Scout Notes

End of Liverpool’s unbeaten run may have consequences for FPL season run-in

Watford 3-0 Liverpool

  • Goals: Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) x2, Troy Deeney (£6.2m)
  • Assists: Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m), Deeney, Sarr
  • Bonus: Sarr x3, Deeney x2, Christian Kabasele (£4.3m), Adam Masina (£4.3m) x1

Liverpool’s 44-match unbeaten run in the league was ended dramatically and emphatically by a ruthless Watford at Vicarage Road.

Fans of Arsenal’s 2004 Invincibles, as well as the usual suspects at Old Trafford and Goodison Park, took great pleasure in the result, but few Fantasy managers were left so delighted.

Eight Liverpool players have higher ownership numbers than Watford’s most popular player, the 4.3%-owned goalkeeper Ben Foster (£4.9m).

And the leading lights in Watford’s win, Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) and Troy Deeney (£6.2m), came into the fixture with a combined ownership of 1.7%, or just over two-thirds of a Divock Origi (£5.2m and 2.4%).

Throw in the fact that two of the Gameweek’s three most captained players, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) and Sadio Mane (£12.4m), both blanked and Watford’s memorable win proved to be an entirely forgettable Fantasy experience for most.

Most, but not all.

Sarr’s ownership, now up to 0.6% and counting after an overnight boost, luxuriated in a 19-point display that was Watford’s performance in microcosm – too fast, direct and deadly for Liverpool.

He had already forced a save out of Alisson (£6.2m) in a first half otherwise light on good chances before opening the scoring after 54 minutes.

Dejan Lovren (£5.3m), in for the injured Joe Gomez (£5.3m), was so intent on grappling with Deeney that he neglected to stop the ball running to Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m), who promptly cut it back from the byline for his fellow midfielder to tap in.

And Sarr doubled the lead six minutes later, latching onto Deeney’s through-ball, outpacing the Reds defence and finishing coolly past Alisson (£6.2m).

He could have a hat-trick, only to miss narrowly from the edge of the area, but by then he’d capped an outstanding display by setting up Deeney for the Hornets’ third goal.

Andrew Robertson‘s (£7.0m) ball back to Alisson was intercepted by the Senegal international, who fed Deeney, with the Watford skipper passing the ball into the unguarded net.

A brief look at the statistics summed up the game neatly – for all Liverpool’s possession (70.9%), they managed just the one shot on target, when Robertson tested Foster at his near post, compared to Watford’s five.

The Hornets also had double their visitors’ overall attempts (14 to seven) and created chances twice as frequently (6.7 minutes per chance compared to 13.4).

All of this goodness, as mentioned, was enjoyed by so few, while one of Watford’s more popular FPL picks, Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m and 2.6%), ironically had a less pleasant time of it, lasting just 36 minutes before twisting his knee in a challenge with Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m).

The injury looked bad, although Watford manager Nigel Pearson was reluctant to speculate after the match:

It’s distressing for the players and obviously for Geri. I went into the medical room at half-time and he was clearly distressed and in quite a bit of pain. He’s been excellent for us, so we’ll just have to see how that one is.

Those Deulofeu owners will want to see their man back to enjoy what is a generally strong schedule over the next eight Gameweeks.

The Hornets do have to host Leicester and travel to Chelsea, but the other six fixtures are kinder, and five of them involve sides in the bottom half of the table – crucial clashes if they are to beat the drop.

Having endured a run of two draws and three losses from their last five matches, interest in Pearson’s troops – and Sarr, Deeney and Doucoure in particular – should increase as the season draws to a close, with the fact that Watford are guaranteed a Gameweek 31 fixture (away at Burnley) as an added bonus.

But as those low ownership figures show, few Fantasy managers have taken the plunge on Pearson-era Watford players, so they remain major differentials at present.

Sarr is the biggest one of them all, even though his attacking threat, when he’s fit, is exceptional.

