Scout Notes

More joy for Lundstram owners as Blades defence excels once again

Sheffield United 1-0 Arsenal

  • Goal: Lys Mousset (£4.9m)
  • Assist: Jack O’Connell (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: O’Connell x3, John Egan (£4.5m) x2, Mousset, Chris Basham (£4.5m) x1

The John Lundstram (£4.6m) love-in continues, with the budget Fantasy asset recording his fourth clean sheet of the season on Monday evening and moving back to the top of the overall points table among Fantasy Premier League defenders.

Lundstram contributed to an excellent collective performance from Chris Wilder’s team in the final match of Gameweek 9, with the Blades moving up to ninth in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over a flat Arsenal side.

No top-flight club has kept more shut-outs or conceded fewer goals than Sheffield United in 2019/20.

The fact that they have played five of the current top six in the division in the opening nine Gameweeks makes their achievement even more impressive and it is genuinely not hyperbole to say that, amid the struggles of various teams elsewhere, they are one of the most impressive defensive units in the Premier League at present.

There was the odd moment to cause hearts to flutter on Monday night – Nicolas Pepe (£9.3m) and Dani Ceballos (£5.5m) failing to connect with shots when well-positioned in the hosts’ area – but for the most part, the Blades kept Arsenal at bay without too much bother and nullified Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) completely.

With Lundstram owned by more FPL managers than the rest of the Sheffield United squad combined, it’s easy to forget about the rest of Wilder’s defence – four of whom are now cheaper than Lundstram following his price rises.

Jack O’Connell (£4.5m), Chris Basham (£4.5m), John Egan (£4.5m), Enda Stevens (£5.0m) and George Baldock (£4.5m) were part of an excellent rearguard effort in the second half and sporadically showcased their attacking attributes at the other end, with overlapping centre-halves O’Connell and Basham getting forward to support wing-backs Stevens and Baldock.

It was O’Connell, indeed, who provided the headed assist for match-winner Lys Mousset (£4.9m) in the first half.

Five Sheffield United players now sit in the top 11 highest-scoring FPL defenders of 2019/20, with Basham not far behind that quintet.

Dean Henderson (£4.6m), meanwhile, now trails only Rui Patricio (£5.2m) for overall points among goalkeepers.

There is less appeal regarding Sheffield United’s attacking assets, with rotation and a relative lack of creativity – only Watford and Newcastle have scored fewer goals than Wilder’s side – obvious deterrents regarding the Blades’ forwards.

A pairing of Mousset and David McGoldrick (£5.4m) was the fourth different combination Wilder has gone for up top this season, with Oli McBurnie (£5.9m) and Callum Robinson (£5.3m) having played a major role in the first eight Gameweeks and Billy Sharp (£5.7m) making cameo appearances off the bench.

Wilder said of Mousset’s performance after his full league debut for the Blades:

He has been knocking on the door. We had to get him up to speed. A lot of work has been put in with the conditioners and Lys himself, to get him in the situation where he starts a game.

You could see, just after half-time, he was struggling. But he’d done enough on his home debut.

Arsenal have struggled away from home over the last ten months and this was their fourth Premier League fixture on the road without a win.

Arguably all five of their displays away from home have been unconvincing in 2019/20, with the win at Newcastle and draw at Old Trafford about as good as it has got – which is saying something.

At the Emirates, the Gunners have the third-best minutes-per-chance average among Premier League clubs.

Away from home, they rank a lowly joint-15th for that statistic.

The good news for owners of Aubameyang and co. is that three of Arsenal’s next four fixtures are in north London.

Pepe and Bukayo Saka (£4.5m) were intermittently bright on Monday, with the former perhaps having his best game in an Arsenal shirt (very faint praise) but ultimately responsible for a horrible miscue from six yards when the Gunners had their clearest opportunity of the game.

Unai Emery said of his two wide players:

Pepe is improving and I think Pepe’s way with us is little-by-little, getting better. The next step is to score.

Tonight, for example, the best chance is one he is usually going to score but tonight he didn’t take that with efficiency. He also had two shots that were very important. I think he is improving and taking confidence with us. But it is one process.

Another player, Bukayo, is another step ahead he did tonight.

The second-half introduction of Dani Ceballos (£5.5m) and the fit-again Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) injected some urgency into their play but the hosts were scarcely troubled, save for Ceballos’ weak shot from a Saka cross.

Aubameyang has made a habit of scoring from precious few opportunities over the last 18 months, regularly emerging from near-anonymity to deliver an attacking return for his owners.

Even his Midas touch couldn’t turn the game around at Bramall Lane, with one blocked first-half attempt all he had to show for his efforts as his teammates starved him of service.

Emery was bullish in defeat, highlighting a strong penalty shout on Sokratis (£5.0m) in his post-match press conference:

Really I think we created more chances than them, the better chances, but tonight we didn’t achieve the efficiency to win that match.

We conceded more corners to them than we wanted, and from one they scored. Also, when they are pushing and they are taking a lot of corners, they can do that. We created more corners, 12 [compared to] seven or eight for them, and also we had the chances and had a very clear penalty to Sokratis. I think the VAR is for this reason, for actions like that.

