Scout Notes

Newcastle defenders stutter at first hurdle in defeat to Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace 1-0 Newcastle

Goals: Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m)

Assists: Jordan Ayew (£5.0m)

Bonus Points: van Aanholt x3, Joel Ward x2 (£4.3m), Scott Dann x1 (£4.3m)

Newcastle’s budget defensive options stuttered at the first hurdle in their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

There was plenty of interest in Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m) and Fédérico Fernández (£4.4m) ahead of Gameweek 27, as the Magpies prepared to embark on a favourable run of fixtures.

That began with a trip to Crystal Palace, and Selhurst Park, the stadium that had seen the fewest goals this season.

However, just as they had done over the last few matches, Newcastle gave up a whole host of chances and probably should have conceded a lot more than they did.

The fact that even Palace (who have scored the joint-fewest goals this season) were able to shoot 18 times, more than double the tally recorded by Steve Bruce’s men, should be cause for concern for anyone invested in Newcastle’s defence.

In fact, such was the poor nature of Newcastle’s display, especially at the back, their manager is starting to question whether or not he will continue with the 5-4-1 formation, which has been an established system for some years now.

“Maybe it’s time for (a) change. Maybe it’s time to try something different, to have a look, but I couldn’t fault their effort and endeavour. They never stopped in that respect.” – Steve Bruce

Lascelles, Fernández and Fabian Schär (£5.0m) all came in for media criticism at Selhurst Park, the latter giving away the free-kick that led to the only goal of the game. It will be interesting to see which of these hold onto their places if Bruce does change the system, although Ciaran Clark (£4.3m) and Paul Dummett (£4.4m) are still out with injuries.

Furthermore, there was some objection from fans and the media to the performances of Nabil Bentaleb (£5.0m) and Sean Longstaff (£5.0m) in central midfield. They were guilty of some poor passing, which restricted the service to Miguel Almirón (£5.8m) and Joelinton (£5.5m) especially, and losing the ball in key areas put more pressure on the defence.

“Our big Achilles heel is blatantly obvious today. We gave the ball away in good areas so cheaply, especially in the final third. We get so far and, unfortunately, it breaks down too often, too cheaply.” – Steve Bruce

Perhaps the only silver lining for those already invested in Newcastle defence is the fact that they still have some favourable home fixtures on the horizon, against Burnley, Sheffield United and Aston Villa.

While the Magpies have spent much of their last two away matches obliging their opponents, they do have clean sheets in each of their last two at St. James’ Park.

Meanwhile, Martin Dúbravka (£5.0m) was one of just two Newcastle players who had a good game on Saturday.

He was the main reason that the scoreline stayed respectable. Without his eight saves, Crystal Palace could have racked up a big score. That large number of stops helped Dúbravka to a four-point FPL score of his own.

The other Magpie to show some redeeming qualities was Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m) who, as per usual, asked plenty of questions with his pace but failed to deliver much in the way of end-product.

Meanwhile, Palace’s attacking options may well be ruing their profligacy as they completely dominated Newcastle but only found the net once.

Christian Benteke (£5.7m) started a third match in a row at the apex of the Eagles’ 4-3-3 formation and had some chances, that he could not capitalise on.

Meanwhile, Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) had a decent game up against Valentino Lazaro (£5.5m), the Newcastle man continuing to struggle in his attempts to adapt to life in the Premier League, picking up a red card in the process.

Zaha himself asked plenty of questions from his left-winger berth and would have picked up a collection of assists had Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) been more ruthless.

The Ghanaian international was afforded a host of chances but saw a few tame efforts saved, other more powerful ones denied by a strong Dúbravka performance, and he even managed to strike the post in the second half. Arguably it was enough to discourage much investment in Palace attackers, as well as Newcastle defenders.

There was admittedly plenty of threat from set-pieces, even though Luka Milivojevic (£6.7m) was absent through injury – but, then again, Newcastle always struggle in dead-ball situations. Gary Cahill (£4.4m) and Scott Dann (£4.3m) both went close and were only denied by the aforementioned heroics of Dúbravka.

However, the key takeaway has to be the performance of Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) as he emerged with a monster haul.

His role in set pieces continues to increase his points potential, leading to his scoring of a direct free-kick in the second half. A combination of the clean sheet and maximum bonus points made for a 15-point haul.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita; van Aanholt, Cahill, Dann, J Ward; McArthur, McCarthy, Kouyaté (Riedewald 89′); Zaha, Benteke (Tosun 89′), Ayew.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Rose (Ritchie 71′), Schär, Lascelles, Fernández, Lazaro; Saint-Maximin, Bentaleb, S Longstaff, Almirón (Gayle 71′); Joelinton.

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752 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Doherty & Cantwell/Mooy or Boly & Mount/Perez/Barnes? 🙂

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Boly & Perez/Barnes if you need 2 starters in your 11

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would go with Boly & Mount

  2. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Re-post

    1 FT and 2.4 ITB

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA Gomez Cahill B.Williams Lascelles
    Salah KDB B.Fernandes Adama Fleck
    Vardy Ings Jiminez

    I did Kun to Vardy already - should I do Williams to Evans/Reece James or roll the other FT into GW 29?.

