Scout Notes

Mitigating factors for Ings’ latest blank but owners begin to lose patience

Southampton 0-1 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m)
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) x3, Saint-Maximin x2, Federico Fernandez (£4.5m), Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) x1

Newcastle won away for the first time since Gameweek 15 despite a heroic performance from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (£4.5m).

The winner came from Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m), the mercurial winger bursting into the area and poking the ball past McCarthy with just over 20 minutes to go.

That ended a long stretch of defiance from the Saints, who were reduced to ten men when Moussa Djenepo (£5.2m) was sent off after 28 minutes for a nasty, if clumsy, tackle on Isaac Hayden (£4.3m).

Saint-Maximin’s goal was only his second of the season – in a pleasing display of symmetry, his first came in the Magpies’ previous away win, 2-0 at Sheffield United.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce was keen to stress his player’s good and bad qualities post-match:

His natural ability is scary. He has a bit to learn too, and if he does, if he sorts the other bits out, we have a hell of a player on our hands.

Those ‘other bits’ involve Saint-Maximin’s decision-making and defensive duties, with the latter a major side of Newcastle’s game in recent weeks – Saturday’s clean sheet was their second in a row and fourth in seven Gameweeks.

Once Djenepo was dismissed, following an intervention from VAR, a Newcastle shut-out was always likely, although Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) was still called into action three times; enough for him to earn a combination of both save and bonus points for only the sixth time this season.

Decent returns from well-priced defenders is the major Fantasy attraction of Newcastle players of late, but Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) blew the chance of a big haul at St Mary’s Stadium.

The Scottish international, classified as a defender in FPL this season, has been used by Bruce as a midfielder for the past two weeks. His out-of-position credentials would have been given a big boost had he converted a penalty, awarded by VAR for a Sofiane Boufal (£5.5m) handball at the end of the first half.

Unfortunately for Ritchie, McCarthy brilliantly saved the spot-kick as Newcastle’s attacking woes – they hadn’t scored for four league matches going into the encounter – continued.

To be fair to Bruce’s men, their lack of an end product was as much down to McCarthy as their own profligacy.

The Southampton keeper was a man inspired on Saturday, producing a superb triple-save to deny Dwight Gayle (£5.0m) and Miguel Almiron (£5.8m), twice, before pulling off another fine stop from a Gayle header and sealing the deal with the penalty.

McCarthy’s heroics earned him the maximum bonus award and his first double-digit haul of the campaign as Newcastle were kept to just the one goal scored from seven shots on target and a chance every 6.9 minutes.

Gayle, preferred up top to Joelinton (£5.5m), missed a big chance, while Almiron again caught the eye in an advanced role just off the striker, but the midfielder still lacks an end product to justify Fantasy investment.

The same could not be said of Saints striker Danny Ings (£7.2m), whose ownership and price tag went through the roof during a 13-goal run from Gameweeks 7 to 22.

He’s scored just once since then and was kept to only one attempt, off-target, against Newcastle. Playing in a side with ten men for 60-plus minutes certainly didn’t help, particularly as he was shunted out to the left flank of a 4-4-1 once Djenepo had been dismissed.

Whatever the mitigating circumstances, Fantasy managers have clearly had enough. Ings lost a net 248,005 owners going into the match and he’s currently leading the way for Gameweek 30 transfers out among FPL forwards.

A Gameweek 31 blank and a patchy schedule that follows won’t inspire investment in any Saints assets, particularly as there’s a nagging sense that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team, who sit a comfortable seven points above the relegation places, could be the first thinking about what this summer’s must-have beachwear might be.

The manager couldn’t fault his players’ commitment, however:

I cannot criticise my team for not doing everything, they left everything on the pitch. It was a good performance on our side.

Newcastle also have a Blank Gameweek 31, so Fantasy interest might be minimal in the short term, particularly for those FPL bosses who are stockpiling assets who actually have an unaffected game in that decimated round of matches.

