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. Big Chris Wood
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Am going to use my 2FT to swap Doherty and Jiminez to Vardy and a up to 5m defender.

    Who would you go for?

    Am thinking to either keep the wolves double up and go boly or get Christiansen or Zouma from Chelsea. Any other options?

    1. Big Chris Wood
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Woohoo Top of the Page!

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

      As a Chelsea fan, I would most certainly not go for one of our centre backs.

      1. Big Chris Wood
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will listen to you as a Chelsea fan, scratch them!

    3. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Soyuncu if you just need him for 2 GWs

      1. Big Chris Wood
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nice option or maybe also Justin

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

      Same situation as you (albeit for a hit), and Soyucu/Justin also on my shortlist.

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

      Diop as a punt

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

        Cresswell.

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

    Can the players hear the crowd noises when playing?

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

      No

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

        ohhh

  3. All For One
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any news on Isaac Hayden injury?

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

    Best way to get Vardy?

    A.Rash and DCL to Vardy and Greenwood
    or
    B.DCL and Jimi to Vardy and Connolly

    Team:
    Martinez Martin
    TAA Doherty SAiss CTaylor Lascelles
    Salah KdB Foden Martial Bruno
    Rash DCL Jimi

    1. Big Chris Wood
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2 for me, rashford is due

      1. Big Chris Wood
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Also saves a benching headache which I currently have

    2. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A looks best

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

      B if for free

  5. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chasing. ML leader will put the armband on Vardy. He doesn't have Sterling.

    TC Vardy or Sterling?

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has to be Vardy against Bournemouth

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

    Liverpool dont hace a game for 10 days after saturday

    Salah no rest?

    1. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They play Arsenal on wednesday?

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

    If KDB is injured, who is the best replacement?

    A- Willian
    B- Pulisic
    C- Mahrez
    D- Foden

    Current front 8:

    KDB Salah Bruno Son Hayden*
    Greenwood Jimenez Rashford

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

      woah, who said he was injured?

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

        I don't think he is

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

        He took a knock. No news yet. There was a good chance he was going to be rotated, injury or not.

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

          He was running around at the end normally

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

        He got a kick at the end and he was barely moving

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

          and I think he will be rested

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

      Pulisic or Sterling

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

      Sterling

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Bruno Martial KDB Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Jimenez

    (3.9 Cathcart Holgate Nkietah)

    A) Foden ➡ Sterling
    B) Jimenez ➡ Vardy
    C) Mahrez & Jimenez ➡ Sterling & Vardy -4

    Languishing around 250k really need to do something different. Will cap either Sterling or Vardy this week.

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

      B

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

      B

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

      C ftw

  9. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    47 Points so far from 6, made the mistake of captaining KDB over Salah, win some you lose some..

    I do however have Aurier, DDG, Bruno, Rashford & Ings left to play whilst the majority of my ML who are chasing don't have any Manchester United Assets. So I should hopefully get a decent haul tonight.

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

      Yep

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think it was a mistake. Just saying that with hindsight.

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes not a mistake, with better finishing from his colleagues he could have had 5 assists.

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

      Cheers for the update

  10. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Also, am I G2G for next GW?

    DDG

    Holgate - Trent - Aurier

    Salah - KDB - Pulisic - Fernandes

    Vardy (c) - Rashford - Ings

    Subs: Henderson, Saiss (incase Holgate doesn't play), Fernandez, Hayden.

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

      G2G

  11. 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

    Bench: Krul Jota Egan Basham

    Currently thinking about Jota to Ings and bench Foden

  12. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone has feeling that Jimenez will do a Gabbiadini when we all sell him?
    Mr. Honest has not been honest recently

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

      If Wolvess score 2 against Everton and he is involved in both, that wouldn't be a surprise, would it?

      1. Who are all Lukakus
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jim the backstabber then?

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

    I've got to the point of just comparing players I don't have against the players my rivals don't have to work out the net points changes.

    1. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This. Top 5 in my ML all capped KDB and vc Bruno. All triple utd. FPL is bored at this stage.

      1. Who are all Lukakus
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Boring*

  14. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    David Silva 7.3 mio had yesterday more goal attempts as well as chances created than any other City player. He’s ownership is 4.2%, and he might get a lot of minutes during the last games, played full 90 minutes yesterday. Crazy idea or not?

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

      Coming to the end of his time at City so he'll probably get a fair bit of game time, especially with the home fixtures. Could be a great differential.

    2. Shankly611
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't see him getting 90 minutes this weekend

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

      Not so crazy if you consider that he plays in the easy games. He will be involved more as City fixtures are good.

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Too risky probably, but if you are looking for differentials, it might work...

  15. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Prediction for Mahrez and Foden's minute next game?
    I would say Mahrez 30 Foden 60

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

      Switch it

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I concur

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

      Or the other way around. So hard to know... considering benching Foden for dcl if no pep news says Foden will start

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

      Foden doesn't start away games (apart from one 2-0 defeat) so i think he plays 30

  16. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sonny’s birthday today

    Monday birthday bonanza haul incoming

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hugo has baked him a cake.

