Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Lacazette Leaves It Late

A late Arsenal goal rush saves the day for Free Hit managers, while a Burnley forward delivers the goods to keep those without the chip in credit as well.

Eighty minutes into the Gunners’ home match with West Ham and many of the 154,000+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who had employed their Free Hit chip were in a dark place.

As revealed by Ragabolly’s latest Metrics article, 63.9% of the top 10,000 managers playing the chip had elected to recruit Alexandre Lacazette.

The striker had been signed by 42,000, and captained by more than 100,000, with many taking advantage of the Free Hit to bring him in after coach Arsene Wenger revealed, during a press conference on Thursday, that he wanted to give run-outs to most of the side likely to play in next week’s Europa League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid.

That was a bitter blow to those looking to cash in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Ineligible in Europe, he’d seemed a shoo-in for domestic action, prompting major investment ahead of Gameweek 35.

He was the third most signed player ahead of Saturday’s deadline, with 201,000 making their move. Meanwhile, 221,000 captained the 14.8%-owned forward – Arsenal’s most popular player in FPL.

Wenger’s statements on Thursday changed everything, leaving those without the Free Hit chip somewhat in the lurch.

Sure enough, Lacazette started and Aubameyang was on the bench, although at 1-1 with 10 minutes to go, neither had anything to show for their troubles.

By then, the Gabon international was on the pitch as the Gunners sought to reclaim a lead given them by Nacho Monreal, only for Marko Arnautovic to equalise for the visitors.

A goal blitz then followed, with Aaron Ramsey and Lacazette, twice, putting a decidedly flattering spin on a match in which the Hammers had been competitive until their late capitulation.

Aubameyang did at least produce an assist for his owners, with Ramsey and Granit Xhaka also setting up goals in the 4-1 win.

Maximum bonus went to Lacazette as he recorded only his second double-digit return of the campaign, his 13-point total matching his previous season’s best, in Gameweek 6.

Those points, relative to Aubameyang’s tally of four, are likely to have a major impact on FPL ranks once Gameweek 35 is done.

And Lacazette’s form – four goals in as many Gameweeks, with only two of those starts – suggests he’ll continue in the main striker role despite Aubameyang’s equally strong recent showings. He’d scored four goals in his last three home matches, and six in eight Gameweeek appearances overall.

That state of affairs, and Arsenal’s next fixture away at Man United, is persuading many of those non-Free Hitters to offload Aubameyang – he’s the second most sold player ahead of Gameweek 36, as managers look to Harry Kane and Gabriel Jesus for the run-in.

Ups and downs for others

Ramsey was another vital Gameweek 35 figure.

Signed by 27,000, he was a key differential for Free Hit investors after returning to the starting XI and producing a goal and an assist, along with two bonus points, against the Hammers.

The Welsh international had four shots, three chances created and a match-high nine touches in the box in a strong attacking display.

His 12-point return was a huge boost to his 4.0% ownership, particularly when stacked against the fortunes of those who decided to use their Free Hit chip to bring in Mesut Ozil instead.

The 2.7%-owned German missed the match due to illness – as did keeper Petr Cech – and his 9.3 price tag (compared to Ramsey’s 6.8) was a high one to pay for a no-show.

Arsenal’s defenders, meanwhile, had attracted 149,000 transfers-in for the West Ham clash, with hopes high of a third consecutive home clean sheet.

But those shut-outs were their only ones in 16 Gameweeks, and it was left to goalscorer Monreal to provide a decent return among the backline.

Owned by 493,000 and signed by 68,000, the Spaniard was the most popular of those Gameweek 35 defensive acquisitions and his fifth goal of the season means he’s now just one shy of Marcos Alonso – amazing work for a man with just one strike in his five previous Premier League seasons.

Marko the man

Predictably enough, Arnautovic was West Ham’s only bright spark.

He had four shots, all in the box, and his goal from substitute Manuel Lanzini’s assist was his 10th in his last 16 Gameweek appearances.

The midfielder also has five assists from that spell and was signed by 49,000+ going into the Arsenal match as his ownership, now at 6.1%, continues to increase.

That should mean he remains the Hammers’ one tempting asset ahead of Double Gameweek 37’s trip to Leicester City and a visit from Man United.

Before that, there’s the small matter of a home match against Man City, with David Moyes’ side still requiring points to finally put their relegation fears to bed.

Arnautovic’s owners can only hope that his form will trump what are a tricky set of fixtures.

Deadlock at Stoke

Burnley assets went into their match at Stoke City well supported, particularly by managers without the Free Hit active.

