Scout Notes

The formation switch behind Newcastle’s form as Saint-Maximin downs Cherries

Bournemouth 1-4 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Dan Gosling (£4.9m) | Dwight Gayle (£5.0m), Sean Longstaff (£5.0m), Miguel Almiron (£5.8m), Valentino Lazaro (£5.3m)
  • Assists: Nathan Ake (£4.9m) | Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) x3, Jonjo Shelvey (£4.9m)
  • Bonus: Saint-Maximin x3, Shelvey, Gayle x2

There are a number of attractive Gameweek 33+ fixtures this weekend, with Chelsea hosting Watford, Liverpool entertaining Aston Villa and Manchester City facing a Southampton side who have the poorest home record in the division.

Manchester United v Bournemouth might be the pick of the bunch, however, if Wednesday night’s match at the Vitality Stadium was anything to go by.

While Villa have shown a bit of defensive resilience since the mid-June restart, the Cherries have been abysmal.

Home fixtures against Crystal Palace and Newcastle United in Gameweeks 30+ and 32+ would have been ones that Eddie Howe will have targeted given the horror show of a schedule that now follows but his side have emerged pointless from those two games, having shipped six goals to two of the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League in the process.

Perhaps it was the ‘must-win’ nature of those two matches that opened up space for their opposition, and perhaps Howe will adopt a more conservative approach when his side head to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Bournemouth had made life difficult for Wolverhampton Wanderers last Wednesday, for example, restricting them to just two shots on target and one big chance.

But it’s difficult to overstate just how atrocious they were against Steve Bruce’s mid-table outfit last night.

The heads seem to drop far too quickly: this was the 17th Premier League game this season in which the Cherries have conceded first and they are winless in all of them, drawing only twice.

Howe now faces a monumental task to pick his beleaguered troops up with less than 72 hours separating their Gameweek 32+ and 33+ fixtures.

Speaking after the match, the Bournemouth head coach said:

A really disappointing night, we never recovered from the early goal. The manner of it, as well, was a tough one for us to take, in a game where the onus was on us to make the running in the game. Newcastle counter-attacked very well.

I don’t doubt that [the players are giving me everything]. I can see close at hand what it means to the players, how much they’re hurting.

It’s more psychologically is the big thing for us, the confidence, the expectation – all these things linked together I think are damaging us at the moment.

The next few games are very difficult on paper but maybe they’re the types of games that we need. We’ve picked up points against the big teams, we’ve done well against them.

The opening goal on Wednesday was self-inflicted, with Jefferson Lerma (£4.8m) giving away possession just outside his box; five seconds later, Dwight Gayle (£5.0m) had slotted under Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m) to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) was the provider of Gayle’s strike and went on to register a hat-trick of assists, next teeing up Sean Longstaff (£5.0m) with some superb work near the by-line and then setting substitute Miguel Almiron (£5.8m) free to chip Ramsdale after the break.

Valentino Lazaro (£5.3m) rounded off the scoring for the Magpies with a dinked finish in the final quarter of an hour and it could have even been worse for the Cherries: Saint-Maximin and Andy Carroll (£5.4m) both tested the reflexes of Ramsdale, Lazaro struck the underside of the bar and Isaac Hayden (£4.4m) missed horribly from six yards with the goal gaping.

Bear in mind, this is Newcastle we’re talking about: a side that had scored more than two goals on only two occasions this season, one of which was against ten-man Sheffield United in Gameweek 30+.

For all that Bournemouth were woeful, immense credit has to go to an atypically gung-ho Newcastle and Bruce.

Saint-Maximin was outstanding, registering his third double-digit haul in four Gameweeks and handed a breather after 61 minutes ahead of the visit of a West Ham United side without a clean sheet in 11 matches.

Since the Premier League’s resumption last month, only Manchester City (nine) have scored more goals than the Magpies (eight).

So what has changed?

Firstly, it’s very important to acknowledge the standard of opposition: Newcastle have faced three of the most out-of-form teams in the division since the restart in the shape of ten-man Sheffield United, Villa and Bournemouth.

Against Manchester City in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final, a team they take on in Gameweek 34+, they were absolutely battered; as well as Pep Guardiola’s side, the Magpies also have to face Spurs and Liverpool in the run-in.

But integral to their recent performances has been a formation change.

