Scout Notes

De Bruyne and Foden unlucky as Silva and Sterling score big for Man City

Man City 5-0 Newcastle

  • Goals: Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m), David Silva (£7.3m), Raheem Sterling (£11.7m)
  • Own Goals: Federico Fernández
  • Assists: D Silva x2, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m), Sterling
  • Bonus Points: D Silva x3, Jesus x2, De Bruyne x1, Sterling x1

Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Newcastle was very much achieved by the alternative options with the more mainstream Fantasy assets struggling to live up to their billing.

While Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) managed just one assist in the rout, Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) reminded managers how much of an explosive differential he could be for the remainder of the Premier League season as he scored 10 points on Wednesday evening.

The England international only played 29 minutes in Gameweek 34+ but still managed to come away with a goal, an assist and one bonus point as he operated as a centre-forward once again.

The fact that he initially was rested for this game is great news for the 16.3% invested in Sterling looking forward to the Gameweek 35+ trip to Brighton as it would imply he will start at the Amex Stadium.

However, he might be of more use to Fantasy backers in the Gameweek 36+ home game against Bournemouth, considering where his attacking returns have come since the Premier League returned.

From Gameweek 30+ onwards, every one of Sterling’s three goals and three assists has come at the Etihad Stadium, the player blanking in both of his away trips during that period.

Sterling’s latest spell up-front could be somewhat ominous for owners of Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) in Gameweek 35+, who has struggled to make that spot his own since Sergio Aguero‘s (£11.7m) injury. The Brazilian by no means had a poor game, putting up eight points against Newcastle before coming off on the hour-mark.

Jesus could have taken a little more from the game too, which was very open in Manchester City’s favour, as he could not direct a first-half header beyond Martin Dúbravka (£5.1m) and saw his pass into Phil Foden (£5.4m) screwed wide shortly after. Jesus was also in possession of the ball when Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) tackled him and kicked it onto Federico Fernández (£4.6m) for the own goal that made it 3-0.

Whether or not Pep Guardiola decides to start him for that trip to Brighton is rather hard to second guess at this stage though. Coming off around the 60th minute sometimes implies the manager wants to keep that player fresh for the next outing, but that happened for Sterling at Southampton before his Gameweek 34+ benching. Perhaps, with both player’s minutes now managed over the last two matches, Jesus and Sterling could start together at Brighton.

After all, it does seem unlikely that Foden will feature from the beginning next time out as he is yet to make a start away from home since the Premier League restart.

Those in possession of the budget midfielder will be cursing their luck after his blank against Newcastle as he really should have come away with at least a brace.

After acting as the assister for the assist of the first two goals, Foden went through for a chance of his own in the 39th minute. A neat one-two with Jesus put the goal at his mercy, but the midfielder somehow managed to pull it wide of the post when he really should have scored.

It was even more galling for his owners in the opening exchanges of the second half. In the 49th minute, De Bruyne looped a cross over to Foden on the back post for what looked an easy chance from very close range. But the budget midfielder looked in two minds as he approached the ball, almost standing on it as he spooned agonisingly wide.

Despite the frustrating nature of both near-goal incidents, the level-headed way of responding to such a performance would be to retain faith in Foden, perhaps benching him for Gameweek 34+ and bringing him back into the starting line-up when Bournemouth come to the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 35+. Even though he failed to return on Wednesday evening, the youngster still averages 9.3 points per home game since the Premier League restart.

Mahrez’s credentials for Fantasy inclusion continue to look good, especially at home. He was one of Manchester City’s most dangerous players before youngster Tommy Doyle (£4.5m) replaced him in the 74th minute.

The Algerian was rewarded with his 10th strike of the season, taking him into double figures for both goals and assists for the first time as a Manchester City player.

It was also Mahrez’s fifth attacking return of the Premier League restart, although, like many of his colleagues, the majority of them have come at home.

Even though the huge contingent of De Bruyne captainers were disappointed to get just one return from a 5-0 win, he was almost as unlucky as Foden not to come away with more from the 5-0 win.

In the 44th minute, De Bruyne played a shot-turned-cross into the box, only to see his own player Rodrigo (£5.3m) direct it over the bar like a defender’s clearance.

He was then stood over the direct free-kick won by Sterling in the second half, having netted plenty of them this season. However, it was David Silva (£7.3m) who pulled rank and dispatched it himself.

It was Silva who blocked another De Bruyne goal involvement in the 74th minute, the Belgian getting around the back on the left-hand side, squaring to his colleague who could only force a save out of Dúbravka from the edge of the six-yard box.

Then as stoppage time beckoned, De Bruyne won the ball on the right, offloading to Silva. He pressed towards goal from a tight angle but could not trouble the goalkeeper with his effort.

