Scout Notes

De Bruyne outshines Aguero as Sterling suffers first benching

Manchester City 8-0 Watford

Goals: Bernardo Silva (£7.8m) x 3, Nicolas Otamendi (£5.4m), Sergio Aguero (£12.2m), Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), David Silva (£7.5m)

Assists: De Bruyne x 2, Mahrez x 2, Otamendi, Aguero, D Silva

Bonus Points: De Bruyne x 3, B.Silva x 2, Mahrez x 2

Manchester City demolished Watford 8-0 at the Etihad to bounce back in emphatic fashion from their shock defeat to Norwich City last weekend.

Amid all the discussion about Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) and Raheem Sterling (£12.2m) pre-match, it was Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m) who cleaned up and proved to be the key FPL star.

That was set against a backdrop of Sterling’s first benching of the season, as Pep Guardiola opted to rest the most captained player of Gameweek 6 and broadcast to the world that the Roulette wheel is now in full spin.

Sterling spent the whole game on the bench, opening up the door to some fortuitous vice-captaincy scores

While last week it was de Bruyne who was dropped for the trip to Norwich, this time the Belgian put on an attacking masterclass in scoring one goal and registering two assists to collect three bonus points against Watford.

It was a timely reminder to those in possession of the absent Sterling, who did not come off the bench at all, that once Guardiola has rested his key personnel, they are always likely to do well the next time and should probably be retained.

The 36% owned de Bruyne put on an exquisite performance, yet the player who excelled for the Citizens was Bernardo Silva (£7.8m). The Portuguese midfielder scored a hat-trick to reward the near 12% of managers who had kept their faith in the attacking asset. Not a key asset in terms of captaincy for Gameweek 6, but certainly a powerful differential.

De Bruyne was in excellent form for Manchester City on Saturday

Bernardo had registered just two attacking returns this season prior to the fixture against Watford, but an explosive and clinical attacking display saw him take home the match ball despite a number glorious chances for his team-mate Aguero, who arguably should have had his hands on it too.

The Argentinian’s performance was certainly bittersweet for his owners as, despite scoring and assisting for a nine-point score, the Argentine could have matched his counterpart Silva’s hat-trick at the very least. 

A number of golden opportunities fell at the feet of Aguero, but the striker was unable to add to his initial strike, despite the exceptional team performance that he unquestionably contributed to throughout the 8-0 demolition.

Aguero arguably should have scored more than nine points but continued to deliver reliable returns

Either way, Aguero retained his record of scoring in every Premier League game so far this season, and despite a number of his team-mates putting in exceptional attacking displays, it is difficult to look past Aguero as being City’s primary source of goals in 2019/20. 

Whilst previous seasons have seen City’s starting striker berth be alternated between Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) and Aguero, Guardiola has seemingly put his faith in the Argentine as being the club’s first-choice striker. A midweek match against Preston should allow him to be rested ahead of a Gameweek 7 trip to Everton too, which is encouraging.

There can be no doubting that Aguero is not immune to potentially being rotated by Guardiola, yet for now, those managers without the striker may be asking themself if they should move for him.

Both Silvas racked up the points against a dreadful Watford side

Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) also sent a timely reminder of his explosive potential with a goal and two assists to record a 14-point score at the Etihad. Starting the game in place of Sterling, Mahrez tore through the Watford defence in an impressive attacking display, with a number of deft touches and mazy runs troubling the Hornet’s backline throughout the fixture.

David Silva (£7.5m) also delivered a typically reliable attacking performance with a goal and an assist in the rout, but whilst City’s attacking assets were mesmeric at the Etihad, there are some real questions emerging for managers in the Champions back-line. 

Mendy’s return to the starting line-up, while short-lived hints at left-back rotation moving forward

Given the long-term injury that defender Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) suffered in the game against Brighton, managers in ownership of the French centre-back were faced with a dilemma was to who could replace the defender in their squads. Those managers who opted for Nicolas Otamendi (£5.4m) were handsomely rewarded by the Argentinian centre-back with a mammoth 15-point haul, including a goal, an assist and a clean-sheet. 

Yet Otamendi’s eye-catching performance was not the only point of note from City’s defence, with Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) starting in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.6m). Despite starting the first-half in impressive fashion, regularly bombing forwards on the left-flank, Mendy was taken off measure by Guardiola at half-time. 

Despite initial concern that Mendy’s substitution was injury-based, Guardiola allayed any concern that the Frenchman could be back on the treatment table, whilst also praising his replacement, Angeliño.

“He [Benjamin Mendy] is well but after two years playing only a few minutes, it [45 minutes] was enough. Angelino is an incredible nice guy, and is training well – he deserved to play. I saw many good things in him.” – Pep Guardiola

Otamendi now looks the ideal candidate to invest in the Manchester City defence

With the ongoing absence of Laporte, Fantasy managers will be looking to retain a form of defensive coverage from City, and whilst the scoreline of Saturday’s victory will naturally mean interest gravitates towards the Citizens’ attacking assets, there is an interesting narrative developing at the heart of City’s defence. 

