Scout Notes

What to do with Jiménez after third successive FPL blank at Sheff Utd

Sheff Utd 1-0 Wolves

  • Goals: John Egan (£4.5m)
  • Assists: Oliver Norwood (£4.7m)
  • Bonus Points: Egan x3, Chris Basham x2 (£4.6m), Dean Henderson (£5.2m)

So soon after Wolves were declared a side to triple-up on, they have now lost two matches in a row and scored in neither of them.

It is no secret that Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have been playing progressively less incisive football with each passing week and it is having an adverse effect on Fantasy favourite Raúl Jiménez (£8.3m).

Even as he was nodding his 15th league goal of the season past Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m) in the Gameweek 31+ win over Bournemouth, the Mexican was in the middle of a laboured performance which yielded just one effort on goal.

Since then, Jiménez has now blanked for three matches in a row, hardly encouraging ahead of a Gameweek 35+ meeting with an Everton side that has two clean sheets in their last four.

With each passing Gameweek, the mid-priced forward has looked ever more peripheral and hit a new low at Bramall Lane on Wednesday evening.

Against Aston Villa and Arsenal he was guilty of drifting too far wide but at Sheffield United, his positioning was far too deep. As a result, across the 90 minutes, he did not register a single attempt on goal.

There was only one moment in the first half when Jiménez looked like having a shot, as he collecting an Adama Traoré (£5.7m) cross with his chest, only for Chris Basham (£4.6m) to clear.

Sheffield United were certainly in better defensive shape in this one, with Jack O’Connell (£4.5m) finally back in the starting line-up but, as already mentioned, this lack of clinical edge for the Wolves attack has been going on for several games now.

On Wednesday evening, Jiménez dropping deeper did allow for Traoré and Diogo Jota (£6.1m), selected either side of him at the front of a 3-4-3 formation, to make some exciting runs, although it was rare for them to find anyone else in the box when they got there.

“We’ve created chances but it’s very difficult to play against Sheffield. It requires different things from us, a little bit more deep. We had a lot of situations where we unbalanced Sheffield, we had good movements and good chances that we should be more clinical from, but our counter-attacks must be better.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

One man who might feel frustrated not to have been involved more often against Sheffield United was Matt Doherty (£6.4m).

With Jota and Traoré full of running at the very least, there were several occasions when the wing-back was free in a dangerous position either in or around the box, arms outstretched but was ignored.

Knowing that he is still getting into the right areas might be of some encouragement to Doherty’s 12.7% ownership as Nuno goes about trying to find some solutions to Wolves’ recent issues.

It is certainly worth holding onto the wing-back, or any of his defensive colleagues, for Gameweek 35+, especially as it is Everton who come to Molineux.

Not only have the Toffees been largely toothless in attack away from home since the return of the Premier League, Wolves did not look particularly likely to concede at Sheffield United on Wednesday.

They had managed to hold out for 92-and-a-half minutes before John Egan (£4.5m) nodded home a gut-wrenching winner as virtually the last kick of the game.

Up until that point, Rui Patrício (£5.2m) had been largely untroubled. Before limping off, Oli McBurnie (£5.5m) nodded his first-half header straight at the visiting goalkeeper before Billy Sharp (£5.4m) was clearly offside as he netted in the 53rd minute.

George Baldock (£5.0m) headed a Richairo Zivkovic (£4.7m) cross around the post with 15 minutes to go before Lys Mousset (£4.4m) went on a run blasted an effort high and wide.

The first time that owners of Wolves defensive assets really had hearts in their mouths was in stoppage time when a game of pinball took place in the penalty area, leading to Ben Osborn‘s (£4.7m) deflected shot. 

With just seconds left, the resulting corner seemed a routine one for Wolves to clear and claim an eighth clean sheet from a possible 10, but Egan rose high enough to secure his second goal in as many Premier League outings.

Galling for backers of the Wolves defence, especially the double-uppers, but at least encouraging enough to warrant going with a similar set-up for the visit of Everton next time out.

It’s Chelsea up next for Sheffield United, who have scored at least twice in each of their Project Restart fixtures. That may be enough to put off investment in the Blades’ defence, but their display on Wednesday might prove a sufficient dampener on interest in Christian Pulisic (£7.2m) and Willian (£7.3m).

