Scout Notes

Cardiff win as Bournemouth away form bodes well for Liverpool assets

Fantasy Premier League managers disappointed by Liverpool assets in recent weeks should be encouraged by the way Bournemouth played at Cardiff in Gameweek 25.

The Cherries followed up their headline-grabbing 4-0 win over Chelsea with a poor performance at the Cardiff City Stadium.

However, it was the perfect result for the Bluebirds given recent events concerning Emiliano Sala.

The budget options making a name for themselves, as well as Bournemouth’s shortcomings, are the focus of this latest Scout Notes article.

Cardiff 2-0 Bournemouth

Goals: Bobby Reid x2 (£5.2m)

Assists: Aron Gunnarsson (£4.4m)

Oumar Niasse (£5.0m) and Bobby Reid (£5.2m) were the stars of the show as Cardiff earned an emotional victory over Bournemouth on Saturday evening. It was the first match played at the Cardiff City Stadium since the disappearance of Emiliano Sala and the occasion seemed to bring out the best in the Bluebirds’ players. It was a thoroughly deserved victory for the Welsh side, who made the most of their possession, registered more shots in the box and efforts on target than the Cherries and outscored them for expected goals (xG) too (2.07 to 0.51).

The Cardiff City Stadium is starting to become a key location for the Bluebirds’ survival hopes. Of their last eight matches in front of their own supporters, the only teams to have beaten them are Spurs and Man United, with the other six games, all against opponents outside the top six, handing them five wins and one draw. In those non-top six encounters, Cardiff have averaged 1.8 goals per game. With Watford, Everton and West Ham all set for visits to south Wales in the next five Gameweeks, there will be plenty more opportunity for Bluebirds assets to impress Fantasy managers.

Reid took the headlines with his brace, as he continues in his efforts to hold down a place in the Cardiff first team, dropping into a number 10 role of late. This was his third start in five matches, but his second in a row. After his excellent performance against Bournemouth, it would be hard for manager Neil Warnock to bench him for the Gameweek 26 trip to Southampton. The local press are already claiming Reid should be one of the first names on the team-sheet after recent displays. One of his two goals was from the penalty spot after a Steve Cook (£4.4m) handball, indicating he actually has a decent position in the pecking order. We believe that the still absent Victor Camarasa (£4.6m) is still the designated penalty taker for now but the fact that Joe Ralls (£4.6m) was on the pitch when Reid opened the scoring, indicates the former Bristol City man is at least second.

Despite Reid’s goals, it was Niasse who earned the most praise from Warnock and the local press at full-time. He led the line for the third match in a row since signing on loan from Everton, his runs into the channels and ability to act as a focal point invaluable to Cardiff. Both of those are something that Warnock’s men have been in need of for some time. Niasse was described as another player who should be among the first on the team sheet for Gameweek 26 by Cardiff’s local press. He had more efforts on goal than any player in the match but was also joint-top for chances created too. While he is yet to find any attacking returns this season, Niasse is one to watch based on this performance.

“Oumar needed a bit of love and since he’s been here I don’t think he’s ever worked so hard. He smiles at me when I shout at him, but he’s given us another dimension. It makes you think we’ve played two and a half years without a striker, it’s not bad going really!” – Neil Warnock

Warnock may be faced with a selection dilemma in midfield now, given the form of Reid especially. Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson (£4.4m) played the deeper holding roles against Bournemouth, but could both drop to the bench for Gameweek 26. Harry Arter (£4.9m) was ineligible to face his parent club but his bustling energy in central midfield has not really been matched by either Ralls or Gunnarsson this season. Meanwhile, Camarasa is still missing through injury but Warnock is optimistic about a return soon. Where he will slot back in will be interesting to see. Many have claimed that the Spaniard has been Cardiff’s best player this season, having operated at number 10 before Reid’s recent run of form. Warnock will have to decide which of the two holds that berth, with Camarasa also capable of playing deeper in the 4-2-3-1.

“We didn’t have Harry Arter or Victor (Camarasa), so we were quite bold in the team selection, I thought we were quite positive in how we set up.” – Neil Warnock

Predicting who will play on the left wing for Cardiff is becoming more difficult with each passing Gameweek. Having not started since Gameweek 21, Josh Murphy (£4.8m) was back against Bournemouth, with Junior Hoilett (£5.0m) getting the nod for the Gameweek 23 defeat at Newcastle, the last time Cardiff played 4-2-3-1.