The Magpies will then have to face Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City during a mixed bag of a run-in but there are some more favourable fixtures around those clashes and the potential for an appealing-looking Double Gameweek 37 against Brighton and Aston Villa – although that hinges on the results of the FA Cup quarter-finals, with other permutations possible.


Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, Stephens, Valery; Boufal (Obafemi 85′), Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg, Djenepo; Ings, S Long (Adams 77′).

Newcastle United XI (4-4-2): Dúbravka; Rose, Lascelles, Fernández, Manquillo (Lazaro 72′); Saint-Maximin, Hayden (S Longstaff 79′), Shelvey, Ritchie (Joelinton 61′); Almirón, Gayle.

Members Analysis

653 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Is 7.5 the most expensive Chelsea player! Crazy

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      And he's injured!

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      I’ve been impressed by Mount last couple of games. Could be a decent one to bring in on a WC considering Chelsea doubles to come?

  2. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Save FH at gw31?

    Will have 2 fts by gw31 and currently 2.0itb

    McCarthy
    TAA* Boly* Soyuncu
    Mane* Salah* Sarr* Dendoncker*
    Jimenez* Ings DCL

    Button KdB Lundstrom Holgate

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      no FH imo.

  3. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Will this do as a gw31 team (8pt hit but enables Traore > Fernandes GW32 for free)

    Foster
    TAA Boly Taylor
    Salah Mane Sarr Traore
    Ayew Jiminez Wood

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Benched players with blank fix are:

      McGovern
      KDB
      Soy
      Williams

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      what is the 8point hit?

      1. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Sidibe, DCL, Ings OUT

        Replaced with either

        A) Wood Ayew Taylor
        B) Rodriguez Deeney Taylor

  4. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Robertson to Alonson for on a FT this week?

    Already own Salah & Trent.

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      FH in 31?

      If no, how many BGWers do you have?

    2. Juza
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 19 days ago

      Alonso blanks in 31

  5. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    So are these Vardy benched rumours to be believed? Pretty annoying if so, Rodgers sounded quite positive he'd be fine for tonight the other day

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Rodgers underplayed injuries before I'm sure?

      I did Vardy to Auba... so hope it's true

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Rodgers is not to be trusted. My bad memories of his false assurances about Vardy over Christmas is the main reason I didn't fall for it this time around. Just a shame I still have Perez!

  6. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Bottom on last page
    Chasing in my ml. Do I need mane in? C was my original plan
    Options would be
    A) sarr and auba to mane and 5.5 forward
    B) kdb and auba to mane and jimenez
    C) auba and otamendi to jimenez and alonso

    Pope krul
    TAA Doherty otamendi ctaylor kiko
    Salah kdb fernandes sarr saka
    Auba ings jota

  7. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Bank FT this week & then in 31

    Out: Auba, Maddison, Webster
    In: C.Wilson, Alli, Doherty

    Gives me 9, not worth the FH imo. Other 6 BGwers: TAA, Robertson, Cathcart, Salah, Traore, Jimenez

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Traore might not even play in 31? I'd want Mane and Salah for Palace home. This is why im considering FH31 even though i currently own 7, Mane, Salah, TAA, Jota, Jiminez, Doherty are the best too own that week IMO

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        ya I'm resigned to not have Mane.

        If Traore gets 20mins I'll be happy tbh

        Just can't see the value in the FH... might be well wrong

  8. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Best player combo GW31-33?

    A) Wood Sarr Ayew
    B) Wood Doucore Deeney
    C) Rodriguez Sarr Deeney

    (Cannot afford Wood Sarr Deeney)

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Maybe B swings it because of Deeney pens

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      B, Doucure is playing really well and popping up in advanced positions regularly. Whilst Deeney might do better without Deu as the latter tends to hog it whereas Sarr and the others might pass it to him! But all jokes aside B, and I dont have an issue with Watford Double up as I think Pearson will have that lot at it from here to the end of the season.

  9. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Is Giroud a good option now?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Any striker that plays Villa next is a good option.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Until early April he is

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      you're the Chelsea fan?