Adopting Rafael Benitez’s 5-4-1 set-up for much of the season and operating with a defence-first mindset, Bruce finally threw off the shackles in Gameweek 28, rolling out a 4-2-3-1 for the visit of Burnley.

Nothing much changed at first, with the Clarets holding Newcastle to a 0-0 draw, but there have been more encouraging signs since, with ten goals scored against West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United and Bournemouth in three league and cup games.

Asked about his system change after the game, Bruce said:

After watching us against Leicester [in Gameweek 7, when the Magpies briefly moved to a back four] I didn’t think we were ready for change. The players had played a certain way, had played deep, had played on the counter-attack and were really comfortable in it. So I didn’t really want to change much too quickly.

When we became less of a goal threat, that’s when I decided to we needed our flair players up the pitch, rather than defending.

On Saint-Maximin, Bruce revealed that the Frenchman had been close to being benched:

He’s such a naturally good footballer and yesterday I wasn’t planning on starting him because he’s already played three games and to play four in 11 days I thought is maybe too much.

But he bounced into training yesterday and he was full of himself, so I said ‘why not, let’s see if we can get another hour out of him’. He was terrific.

The only downside for the Magpies was the loss of a clean sheet in stoppage time, with Martin Dubravka (£5.1m) having previously been scarcely troubled save for a long-range David Brooks (£6.2m) effort that clipped the bar and a Josh King (£6.1m) header correctly ruled out for offside.

It was ex-Mag Dan Gosling (£4.9m) who bundled the ball in from on the goalline in the 93rd minute, depriving Newcastle of an 11th clean sheet of 2019/20.

The in-form Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) was an unused substitute having been an injury doubt for the game, while Longstaff and Javier Manquillo (£4.3m) picked up muscle problems during the match.


Bournemouth XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Smith, S Cook (Mepham 80′), Ake, Kelly; Lerma (Gosling 75′), Billing (L Cook 46′); Danjuma (Stanislas 62′), Brooks (Wilson 62′), King; Solanke.

Newcastle United XI (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Krafth, Fernandez, Lascelles, Manquillo (Yedlin 73′); Bentaleb, Shelvey; Saint-Maximin (Lazaro 62′), Longstaff (Almiron 34′), Joelinton (Hayden 72′); Gayle (Carroll 62′).

Members Analysis

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,217 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    DCL+Son+Doherty to Kane+Pulisic+Saiss (-4)

    Worth it?

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks pretty sideways.

    2. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not for me.

    3. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No

    4. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No, i'm not even sure that is an upgrade to be honest. See how Son and Kane perform later.

    5. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No way

    6. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks lads!

  2. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Didn't see the game last night. How did DCL look? Time to get rid?

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      the question is who for?!

      1. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Anyone else

      2. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Could do DCL and Guendouzi to Greenwood and Foden

        1. Steiger
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Like it

    2. Kno
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I asked the same question after the game and ppl were not very convinced by his efforts.

      Def looking at selling him myself, depending on what happens in the games this evening.

    3. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He always looks sharp and full of energy but Everton are setup quite defensively and he seems to do a lot of honest running to make room for others.

      Trouble is there is literally no one else I want to bring in around that price

  3. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Chilwell a good option for next 4 gameweeks?

  4. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    pep will play b team today wont he

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don't think there will be an A & B team from now in the league, just rotation

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hope so... need 0 pointer from KDB or Mahrez to get Shelvey from the bench. But it wont happen. NO chance I get the luck of Saka owners

  5. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Still can’t believe there were so few Aubamayang cappers. He was the stand out option. The best managers knew...

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Viewing this single GW in isolation yes. But many active managers had moved him on in favour of the template team with DCL-Rashford-Jimi up tpo and money spent in midfield, so no easy swap for this single GW.

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      yaahh mr.rise-in-the-rank...because he was playing great and those goals yesterday were just great football, right?

    3. maclrc
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He hasn't been very reliable and Bruno didn't exactly disappoint as a popular C choice

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah had Bruno cap and don’t now have to spend another transfer getting rid of Auba

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I took hits to captain him earlier in the season for a juicy fixture and he let me down big time. He ain't consistent. Next time he plays a similar team he'll blank.

  6. maclrc
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Currently no City in my team. Regardless of how Son goes tonight is Son -> KdB a no brainer?