“It was good to see (Josh) Murphy back in the swing of things.” – Neil Warnock

The right flank looks a little simpler if Niasse is to make the centre-forward position his own. Callum Paterson (£5.0m) has been deployed on the right of midfield for the last two matches in which Warnock has used the 4-2-3-1 formation. He looks likely to keep his place there for now.

The clean sheet kept on Saturday evening was Cardiff’s seventh of the season, an impressive total considering their newly-promoted status. Only Liverpool (13), Chelsea (11), Manchester City (10), Tottenham (10) and Crystal Palace (nine) have recorded more this season than the Bluebirds.

“So to be disciplined like we were and get a clean sheet – our seventh clean sheet which for a relegation-threatened side is pretty good – we had all the ingredients. It was almost like we couldn’t be beaten, the crowd would not let us be beaten. It was fabulous being stood on the touchline.” – Neil Warnock

This latest shutout was particularly impressive considering that Cardiff are still without key centre-back Sean Morrison (£4.7m), who is out until March with an abdominal problem. Bruno Ecuele Manga (£4.4m) continues to deputise for him alongside Sol Bamba (£4.6m), opening up the right-back spot for Lee Peltier (£3.9m), who has started the last three in a row. Until Morrison comes back from injury, it means we do have another starting £3.9m defender in the game.

Bamba and Manga looked particularly impressive against Bournemouth, emerging as the game’s leaders for Clearances, Blocks and Interceptions (CBI) scoring 14 and 11 respectively. Only two players have achieved higher CBI scores than Bamba in Gameweek 25 so far.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth continue to struggle when not playing at the Vitality Stadium. After issuing a strong statement with their 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea in Gameweek 24, they were virtually ineffectual against Cardiff. In fact, the Cherries’ last points away from home came in Gameweek 10 when they were 3-0 winners at Fulham, all the way back in October. They have now lost the last seven road trips in a row by a score of 20-3, conceding an average of 2.9 goals per game in that run. Up next for Eddie Howe’s men: a Gameweek 26 trip to Anfield and Liverpool.

“It’s hugely disappointing as we really wanted to build on what we’ve done. We thought the Chelsea game could’ve been a turning point for us and we’re really searching for consistency. We’ve never felt like we’ve got that, we go away from home and we feel really disappointed today. There’s time to reflect and focus on Liverpool but to sort out our inconsistency is the biggest challenge. We can’t play like we did on Wednesday then play like we did today – the mental side was a factor today.” – Eddie Howe

Bournemouth are obviously struggling in the face of key players missing, with Callum Wilson (£6.4m) absent for the second match in a row with a knee problem and David Brooks (£5.1m) recently joining him on the sidelines. The Welshman is likely to be out for three weeks with an ankle injury.

“David (Brooks) injured his ankle scoring against Chelsea. It was a strange injury, he didn’t feel it kicking the ball but felt in the celebration that he injured himself. He’ll be missing for around three weeks we think.” – Eddie Howe

In their absence, Bournemouth’s remaining key players did not particularly impress, after promising so much. In the four matches prior to Gameweek 24, only Paul Pogba (£8.6m) had more shots in the box than Josh King (£6.4m), who mustered just two in Cardiff. Making his Premier League debut up front, Dominic Solanke (£4.7m) did not register a single effort. Meanwhile, Ryan Fraser (£6.1m), usually a consistent creator, played just one key pass in the whole 90 minutes. Repeat performances from these players and their Bournemouth team-mates in Gameweek 26 could help Liverpool defensive and attacking assets reward patience in them.

The back four remained unchanged for Bournemouth from the quartet who kept out Chelsea midweek, while Artur Boruc (£3.9m) continues to keep Asmir Begović (£4.4m) out of the team.

Cardiff City XI (4-4-1-1): Etheridge; Bennett, Bamba, Ecuele Manga, Peltier; Murphy (Hoilett 69′), Ralls, Gunnarsson, Paterson; Reid (Bacuna 86′); Niasse (Zohoré 83′).

