Scout Notes

Another blank for Pukki as Villa expose Norwich’s leaky defence

Norwich City 1-5 Aston Villa

Goals: Josip Drmic (£5.4m) | Wesley (£6.0m) x2, Jack Grealish (£5.9m), Conor Hourihane (£5.7m), Douglas Luiz (£4.5m)
Assists: None | Anwar El Ghazi (£5.5m) x2, Hourihane, Matt Targett (£4.4m) Wesley
Bonus Points: Wesley x3, Michael McGovern (£4.0m) x2, Hourihane x1

Norwich City’s thrill-a-minute return to the Premier League continued on Saturday with a 5-1 battering at home by fellow promoted side Aston Villa.

The commitment of Daniel Farke’s team to attacking football is refreshing, exhilarating and, increasingly, self-defeating. Since Gameweek 5’s famous 3-2 win over Manchester City, the Canaries have lost three straight games by an aggregate score of 1-9.

Their well-documented injury woes – just the nine regulars unavailable against Villa – goes some way to explaining all of that, but an inability to defend on even the most basic level is starting to look like a terminal issue.

It was certainly exploited by the visitors, with striker Wesley (£6.0m) enjoying by far his best display since his summer move to the Midlands. He opened the scoring when he controlled Anwar El Ghazi‘s (£5.5m) cross and turned and fired past Norwich keeper Michael McGovern (£4.0m), before he doubled the lead with a tap-in from Conor Hourihane‘s (£5.7m) low ball from the left.

That made it four goals in eight starts for the Brazilian – not exactly a bad return for a forward who some Villa fans were criticising after last week’s 2-2 draw with Burnley.

He added an assist for the fifth goal when Douglas Luiz (£4.5m) curled home from distance to bring in 14 points, including maximum bonus, for his 2.0% Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership.

The only downer on his day came when he had a first-half penalty, and the rebound, saved by McGovern – a blip which cost that ownership a further six points.

Despite all that, there is no indication of an FPL rush to bring in Wesley just yet, probably because a) it was only Norwich, b) the international break is upon us and c) Villa’s upcoming schedule is far from appealing.

Dean Smith’s side host Brighton in Gameweek 9 before embarking on a punishing six-match run involving two trips to Manchester, one to Chelsea and a home fixture against Liverpool.

However uninspired Manchester United, or generous at the back Chelsea, might be, no side will be anywhere near as accommodating as Norwich at present.

The Canaries allowed their visitors 22 shots, of which 12 were on target; Villa’s midfield ran riot as a result.

Jack Grealish (£5.9m) made it 3-0 when he combined sweetly with El Ghazi, and the tireless Hourihane then capped a fine individual performance with his first goal of the season, set up by the equally industrious Matt Targett (£4.4m).

But while Wesley stole all the headlines, it was El Ghazi who was arguably the star of the show.

The Holland international now has two goals and three assists from his last five games and he was joint-top for chances created at Carrow Road. With just 0.8% ownership, he could be a major differential, particularly when Villa’s schedule eases dramatically from Gameweek 17 onwards.

One player proving way more popular than El Ghazi is the 11.7%-owned John McGinn (£5.8m), who came into the match with back-to-back goals and 214,000+ new owners to his name.

His blank was a bitter blow, as was the late consolation goal handed to Norwich when Tyrone Mings‘ (£4.6m) ill-judged back pass to Tom Heaton (£4.5m) allowed substitute Josip Drmic (£5.4m) to charge down the keeper’s attempted clearance and roll the ball into the empty net. That denied Villa a third clean sheet of the season – and a first away from home – but manager Smith was happy to dwell on events further up the pitch:

They were really good goals, our tactical discipline was really good today. Our performances have been there. That result today is probably what we’ve deserved in the last few weeks. – Dean Smith

And he was keen to praise Wesley:

He’s a young player, he’s only 22, he’s been in Belgium for a year or two and then Slovakia before that. So it’s a new culture, a new team a new group of players, and a big price tag. But he handles it well and I saw a big response from him this week. – Dean Smith.