The midfielder has managed five more attempts than striker Deeney this season despite playing nearly 300 fewer minutes.

As for Liverpool’s many well-owned stars, there is a growing feeling that the winter break has done them few favours, although Saturday’s defeat can be seen in two ways.

The fact that Jurgen Klopp’s side can’t now win the title, at the very earliest, until Gameweek 32’s trip to Manchester City – unless other results go their way as well – should keep squad rotation to a minimum.

But now that the prospects of an unbeaten league season are over, when the Reds do finally lift the crown, Klopp will have no need to keep fielding a full-strength side, especially if they are still in the Champions League.

The side’s fixtures remain attractive, however, and there is also the target of breaking the 100-point barrier to keep Liverpool’s stars interested, so now is not the time to be jumping the Anfield ship.

As for the Watford match, Klopp was happy to acknowledge the past before looking to the future:

What the boys did so far is exceptional, but it is not over. That is the only thing I am interested in, it’s not over. We will go again, I promise 100 per cent, and then we will see where it leads us to.

He also gave an update on Gomez:

No [not serious]. He felt a little bit and that’s enough – we have two more centre-halves in the squad and we have to use the quality we have.

Those Fantasy managers with double coverage of Liverpool’s defence will be hoping to see Gomez back immediately, as the back four looks rather more secure with him in it.

And rare off days for Salah, Mane et al will be quickly forgotten if they find some form at home to Bournemouth next time out.

Watford XI (4-2-3-1): Foster; Femenía, Kabasele, Cathcart, Masina; Hughes, Capoue; Sarr (Pussetto 82′); Doucouré; Deulofeu (Pereyra 37′); Deeney.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain(Origi 65′), Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino (Minamino 79′), Mane.

Members Analysis

BLANK GAMEWEEK 28 FPL MATCH REPORTS

1,616 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Anyone going with both Jota and Jimenez?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Me.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      thinking about it now too.

      see below

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Can't.
      I've burned that bridge by getting Saiss early last GW for a hit. Now will double up on defense with Doherty

    4. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      0/ Atm I have Ings, DCL, Vardy.

      Ings & Vardy both more or less injury doubts. Might swap both for Jimmy & Jota and take a hit. Using WC around 32 & 33. So question is which combo scores most in next 3-4 GW's and Ings and Vardy both will most likely blank in GW31.

    5. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Already done

    6. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Depends on FA Cup fixtures, but possibly

    7. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Considering either Jota or DCL

  2. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    asked this earlier but no response?

    Which move would you do from these?

    a. Vardy & Traore > Jota & Bruno ( Have Jimenez already)

    b. Vardy & Traore > Auba & 4.3 (bench fodder)

    I'm chasing my ML leader but 52 odds pts

    Any feedback appreciated.

    Cheers

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A for me

    2. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A looks better

    4. emodabi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A looks solid and I like the Jiménez and Jota combo, however if Arsenal has DGW in this week maybe B.

    5. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Thanks for the replies

  3. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Ings to Jota or Stephens to Doherty?
    Or save?

    Have Jiminez and Boly

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      save or ings to Jota

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Ings to jota seems to be the move to make ,,, right? the guy have regressed a bit to mean in the recent gws

  4. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I think Doherty is worth the extra 1.2 over Boly for his attacking threat. (5 goals 4 assists). Thoughts?

    Matt Doherty has recorded more big chances than the likes of Martial, Son and Richarlison this season.

    Only Sterling, Salah and Mane have accumulated more chances from midfielders. With the exception of Lundstram, no defender has had even half as many big chances as Doherty #FPL

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      if you dont have boly already, yes it is worth paying the money

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yes I think he is. Maybe to replace robbo/VvD/Gomez.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yep
      Saiss Jimenez Doherty for me

  5. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Firmino to Jimenez now or keep for BOU and get rid later?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Sell
      He's cursed @ Home 😀

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        This!