As already mentioned, the return of O’Connell brought an instant calm of the Sheffield United backline as if he had never been away, the overlapping centre-back at the heart of much of their approach play too.

Sander Berge (£4.7m) and Osborn are also forming a decent partnership in central midfield, offering decent protection for the three-man defence even with John Lundstram (£4.6m) and John Fleck (£4.7m) out of the team, although the former was fit enough for the bench tonight.

As a result, Henderson was largely untroubled in net, other than Ruben Neves‘ (£5.2m) free-kick striking the bar.

Sheffield United XI: D Henderson; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Osborn, Norwood, Berge, Baldock; McBurnie (Mousset 49′), Sharp (Zivkovic 71′).

Wolves XI: Patrício; Saiss, Coady, Boly; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Doherty; D Jota, Jiménez, Traoré (Dendoncker 79′).

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1,111 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hows it looking for the next GW? Anything need changing?

    Patricio
    AWB VVD Doherty
    KDB Salah Fernandes Pulisic Willian
    Rashford Vardy

    Button; Nketiah, Lascelles, Simpson

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

      Looking strong but bench is looking very shaky

      Would consider changing nketiah to connolly if you have a spare transfer running around

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Roll transfer. Captain bruno

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good

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

    Worth -4 to get Vardy and c him?

    A) Dcl/Jimmy to Max 5.4/Vardy

    B) Rashford/Jimmy to Greemwood/Vardy

    C) Doherty/Jimmy to Saiss/Vardy

    D) Salah to Sterling for free instead

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

      Im considering D

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      always considering D

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *also

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Im looking at C but A sounds better

  3. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will zinchenko start?

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

      No imo.

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I hope not, but it's a guessing game. No news on Mendy at all.

  4. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lingard to Everton.
    I hope this won’t happen but have a sneaky feeling it will.

    Have a history of moving for United rejects/ has beens.
    Gibson,Blomquist,Cleverley,Sniederlin,Whiteside to name a few.
    Just stop it.

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gets to stay/live in the area, probably their level, makes sense.

    2. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He is still a young fella always improving!

  5. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    £2.2m, 1FT and getting battered in my ML. Got BB left so need to sort out the fodder. Please help!

    Martinez (Button)
    TAA Aurier Saiss (Lascelles Williams)
    KDB Sterling Son Bruno Pulisic
    Greenwood Ings (Jimi)

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      First team looks good so Williams,Lascelles,Button.needs to go .
      Williams a priority as it’s blocking a profitable United spot.

    2. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Save now and then do something like Williams, Button > Digne, McCarthy

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This looks like a decent plan.

    3. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope and Taylor good good for your BB In last two weeks and cheap. Diop/ Hause as well.
      Downgrade jimi to raise the funds for a £5m striker who will play in the bb week (deeney, iheacho, ayew)

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

    Thoughts on the following for 2FT?

    Jimenez and DCL --> Connolly and Vardy

    Will play Greenwood and Vardy and bench Connolly

  7. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Vardy a trap?

    Or will he be fired up to win Golden Boot ahead of Salah?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He will be fired up but I am more concerned about the creativity, or lack of it, behind him.

    2. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on who you selling i guess
      Jimmy/DCL to Vardy can work imo

  8. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope, Stek
    Trent, Doherty, Saiss, Lascelles, Robinson
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Pulisic, Foden
    Jimmy, Rashford, Greenwood

    0.8M ITB and 2 FTs

    What should I be doing?

  9. Shineonme
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB to Pulisic an OK move?

    Pope/
    Egan/ / Docherty/ stevens
    Salah/ KDB/ Son/ Bruno/
    Rashford / Jimenez/ DLC

    Subs 3.9 (G) Egan/ Fernández / Taylor /

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In a word.. No. Would not be getting rid of KDB at this point with their run in

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

        Can't see him playing the next gw and he'll be rested every other league game from here in saving him for the upcoming cup games

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

      Doherty#

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

      Son > Pulisic

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

      Not a good risk to take imo

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry Egan sub is cantwell #

  10. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What should I do here with 1 free transfer and 2.3 in the bank?