For all of those reasons, De Bruyne’s place in Fantasy teams remains exceptionally secure, especially with Brighton and Bournemouth up next.

Despite those late fluffs, Silva was actually the top-scoring player from this game, his goal, two assists and three bonus making for a 17-point haul.

Whether that sets him apart as an option for the run-in is probably still in question though. 90-minute outings in each of the last two matches will not have done him any favours in terms of starting at Brighton. Furthermore, since the Premier League came back, Silva has only delivered attacking returns in two of a possible six matches.

“We have games every three days so everybody has to play.” – Pep Guardiola

It was arguably very difficult to find too many takeaways from this game as far as Newcastle were concerned.

Recent injury problems forced Steve Bruce into a back-five that featured three full-backs, with both 

With Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) and Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m) standing a better chance of involvement in the Gameweek 35+ trip to Watford, the Magpies are sure to have better fortunes at Vicarage Road than they did at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Stones, Otamendi, Cancelo (Walker 46′); Rodrigo (Gündogan 46′), De Bruyne, D Silva; Foden (B Silva 61′), Jesus (Sterling 61′), Mahrez (Doyle 75′).

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Rose, Fernández, Schär, Krafth (Muto 84′), Yedlin; Ritchie (Atsu 84′), Bentaleb, Shelvey (M Longstaff 66′), Lazaro (Manquillo 66′); Joelinton (Gayle 66′).

Members Analysis

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1,665 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah(c) so satisfying. Ha ha.

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yes but could have been more 🙁

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Loads more

    2. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Congratulations! Great call.

  2. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Well that was a trainwreck of a day in FPL.

  3. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Today is either brilliant or season ending

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Its all going to come down to Man U

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I need rashford and son to go crazy to maybe limit the damage

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Season ending for me.

      I was 4 points behind ML leader 2 weeks ago. Now I'm 49 behind...

      1. El Magico5
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Same. Was 10, now 45 behind.

        Captain choice makes such a difference.

        Looking at the stats of our team, taking captain away my team has got more points this season.

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Can Salah be trusted with captaincy this GW or just stick with Bruno?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      When Salah is chasing the golden boot, are you ging to bet against him vs Burnley at home?

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pope says hi

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

      You're not tempted to bring in Vardy?

  5. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez or KDB more likely ti start this weekend?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB. He's had his rest. Mahrez has been starting all the games recently!

  6. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB (C) but I've got Salah, not sure how to feel. Also not sure how I feel about TAA - 4 games left, risks will have to be taken.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What the hell are you talking about that's great.... I had KdB (C) no Chelsea, Foden and Mane, no Salah...

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah is 50% EO, feel great

      1. Only a Hazard of time
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Oh wow, I was expecting over a 100 due to all the dead teams.

        1. Mingo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          On any other week yes, but Bruno was around 120% and KDB 165%. They account for a majority of active players.

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

      Unless massively chasing, was def right to captain KDB.

    4. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      check your rank, and youll feel fine

    5. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly the same thoughts. What are you going to do?

      Does kdb and/or Salah rest after both playing 90
      Trying to get Vardy in myself
      Tempted to lose Trent but will wait for rest of the games

      1. Only a Hazard of time
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Think I'm using my FH GW36 so that cuts the weeks I have to plan for down to 3. As far as transfer planning goes, short-term all the way - Jimi to Vardy to capitalise on BOU, FH 36 and fill up with City and Chelsea and then God knows for the last 2 gameweeks.

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Can you do jimmy to vardy straight up? That’s great
          I’ve got 2FT but need to move a big boy to get the funds

          1. Only a Hazard of time
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Unfortunately not, I'm going to have to downgrade elsewhere. It'll either be Doherty or Trent, probably the former.

    6. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same situation. Just be thankful you had his points. Everyone captained a City player with the exception of a few on Bruno. You will gain ground, not lose it.

  7. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which GW to bench boost?

  8. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Are we shipping Jimi?

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yep for Vardy

      had enough. Wish I did it earlier, but the wheel of doom said no

    2. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Getting rid for Vardy. Haven't been watching Wolves games but from what I've read on here, that's probably a good thing.

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        if you want a good simulation, tip our a tin of paint and watch it evaporate. The amount of goals scored will be the same

  9. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Up to 109th OR, not sure how this has happened!

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Egan helping hugely

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Very true haha

  10. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Reckon Salah starts v Burnley?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He probably two foots Klopp if he doesn't

  11. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    40 pts with 4 to go, about average?

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

      68 with Kane (C), Bruno, Greenwood amd AWB to go.

