Scout Notes

Bowen and Fornals disappoint as Benrahma emerges at West Ham

WEST HAM 1-0 FULHAM

  • Goals: Tomas Souček (£4.9m)
  • Assists: Saïd Benrahma (£6.0m)
  • Penalty saves: Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m)
  • Penalty misses: Ademola Lookman (£5.0m)
  • Bonus points: Fabianski x3, Vladimir Coufal x2 (£4.5m), Soucek x1

TAKE A BOWEN

Most of West Ham’s attacking assets disappointed in their first match of an appealing fixture run as they beat Fulham 1-0 on Saturday evening.

Fantasy Premier League managers have been waiting for the Gameweek 8 fixture swing for some time, even a Michail Antonio (£6.2m) injury not putting off a wave of investment.

Jarrod Bowen (£6.3m) and Pablo Fornals (£6.4m) picked up roughly 150,000 new owners between them but neither one particularly impressed even against Fulham’s poor defence.

Of the two, it was Bowen who came the closest to an attacking return, his powerful first-half effort from the edge of the box deflected and turned over by Alphonse Areola (£4.5m).

After that, the former Hull man did rack up a few more shots on goal, almost all of them from outside of the box. And, apart from his speculative efforts, Bowen struggled to get into the game.

The local press has somewhat critical of his performances recently, highlighting that they have been on the decline since the Gameweek 4 3-0 win at Leicester.

Meanwhile, the closest Fornals’ came to an attacking return was in the first half when he got round the back of left-back Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) and his cross was deflected into the path of Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) who fired a close-range effort straight at Areola.

Neither player was allowed to finish the game either, replaced by Saïd Benrahma (£6.0m) and Manuel Lanzini (£6.4m) in the 72nd minute.

While Bowen and Fornals’ owners are certainly likely to hold these assets for a plum Gameweek 9 trip to Sheffield United, who are still without a clean sheet this season, the fact that they looked so poor even against Fulham may be enough to put off further investment despite the favourable fixtures. 

“I think it says a lot about the players, it is a change. We are not going to try and be flakey to lose the game, we are going to stick at it and try to not lose. I wouldn’t say it was ugly, we dominated the ball in the opening ten or 15 minutes we had chances but the last 20 we tried too. What we didn’t have was the ability to beat somebody until (after the substitutions).” – David Moyes

LATE D-RAHMA

However, it was not all doom and gloom for West Ham’s attackers against Fulham.

Tomas Souček (£4.9m) finally delivered on his positive underlying statistics and got his first goal of the campaign.

Unsurprisingly, the midfielder’s penalty area presence characterised his latest performance, putting him in the right place at the right time to slot past Areola in the closing stages.

Those looking to invest in West Ham’s fixtures should also have Benrahma on their minds too, as it was his persistent determination that breathed new life into the Hammers in the last 20 minutes – and he got the assist for the winner too.

Admittedly, it was Benrahma who gave away a stoppage-time penalty for a foul on Tom Cairney (£5.3m) but Moyes did not seem concerned about that at full-time.

All things considered, such a display may convince him to start Benrahma against Sheffield United, which could see one of Bowen or Fornals drop out of the side, although it is hard to predict that with any degree of certainty. Either way, Benrahma’s emergence is sure to be a little frustrating for Fantasy managers assessing who the most nailed-on starters in the West Ham midfield are outside of Souček.

“(Asked about Benrahma’s impact): I hope you have seen Fornals and Bowen’s class as well in recent weeks so we have got really good competition in those positions. Saïd is a really good player, I have had lots of players from the Championship that I don’t expect too much from too quickly. He had an impact in both boxes but thankfully it went well for us.” – David Moyes

HAMMER BLOW

There was mixed news for West Ham’s defensive potential in their 1-0 win over Fulham.

A third clean sheet of the season was, of course, welcome news for the 120,000+ managers who signed Aaron Cresswell (£5.1m), who was unfortunate not to come away with attacking returns on Saturday.

Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) and Haller both saw efforts either saved or hit the crossbar from Cresswell’s corners in the opening exchange, and the left centre-back also had an effort denied by Areola too.

It was Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) who top-scored among the FPL defenders though, taking home two bonus points for eight points. He now has 25 from five appearances now, averaging five points per game.

A reason for those extras against Fulham seems to have been his persistence in the cross, although the quality of his delivery did not live up to Cresswell’s, something even Moyes inferred at full-time.

“One small thing, I think our crossing tonight was terrible and our ability to get into positions like that, we didn’t do well enough. We either overhit it or hit the font man and that was one aspect but we thought we would have more of the ball, it panned out that way later in the game and we didn’t quite pass the ball well through the lines enough.” – David Moyes

As for long-term clean sheet potential, it was somewhat alarming to witness West Ham’s game management in the closing stages, especially after going 1-0 up.

They struggled to handle the driving runs of substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.9m) and looked likely to concede under Fulham’s attacking pressure. Of course, they would have done were it not for the fortuitous circumstances of Ademola Lookman‘s (£5.0m) awful penalty.