Zinchenko appears to have lost his security of starts with Mendy’s return and whilst the enigmatic Frenchman has often rewarded managers with attacking returns in the past, it seems unlikely that he will start every week either. Instead, we might see Guardiola picking and choosing between his three left-backs

Therefore, a serious case presents itself for the reliable starter at centre-back Otamendi, who can similarly offer attacking output, but without the consistent concerns with regards to his fitness. 

For Watford, this was an unfortunate result but Quique Sanches Flores’ side came out of the traps exceptionally poorly and were unable to come back from their dismal start. 

Early-season interest in the likes of Gerard Deulofeu (£6.2m) has understandably simmered, whilst Saturday’s showing was also reliable advert as to just how unreliable Watford’s defence are from the perspective of solidity and clean-sheets. 

Given the Hornets’ poor start to the Premier League season that saw Javi Gracia lose his job after four games, it is difficult to even consider any Watford players as viable assets at such a volatile time for the club, and after today’s performance it is unlikely that managers are likely to be considering investing in their assets anytime soon. 

Members Analysis

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Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker (Cancelo 54′) Otamendi (Garcia 63′) Fernandinho, Mendy (Angelion 45′); De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Bernardo Silva.

Watford XI (4-4-1-1): Foster; Mariappa, Holebas, Femenia, Dawson; Foulquier (Pererya 33′) Capoue, Cleverley; Doucoure, Hughes (Sarr 59′) Deulofeu (A Gray 77′).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 6:

2,087 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Took a -4 for VVD>AMN, Donck>Cantwell, while missing the news of Lanzini’s injury.....I’m already down 6 points compared to an FT of Lanzini>Cantwell, let’s see how bad it’s going to get with Donck and VVD still to come..... almost certain that Donck will score.

    1. lifes a pitch
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hope u are right.

  2. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best defender to replace digne...I have £6.8 to spend.
    I have Ota, Robbo, Lund, Montoya

    1. Daddy Kev
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Rico.

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

        Yep

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lowton
      Söyüncü

      Maybe Spurs

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Those 3 are gud enough I think - I wud do Rico and invest elsewhere

    4. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I am planning Digne->Ota myself, but since you already have him, it gets complicated.

      Emerson, Maitland-Niles, Soyuncu, Mings, Lowton, Rico, Kelly, your pick from either Tottenham or United.

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Soy

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Rico. You want to move as many funds out of defense as possible by the look of things.

  3. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    KDB vice captain points and Rico and Lundstram coming on from 2nd and 3rd sub respectively thanks to no Sterling, Lanzini and Greenwood (1st sub). Anyone jammier?

    1. aborg
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Had Lundstrum come on for Zinchenko but Cantwell on for Sterling.
      So it’s a fairly acceptable outcome.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Congratulations

    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You member

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Basically same for me except I organized my subs correctly and has Lundstram first sub.

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        lol. correctly

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I started Lund and had De Bruyne as Captain. Rico 2nd sub, not much chance of him coming on, but I’ve got 76 points with 4 to play in Pool game so not complaining!

  4. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Praying that Kelly stays on the bench so I get Pieters' 7 points off the bench.

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      so you dont want palace to score

  5. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    We need a hack gate livestream quick.

    Anyone.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure if you're trying to be funny, but this comes across as a poor post.

      1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I want to see faces.

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      😆

  6. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Aurier isn’t nailed is he?

    Looking at Digne replacements

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Unfortunately not. Foyth and soon KWP to take games off him.

  7. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Fiji - Australia
    France - Argentina
    New Zealand - South Africa
    Leicester - Spurs
    Newcastle - Brighton

    Italy - Namibia
    Ireland - Scotland
    England - Tonga
    United - West Ham

    Then to take me home:
    Chelsea - Liverpool
    Ravens - Chiefs
    Saints - Seahawks

    Anyone else? Or do you all have "lives" ;)?

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      suns is shining in berlin

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Don't let that ruin your weekend :p

        1. Dr. Agabuse
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          i went out on the street (bis street) in my underwear and pyjamas to tank 10mins of sun and now ready myself for the depressing darkness

          1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            My old friend

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I have no idea what you're referring to but I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Rugby World Cup, premiership, NFL 🙂

        1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          But thanks!

          1. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            y

      2. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        thank you.

    3. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No time to fit the F1 in?

      At easy there's no cricket on today!

  8. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    sun is so important. try to watch close to your window. go outside at halftime even if you hold your phone in the hand with your eyes fixiated on them to chat here

  9. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Gutted news mount available on the bench I now won't get my 12pts from Lundstram how crawl this game is all done to luck nothing else.

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      why bench?

  10. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Haller failed another eye test

  11. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sake!! That’s 2 OGs in as many weeks. Tammy last week...now Doncker the plonker

  12. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any reason not to do Zinc to Otamendi for free tonight?

  13. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    On my WC trying to find a way to squeeze in TAA instead of VVD but I'm 0.6 short ☹️
    Any ideas on how to achieve this?

    Pope (Button)
    VVD, Otamendi, Soyuncu (Lundstram, Rico)
    Mane, De Bruyne, Son, Mount (Cantwell)
    Aubameyang, Abraham, Pukki

    1. Lestat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      mount to mcginn

  14. anel2ka
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I was very angry Saturday morning. Very angry:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2raKMSHcMI/?igshid=mn8rvxh0v4cw