Depends on ur team

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Hazard + Bernardo > Eriksen + Mahrez? Worth it?

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

          Yup sure. Assess mahrez in the cups

    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Also looking at switching to Eriksen

    4. hawkeyes
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking the same.

      Thinking Erikson in for Hazard.

  3. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is everyone Ditching Kun because of possible rest with champs league and Cardoba cup?

    Non owner btw.

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Fixtures, but probably best to wait to see if Citeh are blanking next GW.

      Could score well against dodgy arsenal

  4. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    What issues do you see in this team?

    Pope Elliot
    Alonso Otamendi Mawson Mee Mariappa
    Sterling Salah Walcott Shaqiri Richarlison
    Kane Firmino Wilson

    FT: 1, ITB: 0.9

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

      Benching issues for me.. looks good

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

      Decent team. Maybe get KSY for Rich.

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Who's KSY?

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

          Ki sung yung. Swansea mid, was decent before injury and has produced twice.

  5. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Its a shame Ryan Mason has had to retire, he had a bright future.

    1. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah such a shame, really unlucky

  6. Louis123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Lads and lasses just a quick one....

    I'm in my Sun dream team and really need to make up points.

    Firmino or KDB?
    I already have Sterling and Salah but no Kun.

    Any help would be terrific.

  7. Naboo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    If city blank in gw28 when will the fixture be played? Another DGW or possibility of a TGW?

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

      A TGW has only ever happened once before and is unlikely to happen again - unless caused by unexpected late-season postponements for severe weather.

      If City fail to make the FA Cup semi-final, then it could still be played in DGW34 or DGW37.

      If that is not possible, then there will probably be an additional DGW (as there was last year), in a European week.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        European week will be tricky if they are still in Europe though!

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

          They could possibly play one of their potential 3 rearranged matches in GW30, when Chelsea and United play midweek but Liverpool, City and Spurs don't (Arsenal would however also have a European match that midweek if they get through to the Europa League round of 16).

          They did something similar last season when they had a mini DGW in GW27.

  8. Cityzen Kane
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    TRIPLE CAPTAIN THOUGHTS:

    Realistically, Kane and Aguero have to be front runners for the use of the triple captain chip.
    Assuming the Double in GW34 and GW37 carry the blanks from GW31 and GW35, the following combos look likely for both:

    Aguero GW37 - SWA(H) and HUD(H)
    Kane GW37 - BRI(A) and WBA(A)

    As City and Spurs face each other in GW34's doubles, with both teams boasting decent defences, surely GW37 looks perfectly set up for the TC chip on one of these boys?
    Also the final weeks can throw but opportunities for grabbing the golden boot and Aguero and Kane may be in the running to try keep Salah from snatching it away from the strikers.

    Personally thinking preparation for Bench Boost in GW34 looks a great option. More often than not its cheap defenders/keepers we bench anyway.
    GW34 looks like Palace may face HUD and BHA perfect to throw Tompkins or Hennessy in for.
    Hudderfield face CRY and Watford, making Zanka a cheap option. Many are buying in Swansea defenders now and they face SOT and EVE, so maybe holding will work out worth while for this double.

    First full season playing FPL so I could be talking crap here, but that's my interpretation of data available for now.
    Used my wildcard and FH, so getting this planned correctly is critical for those in my position as we have to plan ahead with even more diligence

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

      KDB might be better come GW37

      1. Cityzen Kane
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        True. If city do have that double in GW37 we'll all be tripling up no doubt. Just a case of waiting on form and trying to predict rotation with Jesus etc.
        Suppose my point is 37 is looking better fixture wise than 34

        1. Alexis Nonsense
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I think Kun is a no go for TC due to rotation, Jesus + Sané is back

          1. Cityzen Kane
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            yeah something to look at coming near the time. I was one of the people that took a chance on Kanexit2 and went aguero the last 4 weeks. It has a huge reward if Aguero plays

      2. Jaws
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        No he won't since he won't feature much once the title is wrapped up. City's star player will get a well deserved pre-World Cup break.

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      there's far too many assumptions in this. TC doesn't need much planning, good player, good fixtures, press the button and cross tour fingers

    3. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Palace don't have a prospective dgw, no? Defo happy to have Hennessey for the single v Hudds though.