Bournemouth XI (4-4-1-1): Boruc; A Smith, Aké, S Cook, Clyne; Fraser, Surman, Gosling (Lerma 69′), Stanislas (Ibe 62′); King; Solanke (Mousset 62′).

970 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    1. Sane+Wilson to Auba+4.9
    or
    2. Hazard+Wilson to Auba+6.0

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      2 with Jota if fit can be a great transfer.

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      2. assuming you are forced into playing whoever you bring in most of the time.

  2. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    best move next week considering the blank for city and Chelsea game?
    A - Sterling/Sane to Mane?
    B - Free hit
    C - Save FT
    D - Something else?!

    Pat
    Doherty AWB Robbo
    Sterling Sane Son Salah Pogba
    Rash Jimi
    Hamer Digne Zaba Long

  3. Orion
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Firmino or get Son ? 🙂

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son if for free

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah have to drop Bobby and get one for max 5.2... Niasse or Reid are only options which I see... Two FTs...

  4. Boz
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sonny

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      *Reply fail 🙂

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Reply fail

  5. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm on a dissapointing 55 with Mendy, Sane (c) and Aguero to play.

    Whats the chances all 3 will start and i get 90+??

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      2 of them start and around 85pts I guess

      1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'd settle for that. Bringing in Mendy was a silly move. I'll probs swap him for Pereria GW27.

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

    Dear Mr Guardiola

    Please make your front three vs Everton read:

    Sterling
    Jesus
    Sane

    Yours sincerely

    Many Sane cappers

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What about us with Aguero TC?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Don't be greedy 😉

      2. StayoutheSpiceZone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You’ve had your happiness, share the love!

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          This

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lost faith in this bold @#@**!

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bald*

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Fecking foreigners coming here misspelling our words.

          1. Pras (FPL)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Brexit means Brexit

            1. el polako
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Sun reader spotted.

              1. Pras (FPL)
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                That’s a bald statement

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Never BEAN one to BIT around the bush 😉

  7. xtina
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you rather start this week?

    A) Alonso
    B) Laporte

    The other will be benched

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Laporte

  8. Boz
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Quick poll:

    A) Sane + Quaner > Auba + MacNeil

    B) Sterling + Rich + Quaner > Auba + Son + MacNeil (-4)

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. xtina
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

  9. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The good news is xhamster doesn’t infringe in copyright law

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      They streaming the match tomorrow?

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I’ll be uploading it if Aguero scores again.

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      lol. 😮

      'goes... and searches T&C's'...

      bleurgh

    3. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Is this the new kodi?

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'll take that as a fellow captainer. TC still intact though :O

  10. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Appreciate any help in sorting this team.

    Ryan* Button*
    Robbo TAA Doherty Bednarek Bennett
    Salah Sterling* Pogba Sane* Son
    Rashford Ings* Kamara*

    0 Ft 0.8 itb.

    My options:
    1. Sterling + Ings > Auba + Jota (-8)
    2. Just Button + Ings > Guaita + Rondon (-4) next week
    3. Any other suggestions

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Save & play 451 ??

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        That's definitely an option but that means holding onto Ings and not getting Auba for his good run.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          0 FT so every move will be fot hit. So i suggested that

    2. E25
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Damn. That's Wildcard worthy

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ouch, that's contrasting opinions.
        Who do you think is priority to lose first?

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Save. 4:5;1 could work this week.

      A potential gamble for you could be Solanke in for Ings. He's brilliant value and Bournemouth can score against anyone.

      But in all honesty you need more money up front. I'd wait a week and see if Higuain still looks the business and go that way especially if Chelsea go out of the cup. If not then Auba I suppose as you are already City heavy..

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  11. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How does Haz + Sane + Richarlison + Kamara to Auba + Mane + Son + 4.4 for -8 sound ?
    Knee jerky?

    1. E25
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not worth a -8

  12. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero(TC). I will take 30 min and 2 goals.

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      he won't be coming on once they're 3-0 up 🙂

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No he'll already be off with the hatty after 3-0 🙂

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You TC’d Agüero? Nice! Haven’t seen you mention it

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry. Cant help myself.

  13. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with Firmino?

    1. Yoshimiwinz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have the same question. Keeping an eye on Bats for sure and possibly Piguain after the blank GW 27.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hold maybe ??
      Bournemouth home is a 4-0 fixture imo.