  3. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    12 minutes till team new...

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      *news*

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

    Anyone else just gonna go without a keeper next week? Pope worth a hit considering he plays in 31?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He’s also been hauling lately

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not in that situation, but I am considering fielding only 10 in order to have 2 FT to attack DGW29 if it's announced on Friday. I could use both my FT to get 11, but it seems rather pointless considering the value of a FT.

  5. Grealish vs Harvey Barnes
    Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    J.Grealish vs H.Barnes
    (Nevada State Court)

    tldr - Barnes won

    Due to the blank plus swing in fixtures,

    I thought it would be worth comparing both players recent performances

    Gameweeks 23-26
    (Both had more or less the same minutes)

    Bar—Gre
    29 vs 20 Total Points
    03 vs 01 Goals Scored
    01 vs 01 Assist

    Bar—Gre
    10 vs 12 Total Shots
    09 vs 09 Shots Inside Box
    05 vs 02 Shots on Target
    03 vs 00 Big Chances
    08 vs 15 Chances Created

    During these 4 GWs,
    Leicester also had slightly tougher fixtures imo:

    Leic - Bur Whu Che Wol
    Villa - Bri Wat Bou Tot

    Despite this, as a TEAM,
    Leicester also out performed Villa both defensively and in attack stats
    (Ndidi missed 3 of these games also...)

    Next, looking at the next 6 GW fixtures for both as they stand:

    Villa: Blank Lei Che New Wol Liv (5 games)
    Leic: Nor Villa Wat Bri Eve Cry (6 games)

    Leicester clearly have the advantage here.

    Therefore, I think it is reasonable to summise given:

    1. Recent Opposition
    2. Individual & Team Form
    3. Future Opposition
    4. Villa blank

    that Barnes has a strong possibilty to outscore Grealish in the coming weeks.

    Clearly, Grealish is more nailed, but given Barnes recent form and with City now out of the way, he should be straight back in you would think for the more winnable fixtures.

    If you have value tied up in Grealish, then it may not be as simple, but having both is also an option (which I am considering)

    Good luck.

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

      I think I'm doing Dendo > Barnes to leave me with Salah, KdB, Grealish, Traore, Barnes since Dendo has lost his starting place.

      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ed don't often agree with your comments but that midfield looks a barnestormer..I'm eding towards the same midfield combo

      2. SH
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I just did Hayden > Barnes for similar reason.

      3. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Wolves played 3-5-2 last time

        It's Dendoncker who started (and played really well), and Traore who was benched for the 2nd time running.

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Where do I pay membership to follow you?

      Thx for the info. My transfer next gw so.

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping Cantwell haunts sellers personally

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for this, food for thought!

    6. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You are also comparing the only week HB has returned

    7. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes didn’t start this weekend did he?

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No

    8. RD
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 19 days ago

      Wow

  6. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robbo Holgate Dunk
    Salah Martial Cantwell
    Vardy Jimenez Ings
    (4.0 KDB Grealish Lundstram)

    1 FT 0.5 itb
    A) Lund to Taylor
    B) Grealish to Barnes
    C) both for a hit
    D) save

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why not Grealish to Maddison ?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        0.2 off

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Shame some great fixtures coming up for Leicester and maddison is guaranteed to start in every game, Barnes isn't

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks mate

            1. Shineonme
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Why not downgrade Lund now he's lost his starting spot then you can do Grealish to Maddison ? I know it's a -4 but in the long run it may pay off.

              1. CRO KLOPP
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                So C with Maddison,I could do that,will have to monitor price rises
                Thank you and GL

  7. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I play Hayden or take a hit for Traore or a cheap defender?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Playden 😉

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Seems like he is stuck to the bench though

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm leaning towards this even though it will result in a major benching headache in the future

        1. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Ok with those team news I might just stick with Hayden..

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I agree now 🙂

            1. Jullepuu
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Probably not worth it to take a hit for someone like Stephens or Taylor?

              1. CRO KLOPP
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                No ,only thing is that Taylor plays in 31,depends on your chip strategy

                1. Jullepuu
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  I can bring someone like Taylor in without a hit before gw 31 so yeah. I'm free hitting if Pool beat Chelsea.

          2. RealVirg
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            What team news?

            1. Jullepuu
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Traore isn't starting

  8. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    VAR controversy is getting ridiculous and beyond a joke. I'm not blaming the technology at all as it should be used to make the correct calls. I'm blaming the clowns responsible for making the decisions based on the video evidence.

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That is true because in Bundesliga they use far better

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Serie A as well.

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

        But they're ruthlessly efficient Germans.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That should have a VAR AI delevoped. Get these human clowns out the chairs

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        For when we watch robots playing ball!

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I was a big advocate for VAR but now it's spoiling the enjoyment of watching live game's now not knowing if it's a goal or not until these clowns veiw the VAR.

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Don't give on VAR yet. It can be used in a good way

  9. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I suspect some will say neither... but who do you think looks better going forward; Pereira or Alonso?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Periera

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If he was nailed Alonso would be the first name in my team, had him for this short spell between GWs 7-10, got me 5,5,14,6. Think he should play more but Frank knows better.