Meanwhile, Moyes will now be sweating on the fitness of Angelo Ogbonna (£4.9m), who picked up a muscle injury in the second half and has been the ever-present lynchpin in West Ham’s defence and could be missed sorely if his absence proves to be a long-term one.

“We’re a little bit worried about Angelo. Because it was a challenge in the box where I don’t think the player should have made the challenge on the goalkeeper and it has opened his groin up a bit so we’ll get him scanned and see what the outcome is.” – David Moyes

West Ham United XI (3-4-2-1): Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna (Diop 63′), Balbuena; Masuaku, Souček, Rice, Coufal; Fornals (Benrahma 72′), Bowen (Lanzini 72′); Haller.

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; A Robinson, Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina; Reed, Zambo Anguissa (Cavaleiro 90+3′); Lookman, Cairney, De Cordova-Reid (Loftus-Cheek 83′); Mitrović.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 8

2,364 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Get martial in for a hit and Captain??

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ballsy

    2. Lazy Martial
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely

      1. Lazy Martial
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not lol please don’t

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't - no form Martial in a struggling at home United side.

    4. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Considering the same great move

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

    5. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t even see him as an option

  2. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone has stats on Kane and Son against the big teams?

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

      Fantasy Football Hub

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        😆

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

      Kane good, Son not so good

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Transfer market

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers all

  3. MESSINHO
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo - Chilwell - Coufal
    Salah - Son - Ziyech - Grealish
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

    Forster - Lamptey - Mitchell - Stephens

    1 FT, 1.0 itb

    A) Maupay -> Watkins
    B) A + Son -> Bruno (-4)
    C) Son -> Rashford

    I will probably get City assets in GW10/11 depending on their performance against Spurs.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How will you get KDB if you do Son to an United asset?

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

        He never mentioned KDB?

      2. 2OLEgend
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If he wants KDB he could do Kane & Stephen to Brewster & KDB

  4. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son to Bruno, followed by Kane Reguilon to Vardy Cancelo next GW?

    2FTs, 1.6ITB

    Martinez
    Robo/Reguilon/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Kilman/Mitchell/Stephens

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No KDB plans?

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Probably not for now

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

      Sounds good, also going Bruno over KDB

  5. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA/Son/Sterling/Wilson out
    Chilwell/Ziyech/Fernandes/JesusOrMartial in

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks tempting doesn't it

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Which striker? I could go Jesus and dbl up with de Bruyne the week after

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Jesus for me but monitor Aguero.
          Martial has shown no form yet

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Decent, -8?

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No free..

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Nice

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

      Don’t like Jesus or Martial

  6. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Most nailed City defender?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ederson and Laporte

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks kap was Laporte missing for a while through Injury or something?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I believe so but first choice, Dias played every minute so far too

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news about Trent? Think he had a scan today

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

      He’s overpriced

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I have expensive tastes

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure but are you really gonna keep!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Quite possibly as then I’ll have 2FTs for GW10

  8. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Predict Vardy scores for the next 4 fixtures:

    liv FUL shu BHA

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

      2,10,6,6

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      6 8 2 9

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

      6, 2, 13, 5

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2 13 9 6

    5. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      7,13,2,2

    6. dangdunc
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      6,6,6,6

    7. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2, 13, 7, 12

    8. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2, 7, 14, 4

    9. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      32-36pts in total

    10. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      -2 (sent off) 0, 0, 0

    11. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks guys .. looks like about 4 goals is the concensus

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

    Wilson/Maupay for Adams? Good or sideway move?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If that's sideways nothing is not !
      They play for different teams so not sideways IMO

  10. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    0.1 itb of my planned moves so have to be tonight. Watkins or BAM Bam? Have Grealish already

    1. dangdunc
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bam, Villa too hit and miss for double attack

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bamford set and forget mate

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        But next 3 fixtures for BAM Bam? I might get him after those 3too. Will have both probably at the end

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Seen how Leeds play?
          They know only 1 way, fixtures don't seem to matter.

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Watkins now for the next 3-4 and then Bamford

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks guys

  11. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Choose two from these to get in.

    A. Bruno
    B. KDB
    C. Vardy

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A b

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sonce there are plenty of alternatives strikers and premium mids are must

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Mid priced mids like Grealish and Ziyech are better than their striker equivalents though.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            But more expensive. 2 m is plenty in fpl

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A and C

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers mate.
        Not feeling the KDB love with city's fixtures turning?
        Personally not sure what to make of City to be honest.
        They don't seem like the City of previous years.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Not really, but he is class. It’s the rest of the team that puts me off.

          If you went Bruno and kept a million in the bank you could always make the switch in GW10 if United and Bruno looked ropey against WBA

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

    Evening...thoughts TAA and foden to cancelo and grealish - 4?

    And is it madness to make those moves now ahead of grealish increase?

