Scout Notes

West Ham assets on Fantasy radar after win at Watford

Watford 1 West Ham United 3

Goals: Andre Gray (£5.9m)| Sebastien Haller (£7.4m) x2 Mark Noble (£5.0m)

Assists: Will Hughes (£5.5m)| Michail Antonio (£7.0m) Felipe Anderson (£6.9m) Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m)

Bonus Points: Haller x3 Noble x2 Gray x2

Sebastien Haller (£7.4m) scored twice for West Ham United to consign Watford to a third straight defeat of a decidedly miserable start to the season.

Hammers skipper Mark Noble (£5.0m) celebrated his first action of the campaign by converting an early penalty, only for Andre Gray (£5.9m) to level for the hosts in an entertaining first half.

Excellent chances came and went for both sides before summer signing Haller’s brace sealed the deal for the visitors after the break.

West Ham’s win was a question of quality over quantity at Vicarage Road.

Watford had 23 attempts, but just three on target, compared to 16 and 10 respectively for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Gerard Deulofeu (£6.4m) epitomised that lack of a meaningful end-product from the Hornets, with a match-high seven attempts, only one of which was on target.

Haller (right) scored a brace for West Ham as they beat Watford 3-1

Haller, by contrast, had a shot accuracy of 75% and a conversion rate of 50% from the four chances he had.

His first league goal in English football came from a tap-in following smart work by Felipe Anderson (£6.9m).

He then doubled the advantage with an instinctive overhead kick after Ben Foster (£5.0m) could only parry Michail Antonio‘s (£7.0m) header from a corner.

Haller’s 13-point haul – he was awarded maximum bonus – furthers the Fantasy cause of yet another reasonably priced striker, with the majority of the top ten scoring frontmen in Fantasy Premier League currently costing less than £7.5m.

The appeal of the France Under-21 international, owned by just 2.9% of FPL managers for Gameweek 3, is also boosted by his schedule.

The Hammers will host a very obliging Norwich City defence next weekend and they have just two matches with a Fixture Difficulty Rating of more than ‘three’ over the next nine Gameweeks.

Pellegrini’s first job of the season has been to try and successfully integrate the abundance of attacking talent now at his disposal.

Mark Noble scored West Ham’s opener from the spot

He might well have hit the jackpot at Vicarage Road, with Haller leading the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation that allowed Anderson and Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) plenty of scope to get forward in support.

The latter earned a second consecutive assist of the season when he was brought down by Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.9m) in the area after just three minutes.

Noble converted the spot-kick and West Ham were up and running.

Of the attacking midfield trio, only Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.9m) failed to impress, whereas his replacement Antonio, who came on after 55 minutes, set up one goal and could have had a couple himself.

Pellegrini’s post-match comments confirmed his continued commitment to progressive football, despite the 5-0 drubbing they received at the hands of Manchester City in Gameweek 1.

“It would be very easy for me, as a manager, to say after Manchester City to the players that we are going to play a different way and stay all back. I don’t think we would improve in that way. We did 45 minutes in a very good way against Manchester City. After that, we made an important mistake that decided the score. We’ve worked exactly the same though and we’ve won away, and now I hope we can win at home against Norwich City on Sunday.” – Manuel Pellegrini

That should increase the ownership figures of Haller, Lanzini and even the Fantasy troll that is Anderson.

FPL forward Deulofeu was deployed in midfield again for Watford

Only Deulofeu had more penalty area touches (12) than the Brazilian’s 11, and he was unlucky not to score when his glancing header shaved the post at Vicarage Road. He also created two big chances for his teammates.

But if West Ham attackers are now looming larger on the Fantasy radar, their defenders deserve to remain out of sight and mind for now.

Three matches in and the Hammers have kept no clean sheets and only Aston Villa, with 55, have allowed more shots than the 53 they’ve conceded.

That they weren’t punished for this generosity on Saturday was down to Watford’s wastefulness.

Deulofeu, as already mentioned, was the main culprit, but the otherwise impressive Gray was similarly profligate.

He hit the target just the once in five attempts, although he at least had the decency to score from that one accurate effort.

