Scout Notes

Scout Notes – United Crash Out

Man United exit the Champions League with an abject performance that undermines the Fantasy credentials of many in Jose Mourinho’s expensively assembled squad.

The inquests have already begun into the whys and wherefores of last night’s 2-1 chastening home loss to Sevilla, with Mourinho’s ingrained negativity, the imbalance to the side Alexis Sanchez’s arrival has sparked and Paul Pogba’s woeful form among the reasons being cited.

All are clearly factors, and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are now left to sift through the rubble for the positives that United’s relatively attractive domestic run-in should still be encouraging.

The Red Devils are likely to endure further ignominy if, as expected, Man City wrap up their title-winning push in Gameweek 33’s Manchester derby.

But aside from that and a Gameweek 36 visit from Arsenal, their schedule is still strong.

A probable double Gameweek 34 will involve a home match with West Brom and a trip to West Ham.

And should they see off Brighton in this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final, another double – possibly in Gameweek 37 – would have them travelling to face Bournemouth and the Seagulls again.

Swansea City in Gameweek 32 and a final-day match with Watford, both at home, complete their fixtures. All bar the City match-up look eminently winnable – just not on last night’s evidence.

The one and only shred of encouragement that could be plucked from the Champions League wreckage was the continued upturn in form of Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian scored from Marcus Rashford’s cross, rushed to pick the ball out of the net and then exhorted the Old Trafford crowd to bring the noise.

It was by some margin the most animated and inspiring action of the night from a United player, and one who is now close to his fine early-season form.

Lukaku has four goals and three assists from his last eight Gameweeks and his strikes last night and against Chelsea, plus an influential performance in the 2-1 win over Liverpool at the weekend, are finally helping to debunk the idea that he can only excel against lesser opponents.

With Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero currently sidelined, Lukaku is suddenly one of the few big-ticket strikers with fitness, form and fixtures on his side, which goes some way to explaining why he’s currently the third most bought player ahead of Gameweek 31 – despite the fact that he will play absolutely no part in it because of FA Cup commitments.

It’s proving much harder to argue the case for other United assets, however.

The brilliant David De Gea is found in 42.8% of FPL squads, but can only do so much behind a defence that has kept just one clean sheet in six Gameweeks; the 17 points he’s managed over that time a paltry return for a premium price of 5.9.

Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling were partnered at centre-half for the second straight match last night, only to be exposed by the shortcomings in central midfield personified by the increasingly unreliable Nemanja Matic and the confidence-free zone that is Pogba.

Marouane Fellaini was surprisingly preferred to the fit-again Frenchman against Sevilla and when he did finally come on in the second half, a wretched 30-minute cameo mostly involved giving the ball away as he strove in vain to find some semblance of form.

Jesse Lingard was another given a start ahead of Pogba, but the 10.1%-owned midfielder blanked for the ninth time in ten league and European matches.

Even Rashford, whose two goals won the clash with Liverpool last Saturday, was muted, not helped by Mourinho’s decision to station him on the right to accommodate the misfiring Sanchez on the opposite flank.

Form versus fixtures is an age-old Fantasy debate, with most agreeing that the former can trump the latter.

It’s a problem in reverse for United right now, with six of their final eight league matches offering the prospect of solid returns at both ends of the pitch, but precious few of their assets, Lukaku aside, in any kind of form to take advantage.

Saturday evening’s FA Cup tie now represents their last chance of silverware this season, with a prospective semi-final sandwiched between the probable double Gameweek 34 and a home match with Arsenal.

The lack of European duties should at least mean that the threat of rotation is now minimal, although the second fixture of their potential double, West Ham away, would likely come in the midweek before the cup tie, so Mourinho could be tempted to hold back key players for the semi-final.

But last night’s debacle merely underlines that, for many managers looking to Wildcard in Gameweeks 32 or 33, investment in United assets seems a risky proposition.