The first chances for us were very clear, for Pepe was the key I think because they are the team in the Premier League who has conceded the least I think, with Liverpool – seven only – and if they score the first goal, then defensively they are very strong and they defended very well.

In the second half, it was not easy to get chances, I think we controlled the ball more with possession because they conceded metres on the pitch and we had chances to score, but we didn’t achieve that goal to draw and the try to win.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Norwood (McBurnie 85′), Lundstram, Fleck, Stevens; Mousset (Sharp 55′), McGoldrick (Freeman 78′).

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Xhaka (Lacazette 69′), Guendouzi; Willock (Ceballos 46′), Pepe (Martinelli 78′), Saka; Aubameyang,

Members Analysis

Lessons learned from Gameweek 9

601 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on this Wildcard team? Thanks

    Ryan

    Robertson - Otamendi - Soyuncu - Tomori

    Salah - KDB - Maddison - Mount

    Aubameyang - Wilson

    Bench: Pope; Cantwell; Lundstram; Greenwood

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      It looks solid. I'd make some changes but ultimately it's your team.

      Ryan -> 4m, playing Pope every week.Save 0.5m.
      Robertson -> Trent.
      Cantwell -> Martial.
      Aubameyang -> Vardy.
      Greenwood -> Connolly.

      If your funds stretch it?

      1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, hadn't even considered Martial!

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ota on WC not a great idea when he is flagged.

      1. Straya
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Back in training he’s fine

      2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I think he is fine but will keep an eye out

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

    Jackie Grealish is on me watchlist.

    Makes it look an easy game.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good fixtures coming up too

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lol yeah. Wouldn’t touch him for the next two

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah after the next 2 weeks he is a candidate

  3. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Pukki > ? (have 8.5 to spend)

    A) Rashford

    B) Jimenez

    C) Wilson

    D) Other

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

      To many options am keeping for three homes games.

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm on WC and at the moment have Wilson. Good fixtures coming up.

  4. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    RP... would you get rid of any? I am thinking Son out only

    Aguero, Salah, Mahrez, Son and Abraham (c) owner here...

    Somehow only dropped 33k to 90k

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

      You might as well keep Kun and Mahrez for those two tasty fixtures although you're at the mercy of Pep. Son I think has to go.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly... how can I have 2 City assets to reduce risk of rotation and then get hit with both being benched lol... might get KDB in to ensure I don't miss pts

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

          Son to KDB looks sensible if you can afford.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Again, still a great rank.

      Yes I’d drop son. Mahrez too if he plays today

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Got an eye on the minutes today... might take a -4 or even -8 on Aguero and Sterling

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Not sure I’d do that

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

    Best striker for the next 2/3 weeks?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jimbo Vardy. If Aguero gets the 2 home games, then him.

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

        Already got triple City. Vardy over Auba?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yep.

    2. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      vardy

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I've a gut feeling Wood kills the Chelsk cleanie this week and his next few fixtures look OK.
      Form player.

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

        Think if I bring him in Barnes will start scoring again.

  6. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you roll FT for now? Just wildcarded - give the squad another chance?

    Pope
    TAA Lundstram Rico
    Mane KDB Mount Maddison
    Aguero(c) Abraham Wilson

    McGovern Söyüncü Dendoncker Kelly

    0.2 ITB. Likely to lose Kun after SOU (to Vardy?) and Wilson if he fails again...

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Roll on... in a better condition than mine

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Would be worried capping Kun especially if he might play CL tonight.

      Pep's recent comments about Jesus may suggedt we will see alot more of him.

    3. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Save FT and I would play Soy and bench Lunds or Rico for the next gw.

  7. Basil1977
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is it to early for Martial? Or should i play it safe with Maddison? Just a OOP playing centre forward for utd looks to good to ignore

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go Martial. I don't think Maddison's quality reflects in FPL points. Looks good on the eye, but his end product isn't at the level of his counterparts, IMO.

      1. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        cheers was thinking the same plus i'm looking for a differential due to terriable season.

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

    play 2

    (1) Söy (sou)
    (2) Lund (whu)
    (3) Lascelles (WOL)
    (4) Rico (wat)

    1. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      1 and 2

  9. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA / Otamendi / Digne (Lundstram / Rico)
    SALAH / Sterling / Maddison / Mount (Dendocker)
    PUKKI /Abraham / Haller

    (0.6 ITB, 1 FT)

    A) Salah & Pukki to Mane and Jimenez/Wilson for -4 hit
    B) Salah & Pukki to KDB & Vardy/Jimenez/Wilson for -4 hit
    C) Save FT
    D) Any other suggestions

    1. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b with vardy

  10. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    My team:

    Pope, Button
    TAA, Ota*, Soy, Lunds, Hanley**
    Salah*, Sterling, Yarmo, Cantwell, Hayden**
    Auba, Wilson, Abraham

    No WC, 1 FT, 0.5 IDB

    So what should be my transfer priority for the next week:

    a) Salah to KDB
    b) Ota to Tomori
    c) Auba to Vardy
    d) Salah+Cantwell to KDb+CHO (-4)
    e) save FT

  11. AllINeedIsCoffee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Cantwell, Salah & Otamendi -> KDB, D. Silva & Tomori for -4 with the intention of selling D. Silva after AVL(H), SOU(H) and then after that I'd look at Sterling to Mané or Salah?