      1. Cityzen Kane
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I guess unlikely that HUD beat MUN but still a possibility.
        Too early yet to discuss but I just think City and Tottenham look to have a great double in 37 from a striker/attackers point of view

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Full agree on that point. I think I'll be going Kane/KDB

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Gw37

    4. trinzoo
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kun will already have title in his pocket and still some UCL matches to come, Kane will be safer, but time will tell...

      1. Cityzen Kane
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        True. But I'd agree a relaxed Kun will still have the drive to score big. Given he has a point to prove. His position as the automatic striker for city is under treat from Jesus.
        Personally I think that's what pep wants, keep the pressure on him to preform.
        At the minute I think I'll go kane, but strongly considering having them both up top for 37 and chose last minute

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

      City will have the league won by gw37 so more risk.

      1. Cityzen Kane
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Probably. But if aguero was in the running for the golden boot his team mates wud be cueing them up for him.

  9. Silencetheweak
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    When is the good time to use?

    1) WC
    2) FH
    3) BB

  10. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Need to make up some serious ground, any suggested changes to my WC team?

    Fabianski (Hennessey)
    Vertonghen Robertson Fernandez (Van Der Hoorn Simpson)
    Salah Mahrez Sterling KDB Son
    Kane Firmino (Niasse)

    1. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I like it

      Looking at Vertonghen myself, but he's been playing every single game and Alder is back so I expect/fear Vert to be rested

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you, that may be a worry but it's an easy switch to Jones/Aldy when the latter is fit

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Could mean Son's place not secure due to option for formation change?

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          He's so explosive though and has a great dgw, I'll just keep him for the rest of the season

          1. lespaul
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Having man city is not a great dgw

    2. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm looking at Alonso + Lingard -->

      Bavies + Mhki

      Vertonghen + Ramsey

      Mawson + Son

      So many options, my head hurts

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Same thing here, of those I think I'd go C, Swans have incredible fixtures and Son is fpl gold if nailed

    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      How nailed is Robertson with all the UCL fixtures to come? Especially considering they have two other LBs

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Milner doesn't play there anymore unless he absolutely has to and Moreno is poor so I think Robbo's nailed the spot. At 4.7m I can take a few rotations if they do occur, upside is huge.

  11. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, what's my best move here? 1 FT and 1.9 ITB

    A - Save
    B - Wilson > Niasse
    C - Kenny > Naughton

    DDG
    Ota - Jones - VVD
    Salah - Sterling - Shaq - Lingard
    Kane - Firm - Wilson

    Speroni - Richarlison - Ogbonna - Kenny

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'd look at doing something to upgrade Lingard/Richarlison, both are dead as options

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

      Not B.

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

      It's Tuesday today 🙂

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      At this point I'm convinced Alonso has morphed into Sturridge, I've heard he has an in just about every part of his body now.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        *an injury in

  12. -SB-
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who to replace Otamendi with? (6.1 ITB)

    I already have VVD, Mee, Davies.

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Vertonghen
      Arsenal def

  13. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any UCL people about?

    This is what I've got so far

    Ulreich, Sa
    Jones, Walker, Gomez, Butko, Nacho
    KDB, Sterling, Lo Celso, Marlos, James Rodriguez
    Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Aguero

    Feel free to post your team

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

      No, it is boll$cks we have enough with the PL.

  14. Tommy d
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    4k down to 9k in last 2 weeks. Had kane cap.

    What to do with this lot

    Pope/Elliot

    Ota Jones alonso dunk Kenny
    Salah ster shaq Walcott rlc
    Kane Wilson firmino

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

    pick
    mee dawson dunk
    salah(c) son sterling shaqiri
    kane kun wilson
    subs: elliot ota macarthur oggbonny
    2 ft
    1.9 itb
    is oggbonna to fernandez a good move and then roll the other transfer?
    any other suggestions??

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

      Yes good move, thinking of it myself in auction league.

  16. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, best move here? 1 FT and 1.9 ITB

    A - Save
    B - Wilson > Niasse
    C - Kenny > Naughton
    D - Other?

    DDG
    Ota - Jones - VVD
    Salah - Sterling - Shaq - Lingard
    Kane - Firm - Wilson

    Speroni - Richarlison - Ogbonna - Kenny

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard > Siggy.