And it was striker Ashley Barnes who delivered, bundling home his sixth goal in eight Gameweek starts to earn the Clarets a point and deny their hosts a precious win.

Owned by 288,080, Barnes had proved a popular target for Double Gameweek 34, although he was jettisoned or benched by many Free Hit managers ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

The forward promptly punished that decision, but there were slim pickings on offer among other Burnley assets.

Kevin Long, with 45,000+ new investors, was their most signed player ahead of Gameweek 35, only for the Clarets defence to concede yet again.

They’ve kept just one clean sheet in 15 league matches in 2018 – only Brighton have a worse record in the Premier League since the turn of the year – with an assist for centre-half James Tarkowski at least providing some joy for his 5.0% ownership.

For Stoke, Xherdan Shaqiri was their most popular target in action.

He was brought in by 51,000+, with goalkeeper Jack Butland (7,700) ranking next.

The midfielder managed one shot and created three chances, but he failed to find the net for the seventh successive match, having delivered three in three prior to that.

Butland at least brought in a couple of save points in a performance that also earned him one bonus point, with the main hauls coming from goalscorer Badou Ndiaye and Mame Diouf, who provided the assist.

In truth, players from neither side are of much interest to Fantasy managers now, with their assets likely to provide bench back-up at best, or more likely replaced by Double Gameweekers for the run-in.

2,315 Comments Post a Comment
  1. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling or Jesus for gw37?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling. Second best asset in the game

    2. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I'd ask closer to the time.

  2. LSP
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Kompany nailed?

    1. stat
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Don't think so. Stones is back soon, and with Laporte and Otamendi fit it's anyone's guess really

      • HNI
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Far from it

      • Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        He is their best defender, make of that what you will

    2. stat
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I'm around 55 points away from the top 10K.
        Still have TC left, is reaching the top 10K still doable?
        Going to go with a differential TC in 37 (Sterling).

        1. HNI
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Go kane.

          1. stat
              5 years, 11 months ago

              He's let me down too many times this season and he's looked out of form lately. I prefer tripling up on Spurs through Eriksen + Alli + Vertonghen and having Jesus instead of Kane.

          2. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            replied last post, but may as well again here.
            I need a diffrential captain GW 37, Sterling sounds great, but will he play twice?

            1. stat
                5 years, 11 months ago

                I think he will start in at least one game, and come on as a sub in the other.
                It's possible that he starts both with Sane/Jesus/B. Silva being rotated instead.
                I expect both games to be drubbings and City could easily score 8-10 goals over those 2 games.

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  yeah i'd say there's a good chance of him being involved in both, would be great if he starts both wouldn't it.
                  I have gone off the idea of capping Kane as well.

                  1. stat
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      Kane's been an absolutely dreadful captain for me this season.
                      7/10 times that I captained him he blanked. He also went mad against Liverpool earlier in the season when I took him out on a hit...

                      1. Salah’s Sonnet
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 11 months ago

                        yeah he's a right pain isn't he, can't believe how incoonsistent he's been

            2. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 11 months ago

              Apologies for repost on old thread. Having a mare lads every friggin GW, from bad to worse. Much worser teams forever lucky taking over me in ML's etc.

              DDG
              Mustafi - Otamendi - Lowton
              Willian - Sterling - Salah - Lingard
              Aubamayang - Kane - Jesus
              ____________________________
              Nordfeldt: Morgan, Yedlin Cork

              Current rank is 270k! Do i have ANY chance at all of finishing inside top 100k by season end? Only have TC chip left.

              Or any advice what next moves should be with 1FT and 0.1 ITB?
              Just want the season to end

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                I've found it slow moving up the ranks so i think 100k might be tough as nearly everyone will TC Kane in 37. I really like your team, i would save this week.

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Cheers SS, yeah i'm beginning to accept that's it's not within reach i guess, however, 28 point gap between me and a rival above me is, s i'd be happy if i caught him really overall. His team continues to be so lucky every GW though.
                  I'll be saving this GW yeah, good advice.

              2. MTPockets
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Team looks ok really - better than mine.
                  Not sure what the gap to 100k is. Check gargatron.com
                  Also can't wait for season to end - worst by far in 12 years.

                  1. Salah’s Sonnet
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    i've liked my team all season, it just hasn't performed at all, but feels like everyone else has had the same team more or less and shot up the ranks, it's weird to understand.
                    I'll check that, thanks bud.
                    Yeah, been a shocker of a season.