    Pope (Martin)
    TAA AWB Doherty (Lascelles Robinson)
    Willian Salah Martial Son Fernandes
    DCL Jimmy (Neketiah)

    1.3 ITB 1 FT

    The alternative is Mahrez (for Son or Martial), I guess. Feel 3 x United the way to go still, so would look to bring in Rashford if Martial out.

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope it's a brainer, it's a real brainer.

      1. maclrc
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Son ownership is 8.8%, KdB at 51.1%. Feel going without KbD is a big risk.

  7. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I have 2 FTs, but don't know what to do with it tbh. Any ideas? 0.0ITB

    Pope
    TAA, AWB, Aurier, Saiss
    Mane, KDB, Son, Bruno
    Jimenez, Rash

    Martin, Dendo, Connolly, Robinson

    1. maclrc
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Son to Mahrez maybe. Would free up cash for some flexibility

      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah. That's an option. But Mahrez is still a rotation threat?

  8. rjcv177
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just came here to say...

    ALL AUBA OWNERS should be ashamed...there's no lucky anymore for you the next 10 years

    1. Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Which one of
      1. Sterling
      2. Kane
      would you back on a WC this week if you had to choose?

    2. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      one the top scoring strikers in the world in recent years scores against worst team in the league = so lucky

      I don't own him!

  9. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who's my best captain choice for the next GW?

    A. Rashford
    B. Salah
    C. KDB
    D. Bruno Fernandes

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      BDAC at the minute for me

      1. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      ABDC

  10. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What to do, what to do? With 2 Fts and 0 Mill in the bank.

    Patricio button
    VVD Doherty AWB Lascelles Simpson
    KDB Salah Fernandes Son Guendouzi
    Jimenez Rashford DCL

    Son and Guendouzi out? But for who?

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      See what Son does tonight lad

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I really should.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Almost similar team as yours. I'm looking at either

      Rash + Guendo -> Martial + Nketiah (a bit sideways)
      or
      Rash + Guendo -> one of Willian/Puli/Mahrez + Greenwood.

      Monitor Son tonight but think he can wait.

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm thinking of switching Son to Pulisic or Mahrez but will see how he does tonight against Sheffield Utd.

  11. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Gtg? Roll FT? 1FT. £2.2m itb:

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles (Holgate,3.9)
    Salah(c), Bruno, KDB, Son
    Rashford, Jiménez, Greenwood ?

  12. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    keep getting captaincy wrong, Bruno last week, Jimenez this. Ignored my heart and didn't make the Auba move.

    Pope
    TAA Saiss Taylor
    Salah(c) KDB Fernandes Bergwijn
    Rashford(vc) Jimenez DCL

    McCarthy Egan Saka Tanganga
    1.6ITB

    A) Tanganga to AWB (and Bench Boost)
    B) DCL to Greenwood
    C) Begwijn to Pulisic

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same. C 3 fails. Aguero over KDB, then Bruno, then Jimenez.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        i'd forgotten about my aguero one, thanks for bringing it up...

        any advice on how to use the FT?

        B) allows me to target Kane(c) v Bournemouth the week after

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        thanks

  13. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Auba going to play 80 minutes minimum of each league game here out I guess... Vardy unlikely to add to his 19 (were they all scored before Christmas?), and is now in the mix. Mané scoring at least 1 tonight would put the cat amongst the pigeons for sure.

  14. onceuponatyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hey Guys,

    I'm currently fairly content on:

    Hendo/Martinez
    TAA/Saiss/Ritchie/Lascelles/Aurier
    Salah/Fernandes/Foden/KDB/Martial
    Greenwood/Jiminez/Ayew

    I have 1ft and £4.6m in the bank.

    I could happily lose Ayew, maybe for Jesus?
    OR, bring in Doherty or a Liverpool defender for Lascelles maybe?
    Honestly might sit on the transfer for a week.

    Any ideas, open to thoughts.

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thing with the Jesus shout is who do you drop then?

      I agree that rolling it could be a good move, gives you serious flexibility

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This is the thing. I'd maybe prefer Pope, but Martinez offers great cover anyway for some games.
        Ideally I'd like some more midfielder slots!! 🙂

        Yeah, I think 2ft and 4.6m next time round would give me a lot of flexibility as you say. Cheers.

