Scout Notes

Organised Palace defence stops Watford replicating Liverpool display

Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford

  • Goals: Jordan Ayew (£5.1m)
  • Assists: James McArthur (£5.2m)
  • Bonus Points: Vicente Guaita x3 (£5.1m), Scott Dann x2 (£4.3m), Ayew x1

Crystal Palace’s run of clean sheets continued to a third successive game as they emerged 1-0 winners over Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles held off a spirited Hornets side in the opening period before going ahead and surviving what descended into something of a scrappy encounter in the second.

That goal, which proved to be the winner, was scored by budget forward Jordan Ayew (£5.1m), who now has attacking returns in each of Palace’s last three matches.

With some consistency building for the former Swansea City man, he might even be in time to convince Fantasy managers he is worth owning for Blank Gameweek 31, considering Liverpool’s recent defensive problems.

Ayew looks set to hold down his place in the Crystal Palace team based purely on form, although competition for the centre-forward role has been recently decreased by a long-term injury to Cenk Tosun (£5.7m).

“We signed (Ayew) in the summer, but we paid money to loan him last season, and he has shown his worth. I think he has got stronger, and we saw signs last season, but I am delighted for him.” – Roy Hodgson

Ayew looks more likely to warrant investment in the next few weeks than Palace’s defence, even if it has performed well.

The Eagles do have Bournemouth (away) and Burnley (home) in two of the next three Gameweeks but they must also face Liverpool (away), Leicester (away) and Chelsea (home) in their next five.

It will still be interesting to see how Palace do in that spell though, as, since Scott Dann (£4.3m) was installed as Gary Cahill‘s (£4.4m) centre-back partner in Gameweek 27, they are yet to concede.

This match will have also served as another scouting opportunity for Watford assets ahead of their involvement in Blank Gameweek 31, an away trip to Burnley.

However, the Hornets were unable to build on that hugely impressive win over Liverpool and were unable to carve open too many clear cut chances against a well-organised Palace defence.

“We played against a side which is happy to defend with a bit of depth, it’s never an easy game coming here and our quality with the final pass sometimes was the problem. Our set-play delivery, when we had opportunities, later on, that was something we needed to be better at.” – Nigel Pearson

Not surprisingly, Ismaïla Sarr (£6.3m) was the driving force for Watford, used as the main outlet for attacks but on this occasion, he was not afforded as much space as he was against Liverpool.

While the Senegalese international’s delivery was very good, Cahill and Dann had the defence organised well enough to crowd out the intended targets.

Meanwhile, it was clear that Watford were lacking the drive and penetration of Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) on the left-hand side, Roberto Pereyra (£5.6m) unable to replicate the Spaniard’s abilities. That, in turn, had something of an adverse effect on Sarr, as Watford’s play became more focussed through him, they were arguably more predictable.

That said, there was enough spirit shown by Nigel Pearson’s men in the early stage of the game to warrant continued inclusion in Fantasy squads, especially with that Blank Gameweek 31 fixture coming up.

“We’ve had good spells of pressure and haven’t made the most of it, but we’ll bounce back because our players here are honest and committed. I think we played pretty well, and it was a missed opportunity in many ways today because of our inability to be decisive in front of goal. I thought we played pretty well and had chances in the first half, in particular, to go ahead.” – Nigel Pearson

Meanwhile, despite failing to keep a clean sheet, Watford did do a relatively decent job of keeping Crystal Palace quiet.

As already mentioned, this was a tight and scrappy game, which probably suited the defences of each team.

With Leicester struggling in attack of late, this performance might indicate that defensive returns against the Foxes are hardly off the cards, especially considering that Watford have the joint-highest number of home clean sheets this season.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Dann, Cahill, van Aanholt; McCarthy, McArthur (Milivojevic 70′), Kouyaté; Zaha, Benteke, Ayew.

Watford XI (4-2-3-1): Foster; Masina, Cathcart, Kabasele, Femenía; Hughes (A Gray 84′), Capoue, Pereyra (Pussetto 74′), Doucouré, Sarr; Deeney (Welbeck 74′).

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624 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Predictions
    Chelsea vs Everton
    United vs City??

