Scout Notes

Influential Sarr injured as Watford record another clean sheet

WATFORD 0-0 SPURS

Goals: None

Assists: None

Penalty misses: Troy Deeney (£6.2m)

Penalty saves: Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.6m)

Bonus Points: Gazzaniga x3, Ben Foster x2 (£4.9m), Toby Alderweireld (£5.3m)

Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.6m) saved a poor Troy Deeney (£6.2m) penalty to ensure the weekend’s opening game remained goalless.

Deeney went into the match against Spurs having scored four times from eight occasions since returning from a knee operation but his 69th-minute spot-kick was only just off-centre and comfortable for Gazzaniga.

It was another good point for Watford and ensured Ben Foster (£4.9m) kept his fifth clean sheet in the same run of eight games, whilst disappointing the owners of Dele Alli (£8.6m), Son Heung-min (£9.8m) and Lucas Moura (£7.1m) by making it three games without a goal for Jose Mourinho’s side.

In a first half of few chances, the best fell to Lucas in the 38th minute when some excellent midfield play from Alli set the Brazilian through on goal but he was unable to lift it over the onrushing Foster.

Soon after, Deeney had a header in plenty of space after Nathaniel Chalobah (£4.4m) lifted the ball up. Because there was a lack of angle and not enough pace on the pass, Deeney couldn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

Watford had only scored nine times in their first 17 games and found themselves seemingly adrift at the bottom of the table until Nigel Pearson was appointed manager. Now, they attack with confidence and purpose, with Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) looking a constant threat on the right-hand side.

He terrorised make-shift left-back Japhet Tanganga (£4.0m) in the first half, leading to an early yellow card for last week’s debutant after forcing a collision once his missed header set Sarr free.

The young defender may have been given a lesson on this occasion but he enters FPL at the lowest price and was part of Spurs’ third clean sheet of the season. Facing Norwich at home next week could swiftly add a fourth, making him an interesting option for those wanting rid of Diego Rico (£4.4m) or Martin Kelly (£4.4m).

New signing Sarr caused havoc and created chances for Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m), where the latter really should have scored from inside the six-yard box.

With the Hornets unbeaten in six games, the upturn in form has projected itself onto assets like Sarr and Doucoure. Chalobah plays alongside Etienne Capoue (£4.8m), freeing up Doucoure to score twice and set up two more in the last four matches. Having brought in 12 and 11 attacking returns in the last two seasons, the Frenchman could be the best option amongst the lack of cheaper midfield candidates.

Sarr missed a golden opportunity after failing to get a firm strike on Deeney’s header and he was taken off late in the game, after seemingly hurting his hamstring whilst sprinting back to help the defence.

Mourinho again opted to use Lucas as a striker in Harry Kane’s (£10.9m) absence but, apart from the first half one-on-one with Foster, his only other big moment came right at the start when he was standing next to a clear Craig Cathcart (£4.3m) handball. His arm was flailing but neither the referee nor VAR gave a Spurs penalty.

Their system allows Serge Aurier (£5.0m) to be an attacking right-back and therefore Son has to stay extremely wide to contribute Spurs’ left-sided width. He had a big chance mid-way through the second half, sprinting forward to collect a through call but firing his shot narrowly over the bar.

“We had a lot of attacking players on the pitch. Apart from the four defenders, where Serge Aurier is more of a winger than a defender, we had only attacking players.” – Jose Mourinho

Earlier, he found himself on the right-hand side to deliver a great cross for Alli but the header was surprisingly off-target. Later substituted for Christian Eriksen (£8.6m), Alli’s sixth blank in seven games means his new manager bounce has well and truly ended.

Aurier was a threat going forward and his stoppage-time cross almost set up a winner, the ball eventually creeping to the goal line until Watford’s new signing Ignacio Pussetto (£5.0m) introduced himself to English football with a dramatic clearance. Replays showed the ball was millimetres away from being fully over the line.

Upcoming fixtures are a mixed bag for Spurs, who also gave a debut cameo to Gedson Fernandes (£5.0m). They host Norwich on Wednesday, before going against Man City and travelling to Chelsea soon after. Watford have Aston Villa (away), Everton (home) and Brighton (away) before the February break.