      I always like him as a player, maybe not FPL player tho. just my opinion but obviously he's priced well now

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Yep. But I wanted to hear another opinion. As I a Chelsea fan, I'd play him before Abraham at the moment

  10. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Sarr has averaged 9.2 points per game over his last 5 home games. 4 of Watford's next 6 games are at home.

    I'm excited... but also prepared to be disappointed.

    1. aborg
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Be prepared. This is the season of disappointments !
      I’ve become immune to the lack of unbelievable luck I’ve been having this season.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Yeah, I've stopped caring, makes things much easier to take.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Just like in real life

  11. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Am I G2G for GW 30?

    Hendo

    Robbo - Alonso - Stevens

    Salah - Fernandes - Barnes - KDB

    Ings - Auba (c) - Jiminez

    Subs: McCarthy - Fernandez - Hayden - Williams

    0.6m ITB

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      I'm not too keen on Barnes but looks like a solid team.

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        See how he does tonight I guess, looks up for it though and very unlucky not to score on his last performance.

  12. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Planned transfers before BGW31
    Traore, Auba and Ings > Sarr, Jimi and Wood using 2ft and 1 hit.

    9/10 players for BGW31. Should I hold until GW31 to do the transfers? Auba and Ings has decent GW30 fixtures.

    Pope
    TAA Saiss Rico Lasc* Steph*
    Salah Mane Sarr Armstrong* KDB*
    Jimi Wood Jota

  13. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    if i free hit in 31 going into that week with 2FTs would i still have 2 FTs in 32?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      nope. just 1 in 32

    2. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      No, just one

    3. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      "Please note that when playing either a Wildcard or your Free Hit chip, any saved free transfers will be lost. You will be back to the usual 1 free transfer the following Gameweek."

    4. TwiggsJameson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      No, so make sure you use a transfer this week.

    5. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      thank you guys

  14. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Henderson
    TAA VVD Lascelles Doherty
    Salah KDB Barnes
    Auba Ings Jiminez

    (Mccarthy, Taylor, Cantwell, Traore)

    1FT - 0.1 ITB

    Thinking i could remove VVD for the Everton and Man City game? Will then work on bringing back a LFC asset in GW33. Thinking i will FH in 31, so can ignore that GW

    VVD > Alonso
    VVD > Someone else?

  15. Plant Based FPLer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    FPL site took the yellow off Vardy before the deadline, because... they're evil?

  16. InSaneMan-e
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Hi guys. Need an opinion. BB TC WC all intact, but I can get 10 players for 31 without a hit (11 with a -4). So I think its worth saving the chips.
    But I dont want to get into a situation where I have chips and there arent any dgw to use them. Can anyone suggest a strategy on when/where to use them if I dont use FH for 31?
    Thanks

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      34/37

      1. InSaneMan-e
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        WC 33? FH/TC in 34 and 37 right?
        Sound

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Yes possible, depends how the fixtures look after the FA cup QFs.
          But yes, FH better used in a DGW.
          TC will need to be used on a single GW now though.

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      save the FH for sure! you can use in 34/37 when we'll more than likely have DGWs. if you don't know whats happening either A: read the hot topics where it's discussed at length or wait til all fixtures are confirmed

      1. InSaneMan-e
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks. Shall give hot topics a quick read

  17. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    If I free transfer a player today and then use free-hit, will that free transfer player still be in my team the following gameweek??

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      No, you get your entire team back.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      No.
      Reverts back to the pre deadline team

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      nope

    4. TwiggsJameson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      no.

  18. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Perez on bench, we lucky owners are to be punched in the teeth with his few minutes cameo...

    Staying away from Leicester assets going forward and Rodgers is going on my black list (not that he cares - I know).

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Pep made we want to smash the TV when I saw the City lineup yesterday.

      City assets on my black list, probably even next season if Pep still remains at City.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Imagine being City fan and watching your manager give up before kick off against United.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Luckily I am a Pool fan so it actually ended up being quite funny when the match ended.

  19. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Play which two??