    Those moves will give me leeway of 0.2m for kane and son to kdb and vardy - 4 for gw10

    Martinez
    Taa Chilwell James lamptey Mitchell
    Salah son ziyech Foden burke
    Kane dcl watkins

  13. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Not a fan of early transfers but Grealish and Ziyech rising and Foden maybe falling. Son might fall in few days. Risk it and pull trigger tonight or wait?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Depends what you style is but in my opinion wait, there is always a way to get the player you want.

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am concerned about Ziyech too but he plays twice for his national team in this IB and is injury prone

  14. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    need a playing midfielder 5.5, getting rid of Podence

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Soucek or how about Armstrong?

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

    Best move here?
    2m to spend and 1 FT.
    Martinez
    Chilwell,Coleman,Bellerin
    Salah,Son,Rashford,Grealish
    Kane,Bamford,Wilson

    Steer, Jorginho,Ayling, Ferguson

    A) Save
    B) Son > Bruno
    C) Son > KDB
    D) Son > Ziyech
    E) Kane > DCL

  16. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I have 3 Chelsea already - Jorghino, Zouma, Cresswell

    Have 1 FT, should I do Son ----> Ziyech and Jorg ----> Soucek(-4)?

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

      Soucek will be benched

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Didn't realize Cresswell played for Chelsea.

  17. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do one international breaks

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

      Plenty of other sport on this week.

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Golf is on this weekend

  18. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey fam! Should I WC this or not?

    McCarthy (Button)
    Robbo Lamptey Dallas (Mitchell Ferguson)
    Salah KDB Son Foden Podence
    Kane DCL (Davis)

    1 FT 0 ITB

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

      What needs changing?
      The bench. Non existent.
      Maybe Foden and Podence.
      Maybe cut one Spurs player.

      What would you be getting in?
      Chelsea,United,West Ham defence.
      It’s either a -4 this week I think to I’m prove Foden or Podence to Grealish or Ziyech or use the WC for a revamp.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Great input! Cheers mate!

    2. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Take a -4, Foden and Ferguson out

  19. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Martinez Grealish and Watkins too much Villa?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think so, but it’s tempting

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

    3. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think so. I don't mind double/triple with that run of fixtures..

    4. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The fixtures are god enough imo

  20. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last week everyone had plans for Rashford, now everyone has plans for Bruno.... The fact that ManUtd has a big fan base and they tend to overreact to their team's performances really helps me to climb on OR

  21. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi all,

    Son to Rashford and keep for a while
    OR
    Sterling to Bruno but can't get City back anytime soon?

    Or keep Son and Sterling and downgrade Podence?

  22. Jack Burton
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any reason not to get Jesus in for a punt any one know how long Aguero out for thanks in advance

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think I am,

      1. Jack Burton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Tempting isn't it I can do Kane to Jesus then Son or Rashford to KDB fixtures nice aint they

  23. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best transfer plan here till gw 10?

    A. Sterling + Maupay + Son + Konsa > Bruno + Vardy + Grealish + Balbuena.

    B. Sterling + Maupay + Son + Robertson > KDB + Ziyech + Vardy + Coufal

    C. Maupay + Sterling + Son + Robertson>
    Vardy + Ziyech + Bruno + Cancelo

    Martinez Steer
    Robbo Chilwell Konsa Kilman Mitchell
    Salah Sterling Son JRod Anguissa
    DCL Bamford Maupay

    1 FT 0.5itb.

  24. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who is the best pick to downgrade Kane except Bamford and Watkins?I own Werner and Dcl.

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

      Vardy.
      Depends how far you want to downgrade.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        cheers.Against Liverpool is a tough fixture.Maybe its better to get him next gw?

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

          Yeh that’s sound although fancy Vardy to do something on a counter attack.

  25. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Checking Neco Williams price

  26. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best TAA replacement?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Chillwell
      Cresswell
      James
      Doherty
      Cancelo

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Digne

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Walker

  27. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Early thoughts on this lot?

    Martinez
    James Chilwell Coufal
    Salah Son Grealish Fornals
    Kane Jimenez DCL

    Forster C.Taylor Anguissa Mitchell

    2.3itb 1ft

    Son > Bruno/KDB?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have the same dilemma. Bruno is tempting because of WBA, but I want KdB from GW 10.

  28. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys, need advices!

    Mendy
    PVA | Chilwell | Targett
    Son | Salah | JRod | Ziyech | Grealish (C)
    Kane | DCL

    Forster | Reguilon | Brewster | Mitchell

    1FT, 0.7ITB

    A. Son + DCL => Bruno + Watkins -4
    B. Son + Reguilon => Bruno + Coufal -4
    C. Son + Kane => Bruno + Vardy -4
    D. Son + Salah => Bruno + KDB -4
    E. Save FT

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  29. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/1325883318026571777?s=21

    Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold set to be out for up to four weeks following injury against Manchester City

  30. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA injury makes everyone’s decision easy.