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. caldracula
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Really considering DCL (tot) to Greenwood (BOU) for a hit. Would allow me to bring in a decent defender for Hanley next week too.

    1. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Do you expect Greenwood to start regularly though?

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

        Yeah we he has been since the restart and they’re performing pretty well. I think he offers a lot more than Mata and James do in that position.

    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I did the same, go for it.

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

        Cool

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

    At a loss here guys - any advice helpful.

    Pope (Button)
    TAA - Alonso - Doherty - Saiss (Taylor)
    Salah - Bruno - Pulisic (Saka - McArthy)
    Auba - Vardy - Jota

    1.2 ITB

    A. Jota > Greenwood
    B. Jota + Vardy > Greenwood and Jesus/Rashford (-4)
    C. Vardy > Jesus/Rashford
    D. Vardy + McArthy > Greenwood + KDB/Martial (-4)

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

      A

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  3. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Currently have Rashford, Bruno and DDG

    Want yo get a third united attacker, they should score some goals given their next tixtures

    A- Get Martial ( instead of Son)
    B- Get Greenwood ( instead of Nkeitah)

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

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  4. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on what I could do to improve here. I have 0.0m in the bank and 2 free transfers??

    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty Maguire Lascelles Kiko
    KDB Salah Fernandes Sako Hayden
    Rashford Jiminez DCL...

    .....

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

      dcl and saka to greenwood and foden who should start vs saints

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

        or hadyen maybe and rotate the three cheapies

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

    A/ Current team

    Nyland
    Robinson Lascelles Aurier
    Fernandes Sterling Traoré KdB
    Rash Vardy Jiminez

    Button Saiss Hayden Holgate

    B/ On FH

    Pope
    Tarkowski Robertson Van Djik
    Fernandes Salah Traoré Mahrez
    Pukki Jiminez Rashford(c)

    Nyland Robinson Lascelles Hayden

  6. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do these 3 transfers look good for a -4?

    Ederson (Leno)
    Lascelles Boly VVD Maguire (Robinson)
    KDB Pepe Fernandes (Cantwell, Fleck)
    Rashford Jiminez Auba

    Auba, Pepe, Robinson > Connolly Salah Trent

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

      Not a fan of Connolly but if it gets you Salah and TAA then good move.

      1. RUUD!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        sorry should have mentioned it would be a formation switch to 5-3-2, Connolly benched

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

      Yep

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

    Look ok for WC?
    Any suggestions?

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Gomez Aurier Saiss Holgate
    Salah Kdb Bruno Martial Pusilic
    Greenwood Jimi DCL

    0.5 itb

    Thanks

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks great. I am deliberating whether Bowen is worth one of my precious midfield spots. Difficult to justify it despite his form and fixtures.

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

        Yeah could be decent

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

      I would want Ings over dcl.

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

        yeah would have to re-jig a bit but I don't like his upcoming fixtures.

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

    Can do Perez+Sarr to Pulisic+Foden for -4

    Would mean taking a hit for the second week in a row...

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

      Probably worth it for next gameweeks

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

      Don't

  9. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How do we rate Eddie Howe's bus-parking abilities at Old Trafford, out of ten?

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

      7/10, they’ve held lots of the big teams to only 2 goals

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2/10.
      They will be destroyed.
      Looks like they gave up the fight...they are really bad. I watched game yesterday.
      Question is - who to (C) from Man Utd against them?

  10. mcmd11
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worth it?
    Aubameyang and Sarr to Jesus and Pulisic (-4 hit, 0.6 ITB)

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

      Yeah go for it

    2. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Why are you getting rid of Auba? i was thinking of putting him in

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

        Definitely! He's going to want a shot at the boot if tonight's game favours him.

  11. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On WC, which 3 attackers would you go for?

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

      Rashford and Jimi for sure (in form, good fixtures, small chance for rotatin and their teams battling for Europe tourneys)

      1. The Strokes
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I don't think Jimmy has good fixtures.
        He will be playing good defesive teams.

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

          So what is your suggestions Ings fixtures are even worst?

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

      Ings Jimi Greenwood

  12. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Jesus + mid up to 6.4
    B) Mahrez + striker up to 7.5
    C) Son + Greenwood
    D) Jimenez + Pulisic

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

      D

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

        Cheers

    2. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I thin B

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

        Thanks

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

          Mahrez and Ings

  13. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best of these?

    A. DDG + Mahrez or
    B. Pope + Martial ?

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B I think

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

        Thanks. Gonna probably have Foden as well. Already have KDB.