    A) Egan (new)
    B) Perez (wat)
    C) Lascelles (SHU)
    D) Saiss (whu)

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Egan Ayoze

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Perez is getting benched again tonight, so I'd be looking to sell him.

      Start Saiss and hope for the best.

  20. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Boly
    Salah Mane Antonio Alli
    Jimenez Wood

    (-8) for 10 players
    Good enough right?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      For GW31. To save the FH

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Probably yes

  21. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Am I insane for wanting to ditch KDB now? He might not play v Burnley and then blanks, plus after that City clearly dont care about the league anymore.

    My plan is to swap him to Alli for the next 2 weeks, then move Alli to Bruno for 32 onwards. Is this crazy?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Might do something similar so not crazy at all

      1. xHaTr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Phew! Plus didnt mention that the KDB to Alli money will allow me to move Saka to Sarr for 31, which would give me another 31 player

        1. InvertedWinger
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Id do it.

  22. Binny
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    If i carry 2FT into GW31 but decide to FH are the 2FT carried over?

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      No

      1. Binny
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Ah ok. Thanks

    2. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      I believe using the Free Hit will give you 1FT the week after regardless of how many FT you had before

  23. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Afternoon Guys, Need help for GW31.
    Ings out for Woods or Deeney
    AND
    Cantwell out for McNeil or Antonio or Sarr…………...

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      From the options I’d go with Deeney and Antonio

  24. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Can do a -4 to get 10 outfielders for GW31 (but includes Traore).

    Any GK worth another -4 do we think or just leave it at that...

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Depends on the full team.
      I think Burnley will be highly owned defensively so Pope or Taylor would be advisable.

      I think even going with 8 players is better than using FH

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Taylor's one of the 10 yeah.

        Would be something like
        TAA - Doh* - Taylor
        Doucoure - Traore - Mane - Salah - Alli/Sarr/Antonio*
        Wood* - Jimenez.

        * = players I'm bringing in.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Looks good to me.
          Monitor Lucas as your 5th mid.

          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 20 days ago

            Yeah good shout. Actually probably strike Sarr from consideration given that I don't really want double Watford.

  25. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    What's the optimum front 7 for fh31? As I see it, the best 9 are below and choosing who to bench is tricky.

    Mid: Sarr Antonio Salah Mane Alli
    Fwd: Deeney Jimenez Jota Wood

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Sarr or Deeney
      Jiminez or Jota

      One of each, not both.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        True. I have double Burnley defence installed currently. Do you think Watford are good for a goal at Burnley?

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Very difficult to predict.
          But of all the teams involved, I’d put Burnley very high up for a CS.
          Along with Liverpool.

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      I think Salah Mane Jimenez Jota for sure.

      Personal preference would be Wood, Sarr + Alli to make up the other three slots.

  26. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Only have 4 starters for 31 (plus Donkey). 2xwol/liv

    A. Take 2 hits and get 8 out.
    B. FH as planned and focus on future moves with wc in hand. Would get Alonso in this week instead.

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      I would go with B.

    2. Nesvy
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Same situation. I play FH 😉

    3. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Play the free hit and get Alonso, he's a fun differential.

      That mean you will be getting Krul then?

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      That team means FH imo

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 19 days ago

      B

  27. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Present have 7 players for week 31. WC used and plan to keep FH for DGW but need to ensure happy to keep most of my week 31 players so thinking of getting Deeney and Sarr for Barnes and Ings for free and playing 9. Post 31 will get 2 United (Fernandes, Maguire or AWB, Chelsea, Mount and/or Alonso as they have good fixtures and doubles.

    Good plan or play FH in 31?

    Pope
    TAA Boly
    Salah Mané Sarr*
    Jiménez Jota Deeney*

    Henderson Stevens Stephens Fernández KDB Barnes* Mooy Ings*

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Save FH

  28. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 19 days ago

    What's the latest on Vardy watch? Anything confirmed

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 19 days ago

      1 goal 1 assist in the last 11 game weeks. Confirmed.