Will Hughes (£5.5m) set up Gray’s goal with an astute pass before contriving to miss an open goal from two yards out that rather summed up the Hornets’ sorry afternoon.

Head coach Javi Gracia lamented that failure to convert chances into goals.

“We’ve lost 1-3. That’s the final result. It’s true there were some moments in the game when we dominated, we created chances but if you don’t score with 23 shots then it’s difficult. We have to be more clinical when we dominate the game.” – Javi Gracia

His decision to partner Gray with Deulofeu in a tweaked formation was forced by a knee injury to Troy Deeney (£6.4m) that is likely to keep the captain out for the next couple of months.

“Without Troy, we tried a different formation, with four in a diamond and keeping two strikers with more mobility. In the first half, we did it well, with good chances after 10 minutes: two clear chances for Gerard. We tried a different way to find the balance, but not so well in the second half.” – Javi Gracia

Watford defensive assets remain off-limits for Fantasy managers

The goals, you feel, will come for Watford – Gracia’s side have scored just once from 42 attempts, whereas Manchester United have found the net six times from the exact same number.

But investment in that promise should likely be kept on hold, at least until after matches with Arsenal and Manchester City over the next three Gameweeks.

And, like West Ham, their defenders should remain well off limits.

The only reason for cheer at the weekend was the two save points Foster managed from his seven stops as Watford failed to keep a clean sheet for the 18th straight match.

The Eye Test

Watford fan James Moseley:

Watford looked very fragile at back against the counter but managed to dominate possession in the first half.

“They largely played through the middle nice with some nice one-two touch passing creating chances, asking some serious questions of the West Ham defence.

“Gray’s goal was fully deserved after Hughes drifted inside from the right and threading a ball behind the defence.

“However, the big problem was that the Watford full-backs were exposed to overloads in wide areas due to the diamond shape and lack of defensive width from the midfielders.

“Both Holebas and Femenía got forward themselves too to support the attack, although West Ham weren’t capitalising as much as they should, Anderson often drifting into the middle from wide.

“Also, Haller was largely anonymous before half-time, only really contributing a few headers from West Ham goal kicks.

“It was interesting to see that every Watford corner in the first half was aimed at Craig Dawson at the back post.

“He won a couple of headers but most of them were blocked and he didn’t look too dangerous.

“Watford continued to dominate possession in the second half although the game became a lot more open at this stage, West Ham only threatening on the counter.

“Hughes missed an absolute sitter while Antonio forced a decent save from Ben Foster in a one-on-one.

“Then Haller came to life after a quiet first half, tapping in from a few yards out. Watford were too easily opened up here, having looked fragile at the back all game. There was no challenge on Lanzini down the left either.

“At this point, it looked like Watford had given up but Welbeck and Sarr looked lively when they came on.

“It seems clear that Fantasy managers should avoid all Watford and goalkeepers. They have no chance of keeping a clean sheet against anyone.

“Holebas does get a lot of corners and wide free-kicks but none of them amounted to anything dangerous.

“Deulofeu looked dangerous and had chances but didn’t get many efforts on target. Hughes got in good areas and threaded good balls to Gray who looked threatening with lots of runs in behind.

“Lanzini was probably best West Ham player on Saturday and while Haller got two goals and one was a nice bicycle kick.

“Anderson was quiet until West Ham got the 2-1 lead then had loads of dribbling chances when Watford got stretched. Probably should have scored and then unlucky not to get assist.”

Members Analysis

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Watford XI (4-2-3-1): Foster; Holebas, Cathcart, Dawson, Femenia; Doucouré, Capoue; Deulofeu (Welbeck 74′), Cleverley (Quina 86′), Hughes (Sarr 74′); A Gray.