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

      B

  14. nicoTours
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I want to get rid of DCL.
    I allready have Rashford et Bruno from ManU.
    With a budget of 5M my options are:
    A- Greenwood
    B- Nkethia
    C- Gayle.

    What do you think?

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      A

  15. The Strokes
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    (-4) Holgate & Auba to AWB & Jesus

    To have this:

    Pope (Shu)
    TAA (Avl) – Alonso (Wat) – AWB (Bou) - Aurier (Eve)
    Salah (Avl) – KDB (Sou) – Bruno (Bou) – Martial (Bou)
    Jesus (Sou) – Jimmy (Ars)

    3.9 – Nketiah (Wol) – Saka (Wol) – Doherty (Ars)

    Y or N?

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm not convinced by Jesus but are even less convinced about keeping Auba.
      I really like the AWB for the next GW even though it mean 5 defenders in line up

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I am not convinced that Jesus will see worthwhile minutes to be effective.

  16. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1FT. Auba to Kane. Y or N?

    Pope
    TAA C.Taylor Boly
    Salah KDB Fernandes Sarr
    Auba DCL Jimi

    Martinez Saka Saiss Cathcart

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same question for me above.
      But I don't think I'm going Kane as imho their remaining games are against good defensive sides

      1. The Strokes
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Except Bou of course ...

        1. Jusagoras
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          And Arsenal

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

      Auba to Greenwood and Cathcart to Van Djik for (-4)

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

        Perfect for GW33

  17. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ings or Deeney(Form or fixture)???

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

      Ings by a billion miles

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Always form

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

      Ings

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

      Don’t think Deeney has has a shot on target yet

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

    DDG
    TAA Doherty Lascelles
    Salah KDB Bruno Martial
    Jiminez DCL Ayew

    Nyland Saiss Egan Duda

    2.2 itb
    1ft

    Thoughts?

    A) Ayew > Ings
    B) Egan > VVD
    C) Ayew > Giroud
    D) Roll transfer
    E) Other (I'm 0.1 from doing Duda > Pulisic/Willian)

  19. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any news on Richarlison guys? If he’s out it makes DCL less appealing i guess

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Just a knock

      1. Champ
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers thanks

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

    Free Hit players Salah Mane Pogba Bruno and which other United/Liverpool players? Thinking Van Dijk as he’s nailed

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TAA?

  21. Jatz10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Will Greenwood definitely start this weekend?

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

      Can't see Ole changing the team.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hope so, better than James and doing well

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

      Not definite. Highly likely imo.

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

    3rd Utd spot?...Martial or def
    Have Bruno and Rashy

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Martial

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

      AWB for me

  23. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does the WC look for BB34?

    0.3itb
    Pope Martinez
    Saiss TAA Doherty Aurier Holgate*
    Salah Martial KDB Bruno Mahrez*
    Jimenez Ings Greenwood*

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Very good. I would be inclined to go with AWB instead of Greenwood in place of Aurier if that was possible. Good luck anyway

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This is my other WC team with AWB. Which one out of the two?

        Team 2 - 0.5itb
        Pope Martinez
        Saiss TAA Doherty Aurier AWB*
        Salah Martial KDB Bruno Foden*
        Jimenez Ings DCL*

        1. Champ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          First one

  24. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Last decision on my FH team;

    A) Doherty

    B) VVD

    I have Salah, TAA and Jimenez.

    Tnks.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  25. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Willian & Puli too much Chelsea?

    Considering something like:

    Son & DCL out for
    Willian & Kane

    Or just keep faith with DCL and Son for now?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Puli is enough CHE

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

      I think Pulisic is enough, Willian not consistent enough

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

    A) Pulisic
    B) Willian

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      A

  27. FCRS BGD
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Anybody knows if Aguero is out for the rest of the season?
    Any chance that he could be back soon?
    Thanks

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      out for the season

      1. FCRS BGD
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

  28. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1) Richarlison & Rashford (I have)
    or
    2) Salah & Greenwood (Should have? have 2ft)

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not a fan of using a Utd spot for Greenwood, he's still far from nailed.

  29. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Strongly considering this move to triple up on Utd attack:
    DDG + Son > Lloris + Martial
    Thoughts?

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

      Dont

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

    On FH for GW33

    Pope
    Tarkowski Robertson Van Djik
    Fernandes Salah Traoré Mahrez
    Pukki Jiminez Rashford(c)

    Nyland Robinson Lascelles Hayden

    A/ GTG?
    B/Rash and Mahrez to Greenwood and Mane

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd have Saint-Max in there instead of Pukki in a 3-5-2. Norwich look awful.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Missing a 3rd Man U player, don't understand the Pukki pick and can pick cheaper bench fodder