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      1-2
      1-1

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      2-2
      1-3

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      1-2
      3-1

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        United supporter?

      2. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Not sure why a Spurs fan would want United to win. Ideally they'd want City to win because United winning would make top 4 even harder for Spurs.

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Don’t want them to win, but that’s my score prediction

        2. Grounderz
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Does prediction have to consider personal preference as a fan? What's the point of prediction then.

    4. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      1-1
      1-2

    5. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Chelsea Everton 1 - 3
      Manutd Mancity 3 - 1

      1. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Siggy scores

        1. wulfrunian
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Siggy benched

    6. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Away wins for both

    7. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      1-0
      1-1

    8. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      1-1
      1-2

    9. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Both to happen

    10. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      2-1
      2-2

    11. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      2-4
      2-1

    12. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      0-1
      1-2

    13. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      1-1
      0-1

  2. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Alonso to have a field day against Pickford. Good to have some height in the box.

  3. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Alonso in a back 4...
    Luckily didnt bring in.

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        I can’t seem to find this bet 🙁

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Click game and scroll down a little it is under "Boosts"

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Oh right yes he is. Hmm. Rethink then 🙁

  4. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Baines was their best player last game. Shame he's back on the bench.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Now that's a real nostalgia pick!

  5. Party time
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Come on CHELSEA

      Mount 6 goals and 3 assists please

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Earth to Hakim, are you there?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Music plays

          Hakimbaway, hakimbaway
          Hakimbaway, hakimbaway
          Hakimbaway, hakimbaway
          Hakimbaway, hakimbaway

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            Missed you Deli

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 21 days ago

              lol you missed spam 😉

    • The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Nice to see Gilmour in the Chelsea starting line up. He's got the potential to become the player thst Barkley never managed to be.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        So weird that players like him are 4.5, should be 4.0.

      2. Big Al Stankovic
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Hear he has great potential in golf aswell.

    • jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I think Lampard has set up Chelsea wrong today. Again.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Has he set up for today before?

      2. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        As much as Gilmour has great talent, I'm not a fan of the midfield. I know Kante is hurt but surely Jorginho and Kovacic are fit and were just dropped?

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Never mind, I just checked. Kovacic is injured and Jorginho is suspended.

        2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          injured and banned

      3. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Not playing 3 in the back is his mistake

    • Wılly
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      2 midfielders and a forward
      to bring in for GW31?

      No Wolves or Liverpool

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Sarr, Alli, Wood

      2. b91jh
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Bergwijn, McNeil, Wood?

      3. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Moura,Antonio and Deeney

      4. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Sarr Antonio Wood

      5. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Sarr Antonio Wood/Deeney

    • Agger
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I'm jealous of anyone who owns Alonso

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Man shouldn't be jealous, leave it to females.

        And no I'm not dr. Peterson.

        1. Agger
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Haha

    • FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Xabi Alonso, what a Legend!

      Marcos, your time is now!

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Set in stone.

    • Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Is Ben Davies a winger today?

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        If you mean Tom Davies then no. He will play central midfield.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Ah, complete brain malfunction

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            It is like forgetting where you left your beer.

      2. Agger
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        What?

      3. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        I felt he was always making it up as he went along anyway

      4. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Siggy LM coming inside for Digne to overlap, I guess.

        442 that basically becomes a 433 in attack, with Benard pushing forward and Siggy joining the central midfield. Complete guess though...

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          The official Everton team sheet reveal has it the other way round with Siggy in the right and Bernard on the left.

        2. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Bernard is nearly always on the left when he plays.

        3. gergin
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Bernard left, Siggy right, Sidibe and Digne will play wingers.

    • YouReds
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Any KDB news yet?!

      1. Agger
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yes, hes breathing.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Source?

          1. Agger
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            Relish

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Pep is plotting his evil plan.

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Playing up top hopefully?

    • Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Damn, alonso in a back 4.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Never stopped him before

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Is he really though? If I was Marcus I'd see that defence as more of a back 3. The forwards look like, best to help them out.

      3. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        He ignores all directions and just goes into the opposition box and waits to kick the ball at the goal....

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          ....would do the same if picked to play as Chelsea GK...