Wesley’s Norwich counterpart, the 43.5%-owned Teemu Pukki (£7.2m), could only dream of receiving such praise.

After three double-digit returns from his first five matches, the Finn has now blanked for three straight Gameweeks.

Norwich attacked throughout on Saturday – the top four players for penalty area touches all came from the home side, with Pukki among them.

But the Finland international managed just two shots, neither of which were on target, and has had just seven attempts across his current barren spell.

It is no surprise, therefore, that he is currently Gameweek 9’s most-sold player, even with a trip to a Bournemouth side without a clean sheet to come next.

The Canaries’ other popular asset, the 25.7%-owned Todd Cantwell (£4.9m), survived an injury scare to start against Villa, but he also blanked for a third Gameweek running.

He did at least out-shoot Pukki and he was also joint-top with Emiliano Buendia (£6.0m) for chances created among the home players. And the third-most-owned Norwich player in FPL? That would be goalkeeper McGovern (5.6%).

The 380,000+ Fantasy geniuses who have the Canaries’ third-choice stopper in their squads would have walked away with nine points yesterday courtesy of his penalty heroics, six other saves and two bonus points.

But that was if – and it’s a big if – he wasn’t languishing on their benches in all his £4.0m glory.

Glory was certainly far from Farke’s mind post-match:

We have to accept this loss. We made too many mistakes. We created maybe more than they did in the first half, but the mistakes and the goals we were conceded were not good enough. We had so many on the pitch playing with pain killers and they have not been able to train properly this week. So really we are not prepared as we need to be. Then in addition, one or two crucial players do not have their best day. – Daniel Farke

In truth, only McGovern had his best day against Villa, and even he looked nervy before his spot-kick save.

As for the rest of the players, the international break looks to have come at just the right time, allowing them to escape overseas, take a break or recover from injury – whatever is needed to reverse a slide that is looking unstoppable at the moment.

How many Fantasy managers keep faith in the likes of Pukki and Cantwell before November’s final break of the year is unclear. Their fixtures are okay – Bournemouth and Brighton away, Man United and Watford at Carrow Road – but their form is anything but.

Members Analysis

Norwich (4-2-3-1): McGovern; Aarons, Amadou, Godfrey, Lewis; Leitner, McLean; Buendia, Stiepermann (Roberts 76′), Cantwell (Srbeny 80′); Pukki (Drmic 84′).

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Heaton; Guilbert, Engels (Konsa 75′), Mings, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba, Hourihane (Douglas Luiz 78′); El Ghazi (Trezeguet 64′), Wesley, Grealish.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 8

3,153 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    That city defense lol

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Otamendy sucks. And I have him, look below.

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico outscored Otamendi. I'm out.

      1. KNOW IT ALL
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        buy rico

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sold Ota for dunk 2 weeks ago after deciding getting Ota in a week prior for his haul was not worth the -4

      but serious, that defense today was so bad

  2. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Currently on -8. Wildcard or take these hits and save?

    ————— -Ryan——————
    —Robbo Otamendi Tomori———
    Salah Sterling Kdb Mount Mcginn
    ———Wilson (C) Abraham———

    Button Soy Lundstram Greenwood

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      -8 is fine

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ty.

  3. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling or Mane
    Have KDB, no Salah/Firmino

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane.

    2. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      based on recent form, Mane for sure. Sterling is going to bite us sooner or later. You need a plan to be able to bring him if needed.

  4. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Pukki to King (Avoid Pukki price drop)

    B) Barnes to King

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Well both for -4.

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sell*

        1. YEAH PITCH!
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Who to?

          1. DMP
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            See above. I sold both for Wilson and Abraham.

            1. YEAH PITCH!
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Ah ok. Doesn't work for me.

  5. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Salah, Pukki > Mane, Vardy
    B. Pukki > Wilson and roll the second transfer

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m having a similar dilemma, thinking A. My options were below.