                • Big Ping
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Auba to jesus maybe

                  1. Salah’s Sonnet
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    i already have Jesus 🙂

                • SB007
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Id look at Mustafa/Ota/Willi/Ling/Auba/Kane - their form isnt great and its worth going differentials

              3. WVA
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Green arrow with 62 points, sitting at 3k OR now which is by far my best season and I'm still sat here raging at my defence of Walker Bellerin and Milner 🙁

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  that's an excellent rank nonetheless man, well done!
                  Any advice for me above? in dire straits lol

              4. dunas_dog
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                A Kane Kenedy Davies or
                B Kane Zaha Mustafi

              5. JackJack
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                What happened to Sane?

                1. lugs
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  rested , he'll probably play next week now

                  1. JackJack
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    cheers. Will hold, although it's seeming like a bit of a minefield there

              6. pundit of punts
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Bottomed.

                Pretty much settled on this WC 36 BB37 team.

                Ederson - DDG
                Vertonghen - Fernandez - Naughton - Stephens - Dummett
                Sterling - Alli - Mahrez - Arnautovic - ramsey
                Kane - Jesus - Ayew

                Would like a 3rd City attacker but rotation is a worry and thus picked Ederson for security.

                Thoughts please?

                1. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  ok

                2. Lemongrab
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Keep an eye on Arsenal in case Rambo is at risk of rotation around Europe. Prefer Eriksen over Alli personally too

                  1. pundit of punts
                    • 11 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    GW 36 could be a risk but I feel Arsenal will get beaten by Atletico and then Wenger 'should' play his first team in his last 3 league games at Arsenal.

                    Cheers.

                3. SB007
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Emerson could get rested?

              7. Brosstan
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Bottomed.
                Pep is the typical manager to whine about his players being fatigued after the WC. Surely he rests the most WC susceptible players like Sterling for the run in? He would seem like a hypocrite if he doesnt when the inevitable fatigue whine comes in september.

                1. the snazzy viking
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Yeah and I’d also be surprised if Otamendi doesn’t play in at least two of the remaining 4 games for City

                  1. Like an Egyptian Magician
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Ota lost his place to Laporte + Argentina paid to preserve him

                2. Respect My Authoritah
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Managers don't care about being hypocrites

                3. CABAYE4
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Virtually every City player will be at the WC.

                4. Les Bleus
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Managers neither care about being hypocrites nor about their players’ international duties.

                  1. Like an Egyptian Magician
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Except when they get paid

                5. lugs
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  they'll probably take turns at getting rested , Walker Ota + Sane will probably return next week with 3 or 4 others getting a break

                6. Like an Egyptian Magician
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Pep will rest the players for whom he got bribed by their respective national team. We already got a sense of it today: England paid him off for sterling, Belgium paid him off for KDB and Germany paid him off for Sane. Brazil paid him off to not rotate Jesus cuz he already got enough rest this season..

                  1. Like an Egyptian Magician
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    England also paid for walker

              8. Super Silva Haze
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Alonso Gross Son OUT
                Long Sterling D.Silva IN

                -4 Just jumped from 90k to to 42 my highest score this season. No city cover at all what do you think of the above transfers ?

                1. Respect My Authoritah
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Seem ok if you need Long to afford them

                  1. Super Silva Haze
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Yeah long would need to come in.

                    Ddg Ryan
                    Alonso* Smalling Mustafi Lowton Morgan
                    Salah Son Mahrez Gross Mctominey
                    Kane Vardy Barnes

              9. Forza Papac
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                A) Morgan > Davies?

                B) Morgan > (max 5.8)

                Current defence - Valencia, Mustafi, Lowton, Morgan, Kiko

              10. barcaa7
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                who is going to sell Salah this week?

                1. Respect My Authoritah
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  not many

                2. F4L
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  all depends on Anfield Express

                3. dunas_dog
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  If Anfield Express says non starter pre Stoke game he goes for Eriksen

                  1. Dreaming of glory
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    This

              11. Lemongrab
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Best defender for the rest of the season? (ditching Alonso to raise funds for Kane). 5.5 million to spend...

                1. Respect My Authoritah
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Laporte worth a punt

                  1. Lemongrab
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Isn't stones back soon? Would prefer someone nailed rest of my defence is pretty ropey

                    1. Respect My Authoritah
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      Yep. Not many nailed options with good fixtures/good team tbh

              12. Junior ⚽
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Vardy and Mahrez to Jesus and Sterling -4?

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  i would

                2. camarozz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Haha.. Just asked same below!!