784 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jet5605
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys, I have 7 starters, 2 FT and 0.5 ITB.

    A - Speroni & Richarlison > Begovic & Stanislas
    B - Kenny > Ake
    C - Richarlison > Stanislas
    D - Kane > King
    Other suggestions?

    VVD
    Salah (c) - Richarlison - Shaq - Walcott
    Firmino - Wilson

    DDG - Speroni - Bavies - Ota - Kenny - Ogbonna - Mahrez - Kane

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      C and D

      I would take a gamble on Butland if I didnt have a keeper already. Most often gets at least 1 save points so it is likely you'd be risking -1p to gain 4 for cs (+bonus/pensave)

      1. Jet5605
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I did consider Butland but have a feeling Everton will score at Stoke as BFS might have finally stopped the rot.

        I just thought it might be handy to have 2FT going into GW32 which would allow me to potentially ditch Wally/Kane and save my WC until 33.

        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Oh ya, changes things if not wc 32

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      A looks good and D for one hit, if you have your WC left

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. Jet5605
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I already have Wilson and am thinking adding King might be too much Bournemouth in my attack whereas Stanislas could be as dangerous as King.

  2. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    i'm WCing gw32, and i have 10 players to play this week.

    my forwards are kane, wilson, firmino.

    any forward is worth -4 to replace kane from this lot ?

    1 - tosun (have walcot)
    2 - king (i have wilson)
    3 - mounie
    4 - benteke
    5 - forget kane - sterling out stanislas in

    1. Hurnt
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      If u were wc33 I would say mounie as good fixtures but would say not to take a hit

      Possibly Stanislas or zaha could just about justifiable

  3. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Robertson, Eriksen and Kane to -> Zanka, Mane and King.

    Reckon this is worth dropping -8 for this week?

    1. Hurnt
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Just mane and king -4

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I've seen many considering VVD/Pool def to someone and enabling Mane. Personally not a fan of it

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Mane not been good enough this season to justify it, for me

  4. Legohair
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    My team for gw31
    VvD
    Richarlison-Salah
    Firmino
    2 FT thought.free hit or not?

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I'd take couple hits and save FH

      1. Legohair
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Best forward this round then?(selling kane).

      2. Hurnt
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        This

      1. Legohair
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Interesting article,still it didnt help me making my decision thought...

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Having 8 players is above average, and it will be pretty hard to find remaining 3 players who are nailed and possibly score big.

          1. Legohair
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Ok then,i guess i do -8 to field 8 players.thank you for your advices.

  5. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Will WC in 32... Best moves for this GW?

    A) DDG, Alonso & Kane -> Butland, Baines & Mounie/King (-4) (11 playing including Quaner)

    B) DDG, Kane & Son -> Butland, Mounie/King & Zaha (-4) (10 playing)

    C) Do all 4 transfers for -8

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      butland
      baines
      king

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe B without a hit - Are you getting DDG back in WC? Will Butland score >4?

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Willing to gamble that he will, even if he only scores 2 points that's only a loss of 2 points overall

  6. tricky80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Am I nuts in thinking Sakho could be a decent punt? Palace with him at the back are more organised and solid plus he's a high BPS generator.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      you re mad 🙂 better options out there unless you do fh

  7. Professor Abel X
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Probably a moot point, but who is everyone VC this weekend? I have it on Firmino, but wondered if I should go for someone from another game just in case of something random like an abandoned game?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      have you been listenening to that guy on youtube, he made the exact same point ? good point either way 🙂

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      game should go ahead so firmino for me

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't want to double Firmino's points if Salah doesn't play. It's a weaker side.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        not many options out there though still would go firmino, they re only playing watford 🙂

      2. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Very true!

  8. Lignja
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    who do you think score more pts in this 2v1 battle Mariapa and Butland vs Baines!?

  9. Sir Dave
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Currently 190k, still got WC and all chips. Is top 50k realistic or should I aim for top 100k?