  10. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking for a DCL replacement. Cannot afford Jimenez. Do you think Giroud is a viable option?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hard to say now that Abraham is back m

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No. Think Lampard will go back to Abraham when he's properly fit.

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why you selling DCL?

    4. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      United, Che, Pool, LEI, TOT in next 6

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        One good defence there. In form, lovely price. And Everton scored 2 at Anfield in December.

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He’s 6m and in form.
        I’d keep.

        1. beetlejuice
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          with lack of options look like I will keep. Only if I could afford Jimenez..

    5. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Giroud should be an option but he isn't

      already own Ings?

      1. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yea ings and vardy other 2

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Vardy to Jimenez? Vardy on 7 blanks now. Fixtures look decent but a player of his talent shouldn't be in such poor form. Most important thing though is 11 for GW28.

          1. beetlejuice
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I kept him till this far. I will keep him. I think he will do well but so does Jimenez.
            I have 12 already with 2FT
            Thanks mate.

  11. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Time to move Henderson on? Don't have a playing keeper this week, and their fixtures turn. Considering Schmeichel.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He is an option. I need a playing gk also. Pope is another option if I get 2nd gk. Dubravka should get save pts.

  12. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    2 minutes until meltdown when Traore is benched again!

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      As it was foretold 😉

  13. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Kun Grealish and Gomez > Ings mane and Taylor -4?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No.

  14. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore benched!

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      u serious?

    2. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      NOOOOO!

  15. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    RP from last page

    Which move for GW28 ?

    A) Grealish > Barnes or Traoré
    B) Holgate > Boly
    C) Cantwell > Barnes or Traoré

    1FT 1.5itb
    McCarthy
    TAA, VVD, Williams, Holgate*
    Salah (C), Martial, Cantwell*
    Vardy, Jimi, Ings
    (McGovern) (KDB, Grealish*, Stevens)

    Actually leaning towards C (to Barnes) as it allows me to keep Grealish for after the blank but would prob mean some bench frustrations some weeks

    Cheers

  16. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Nooooooo Traore 🙁

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      🙁

  17. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    3-5-2, this can only mean one thing. Doherty and Jota are gonna haul.

  18. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    MUN: de Gea, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Shaw, Fernandes, Matic, James, Fred, Greenwood, Martial
    Subs: Romero, Bailly, Williams, McTominay, Mata, Chong, Ighalo

    WAT: Foster, Kabasele, Cathcart, Dawson, Masina, Capoue, Pereyra, Doucouré, Deulofeu, Hughes, Deeney
    Subs: Gomes, Mariappa, Sarr, Chalobah, Cleverley, Gray, Welbeck

    WOL: Patrício, Boly, Saïss, Coady, Doherty, Moutinho, Neves, Dendoncker, Jonny, Jota, Jiménez
    Subs: Ruddy, Vinagre, Kilman, Podence, Gibbs-White, Traoré, Neto

    NOR: Krul, Lewis, Hanley, Aarons, Godfrey, Cantwell, Tettey, Duda, Rupp, McLean, Pukki
    Subs: Ralf Fährmann, Stiepermann, Vrancic, Trybull, Buendía, Drmic, Idah

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No Williams, No Traore WTF

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Greenwood starts lol

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch Williams and Traoré benched.

  19. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Oh my... Traoré owners spewing!

  20. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    TEAM NEWS

    Norwich team to play Wolves: Krul, Aarons, Godfrey, Hanley, Lewis, Tettey, McLean, Rupp, Duda, Cantwell, Pukki

    Subs: Fahrmann, Vrancic, Buendia, Stiepermann, Trybull, Drmic, Idah
    13:00

    TEAM NEWS

    Wolves team to play Norwich: Rui Patricio, Doherty, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Neves, Jimenez, Jota

    Subs: Ruddy, Neto, Podence, Gibbs-White, Vinagre, Traore, Kilman

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore benched lol. Was thinking of getting him in. Europa League back in full swing...

    2. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      would think Nuno would keep the same team after a 4-0 win!

  21. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Greenwood starts, Adama benched.

  22. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Think Kun missing a penalty and blanking will open the door for Jesus to keep him out of the team.

  23. JBG
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lol this FPL season has been a real clusterfu.. Nothing logical works out.

  24. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How come the games at 14:00 today aren't televised?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Only one game was due to be played today. The 2 x 2pm games are both moved from 3pm yesterday due to the Europa League

      1. Demelbrush
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

  25. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    As I said after Espanol game Traore will be benched and he is.

    Worst player in the Wolves lately

  26. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Meh. More than happy for a Traore cameo as H. Barnes 1st on bench only has 1 point anyway.

  27. Party time
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Adama against tired legs 😆

    • The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Son > Traore went well. Lol

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah... I did it too lol. This minutes have been 90 a lot of late so I thought he was going to be ok. Nuts!

    • Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Williams was almost guaranteed not to start this game..

    • have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Dammit I only just got Traore

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He will come on and score a hatty