  6. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Need some advice on this team.
    Only 50 points ahead in the ML.
    What is My prio?

    1 FT and 5.5 m in the bank

    Ryan

    TAA VvD Boly

    Salah KDB Perez Fernandes

    Ings DCL Jimenez

    Button Traore Stephens Lundstram

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Perez to Richarlison? Or to Mahrez if this mythical DGW29 turns up.

      Traore and Lundy need to be dealt with as well.

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Thanx

  7. fpork
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Got 4.3 ITB and 2 FT. Considering:
    1. Button->Pope
    2. Rico->SHU def
    3. Ings->Jota
    4. Maddison->Fernandes
    McCarthy (Button)
    Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Söyüncü, Doherty (Rico)
    De Bruyne, Maddison, Salah (Traoré) (Cantwell)
    Ings, Jiménez, Calvert-Lewin

    1. fpork
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Or even Traore->Sarr. So many possibilities...

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      3 and 4 look good. If you only wanted to do one transfer this week then 4.

  8. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    A or B?

    A - Henderson (NOR)
    B - Pope (SPURS)

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Popes on fire.

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Pope all day long

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Cleanse against Spurs?

        1. Roy Rovers
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          * Cleanie

        2. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Decent chance. Burnley has 4cs in last 5 .even if he should get lots of save points

          Should do well for remainder of season

  9. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Ryan replacement?
    Looking at Patricio but already have Doherty.
    Henderson will blank in gw31
    I don't know if I can trust the Newcastle defence.
    Thoughts?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Pope no brainier

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Also consider Foster

  10. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Who do you prefer for next 4 ?

    A) Sarr- cry LEI bur SOU

    B) Bruno- MCI tot blank bha

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Sarr

  11. arkom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Soy / TAA / VVD
    Salah / Martial / Maddison / KDB
    Vardy / Ings / DCL

    1. Cantwell 2. Aurier 3. Rico

    1FT (1,3£ ITB)

    A) Aurier --> Doherty
    B) DCL --> Jota
    C) Save
    D) Other?

  12. Akshatjazz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Thought on using BB ??

    Bench : McCarthy, Stephens, saka, lascelles

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Not for me - I knew a bloke once who used BB on double Soton defence and well ...

      1. Akshatjazz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        So shld I keep it for a DGW ??

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Ask AMEY

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        !!!!!!!!!

  13. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Martial doesn’t shoot enough for my liking. I want Fernandes but don’t have the £0.3m. Not taken a hit in a while so happy to do so. What would you do?

    McCarthy
    TAA Robertson Saiss (Lascelles Williams)
    Salah KDB Martial Barnes (Hayden)
    Auba Jimi Ings

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Also open to moves other than Bruno.

    2. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I'd save a FT in your case, team is good for this week.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      roll ft

  14. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    who d you lose for Jota:
    a. Ings
    b. Firmino

    thx

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Has to be Firmino - you're not getting value for money. Think of the extra goodies you can buy with the extra 3.4 million. Keep Ings for at least 1 more week, then review.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      easily Firminho

  15. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    is Bobby to Auba a good move with my FT guys?

    Hendo McCarthy
    TAA Rico Dunk Catchart Lascelles
    Salah Kdb Bruno doucou cantwell
    ings bobby jim

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yeah. Easy move.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yes

  16. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Early doors and won’t be making any moves until after FA CUP/Press conferences but which move looks best?

    a) Lundstram > Doherty
    b) Vary > Auba

    Pope
    TAA VVD Stephens
    Salah KDB Richarlison Cantwell
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    Button Dendoncker Holgate Lundstram

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Both but A if I had to choose

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Unfortunately FPL requires a restricted budget

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A - bang on form

    3. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A. Covers 31 as well.