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Top 50k, reach for the stars

  10. Salarrivederci
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Any news on which GW will be the DGW?

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Most likely GW34 and GW37, but expect news by next week

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      news on the 19/03 i believe

  11. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    My team with 1 hit(getting Stanislas)
    Lössl
    VVD Bauer Kenny*
    Salah(C) Walcott Richarlison Shaqiri Stanislas
    Firmino(V) Wilson
    A) Extra hit for Kenny to Ake
    B) GTG

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't for Ake. PVA more tempting

  12. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with this lot.....worth taking a hit for an extra player in 31?

    0 FT’s, £1.6 ITB

    Pickford
    Janmaat – Daniels
    Salah – Mane – Pritchard – McCarthur
    Firmino – Mounie

    No Game - Alonso – Otamendi – Chilwell – Mahrez – Kane*

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Kane to another striker

    2. wulfrunian
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      One more player from Bournemouth its worth.

  13. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    I bet there’s a fair few ppl here who cannot wait for Saturday so that they can press that WC button 😉

    Lucky sods! 😛

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      🙂

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Oh yes! My time to shine lol

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      It's been a long wait 🙂

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      just remember kick off is at 1500 so dont hit before that or you re in for a bad surprise!!!

  14. FPLMatt
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    How am I looking for Gw 31:

    Hennessey
    Zanka VVD Coleman Kenny (1 pt Cameo I'm hoping from Kenny)
    Walcott Shaqiri Salah
    Firmino Wilson Benteke

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Better than avg

  15. frenchfries
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one from each for GW31 only:
    1)
    A) Shaqiri
    B) Mane
    C) Zaha

    2)
    D) Mounie
    E) King (have Wilson)
    F) Tosun
    G) Baines

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      B, E

  16. Drogo
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Surprises me that there are so few FH-teams posted here. Guess people got cold feets and used it too early 😉
    Either way, I'm using it now since I only got 3 players for GW 31.

    Here is my team (so far):

    Lössl , Butland
    PVA, Schindler, Baines, Ake, Francis
    Mane, Shaqiri, Salah, Walcott, Zaha
    Frimino, Rooney , King

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      who'd you bench?

      1. Drogo
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I will probably play 343 with:

        Lössl
        PVA, Ake, Baines
        Mane, Salah, Shaqiri, Walcott
        Firmino, Rooney, King

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      mmh not sure about rooney

      1. Drogo
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Rooney's ups and downs has come in cycles, it's due for ups now 🙂

  17. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    There where comments last night on scoutcast about " needing 3 defenders" for a valid formation gw31. Albeit I haven't watched it all yet, but really? Is this correct?

    I've got 2 def, 5 mids, 2 fw for the game. Filling in the rest with blank players to give a 352 formation.

    Why would that be illegal?.

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      No you're fine, but obviously you know your third defender hasn't got a fixture. The point is that people have been asking if they can have 2-5-3, which you can't have (even if your third defender has a blank and your first sub is a mid/fwd)

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers prof . That's what I thought. Comments made on the but of scoutcast I've seen so far where ambiguous

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          *bit

  18. Tosa86
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    My idea for next GW, with play the WC:

    Pope - De gea
    van dijk - schindler - davies - otamendi - ward
    son - salah - sterling - mc arthur - mkhitaryan
    Lukaku - firmino - barnes.

    In this case is good choose 3 players of man united?

    mkhi or willian and upgrade third forward or schindler in defender phase.

    or change de gea with fabianski and and schindler with smalling?

    downgrade barnes, son and mkhi and choose CLV shaqiri and hazard?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Is that your wc team above?
      Why would you have pope ?

      1. Tosa86
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        It's my possible choice for GW 32.

        Pope to have an alternative for De gea/fabianski. is it not good idea?

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Pope has heaton as competition very soon.
          Pick a cheeper and more secure backup keeper

          1. Tosa86
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            ryan or lossl in case?

            1. potatoace
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Sure. Fab is a popular choice

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Many will go DDG & Fab. Fab good fixture 33 when United has City. Especially if Swansea has double in 34.