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

    Pope (McCarthy)
    TAA Doherty Mendy (Lascelles Taylor)
    Sterling KDB Fernandes Martial (Saka)
    Rashford DCL Jimi

    Not feeling great this week. With only 1 transfer and 0.8 ITB, any suggestions? Took a hit last week so not keen on another, but might be necessary.

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

      if GW outscores Rashford again tonight then maybe Rash/Striker to GW/Vardy?

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

        Hmm potentially could do. Plenty of cash in the bank after too

  18. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Reece James nailed?

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

      No

  19. stepper1971
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi and Martial to Willian and Vardy for a -4? Chasing my ML leader and both would be differentials

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Na I don’t think so

    2. Shankly611
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Seems nice. I'd do it!

  20. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I fcking hate the 5 sub rule, making our bench useless. Would rather go full strength XI

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

      There is a good reason for the rule

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

    13 points behind ML leader, I have FH left, he has BB left. Who has the better chip?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      you

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fh

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

      FH

    4. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You

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

      Thanks guys

  22. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any chance of overhauling this?

    Bruno (c) + Kane (me)
    vs Rashford + 25

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

      Unlikely

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        but you're saying theres a chance?

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

          Of course it's possible, Bruno is great. But 25 points is a lot and there's a reasonable chance if Bruno gets points so does Rashford. Don't get your hopes up with Harold either.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pie in the sky.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        first week owning Bruno (removed Salah for him) so I know how it ends already

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Always a chance. Almost would have worked last week, and would have worked the week before.

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

    Team is: No FT 0.9 itb

    Ederson
    Saiss Maguire Aurier
    Bruno Sterling KdB Pulisic
    Vardy Greenwood Jiminez

    Button Traoré Lascelles Holgate

    Plan is
    GW36 Sterling to Mahrez
    GW37 Vardy to Auba
    GW38 Saiss to Robertson (or Maguire to TAA if his price at 7,7)

    Looks good?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy to Auba is an interesting differential, but remember Villa are looking tighter at the back. I guess the template move in 37 would be Vardy to Ings (bou).

  24. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Salah & DCL --> Willian/Pulisic & Vardy (-4)
    B) Roll FT

    Thanks.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      as someone who removed Salah this week, I can't endorse those moves enough.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'll take that as B then 🙂

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

    Henderson
    TAA AWB Saiss
    Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Jimenez

    Pope Lascelles Connolly Lundstram

    1FT, 0.6 itb

    1. TAA Jimenez >> Digne / Azpi Vardy (-4)
    2. Rashford Jimenez >> Greenwood Vardy (-4)
    3. Hold

    Thanks

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like 1, aggressive moves.

  26. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling or Mane are possible for me next week.

    A Mane double with Mo
    B Sterling Triple with KdB Mahrez

    Looking at captain choices here. IIn each case I’d likely swap out again in 36 for Martial

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd punt on Sterling, Burnley aren't pushovers, especially if Klopp rotates squad players in again.

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

        Good point

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

      A

  27. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB looked like he was struggling towards the end yesterday, I doubt he’ll start on Saturday. No news about this anywhere?

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

      Better picks anyway.

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

      Very good point, need to get information about this

      1. Ian Davis
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I personally think he won’t start, even if it’s nothing serious. He didn’t start against Southampton and Pep won’t want to risk anything with his best player and more important games coming up in the cups..

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

      I think he looked leggy regardless - kind of expecting he'll be benched.

    4. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looked like an impact injury more than anything. He was moving okay after a couple mins it seemed. I wouldn’t worry.

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

      Hopefully Pep tells us if he's injured.

      1. Ian Davis
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I’m hoping there’s nothing official so everyone keeps him, but he then doesn’t play... Bit of a gamble though obviously.

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

          If he doesn't start this game though he'll start against BOU in 36 which is even better.

    6. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't sell don't buy, and definitely don't captain.

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

        best advice

  28. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth a FH to get in Sterling and some Leicester defence, or save the FH?

    Pope
    Azpilicueta, TAA, Doherty
    Willian, pulisic, martial, Bruno, KDB
    Vardy, Rashford

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

      No, save

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you're FH-ing to target the Leicester defence, it probably isn't a good week to be FH-ing.

  29. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Salah>Sterling
    B) Save

    Pat
    Doherty Maguire TAA
    Salah KDB Bruno Pulisic Foden
    Kane Greenwood

    3.9gk, Aurier, Holgate, Nketiah*

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

      A tempting. But then the week after Sterling probably benched and Salah back from rest, you’d want Salah back

  30. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What was that class power 5 midfield back when FPL was actually good?

    Bale, Hazard, Michu, Fellaini and Mata? or something like that?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bale, Hazard, Michu, Fellaini and Stamp.

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

      Walcott not hazard

      Fellaini and michu played no.10 and mata was an fpl king at chelsea as 10