Watford XI (4-3-3): Foster; Masina, Cathcart, Dawson, Mariappa; Capoue, Doucoure, Chalobah (Pereyra 79’); Deulofeu, Deeney, Sarr (Pussetto 89’)

Spurs XI (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Tanganga, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Aurier; Winks, Lo Celso (Fernandes 80’); Lamela, Alli (Eriksen 73’), Son; Lucas Moura

Members Analysis

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

Arsenal 1-1 Sheffield United

Goals: Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) | John Fleck (£4.9m)

Assists: Bukayo Saka (£4.5m) | Billy Sharp (£5.6m)

Bonus Points: Fleck x3, Martinelli x2, Enda Stevens (£5.1m)

John Fleck (£4.9m) equalised to grab a deserved draw for Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium, as they continue to defy expectations on their first season back in the top flight.

18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) scored the opener for Arsenal, his ninth goal of the season in all competitions proving he is able to deputise for suspended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.7m). On the other hand, supporters must be concerned by the barren streak of Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m), which has extended to five Premier League starts.

Martinelli linked up well in the first half with Nicolas Pépé (£9.1m). It speaks volumes that the former Lille man is Arsenal’s top-scoring FPL midfielder yet began the weekend only 41st in that position’s rankings. After receiving the ball from Lacazette, Pépé floated an early cross to Martinelli that bobbled wide. The same combination then saw Pépé dribble inside and slipped in a promising through ball but it was blazed over.

“In the Premier League, if you don’t put the game to bed then in the last 10 or 15 minutes this type of team just need a long ball, a second ball, a set-piece, and you can give the points away. That’s it.” – Mikel Arteta

Their eventual goal didn’t need the Ivorian’s help. Nice interplay on the edge of the box found its way to temporary left-back Bukayo Saka (£4.5m). He dug out a cross from the left for Martinelli to calmly side-foot past Dean Henderson (£4.9m) from close range.

Aubameyang’s suspension only covers one more league game, making it difficult to identify an outstanding Arsenal asset for their promising run of games from Gameweeks 25-32. In it, they only face only one top half team.

The stand-out option definitely won’t be a defender. Only Norwich and Spurs have kept fewer clean sheets, whilst opponents Sheffield Utd sit joint top with eight. That is partly why John Lundstram (£5.1m) has 47.5% ownership, although the box-to-box midfielder showcased his attacking tendencies with a speculative shot after a Blades’ corner. He was then replaced by Callum Robinson (£5.0m).

Fleck made it 1-1 in the 83rd minute with a deflected shot that flew past Bernd Leno (£5.0m) into the top corner. His five goals have all occurred in the past 12 matches and he is the second-highest scoring midfielder below £5.5m. With many managers needing a cheap enabler in order to grab Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) or double-up on attacking Liverpool assets, Fleck has a wonderful run of fixtures following their meeting with Man City.

Three of the following five games will be home matches against Bournemouth, Brighton and Norwich alongside a trip to Aston Villa. Unfortunately, Lys Mousset (£4.7m) doesn’t have the stability of guaranteed minutes to be a realistic alternative, as his 56th-minute removal meant Sheffield Utd’s joint top scorer has only played more than 65 minutes on four occasions.

He was the only change to Chris Wilder’s starting line-up and missed two big chances early on. Both headers, the second was flagged offside but would probably have been given the green light by VAR.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, David Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka, Özil; Pépé, Martinelli, Lacazette (Nketiah 74’).

Sheffield Utd XI (3-5-2): Henderson; Basham (Besic 77’), Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram (Robinson 67’), Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; McBurnie, Mousset (Sharp 56’).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

View full match data in the Members Area

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

763 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1-0 today with a Mane goal and Robbo assist would be nice!

    1. PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah jammy brace pls

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah brace

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Will take that 😛

    4. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Any Liverpool win will do.

      This game is more important than fantasy! 😀

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

    2FT! Finally, now what to do with them? 0.9itb

    Pope
    Taa soy lund
    Salah mane kdb grealish cantwell
    Vardy jimenez

    Subs, rico, kelly, connolly

    Pope to ryan and Connolly to martinelli?

  3. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Know the gw isnt over, but has been about as bad as it could be so far.
    Gw rank of 7m, 140k drop.
    Trip Leicester, double pool/utd only chance i have.
    And that includes rashford, so not looking great!

  4. mcmd11
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Worth it?