      Salah, Pukki, Haller to Mane, C.Wilson, Vardy (-4 have exact money for this)
      Salah, Pukki to Mane, Vardy (free leaves .5 itb)

      1. Wılly
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        There's just too many options. Now i'm looking at keeping VVD and going Pukki, Greenwood, Robertson > Vardy, King, Rico (-4)

    2. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve just done A myself

  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on CHO? Is he nailed? Can be a great differential

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hard to say but I think he will get plenty of game time under frank.

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      With Mount and Tammy performing so well it'll take a lot for him to be worth getting

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Triple up

    3. In and Out
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would say he’s nailed

  7. Relaxing
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Josh King an option worth entertaining?

    1. KNOW IT ALL
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yes its worth entertaining

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  8. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I need another WC in a month after this one.

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Im saving it for -8, look above, but already regretting it. lol

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hahaha trust me, with planning we should be okay. Why a WC? What fixtures change

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Keen to simplify ... so much for planning and still went to the drain

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Might want double Liv defence or attack then.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      As always, FPL right?

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep 8(

  9. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who moves out for Abraham. Pukki or Haller? 0.1 off if I go Pukki.

    Thoughts welcome.

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki. Haller have great fixtures.

    2. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki party is over. I hope. Sold him and Barnes for -8. Look above.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        pretty dumb to sell player 14 days before next game.

        1. DMP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          NOT if you have WC.

          1. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            i agree

        2. UpAndAway
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Need to move or will be priced out.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki

    4. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Overall Pukki

  10. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Wildcard
    B) VVD & Pukki > Soy & Vardy (-4)
    C) VVD & Saka/Cantwell > Soy & Mount (-4)
    D) Sterling, Saka & Pukki > Mount, 8.5mid & Vardy (-8) - getting desperate to avoid the WC

    Pope,
    TAA, VVD, Otamendi, Aurier
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Cantwell
    Pukki, Abraham

    Button, Saka, Lundstram, Greenwood

  11. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    best way to fund pukki to abraham?

    A aguero to auba
    b salah to mane

    thanks

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B prob

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      thanks all

    4. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  12. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    After a poor couple of weeks I was going to WC but I’m not sure if it’s a good time to do so with a lot of big hitters in poor enough form. WC or not??

    Team is
    Pope
    TAA Zinc Diop Lundstram Vertongon
    Salah Sterling Mount McGinn Dendoncker
    Agureo Pukki Greenwood

    1. KNOW IT ALL
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      wc

    2. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Did a -8 and saved the WC instead. Look above. Team looks reasonable. Just shipp Pukki.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I’m 0.1 off Pukki > Abraham so will maybe downgrade Vertonghon or Zinc and do Pukki to Abraham for -4

        1. DMP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          This. Zinc to Soy or another 4.5 and Pukki to Abraham.

    3. LMFAO
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just do a -8 instead

    4. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      -8 and your problems can be solved.

  13. WALOR
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Mane playing over the international break, or has he got a nice rest ahead?
    Reluctant to buy if he risks injury.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Playing.

      1. WALOR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers TM!
        FFS really should give you a tidy raise for all your efforts on this site.

        1. DMP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          This.

  14. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Was Salah injury serious?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Should be ok with the 2 week break.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

  15. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do I give pukki one final chance or take him out for c Wilson for a hit?

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

      Wouldnt for a hit

    2. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I did.

    3. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would take him out

  16. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    King or Jiminez as a replacement for Pukki?

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      not before bournemouth

    2. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jimmi.

    3. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jimi

    4. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jimmi over King

  17. WOLVERiNES
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On the way to lose values on Pukki, Zinchenko, Cantwell plus need to get rid of VVD, Montoya, Diop, Matip

    Someone Please tell me its a good idea to WC. After WC only players that will stay are Auba, Mount, Abraham and Mahrez and Heaton.

    Pope | Heaton

    Matip | Van Dijk | Zinchenko | Montoya | Diop

    Salah | Mount | Mahrez | Ceballos | Cantwell

    Pukki | Abraham | Aubameyang

    1 FT 1.7 ITB

    1. vityovics
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I think WC is the right call for this team, but I am at the same sh*t, check below 🙂

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would keep Pope over HEaton, even i have Heaton in my squad. I would WC in your case, and i would have Sterling over Mahrez.