West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks; Noble, Rice; Anderson (Fornals 78′), Lanzini (C Sánchez 88′), Yarmolenko (Antonio 55′); Haller.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 3

1,949 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Martial -> Bilva for free?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

  2. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    @Mods

    Could we get 'xG Open Play' added in the Player Stats section under Expected please? Penalties are skewing the values.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This!!! Really good suggestion. Geoff??? Neale?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Actually to be fair, over the season, Barnes has the 2nd highest xG Open Play amongst forwards, only behind Aguero... 😀

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          There you go. 🙂

    2. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Do you know what data FFS’s Opta subscription entitles then to? Seems to be a limited subset.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If you use custom tables, all the stats are there. They have a terrific selection.

        For now, I'm going to switch to primarily using custom tables, as the player stats screen is limited as to what they can fit on the page!

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks for the tip.

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

    Pope Button
    Digne Robertson Zinchenko Dunk Lundstram
    Salah KdB Martial Trossard Dendoncker Jota King Kane

    2 FTs 0.3 ITB Trossard > Cantwell and King/Jota > Pukki/Haller or Digne > Soyuncu; Jota > Haller and King > Pukki for -4?

    What else can I do?

  4. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed...

    Need to raise 0.3 to get Kun in for Kane....is this worth it?

    KWP > Mings for -4?

    Ederson
    VVD KWP Digne Montoya
    Salah KDB McGinn
    Kane Wilson Kukki

    Button Dendonker Ceballos Rico

  5. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wait until Friday.

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This sounds ominous

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      For Firmino !

  6. JonBoy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope Heaton
    Digne TAA Soy Dunk Kelly
    Salah Sterling Moura Ceballos Dendoncker
    Abraham Pukki King

    1FT 2.9 ITB

    Any thoughts other than the obvious Moura to KDB?

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No that’s definitely what I’d do

  7. Penguin
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Puki or Abraham, that is the question mmmm?

    1. BobbyV
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      the one that scores vs top 6 opposition...that is the answer

  8. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane > Kun
    KWP > Mings for - 4 ...Y or N?

    1. BobbyV
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      yep. But monitor prices and do it on Friday. Just as Jesus got injured in training, so too can Aguero

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Very true!!!

    2. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Y

  9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who’s the better option out of Barnes as Haller in your opinion fellas??

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Without fixtures? Barnes, at this early stage.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks gents, close call then!!

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller

  10. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First time in ages I made early changes yday. Gtg?

    Hendo
    VVD Digne Diop AWB
    Martial Sterling Salah KDB
    Wesley Pukki
    (Stek, Greenw, Dendonk, Montoya)

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very nice team mate what changes did you make?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Robinson, Kane to KDB, Pukki. Look like they just gonna keep rising so thought stuff it. If martial is injured then I'll take a possible 2 pointer from Greenwood

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Great moves mate!! I did Rico to Söyüncü before Daniels got Injured which is a bit of a pain but would rather a Leicester defender than Bournemouth, will hold on news about Martial, realy want rid of Jota

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers 🙂 was so obvious tbf. Soyuncu is solid, was sick against us. How you set up?

            1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              3-5-2 mate and you?
              Heaton
              TAA Digne Söyüncü
              Salah Sterling Martial KDB McGinn
              Pukki Jota
              4.0.. Lundstram Montoya Wickham

              1. Tsparkes10
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Depends, probs above tbf. Your team is solid and Jota might do ight against leaky Everton. But been saying that for ages. I'd honestly be tempted to hold, nobody huge you're missing.

                1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Yeah think that’s what I may end up doing mate rather than taking a bit cheers buddy

  11. Cynical
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I want KDB and a stronger bench but I'm going to be priced out of all these moves if I don't act soon. Is it worth using WC?

    Heaton
    AWB Trent Digne Zinch
    Salah Sterling Martial Mount
    Pukki Wilson

    1.7 ITB

    Button - Donk - Rico - Wickham

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zinch to Soyuncu, Martial to KDB work? May not be the best thing though just depends on Mendy and cancelo and how much game time Zinch gets.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      team looks good i wouldnt use wc

  12. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Transfer this week
    A) Mane > Salah
    B) AWB > Laporte
    C) Save

  13. hnmfm
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who will have more points by the end of the season? Cantwell or Cellabosiosesos? all things being equal.

  14. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Mason Mount worth transfer in for Perez???
    Need some opinion on this.... really tempted to for the move......