    Abraham, Jimenez, Richarlison --> Aguero, Ayew, Traore -4pts

  5. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What is the opinion on here about abraham??

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sell

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd get rid, Chelsea's games are awful now

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Who would you replace him with?
        Dcl?tosun?

    3. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Needs to work on his finishing.

    4. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm keeping.

    5. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I sold a while back as i felt i couldnt trust Chelsea as a team to get the results, although Tammy himself is always threatening i feel hes cant be relied upon as earlier in the season

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

    Please lads, can't decide which Liverpool player to get... Any help would be apriciated...

    Hendo Button
    TAA Lundstram Chilwell Hanley Reid
    KDB Salah Martial Traore Cantwell
    Aguero Vardy Maupay

    2fts, 2.0 itb
    Cheers!

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah. For who though is tough..

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Have Salah mate 🙂

        1. Dacra
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Ooops, Mane I meant. Salah and Mane best I reckon for dgw..

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Chilwell to Robertson or Lundstram to Van Dijk is probably the easiest route

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah Chilwell to Robo is an option... But isn't going without Mane to dangerous?

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Chilwell to robbo

      Reid to Lascelles

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        would rather go Hanley to Williams as Hanley may drop in price

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I’ve got him but worried about Shaw’s return

          Also consider Holgate and Cathcart

          1. Orion
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Will do... Cheers 🙂

    4. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      chilwell to robertson

      hanley to williams

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Great plan, as my opinion 🙂 I'm not alone

  7. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed repost.

    Finally set on Robertson as 3rd pool player unless something drastic happens today. How does it look?

    Guaita
    TAA Robertson Stephens
    Mane(TC) KDB Maddison Fleck
    Aguero Ings Vardy

    Button Cantwell Kelly Lundstram

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

  8. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who is better to have in your team? Richarlison or DCL?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rich

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Depends what you would do with the spare cash. DCL better value for sure

    3. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL and coins

  9. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 FT, 1.1 ITB. Had a plan to get Son/Sarr/DCL in but now totally lost!

    Ryan
    TAA, Holgate, Kelly
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Traore
    Vardy, Ings, Rashford*

    (Woodman, Cantwell, Lundstram, Simpson)

    A) Rashford & Vardy -> Aguero & Jimi/DCL
    B) Rashford & Cantwell -> Moura & Jimi/DCL
    C) Rashford & Traore -> Jimenez & Maddison/Martial
    D) Rashford, Ings & Traore -> Aguero, DCL & Dendoncker (-4)
    E) Kelly -> Williams

    Too many unknowns so thinking E to avoid burning the FT and then see what to do with Salah/Rashford?

    Cheers

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      E is definitely safest

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ta

  10. Oscar Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for my ignorance (I'm very much a casual nowadays) but why is GW26 all over the place? I can't remember seeing anything like that before.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Winter break

      1. Oscar Slater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thought you were kidding at first! Thanks.

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Planned by parliament ?

  11. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Abraham out for who...

    Have 8.4m to spend. Got Ings and Vardy.

  12. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Doing Dilva to Mane for Tuesday but to fund it, need to do either

    A) Martial > Hayden (play 3-4-3)
    B) Vardy > Maupay to Greenwood (play 3-5-2 but would have a midfield of KDB, Salah, Mane, Grealish, Martial)

    thank you in advance

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gonna have to see how Vardy and Martial do first i think as losing either before an easy fixture is dodgey although losing Vardy will hurt more if he fires

  13. tajulariff
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Will Rashford play today?

    I have Fleck waiting as 1st sub

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Congrats on Fleck points

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

      Nah, shouldnt do. Enjoy those sweet bench points

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably come on being kept alive by some machine knowing ole

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say 50/50, OGS was very vague in high press conference.

  14. Turns
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Priced out of bringing in Ings and TAA, so how best to get triple pool?

    (A) TAA, DCL
    (B) TAA, Maupay
    (C) VVD, Ings
    (D) Gomez, Ings

    McCarthy
    Dunk - Soy - ____
    Salah - Mane - KDB - Madd - Grealish
    Vardy - ____

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

  15. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Right, Rico to Robertson or De Bruyne to Mané? Already have TAA and Salah. First option obviously gives a better overall team while the second means I’ll be thinking about Salah or Mané back to KDB pretty soon. Only lose 0.2 value in KDB so I’m not too bothered about that. Just scared of not owning Mané for the double.