    Pope
    TAA Lascelles Doherty
    Mahrez KDB Salah Bruno Foden
    Greenwood Rashford

    Krul Jota Egan Basham

    Currently thinking about Jota to Ings and bench Foden

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lascelles to digne?

  11. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno or Salah captain?

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

      Bruno. Salah might get benched

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

        Thanks, just looked at your team and it looks really good I must say.

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

      Going to captain Rashford I think. He's due surely ?

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

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

    Which player for GW37 and 38

    Mahrez WAT(A) NOR(H)

    Pulisic LIV(A) WOL (H)

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez for me

  13. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son & Doherty to Sterling & Jonny? (2FT’s)

    Would leave me with:

    Pope
    TAA Jonny Maguire
    Salah Sterling KDB Fernandes Pulisic
    Greenwood Jiménez

  14. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts? 1FT, 3.7 ITB:

    Ederson - Martin

    TAA - Doherty - Lascelles - Holgate - Taylor

    Mane - KDB - Fernandes - Willian - McCarthy

    Rashford - Jimenez - Greenwood.

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimi > Vardy then log off 🙂

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Garcia a good option or who's better for max 5.6?

    can't be AWB because I have triple United.

  16. Toby Lerone
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all, if you were going for a Southampton Def enabler which one would you choose?
    A) walker peters
    B) bednarek
    C) Stephens

    Cheers

  17. Hairy Potter
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I know I'm desperate when I looking at long term plans to bring in Jay Rodriguez for the last 2 games. Time to stay away from FPL for a day or so.

  18. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gomez

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

      Sorry failed reply

  19. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Really don't know what to do with this team. 2 ft and 0itb. Bench is weak but not sure where to go from here

    Any suggestinos?

    DDG
    TAA Saiss Holgate Lascelels Robinson
    KDB Mane Bruno Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL + Jimi > Connolly & Vardy

  20. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So I'm thinking of Jimmy and Henderson to Ederson and Greenwood. I have 2 FTs.

    Yes or no?

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

      Good moves if you dont want tripple City attack.

  21. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    playing Foden as the 4th mid due to squad limitations and a useless bench, hopefully he gets 30 mins then starts vs the cherrys

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He'll get mins in all games.

  22. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Whats more pressing?

    Pope / Henderson
    AWB / Doherty / TAA / Lascelles / Saiss
    KDB / Salah / Bruno / Foden / Hayden
    Ings / Jimi / Rashfrod

    2FT 1.2itb

    A) Ings/Jimi and Rash > Jesus and Greenwood
    B) Sort out Hayden and Henderson
    C) Offload Jimi or Ings...
    D) Something else?

  23. berka85
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Auba out.. together with Barnes/Mount?!

    For Vardy... and Willian/Pulisic?! For a -4?

  24. FPLord
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier or Holgate (if fit) for the run in? Don't have the money for Digne

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do we reckon that Jesus gets rested this game?

    1. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Came off after 60 so you'd think not, but Pep will Pep.

  26. Lucy2019
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No one serious still has Jiminez.

  27. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My bench this week:

    Button 0
    Nketiah -2
    Lascelles 0
    Ngakia 0

    Hope I will not need it

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

      Mine is similar, but with Guendozi ;p

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

      I have Nketiah 1st bench as well lol.

      Martial Fernandes and Rashford to play so reckon I will be ok.

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

        Oh and Aurier

  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    as a few other others very tempted by losing Salah this week. not many weeks left and want to be aggressive now to secure my ML.
    Sterling and Vardy look good for this week and worried for Mahrez and Salah benchings.

    Honest thoughts on Salah Jimi and Mahrez to Sterling Willian/Puli/Antonio and Vardy for a -4? Will captain Sterling or Vardy.

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Maguire Aurier Fernandez
    KDB Mahrez Salah Martial Bruno
    Nketiah DCL Jimi

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good moves.

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

    How does this look for GW37 and 38

    Pope
    TAA Aurier Taylor
    Salah Martial Mane Mahrez Fernandes
    Ings Rashford

    Double Burnley defence GTG?

  30. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi to Jesus or Vardy?