    1. Cynical
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. RAMZES666
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Give perez one more chance home at bournemouth. Sheffield difficult to break down

  15. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    No choice but to hold Kane and really don’t fancy wildcarding this...

    Pope
    Robertson Digne Wan B
    Salah Sterling Martial Cantwell McGinn
    Kane Pukki

    Greenwood Rico Montoya

    Just done Dendo to Csntwell this week, any thoughts? Gtg?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gtg

  16. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    After a slow start by my standards am feeling a little frustrated, any advice much appreciated: my likely moves are Siggy, Kane > Salah, Barnes for a hit giving me this squad:

    Pope
    Digne Walker AWB
    Salah Sterling KDB Martial Mount
    Pukki Barnes

    Button Lundstram Dunk Wickham

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm not doing great either mate. Good moves imo. I just did 2 early ones as felt it was necessary. Grrr Kane

    2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think peoples problems stem from trying to get the two most expensive players in their team at start of season. Maybe by Christmas with higher team value this is fine. I just have one of the big two. So my thoughts are pick one, ditch the other for now and strengthen rest of team with budget and trust your judgement

      1. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        i dunno mate, i think salah and sterling is perfectly doable, and probably advisable to always have an optimal captaincy option. Totally agree that trying to fit in kane as well is madness though

        1. TheBrazilianRonaldo
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Well I’m not too sure. I tried both and just find I have to make too many compromises. I haven’t landed a decent captain properly yet and have managed 199 points with just one of the two. Good points across the board with each week over 62

    3. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      the post hit team looks strong, but hard to judge whether it warrants a hit. i'd probably just do it for free next week.

  17. RAMZES666
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rashford to Haller for free a no brainer?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nah not yet

    2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller more complete striker ham Rashford and West Ham just as likely to score 2-3 in game in easier fixtures. I think Rashford is overpriced

      1. RAMZES666
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He reminds me of Firmino though, fantastic player but not greedy enough to be FPL material

  18. NISTELROOY10
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WC team:

    Pope Button
    Coleman Matip Guilbert Lundstram Kelly
    Salah KDB Sterling Mount Cantwell
    Aguero Pukki Greenwood

    1) Sacrificing defence but still wanted a Liv defender in case Liv start getting CS.. Would Matip start over Gomez?

    2) Triple up City attackers anyone?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1) defence looks okay if all start tbf.

      2) I like it, I'd just be careful of rotation now CL etc will shortly be in place

      1. NISTELROOY10
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        thanks! i'm still contemplating whether to get aguero, or just a cheap striker...

  19. Wag the Drog
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which of these teams do you prefer? One is my rival's and one is my team. All other players are more or less the same
    a)
    Adrian/Patricio
    AWB-Kelly
    Mane-Cantwell
    Kane-Raul

    b)
    Heaton
    VVD-Zinchenko
    Salah-Ceballos
    Abraham-Wilson

  20. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope Button
    Robertson TAA Digne Montoya Lundstram
    Salah KDB Sterling Mount Dendoncker
    Adams Pukki Greenwood

    1FT and 1.1M ITB, any suggestions? Could do Adams > Abraham. Nice differential.

  21. Rigid Digit
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane => Haller allowing fund to upgrade Perez to Pepe (or similar)
    OR
    Straight swap Kane => Auba

  22. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5.5 or less Shaw replacement?

  23. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane -> Aguero for a hit?

  24. TomXI
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Current best West Ham midfield asset?

  25. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    this is too funny(phil jones) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZTVXydsMaw

    1. Geevious
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks for this lmao

  26. ladsandlasses
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Team talk- Spurs

    Since its clear that Spurs are on the verge of selling eriksen (him not starting the first 2/3 games (which were the easy ones), I dont think its worth owning any of their players atleast until Lo Celso and/or Ndombele show they can create against teams sitting back, whats your take on Spurs this season?

    1. robt
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stay away for now

  27. robt
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sell (both starting strikers)
    A. King
    B. Jota

    Buy
    1. Pukki
    2. Barnes
    3. Abraham