    4. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      B. If DGW is announced

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        My thoughts exactly. Cheers mate

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Both -preference for B just

      Don’t think Cantwell is a starter given Norwich attacking stats. Might not pay immediately but surely will over a run.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        FPL has a budget mate

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Sorry didn’t realise you’re a pauper 🙂

          Like Auba a lot and not sure triple premium at the back is the right strategy. Lots of decent 4. somethings to rotate. I have triple 4.2 rotating for instance.

          When you ditch Lund then you have the pick of budget defenders

  17. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    What would you do with this lot?…1FT & 0.9ITB.

    Pope
    TAA VVD Stephens
    Salah KDB Bruno Traore
    Vardy Jimmi Ings.

    Henderson Cantwell Kelly Rico

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      roll transfer or Kelly > Boly/Saiss, Vardy/Ings > Jota/DCL

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Ings to Jota with a view to getting Doh from one of your dead defenders next time

  18. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Morning lads....Keep Vardy or sell (for Auba or Jota)?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Form over fixtures

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        this sell. Considering getting rid of Vardy or Ings. Probably Vardy since he has been poor in FPL terms since the start of the year

  19. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    a. Vardy > Auba
    b. Ings > DCL
    c. Traore > Fernandes and Ings> DCL -4

    1ft 2.1itb
    Pope
    Stephens TAA Saiss
    Armstrong salah Mane kdb
    Vardy Ings Jota

    Ryan Traore Lascelles Rico

  20. maratus
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    People making strange transfers already. Why on earth you dont wait for FA cup results before doing anything?
    There is huge blank incoming gw31 and making wrong transfer before that is just awful.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Just discussing

    2. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I'm one of those people LOL.
      Done ings, traore > Jota, Sarr

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        That knee tho

        1. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Still sore from that jerk

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Getting in wolves mostly.. good fixtures, form and plays in gw31

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah I'd actually prefer Wolves over City/Arsenal even with a DGW

  21. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Who to play Pope or Henderson ?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Pope

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Pope every game week. Best keeper in the game by far.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Henderson

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Henderson - SU maybe slightly on the decline but Norwich attack is a very blunt weapon

    5. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Hendo

  22. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    2 questions:
    1)Is it time to give up on Liverpool Def double up? (Keep TAA but sell Robbo for Alonso)
    2)What do you guys do with Ings? (My plan is to keep him at least for one more gw as he is going to score soon but Jota is also tempting)

  23. PortoGuy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Hi all, Need some help here
    0.7itb 1ft

    Pope
    TAA Gomez Soy Williams
    Traore Grealish Maddison Salah
    Jimenez Ings Vardy

    Button Grealish Lunds KDB

    Plano is to build for BGW31 then WC 32/33

    A. Suggestions (WC now?)
    B.Gomez to Alonso
    C. Maddison to Martial
    D. Vardy to Firmino
    E. Vardy to DCL & Maddison/Grealish to Fernandes/Richarlison

  24. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Am I correct in saying that we will know who blanks in gw31 after the midweek cup fixtures?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Absolutely correct !

      1. GAMBIT
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        You've definitely been here for more than a year

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yes, unless there are some very unexpected rearranged games.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yep, the focus will then shift to the DGW34 picture - which we will know after BGW31 etc - fun times ahead! 🙂

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        34 is the one playing on my mind - hoping for a sizeable double with a couple of blanks 🙂

  25. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    A) Vardy+Traore to Auba+Saka? (-4)
    B) Mané+Connolly to Auba+Doucouré/McNeill? (-4)

    do it right now?

  26. New Article Posted
  27. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Would you Bench Boost with this team? Dont have WC at disposal

    Hendo (NOR), McCarthy (NEW)
    TAA (BOU), Boly (BHA), O'Connell (NOR), Cahill (WAT), Fernandez (sou)
    Salah, Mane (BOU), KDB (mun), Barnes (AVL), Armstrong (NEW)
    Jimenez, Jota (BHA), Ings (NEW)

  28. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Presently have Jiménez and Boly. Best Wolves player to triple up

    A Jota
    B Doherty