      1. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. Tosa86
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        oh good advice...i missed this information.

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I would be looking at Aubameyang on WC

  19. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Will Auba and Lukaku rise before saturday?

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn’t be surprised

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Looks like it.

  20. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    When Wildcarding, can you get a player that's about to rise, then remove the next day and keep the extra TV?

    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Not exactly, they have to rise twice for you to profit

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Has to go up by 0.2 to in gain TV.

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. But they need to rise twice for you to profit

    4. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Ahh ok, cheers

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        If you're lucky you might get 0.1 or even 0.2 . But it's no where near as lucrative tactic as it used to be.

    5. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      After double hike, in principle yes.
      However in reality, it would be strange if everyone else is buying that player and you just want to pocket the profit.

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      No extra tv with .1 rise.

  21. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Siggy, Kane and Walcott injuries have left my GW31 and GW32 planning in a mess, planning to WC in GW33.

    (ddg, Elliot)
    vvd, Francis (Alonso, Ota, Mee)
    Salah, Choupo-Moting, WALCOTT, SIGGY (Carroll)
    Firmino, Wilson (KANE)

    Is Elliot, Siggy and Kane to Butland, Milivojevic and Benteke for a -4, then Benteke to Aubameyang in GW32 my best option ? It would leave be with 10 including Walcott (I don't think a hit for a third defender is worth it).

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Is Walcott out on saturday?

      1. The special 5
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yes muscle injury

        1. OldBenKenobi
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Was just cramp

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Walcott should play.

      Can you afford Zaha and Mounie?

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, it would still leave me with enough in the bank (7.9m) to Aubameyang

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Keep Walcott. Just a cramp, should be fine.

      Go for it. I'm very pro hits kn this gw especially if wc right after. Many will disagree but I see it as a low risk high reward situation.

    4. fattfattygavgav
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Wally should play

  22. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Wildcarding in 32 or 33?

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on your team.

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Probs 32 but haven't really looked hard yet

    3. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I will have Mahreez, Pope, Smalling coming back into the team with 3 LIV and 2 BOU.

      Kane-> Auba

      Second argument is I want Son + Spurs def and Willian + Che def on my wildcard. They play each other GW32.

      So will wait till 33.

  23. Monkey Hanger
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Evidently there is a feature during today's ITV Cheltenham coverage where they try to teach West Ham players how to commentate on a horserace.

    Shame they can't teach them how to play football. 🙂

    1. Monkey Hanger
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Or MMA. 🙂

  24. Lignja
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    ill ask again on different way i know it is strange question but still, would u rather have

    a. Baines and no gk (Mariapa on bench, maby come in for Walcott if he miss)
    b. Butland and Mariapa

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      A

      1. Lignja
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        thank you sir

  25. Malkmus
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    A'noon all. Would you WC in GW32 with this team, or wait til GW33? Mounie or Wilson will be Auba with FT

    Adrian - Speroni
    Alonso - VDV - Bavies (Bauer - Duffy)
    Salah - Theo - Shaq - Stanislas (Ibe)
    Mounie - Wilson - Firmino

    Cheers!

  26. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Which decision to make:

    A) Alonso,Kane > Baines,King (10players)
    B) Alonso,Kane,Walcott > Baines,Stanislas,King -4 (10players)
    C) Mane,depoitre, Alonso > Baines,Stanislas,Firmino -4 (9 players)
    D) Alonso,Ogbonna,KDB > Schindler,Baines,Stanislas -4 (11players)

  27. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    What Bournemouth striker to bring in for Kane for a -4?

    A) Wilson
    B) Defoe
    C) King

  28. Legohair
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Best forward this round?(i already have firmino)

  29. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    if you could bring just one pplayer for just one game (wc after) for -2 points:

    A mounie
    B stanislas (i have wilson)