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I will hold for one game then bring in auba

    4. E25
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hold for sure

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

    Wish for tomorrow night? A Digne brace and cleanie (non-owner but like karma), subbed off on 61 min and Kun subbed on to get a quickfire hattie.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      City clean sheet, Ederson pen save from siggy. Kun scoring some more goals assisted by anyone other then sterling or sane 😀

  15. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My Actual team for next GW:

    Etheridge
    virgil - dohery - robertson
    pogba - son - salah - richarlison
    auba - rashford - jimenez

    fabianski - wanbissaka - pereira - billing.

    Who as captain?

    at the moment my team sucks. I have 3 GWs that I score very low and I lost the last 3 head-to-head. the plan would be to keep this rose for GW26 and GW27 and play the WC at GW28 (to take city players)

    Any advice or feedback with explanation 🙂

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

      Team isn’t in bad shape. It’s auba or Salah for captain, toss a coin

      1. Tosa86
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        but i don't explain to myself how i have 3 gws with low scores....
        i know...liverpool done 2 drop with 0 bonus of salah....

  16. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Does Jota come close to covering Jimenez?

    I have neither and plan to get one. My dilemma is I cant get both and i just feel there are more striking options worth considering cheaper than Jimenez than there is cheaper midfielders worth considering over Jota. Someone like Batman or Rondon appeal to me. What mid/striker combo for 12.6m is worth considering?

    Salah sterling Pogba xxxx
    Rash auba xxxx

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would always advocate Jiminez here over Jota. Nailed and very consistent, who would you got instead of him?

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

        I think it’s jota and Rondon vs Jimenez and JWP/Redmond/Townsend/Ritchie which doesn’t feel right

        1. RealSocialDads
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Not a huge fan of those picks with Jimi, Redmond probably the best

          How about Jimi and Moutinho for wolves good run, then Moutinho to Brooks? That's my plan atm

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jimmy is amazing value still at 6.6/7. Since GW4 he's only twice had two consecutive blanks. He's template for a reason. Jota is much more a punt.

      Bat is a really interesting possibility but he's not nailed to start yet. Wait a week.

      If you're looking at differentials for midfield in the 6 range then Townsend might fit the bill especially if Bat starts firing. He won't go wild but should return every other week or so and get bonus clean sheet points regularly,

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Imagine if you had TC'ed Sane... they must be booing their pants for tomorrow

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I certainly would be

        Right now i'm creaming them instead, as my cash ML rival has sane(tc) with salah(vc)

        would love a sane benching tomorrow haha

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          might happen!

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I have Sane TC mate 😀

  17. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    dream outcome tomorrow:

    sterling(c) hatty
    sane 1 assist
    siggy goal and assist
    ederson 12 saves

    thank you, next.

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      oh and aguero glued to the bench for the full 90.

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m down with this, if siggy assist a rich goal

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I've made some amendments for you sir:

      sterling hatty of dives when sun to convert
      sane 1 minute show
      siggy pen miss and sent off
      ederson 12 saves

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        kun*

      2. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        don't really like the sound off that sir 😉

        booooo.. lol

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          at least yes agree on Ederson's 12 saves... although thats probably the most pie in the sky of all of these haha.

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

    Any fellow Sterling TCers?

    1 goal vs Everton and it will be a super success I guess. I will take just an assist though. Thoughts?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think that it would be just fair if the front three was Sané Jesus Mahrez tomorrow.

    2. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just captain for me. Had aguero as well though so bittersweet atm, all could change tomorrow though

  19. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    is ings is touch and go for the weekend

    a) start siggy (wat a)
    b) start ings (car h)

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      would help if I could type

      if* ings

  20. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    sane tweet just now - https://twitter.com/LeroySane19/status/1092843424418541568

    announce inSane monster haul

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      kun is telling sane to pass to him for 3 more.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      😮

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Benched for sure again.

  21. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Benching headache, bench two:

    A. Digne (wat)
    B. Holebas (EVE)
    C. Bednarek (CAR)
    D. Mountinho (NEW)

    Currently benching AC, will be playing Doherty and Jiminez if that makes a difference

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

      Agree with AC, good subs.

      1. RealSocialDads
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers man, will no doubt get it wrong still.