  15. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1 more Man Utd slot:

    A) Greenwood
    B) AWB

    Thanks

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Who are the other options

      1. ElliotJHP
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        E.g. if you dont go AWB will you go Digne? If so, A

        1. Saka Punch
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah Digne is a good shout, thanks

    2. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      With their fixtures, probably A as they should be scoring a good few goals.

      AWB is a great option as well though.But with the funds saving getting Greenwood you can also improve elsewhere.

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

  16. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thinking of rolling the FT and doing DDG -> Pope/Foster & Son -> Bruno if it still looks like a good move.

    Thoughts?

    DDG
    Taylor Trent Doherty
    Son Mane KDB Martial
    Rash Jime DCL

    Button Lascelles Kiko Guendouzi

  17. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I wonder is Eddie Howe still linked to the top jobs in the league?

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He still had an extremely successful run at the club for years, 1 bad year doesn't change that.

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not any more!

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wonder if West Ham will go for him if they can stay up and Bournemouth go

  18. Studs Up
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mornings, so gwk 33 is prime for TC...yes? . Rashy or Salah

    Or rather FH and try to max out Utd/City/Pool fixtures?

  19. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I am seriously concerned that Krull and the Norwich defenders captained Auba in their FPL teams. Can you be that awful without doing in on purpose? I demand an investigation. 😉 😀

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I know right. On the one hand Auba always puts those chances away so fair play to captainers...but come on!

  20. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On a WC. Thoughts?

    Pope
    TAA AWB Boly
    Salah KDB Fernandes Willian Pulisic
    Rashford Jimenez

    3.9; Taylor, Lascelles, Nketiah

    Biggest question I have is
    A. Boly and Willian
    B. Doherty and Foden

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wouldnt go double Chels so B

    2. gers23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  21. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Chilwell a good option for the next 4 gameweeks?

    1. gers23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not for me. Leicester are on a slippery slope

  22. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is anybody keeping Auba?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sold him but know that he will score for sure

    3. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. Was all part of the plan to get rid but he has some form and Arsenal have too. This season has been form over fixtures so I’m gonna stick with that for now I think.

  23. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For what date are the FA Cup semifinalists games rescheduled ?

  24. stefanbkanev
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martinez/3.9

    TAA/AWB/Aurier/Saiss/3.9

    Mane/KDB/Son/Martial/Bruno

    Nketiah/DCL/Jimi

    2 FT 0.1 ITB

    Any suggestions? Thinking of Son -> Mahrez, but after Pool title maybe City won't be motivated to play in the league with FA and CL left for them?

  25. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do you think it's worth to take a hit?
    Pope
    VVD/Alonso/Taylor
    Mane/Sarr/Mount/Fernandes
    Jimenez/Greenwood/Auba

    McCarthy- Hayden/Boly/Smith
    0ft 2.6itb

  26. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any kins FPL souls help

    Have 2 FTS plans are -

    A. DCL & Son - Rashford & Willian

    Or

    B. DCL & Son - Greenwood & Mahrez & next GW can do my 5th mid - Hayden - Willian

    Thanks

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  27. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pressed the WC button and plan is to BB next week.

    Pope
    TAA AWB Aurier
    Martial Son Salah KDB Pulisic
    Greenwood Jimenez

    Foster Ings Kiko Boly

    Any changes? 0.0itb

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      GtG

  28. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is there any player worth getting for 4.1 besides robinson. Should I just go 3.9 instead?

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm looking at lamptey for 4.0,

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks yeah. Would never have thought of lamptey. Never heard of him to be honest.
        Exactly the type of player I want: Cheap and Could play.
        Brighton fighting for points still and has ok fixtures bar 2 of them.

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          He's played the last 2 and gotten rave reviews. I just want a cheapie this week who'll play so I can bring in Salah and bb. They've got Norwich also, so he could be the perfect pick.

    2. stefanbkanev
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Robinson is okay maybe consider Femenia (4.2) after Chelsea (A) -> Nor (H) -> New (H) -> (Whu) -> (A) and chance for potential attacking returns

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Fermina too pricey! 😀 4.1 or lower

  29. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Gone from 623K to 283K overall this GW. Finally got my captain choice right!

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Congrats

  30. Defochibe
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any suggestions when is the best week to use my chips?

    1. BB:
    2. TC:
    3. Wild Card:

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’ve still got BB and really not sure when to use it

    2. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I am WC this week and BB next week. Feel its a good 3 run of games to exploit