Scout Notes

Injury updates on Aguero and Antonio as De Bruyne returns to FPL action

WEST HAM 1-1 MAN CITY

  • Goals: Michail Antonio (£6.3m)| Phil Foden (£6.6m)
  • Assists: Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) | Joao Cancelo (£5.4m)
  • Bonus: Coufal x3, Antonio x3, Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) x3

Kevin de Bruyne (£11.5m) made his injury return from the bench in Gameweek 6, playing 25 minutes as Manchester City failed to fully break down a deep West Ham defence in a 1-1 draw.

With much of the pre-match attention on Pep Guardiola’s men, surprisingly, it was the Hammers’ assets who came out of this one with more promise for future Gameweeks.

The moment of the first half came from Michail Antonio (£6.3m), who held off Ruben Dias (£5.5m) in the Manchester City box to fire a bicycle kick past a frozen Ederson (£6.0m).

That was Antonio’s third goal in the last five matches, particularly impressive considering the tough run of games West Ham have faced. With their fixtures turning for the better in Gameweek 8, the £6.3m forward has only cemented his place on transfer watchlists around the world.

Joining him there is surely Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m), whose cross Antonio converted after good work from Tomas Soucek (£4.9m). The right-back has now assisted in each of his last two games and, given the way West Ham held Manchester City at bay, could be the sort of option to offer double-digit potential when the fixtures turn.

However, Fantasy managers will have to pay close attention to upcoming press conferences for West Ham, as well as Manchester City’s next media commitment.

At the London Stadium, Antonio was forced off after 52 minutes, while Manchester City front-man Sergio Aguero (£10.4m) only lasted until half time.

On the Argentine, who was starting his third game in eight days following a lengthy injury lay-off, Guardiola said:

“He’s injured. A hamstring I think.” – Pep Guardiola

Hammer blow

On the injury that forced goalscorer Antonio off early in second half, David Moyes was coy:

“We don’t know, we will have a check. He came off against Spurs with something similar. He didn’t miss training so we hope it’s not much. He is so important to us. He couldn’t decide if he was cramping up or not. We will get him scanned and see how he is.” – David Moyes

On the striker’s goal, the Irons boss added:

“It’s the sort of thing as a kid you always wanted to do, to score an overhead kick. It was a terrific goal. He has been great for us, he can run, we can play into him – all good teams need a good centre-forward and we have a good centre forward at the moment.”

Phil your boots

The introduction of Phil Foden (£6.6m) at half-time changed the game for Man City, providing a much sterner test of West Ham’s low-block defence.

Guardiola was all too aware of how the Hammers would set up, though it took Aguero’s injury to make a game-changing substitution.

“We started really well. We suffered in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the first half. In the second half we were better and scored early. We had the chances we needed to win the game, but unfortunately we couldn’t score. We created enough. Their defenders were defending so deep so it’s difficult to find spaces but we had the chances. I’m not a guy who can predict the future. We’ve already dropped seven points, which is a lot. But we’ve struggled a lot for many reasons. We have to take things game by game and see what happens.” – Pep Guardiola

Foden netted after just six minutes on the pitch, firing past Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) from a low Joao Cancelo (£5.4m) cross.

While it was frustrating for his 7.9% ownership to see the midfielder on the bench initially, especially as he was City’s top-performing asset for shots in the box and big chances pre-Gameweek 6, they can certainly take solace in his chances of a start moving forward.

Foden has now been rested from the beginning in each of Manchester City’s last two matches in all competitions and, following Gameweek 6, Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) is the only midfield or attacker with more FPL points than him (two goals one assist).

On the England midfielder, Guardiola added:

“As always he gave us something extra.”

Guarded performance

Despite controlling possession, City once again lacked a cutting edge in Gameweek 6, clearly suffering without having De Bruyne available for the full 90 minutes.

Guardiola may claim to have been happy with his team’s overall showing but it took until the 89th minute for the Manchester outfit to create a meaningful opportunity, with the exception of Foden’s strike.

Having eventually found an opening to counter-attack West Ham, De Bruyne’s through ball set Sterling through on goal.

However, a heavy touch allowed Fabianski to position himself well to block the midfielder’s effort.

The West Ham goalkeeper explained:

“I think he took a bit of a heavy touch, so I tried to make myself big. I don’t think he had a chance to go around me. I managed to keep it out. In those situations you always have to make smart decisions. I think that’s what I’ve done today. We are pleased with the point and with the performance, especially defensively. We played very strongly against a very good side. We knew what to expect from City and knew what we had to do defensively.” – Lukasz Fabianski

A ludicrous backpass attempt by substitute Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.7m) allowed Sterling in behind again on 92 minutes but a combination of too many touches and too many West Ham defenders snuffed out the England forward.

On the substitution of Kyle Walker (£6.0m), Guardiola revealed:

“He was exhausted.”