          1. Wally banter
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            hahaha

      4. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Chelsea should try:

        Kepa
        Azpi Rudiger Zouma ?????
        Jorginho Kante
        Willian Mount Alonso
        Abraham

        Caballero
        James Christensen Tomori Emerson
        Kovacic Barkley RLC
        CHO Batshuayi Pulisic

        Sign a LB (Chilwell?) and get rid of Pedro.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Agreed, no idea why Alonso hasn’t replaced Hazard....

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            By getting rid of Morata/Higuain and Hazard, Chelsea are playing a different style. They have a striker (Abraham) who will feed far more off crosses. Alonso fits the bill perfectly. He's not going to beat the man, but he will whip in a good cross. Plus he has a good shot on him and is a threat in the air.

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 21 days ago

              Has Alonso ever crossed?

            2. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 21 days ago

              Alonso is not the player to whip in crosses, so this is a weird argument.

              Alsono will peel off into the middle and wonder onto the edge of the box, then often into it.

              This is why Hazard & Alonso on the pitch at the same time often became a bit of an issue. They both loved occupying the same space.

          2. MrZ
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            Alonso isn't fast & his crossing is not good either. Very effective in back 3 as wing back.
            352 or 343 with alonso & reece as wingbacks can be gold

    • Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      DCL looking ridiculously lively in the warm up.....smashing them in from everywhere

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        hehehe 😀
        wonder if he can use two of the million chances he gets every week

      2. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        hattie time 😀

    • Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      In preparation for BGW 31. Have 3 LIV & 3 WOL.

      Soyuncu (wat) + Ings (nor) -> PvA (bou) + Deeney (LEI), for a hit makes sense??

    • Wılly
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Would you take a hit, effectively - 2, to bring in a keeper for GW31?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        I was wondering that too. Seems like most people are just bringing in attacking players for hits if anything.

        Really want to get rid of McCarthy for Pope myself.

      2. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yes pope is worth it for fix thereafter too

    • FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      "Baby faced assasin"

      Could become a scene out of The Conjuring tonight.

    • Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      any hope soyuncu to be affected with diarrhea and won't play the match
      to get lundstram in with 12 points 🙂

      i know i'm dreaming eating jam and need to wake-up

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        You could always offer him a delicious spiked meat pie.

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          LoL

    • Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Is Sarr grabbing Mcarthy's something on the main pic? :O

    • Gunner1290
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Best 3 players to have in GW 31 excluding Liverpool players?

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Jota Jiminez Doherty

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Pope, wood, Alli,

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Pope? Likely 2 pointer

      3. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Tarkowski,Jimenez,Antonio

      4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Wood, Zaha and Lo Celso.

      5. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Jimi Doherty Tark

      6. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Jota, Jimenez, Alli. Honorable mention for McNeill

    • FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      So how many hours till 'scratching out ones eyes' scenes?

    • Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Alonso in a back 4 is slightly annoying for owners, but it's a good sign that there has been a system change yet he retains his place.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Annoying? Perhaps. However we we never going to play 343 with Kovacic & Jorginho out. That midfield two would get completely overrun.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Trur

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            *true

    • FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Pep has either taken a p*ss in your porridge this morning or delivered fresh milk to your doorstep this morning.

    • Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Gilmour > Foden

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Foden nailed all of a sudden.

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Two different players? Gilmour a cm whilst foden an attacking cm no?

        Plus foden is making waves in a hugely competitive city side.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          1 PL start all season after being hyped for years is hardly "making waves"

    • Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      In a FH 31 team - double pool defence or attack?
      Easy to afford double attack - but having 2 pool attackers blocks one of Alli/Antonio/Wood/Sarr/Jota whereas defence is harder to pick.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Mane Salah

        1. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          This

      2. Root
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Attack

    • manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Need a DCL brace!

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Horrible to wish injury on a professional footballer

        1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Feel the same, he's been slaughtering me this season, owned by competitors in both my ML's!

    • KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      pick 1 from watford for gw31:
      A) Sarr
      B) Doucoure
      C) Deeney

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        c

      2. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        A

    • manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      A) Barnes > Sarr
      B) DCL > Deeney
      C) Both