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      get robbo keep kdb

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That’s what I’ve been planning all week.

  16. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What's the crack with Sidibe? Was he just rotated or dropped?

  17. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which option:

    A. Abraham -> Haller (Haller becomes Ings in GW26)
    B. Keep Abraham long-term

    Thanks!

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      keep tammy ,good value still for a decent teams striker

  18. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Need 5 goals from vardy today to make up for the sh'tshow yesterday

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I settle for 1 or 2 and max bps

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Then we'll settle on a hattie. Compromise 🙂

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

      Hey, why did you get Tammy with those fixtures ahead ? Should have had points yesterday but new away is a dodgy match.

  19. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hendo (McGov)
    TAA - Soy - Lundy (Stephens, Kelly)
    Salah - Mane - KDB - Madders - Grealish
    Vardy - Ingsy (Greenwood)

    2FT, 0.2 ITB. Any early ideas guys? Who am I missing here?

    1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Whaaa is that a WC team?

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Nope, 2FT as you see 🙂
        But thanks!

    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      too many foxes maybe,madders to martial

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Was thinking about that move but Madds has WHU home next

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

    I have exact cash to WC for this team:

    McCarthy / Hendo
    TAA / Robbo / Lund / Williams / Tanganga
    Mane / KDB / Grealish / Traore / Fleck
    Aguero / Vardy / Ings

    7 moves (-24)

    Worth doing? Need to sort my rank out!

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      As much as I would warn against wildcard so early, got to admit that's a smart set up moving forward.

  21. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If I could buy Holgate/Stephens/New def... Is Williams a trap?

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      ive got williams @ 4.1 perfect 5th defender,heck he may already be ahead of tubby,

  22. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Will Kelly keep his place?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Doubt it

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wondering this too. Need to sell him or Rico to ensure I have a 4th def at least.

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Did Rico to Williams prev gw. Now might get rid of Kelly but will see.

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Think Williams is safe? I like the little I've seen.
          Fwiw, didn't ward come on for riedewald? Maybe Kelly continues at rb. I don't pretend to know for sure

  23. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Henderson
    Sidibe Trent Dunk
    Salah TC Mane Grealish DeBruyne
    Vardy Maupay Ings

    Kelly Lundstrum March

    Gtg?

  24. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Last 3 transfers out

    Aguero
    Grealish
    Jimenez

    Good morning fpl

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch Peter

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cripes. I did the latter but you must be in a place where only Buddhist conversion would help

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

    Depressing week. 22 with 6 to play and possibly Troare 10 in for rash.
    Which is best to play next - Grealish or Ings. Currently benching Ings.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not too bad if you still have your Capt.. I would play both if possible

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

        Yeah Captained Vards. Hoping for the best. Thanks for the advice.

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

        Pope
        TAA Williams Soy
        Mane Salah Maddy Grealish KDB
        Vardy Greenwood (Ings)

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Your having a laugh?try having 7 from 4, will be 9 from 5 with rashford absence, that's a depressing week mate. Not 22!

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

        Lol sorry to hear Jason! That’s terrible but I’m sure after today it will turn out alright. Stay strong 🙂

  26. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Why is everyone asking 'who to get from liverpool' when they've not played yet this week!

    Two weeks ago everyone was being told to buy Rashford, Sarr and Richarlison - that went well didn't it....

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      They haven't gone far enough

      Should be stripped of the titles they won

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

        Yes. Can't lose Euro titles though because there's no salary cap outside England. But no salary cap definitely helped them qualify for Europe.

  27. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Annoyed I played McCarthy over Foster

    Never go for rotating keepers but had BB in mind

  28. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan
    Taa,William,Robbo
    Mane,Kdb,Martial,Mahrez
    Deeney,Ings,Vardy

    Button Cantwell,Sidibe,Lund

    Good to go GW 24 guys ? Have 1FT , 0.1 itb

  29. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG for next week? Don't know whether to bench Stephens or Sidibe.

    Ryan
    TAA Soyuncu Sidibe
    Salah Mane KDB Snodgrass
    Maupay Vardy Ings

    Henderson Stephens Lundstram Cantwell

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I will start Sidibe, and just hope he plays..