Moyes, meanwhile, also had praise for his central midfield duo.

“We’re trying to build a young, energetic team. Tomas [Soucek] and Declan [Rice] have been excellent. We have been really pleased with them. I hope it continues but I’m not getting carried away. There have been good signs.” – David Moyes


West Ham United XI (5-4-1): Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Balbuena; Masuaku, Rice, Soucek, Coufal; Fornals, Antonio (Yarmolenko 51′), Bowen (Haller 68′).

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Garcia, Dias, Walker (Zinchenko 77′); Gundogan, Rodri, Bernardo (De Bruyne 67′); Sterling, Aguero (Foden 46′), Mahrez.

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

PREMIUM MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

1,153 Comments Post a Comment
  1. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Booo Salah... boooo!

  2. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    TAA is the most overpriced player in the game. Should cost at least 8m they said...

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Early days, he looked very good second half imo

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Remember when people said they would have paid 9

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

    Jiminez captainers unite!

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Can't even spell his name

  4. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Covid era FPL sucks

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

      Everything has been going downhill post-covid.

  5. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    F to my team

  6. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Tortuous week in fantasy land.

  7. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone who owns Bamford or Zaha should have their account deleted

  8. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah = flat track bully at home ... of course

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Against whipping boys, not teams that sit back

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Another attribute ... too complex of a model

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          😆

  9. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane (c) looking good

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Always captain the option player later

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        *playing

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nick Pope

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Got a 16 pointer against De Gea btw

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

          That is true but Burnley will not play the same way Man United did. Kane wont haul

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            .....

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Pope is better than DDG ... recently

  10. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Trent to Chilwell?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Already did

  11. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wow whenever your team looks good it usually all falls to sh1t

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The 'on paper' thing ...

  12. SM001
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Looking like expensive defenders are a waste. Time to get shot.

  13. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Brought Robbo in for R James, captain Salah. Bugger it.

    1. rhino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      did exact same move 🙁

  14. SNEAKY SNEAKY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lads, relax we all have salah. Its not the end of the world.

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I don't. I have Mane(c)

      1. SNEAKY SNEAKY
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Screw you then. 🙂

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Nice balls, paid off nicely. No bonus is unlucky though

      3. SNEAKY SNEAKY
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah nice call well done.

  15. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well then.. Auba captain could be a huge huge differential if he does well.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jimenez ... don't forget him

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

        Ye, I went Auba. Also own Jimenez. Think they could both do well.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who's Auba?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The hidden gem

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Auba so far under the radar he is basically stealth at this point

  16. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I feel like it hurts more when Salah(c) blanks than if I captain somebody else and he blanks

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It should probably hurt less because of ownership, especially in an easy game.

      1. Mr. Chimes
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah idk what it is, I swear I’m always in for a bad gameweek when it happens

  17. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Real life feeling: phew we really ground that out. Definitely outplayed them but they didn’t make it easy and VAR sucks a$s

    FPL feeling: aarrfgghhhgggghhhh. Most frustrating match. Salah (C) robbed of a haul!!

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

      Robbed haul?

      How does it suck? It gets decisions right most of the time. The title went to the final day in 18/19 because of your teams cheating for 38 games.

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

        which was without VAR

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        😆

        It’s got plenty wrong and it just takes the real life refereeing decisions/ human error out of the game which I don’t see as particularly positive

        You sound particularly embittered. Feeing ok?

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

          Yeah, gets decisions correct. If there wasn't VAR and a big decision went against your club, then your fanbase would be the first ones to cry for it. Cardiff for example literally went down 2 seasons ago because there was no VAR. Its needed, but English referees are and will always be terrible.

          I'm fine, but I don't think you are because your captain blanked 😉

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            My captain’s blanked 3.5 out of 6 (Auba 5pts x2 doesn’t count for much) so I’m used to it this season!

            VAR has it’s place but I do think it takes away an element of the game which is human and therefore more real (even if that means sometimes flawed)

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It was an offside unfortunately, not really robbed.

      (Salah captainer)

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The VAR comment was mostly re. the foul/ penalty decision to be fair.

        Just my general frustration!

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      VAR got everything right in that game. Literally the reason it was brought in was to remove as much subjectivity from the game as possible.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Football shouldn’t be run by machines. Refereeing/ human decisions need to have a place

        In my opinion

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That's completely fair, it does ruin celebrating goals that's for sure.

          The way I see it is you either let VAR do its job and intervene when necessary, or remove it entirely.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I hear you mate

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

            I don't see how you can argue against VAR. It makes correct decisions vast majority of the time. In the WC, there was no drama about it every game/week.

            In the PL there is because of these referees which are the worst in the world.

            It's easy for kloppeone to say that because he supports Liverpool. If he were a fan of Cardiff 2 seasons ago, I think he would be advocating for VAR.