                  So i think yes tbh...

                  1. Junior ⚽
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Can get Silva too if Salah is out.

              13. arndff_
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Willian was unhappy after being subbed off.

                Will that have an impact on next few games? Is his place under threat?

                1. HNI
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  He played in fa semi so seems he is pretty nailed

                  1. HNI
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Problem is which chelsea show up vs Swans

                  2. arndff_
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    He didnt stay on the bench but went to the dressing room directly. It has been noticed after he left the pitch.

                    That's why I asked this.

                2. The Suspended One
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Wondering the same, hope they don't fall out he was pissed

              14. George James
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Bench one for next week?

                A) Kenedy
                B) Mili
                C) Barnes

                1. arndff_
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  B

              15. camarozz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                Am i mad getting rid of two leicester boys with a double for two city boys??

                Mahrez/Vardy ➡Sterling/Jesus??

                Just 5 behind in ML now after a FH 62 with Baines + Dubravka to play.

                1. Lemongrab
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  I'm doing the same. That city double is mouthwatering despite the threat of rotation

                2. Respect My Authoritah
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Wouldn't sell Vardy. Mahrez looks an easy sell to me

                3. pundit of punts
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Keep 1 at least.

                  1. camarozz
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Either him or Kane for Jesus so think Vardy is the fallguy.

              16. the snazzy viking
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                so Alonso to Otamendi last night backfired spectacularly, is there any chance Ota gets a game or two in the DGW ?

                cheers

                1. arndff_
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  No one could tell you for sure...

                  1. the snazzy viking
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    only Pep himself 😉

                    1. arndff_
                      • 12 Years
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      Yep. Fingers crossed he already has a FFS acc. 🙂

                2. Ragabolly
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  It didn’t really backfire yet as you didn’t get him for today’s game. I think he will get at least one game.

                  1. the snazzy viking
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Cheers 🙂

                3. pundit of punts
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Would definitely play the first game of DGW 37 since it's the trophy presentation game. After that no clue.

                  1. the snazzy viking
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Thanks

              17. Louis Van Gaalstones
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                David Silva >>
                A. Sterling
                B. Eriksen
                C. Keep Silva

                1. Respect My Authoritah
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  lol what C

                  1. MTPockets
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      +many

                    • Louis Van Gaalstones
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      New city player, Bernardo, Keep and David Silva

                2. Zilla
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  napoli ffs

                  1. Zilla
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    YESSSSSSSSSSSS

                    1. Hy liverpool
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      well deserved win this

                3. Hy liverpool
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  napoooooooooliiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

                4. CloudSky
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Absolute scenes in Italy!!!

                5. Slitherene
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Who are the most nailed defenders out of the City, United, Spurs and Arsenal for the run in?

                  1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    City-mendy(gut feel)
                    Utd:ddg, maybe Smalling
                    Spurs:vert
                    Arsenal:no one. Maybe stafi

                6. Sandy Ravage
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Which Spurs & Arsenal combo for DGW:
                  A - Alli + Eriksen + Lacazette / Aubameyang
                  B - Alli + Ramsey + Kane

                7. Forza Papac
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  OMG Napoli

                8. Dušan Citizen
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Do you prefer

                  A) Kane Auba Jesus Tadic Davies Masuaku
                  or
                  B) Kane Jesus Vardy Ramsey Davies Bertrand? 🙂

                  1. Captain Haddock
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    One with Davies & Kane

                    1. Captain Haddock
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 11 months ago

                      & Jesus

                  2. arndff_
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    mby b

                9. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Is this a decent team for gw37
                  Bit premature but still:

                  Ddg
                  Bertrand mawson mendy/Alonso
                  Sterling son mahrez willian Lingard
                  Kane(tc) vardy

                  Subs:ryan morgan Barnes lowton

                  Planning to bring mawson + Sterling for Salah + tark. Mendy move depends on Alonso status

                10. pol
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Alonso + willian > vert + sterling for -4 yay or nay?

                11. james 101
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  DDG, Ryan
                  Christensen Smalling Chillwell Lowton Long
                  Alli Son Mahrez Willian Kante
                  Vardy Kane Lukaku

                  1FT only. £0.2m only

                  A. Stick
                  B. Mahrez to Sterling
                  C. Something else?!

                  (Only TC left - plan to use it in 37)

                12. Les Bleus
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 11 months ago

                  Good luck to all the delusional people out their who think KDB should get the PFA award 😛

                  1. Les Bleus
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 11 months ago

                    Out there*