    Thanks 🙂

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

      why would you sell Salah when he's playing a team with more issues than a psychologist's waiting room

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Folks still in top 100k, top 500k, even top million - please don’t complain too much about your rank/rank drops rn 😆

    Some of us are having a much harder time of it so far

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      🙁

      Sorry

      Just look at the players... wow what a crazy week

      Aguero - 0 mins
      Salah - 0 mins
      Mahrez - 0 mins
      Son - 1 pt
      Abraham (c) - 4

      Literally all my big hitters fell over

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hoping for - Kun start and plays 50-60mins, scores a brace, subbed off for Jésus who comes on and has a terrible game.

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

      same

  14. SiSenor
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you take a hit for this?

    Pukki + Auba > De Bruyne + Jimenez

    Dendon > Connelly also

  15. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Going to get rid of Aguero if he plays today... my replacement is a big boi

    It's......... Jamie Vardy

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

      tues till sat is a big gap. Minutes today irrelevant

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy is a match for any Premium FWD 🙂

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

        no he's not

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

          No he is

          Great Form: Since Rodgers arrival Vardy has scored 15 Premier League goals - two more than any other player.

          - Great fixtures: (sou cry ARS bha EVE WAT avl NOR) in next 8 - Nailed on and on Pens

          - No midweek European games for Leicester means he'll be relatively fresh

          Honestly cant see any downside in joining Vardy Party.

  16. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    City triple for the next two? Aguero, Mahrez and KDB (already have Kun and Mahrez, will somehow bring KDB in)
    This is the team:

    Pope
    TAA, Otamendi, Lund
    Salah, Mahrez, Mount, Yarmo
    Aguero, Tammy, Wilson

    Button, Soy, Rico, Cantwell 1FT, £0.4ITB
    Thinking of doing Salah, Otamendi to KDB, Tomori. I can then spend the rest of the money elsewhere.
    Any help appreciated.
    Cheers

  17. michudagawd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    With just one free transfer and 0.1 itb, is it best to save here?

    Pope
    Otamendi Soyuncu Burn
    Sterling (c) CHO KDB Mané
    Auba Pukki Abraham

    Button - Lundstram Nakamba Mings

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

      yes

  18. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is it better to double up on liverpool defenders or attackers when the fixtures turn for them?

  19. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    whats the vision here guys, 1 FT and 1.1 ITB.?

    Heaton Button
    Ota Lunds Rico Taa Boly
    Salah McGin Sterling KDB Dedonck
    Tammy Wilson Greenwood

  20. Aubaaaaa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Will Alonso be nailed when Emerson returns to fitness?

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

      no

  21. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No replies

    A) Salah to kdb save one ft
    B) salah and greenwood to kdb and delofeu/king free
    C) salah and Cantwell to kdb and maddison free
    D) salah greenwood digne to kdb jiminez 5.5m (-4)

    Team
    Pope button
    Ota taa lund soyu digne
    Salah sterling Mount mcgin cantwell
    Abraham auba Green

    Suggestion needed guys.Thanks.

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

      why you getting rid of salah... personally im keeping him,, Get rid of Auba as Laca is coming back and he will be on the wing.. auba to Vards?

  22. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any doing here? Boly (new) seems a shame to bench

    Pope
    TAA Pereira Lundstram
    Mané KDB Mount CHO
    Aguero(c) Wilson Abraham

    McGovern Boly Rico Dendocker 1FT 0.2 ITB

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Be brave and play him over Lundy ha

  23. Kiwi Don
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Mount to CHO too sideways? Thinking it will free up some cash.

    Good or bad move?

  24. imvs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    whom to replace otamendi with ?

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

      Tomori, Boly, another pool defender, Soyuncu, loads of options.

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

        Thats the problem ....there are lots of option
        Cant decide which one to go with

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

          Haha i guess so, hmmm, well maybe can leave a pool defender double up until after city if you already have one of VVD/TAA/Robertson. Tomori is the next best option i’d say if not already maxed out on Chelsea assets, that’s who i’d go for, i’m coming round to keeping Ota for one last GW now anyway, it’ll be his parting gift put it that way whatever he scores.

  25. Wag the Drog
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Was planning on doing to Son to Hudson-Odoi to raise funds for a Cantwell replacement. Do you still think I should after yesterday's two goal haul?

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

      Yep, one game but they’re still a circus

  26. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hmmmmm,

    Otamendi + Jorginho > Tomori + D.Silva worth a -8?

    Or maybe Otamendi + Jorginho > 6.8 defender for the same hit?

    It’s not is it lol

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      no not even close

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

        I needed that haha, hopefully a pen for Jorginho 🙂

  27. imvs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    replacement for otamendi
    A) Tomori
    B) dunk
    C) doherty
    D) boly
    Or any other (better) options ?
    Alrwady have 2 pool defenders ,periera and lundstram