      1. WOLVERiNES
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Oops!! Yea, thats what I meant to type. Keeping Pope. And ill mostly go with KDB+Mahrez long term. Thanks!

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why do you need to be told? Press it

  18. Al-Chemy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who do you predict will score more over the next 5 or so GWs
    Vardy or Wilson?

    1. KNOW IT ALL
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      38-38

    2. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same same

      1. Al-Chemy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers both of you! Think that's helped make my mind up on giving Wilson a go

  19. Clarity
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is son worth keeping for watford??

    1. KNOW IT ALL
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yes

  20. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pulled the trigger on Pukki to Vardy before the price fall. Hoping I've joined the right party!

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The right Party is Callum Wilson.

    2. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      stats not good, too early to tell with the lei attack at the moment and did well against 10 man newcastle

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Vardy is proven year in year out.

  21. vityovics
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Gents, should I WC?
    Or is it just the usual sunday hate of FPL, and i just have to calm down and save..

    Ederson (McGovern)
    TAA, Robbo, Ota (Lund, Rico)
    Salah, Sterling, McGinn, Lamela, Cantwell
    Abraham, Pukki (Greenwood)

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

      Wc

    2. WOLVERiNES
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      get rid of pukki, cantwell and lamela and you should be ok imo

  22. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Likely risers of interest? Doing the wildcard price dance

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

      Looking like Mane, Abraham, Mount atm

  23. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If not wc would you:

    A) Digne & Barnes > Rico & Abraham
    B) Vvd, Barnes &Pukki > Rico, Abraham & C Wilson -4

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Current team

      Pope Button
      Taa Vvd Digne Aurier Lund
      Salah Sterling Kdb Mount Cantwell
      Pukki Barnes Greenwood

      2ft 0itb.

  24. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender for 4.7? Or just go with Rico. Looking at VVD and Pukkhi to 4.7 and Vardy -4.

    Pipe
    VVD, Otamendi, Aurier, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Mahrez, Mount, Cantwell
    Haller, Abraham, Pukkhi

    1ft .1 itb

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aurier and Mahrez are worries also.

    2. KNOW IT ALL
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      go with rico

  25. jez_wright
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling Pukki Greenwood -> Madison Abraham Wilson (-8) ?

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Go for it.

      Do you have any Other City coverage?

      1. jez_wright
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        KDB

  26. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On a WC...which trio of these do you prefer to fill the gaps? Thanks :

    Pope / Button
    TAA / Otamendi / Soyuncu / Lundstram / Rico
    KDB / Mount / xxxx / xxxx / Guendouzi
    Aubameyang / xxxx / Abraham

    A - Callum Wilson, Mane, Maddison
    B - Vardy, Sterling, Yarmolenko

  27. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How essential would you say TAA is? I only have VVD from LIV def but it just means an extra move and 0.7m extra to find in my moves!

    Is VVD enough/ ok basically?

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

      Difficult one, both pretty similar atm

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        So prob not worth using up a move and cash on it?

    2. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      For the next GW. One pool is fine. Although rather TAA or Robbo for attacking returns.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This is the thing. I’d obv rather VVD but it’s an extra move and ultimately uses up cash for other moves

  28. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Should I WC or just do the transfers?

    Tempted just to do Salah + Pukki + Haller --> Mount + Vardy + Auba.

    What do you hink?

    Pope
    Soy - Montoya - Diop
    Salah - Sterling - Son - KDB
    Pukki - Abraham - Haller
    (Button - Cantwell - Lundstram - Rico)

  29. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wc?

    Pope
    Robbo, lund, soy, rico, kelly
    Mane, sterling, kdb, mount, maddison
    Abraham, wilson, connolly

    Or remove kdb and bring auba or vardy ??

  30. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    good midfield uner 9.5m? Not too convinced by maddison

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mount

      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        sorry should have mentioned alrady have Mount

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why not Maddison?