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    The one non-template player I don't have and he just bent me over

  13. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah for Liverpool
    104 apps
    100 contributions - 73G 27A

    Absolute legend this fella. Different gravy.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hate him right now... but love him still

  14. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Taa kiko sais (lascels taylor)
    Mane son kdb bruno (puli)
    Jimi rash gren

    Which? Money not a problem
    A) martinez son to GK mahrez/foden
    B) kiko son to Def. mahrez/foden
    C) puli kiko son -4 to Def. antonio mahrez/foden
    D) jimi son kiko -4 to def. Antonio/mahrez/foden vardy

  15. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?
    Should I play Foden or Lascelles?

    Allison
    Trent Doherty Justin
    KDB Bruno Tony Willian
    Rashy Vardy Jimenez

    McCarthy, Foden,Lascelles,C.Taylor.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fod

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Over Jimenez?
        And I was asking if I should start them both?

        Thanks both btw

  16. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts on next gameweek on this bunch

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Azpi
    Salah KDB Fernandes Martial
    Kane Vardy Greenwood

    (McCarthy Holgate Taylor Guendouzi)
    1FT 0ITB

    A) Save FT
    B) Salah out for Sterling or Mane

    Start one
    1) Pope (liv)
    2) McCarthy (mun)

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any news on Lascelles, fit for Watford?

  18. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How do I check the price of a player I bought at?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Transfers page and then click on the List View tab at the top

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      you aren't serious

  19. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Nights like this make me wanna quit. Was going so well, team looks great on paper, then boom.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My double Wolves defence hurts.

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

        Let's share in our pain brother

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Im whit you. Team looks fantastic, and I just know this will be the GW I get my biggest red arrow.

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

        Same here. Worse is when the mini league rivals have a polar opposite night with their ill prepared teams

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      With you there

    4. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      in the same boat , I'm trying to not let it get to me too much

  20. Rover
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Selling Jimenez for Vardy and also need to free funds from another transfer, but which one?

    A) Doherty > Digne
    B) Mahrez > Willian

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

      A)

    2. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A probably, I'd be keeping a hold of Mahrez

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

        Yes, you need to play long game with him to get the points.

  21. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How this season has gone I’m fairly certain Iheanacho will outscore Vardy against Bournemouth...

    Foden + Kane > Salah + Iheanacho (-4) ?

  22. Fantasydreamer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So what we think for next GW

    A. Salah, martial
    B. sterling, son

    ?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A by miles

  23. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah to Sterling off the table now. He wants that boot and can see Klopp obliging with nothing else to play for bar records

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah but still dont feel like captaining him

      Thinking of bring mane and putting armband on hin

  24. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GW Ruined by Shu Wolves and Burnley. At least salah hauled

    39 with Son, Aurier, DCL,Greenwood, Bruno and Martial to go

  25. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with Mane?

    1. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep. Benched this game, sure to start next, just what you'd want as an owner.

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Captain if u have him

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep surely for next match mate? I’m considering bringing him in!! Cannot stomach another Pool match with no Pool attack in my team!! Haha

    4. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep, he's got a good record against Burnley. I reckon he gets a goal minimum.

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have Salah, could move Mane to Mahrez and then have Kane up top with Rashford...

    6. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would you move Mane out for Salah for a -4 point hit?

      1. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think so guessing he doesn't start, and I'm chasing a bit and nobody has Mane.

  26. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thing is, Salah could have easily been benched this week instead of Mane. Unlucky sellers

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah is Liverpool's best attacker so least likeliest to be left out.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        you don't think he'll be left out against Burnley?

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No way

          1. Qaiss
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            if he is or isn't, I won't be buying

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mane was only benched to help Salah's golden boot quest

      1. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That doesn't make sense, best team= most goals. But if does start on the weekend, I think that has a lot to do with it.

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thats just not true. Klopp never going to bench salah chasing golden boot no matyer how unlikely that he gets it

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Well Mane was chasing it as well, he was 1 goal behind Salah before today.

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          This. The Golden Boot has no relevance here as proven by Klopp benching Mane.

          1. Nightcrawler
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Klopps cut off was being 5 behind vardy

  27. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best defender up to £5m?

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

      zouma looks like good option

  28. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Trent • Doherty • Digne
    Salah • KDB • Bruno • Son
    Jimmy • Rashford • Greenwood
    (3.9 / Lascelles / Guendouzi / 3.9)

    Where to raise 1.9 to do Son to Sterling?

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Doherty to a cheapy

  29. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is there any point trying to get Salah in again now? Still have Mane (and Trent FWIW).

    Feel like there’s better use of transfers than Mane to Salah surely - namely Jim to Vardy this week. Team linked

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah Jim to Vardy

    2. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I still think he might be rested against Burnley but plan to get him in for the Arsenal and Chelsea games (given those clubs have FA Cup to worry about)

  30. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Taylor or Pieters?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Taylor