            1. F4L
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              To be fair I can sympathise with those who are against VAR, football feels less natural with its inclusion.

              But like you said, having watched Fulham in the Championship for the majority of the last decade, the refereeing decision are abysmal, and would've loved to have VAR, so I'm still supportive of it.

      2. OleGGMU
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        and yet it is being run very subjectively this season. the on field ref has been reduced to a messenger boy informing players of decisions rather than being the actual official on the pitch

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Don't see it that way. You now have an experienced official being able to see every incident with the advantage of replays and close ups, as well as the on field official. Two sets' of eyes are better than one.

  18. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    19 with Jimenez, Podence, Calvert, Reguillon and Son left. DISASTER

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I got 13 with the same players left.

      That Martinez haul saved my gameweek.

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      8 from 5 here 😆

      At least still got captain...

  19. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My brother doesn’t own Liverpool assets and (c) Brewster.

    So rogue yet he’s rewarded....

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      And by Brewster I mean Bamford haha

  20. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well that salah C went well

  21. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Hamez? He's my captain with DCL vc and Zaha first sub.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha sub, you deserve to get a cameo from Hamez?

  22. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    TAA Fire Sale , BOOM Trump 🙂

  23. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Going to be a long wait until Monday night for us Salah captainers! Agonising.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Owning Kane is enough don’t worry

  24. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Told you all about Salah 😉 we played well, given me a lot of confidence but need to start scoring more goals

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Goalscoring was a problem last season too. Personally think you should double down on the defence and play Brewster and Burke up front for the counter-attack.

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

      Well Salah could easily had a brace

  25. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm surprised Aubameyang was not even considered in the captain video..

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Arsenal hardly banging them in atm

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

        And Leicester are crap defensively. People just don't consider other players as good options if they don't own them, it's a constant theme on this site.
        And it's typical of Auba to score when people least expect it, happens all the time.

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I thought they would be crap defensively when I loaded up on City and Villa players against them. Both failed. They are a mystery even with all these injuries

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

            City did still score 2 and a team with more quality than Villa would have scored more as well. Shipped 3 to West Ham, 2 to Burnley.

            1. Cok3y5murf
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              I know. I was considering bringing in Auba and captaining him this week until they surprised me against Villa

  26. HTL
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Back to the 'proper' FPL we all know and love after those ridiculous high scoring matches

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Spurs to put 5 past Burnley Monday night though 😛

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No chance

        1. Totalfootball
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Very well a chance

  27. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    4 players no cap to go, 21 points. Dreadful

  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    the salah bias amongst the so called fpl experts has gone far enough, mane has been the better player for a while now and he's proving it now with his scores

    1. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        In all fairness, this is not 100% inaccurate.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Couldn't believe Mané was not in the Scout Picks with his superior xG, big chances and on the flank they bugged up Robertson about.

      Oh well!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Penalties

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly... how do penalties alone make him that much better for a one off pick? They don't, considering how random they are.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Penalties are the reason a Bruno was so popular back end of last season, it makes a huge difference, if it didn’t everyone would have Mane

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Bruno's rate of winning penalties is way different to Salah.

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Which is strange in itself right

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      To be fair Mane was the captain sensible article pick this GW...

      "However, owners of Mané should be exceptionally delighted in the apparent lack of faith in him across the board. Backed by just 1.8% of voters, he has outperformed Salah for big chances and xG this season, potentially the basis for a big haul. What a differential he could be."

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The worst argument I've heard is that Salah has pens. Those pens have got him 1 extra goal in the last 2 seasons combined

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He has 2 in 6 this season though

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          So you're expecting 12 pens for him this season at that rate? 🙂

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Why not? Nothing will surprise me anymore!

            In all seriousness I think they could get around 8, which is substantial

    5. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Dumbo da strikes again

    6. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      FPL experts making $
      FPL players collecting fantasy points

    7. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's more to do with both starting at 12 and Salah having pens.
      Salah isn't a bad choice by any means. Could have easily had a goal to his name today.

      For me, its the same like last season. Pick either and stick with them. They'll both be 200+ come the end of season.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        +1

    8. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah has 11pts more than Mane this year so from an FPL point of view he’s still a better pick

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Played an extra game, so from a logic point of view, fail

        1. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Disagree I think the fact he played an extra game (and scored an extra 11pts) shows he is more nailed/less injury prone.

          1. Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            What? Lmao. Mane got COVID. Have you been living under a rock?

    1. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hope I did this right.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Still only 6 (12) points different. So good choice but not huge

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

    Genuinely confused on what to do..

    1 FT 1.2 ITB

    Martinez
    Mitchell Targett Saiss
    Son Pulisic Grealish Salah
    Kane Maupay Aguero

    :Forster,Lamptey,Burke,Dunne

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sit tight