Scout Notes

Haller impresses for West Ham as recovering Antonio waits in the wings

Sheff Utd 0-1 West Ham

  • Goals: Sebastien Haller (£6.1m)
  • Assists: Pablo Fornals (£6.4m)
  • Bonus Points: Haller x3, Lukasz Fabianski x2 (£5.0m), Aaron Cresswell x1 (£5.1m), Arthur Masuaku x1 (£4.5m)

A sweet strike from Sebastien Haller (£6.1m) secured a second-straight win for West Ham as Sheffield United’s start to the season remained on the wrong side of hellish.

The striker blasted home from the edge of the area after the ball fell to him courtesy of a Pablo Fornals (£6.4m) ricochet, consigning the Blades to a fourth consecutive defeat their enterprise probably did not merit.

Chris Wilder’s side might have been out-shot 15-9 by the visitors, but they forced Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) into five saves and would have had at least a point from the encounter had Oli McBurnie (£5.7m) not hit the woodwork when put clean through.

That lack of ruthlessness is the reason why United have managed only four goals from nine winless matches this season, while their zero clean sheets adds another layer to the Fantasy disinterest in their players at present.

Haller of Fame

The same cannot be said of the Hammers.

Having survived and thrived during a brutal opening run of fixtures, their assets have started on a kinder schedule by winning 1-0 win for two Gameweeks in a row.

Even a hamstring injury to key striker Michail Antonio (£62m) has not disrupted David Moyes’ men too badly, with stand-in Haller putting in a fine shift at Bramall Lane.

West Ham’s replacement striker is owned by just 0.3% in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and that figure is unlikely to rise on the back of one, albeit excellent, performance.

Moyes was happy to praise Haller post-match.

“He came back from international duty and I could sense in the two days we had back training that he had a spring in his step. His confidence seemed up and we’re really pleased with that. He’s showing signs now, and like today’s goal, we want him to get more goals and to be more involved in the build up play and stronger in some situations.” – David Moyes

But the manager’s recent update on Antonio’s fitness suggests there will soon be competition for the lone striker role and it’s a contest the Englishman will probably win based on his form this calendar year.

“Michail is back training. He’s getting much closer (to full fitness) that’s for sure. He’s a really important player to the team and how we play. If we can get him back, good, but I don’t want to say if we can because at the moment we’re not quite sure if he’s ready yet.” – David Moyes

Gameweek 10’s visit of Aston Villa might be too soon for an Antonio start, but a return to the match-day squad looks ever likelier. Yet another week where many Fantasy eyes will be on Moyes’ pre-match press conference.

Midfield Mayhem

Fortunately for Fantasy managers looking for differentials, investment in West Ham players remains low. Defender Aaron Cresswell (£5.1m) is by far and away the most popular pick with 9.3% ownership.

But the side’s midfielders continue to offer attacking potential for relatively low prices.

As explained in more detail in the Premium Members analysis above, Bowen carries a clear offensive threat, but at present it is Fornals who leads the midfield pack with 48 points and a goal and an assist from his last three starts.

The budget appeal of Tomas Soucek (£4.9m) has made him the most-owned of the Hammers’ middle men and his 3.0% following should have seen him add to Gameweek 8’s first goal of the season, only for him to blow a superb chance in the first half on Sunday when set up by Haller’s astute header.

Few Shall Pass

It would not be a Moyes team without some of his focus being on the backline.

“We’re not going to do well enough if we don’t defend well enough, and we’ve started to pick up a few clean sheets, so long may that continue.” – David Moyes

West Ham are currently joint-top for clean sheets this season, with four, and only two teams have conceded fewer goals than the 10 they’ve shipped thus far.

Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m) was the first to work Sheffield keeper Aaron Ramsdale (£4.8m) on Sunday and he also chipped in with three chances created.

It was Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) who brought in bonus to go with their clean sheet points, however.

Cresswell is currently the only West Ham player in the top 30 for Gameweek 10 transfers-in, putting him on course for a seventh straight rise in ownership.

But West Ham’s immediate schedule is, arguably, not quite as attractive as it might seem at first glance.

Their next two home opponents, Villa and then Manchester United, have performed better on the road, and the three fixtures that follow (Leeds (away), Crystal Palace (home), Chelsea (away)) are likely to be tight and tough affairs.

Picking clean sheet and attacking returns out of that lot looks tricky, although the relatively low prices of West Ham assets should still tempt many.

Wilder’s Woes

The temptation regarding Sheffield United players is to bin them off – if you haven’t done so already, that is.

Next Saturday’s trip to West Brom already looks like a must-win game for a team suffering badly from the absence of key players, with the long-term injury to Jack O’Connell (£4.8m) a particular issue for a defence that was so resolute last season.

Only Rhian Brewster (£4.5m and 6.1%) has significant ownership levels, but he’s struggling to even hold down a regular starting berth, which makes his cheap and cheerless status a perfect metaphor for the team as a whole.

Wilder is not about to throw in the towel.

“There’s a long way to go. Without being disrespectful to some of the places this football club has had to go, it is no good taking a backwards step and feeling sorry for yourself.” – Chris Wilder

But without being disrespectful to his players, Fantasy managers are unlikely to be joining them on their journey any time soon.

Sheffield United (5-3-2): Ramsdale; Baldock, Egan, Ampadu (Robinson 62), Basham (Lundstram 76), Lowe; Berge, Norwood (Brewster 65), Fleck; McBurnie, McGoldrick.

West Ham (3-4-2-1): Fabianski; Cresswell, Balbuena, Ogbonna; Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Masuaku; Bowen (Noble 90+2), Fornals (Lanzini 76); Haller.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 9

1,490 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KWP in the baps?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1 bonus.

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

    Absolutely horrendous result for me. Jimenez out for a -4 has cost me dearly.

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He hasn't been great, still better off with DCL/Bamford/Adams. Who did you bring in for him?

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

        Vardy unfortunately

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Points against pool would have been a bonus. Next 3 is the acid test.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      U have 74(-8) points. That's not horrendous. Also u got Vardy for the next match against fulham. So now u can use this FT for something else. Be positive.

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

        Yes true I could get cancelo

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

          Yes!

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

            Thanks

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

              You're welcome 🙂

  3. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So who's gonna be first to break and do the unthinkable? (Bring in Walcott)

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

      No he sucks. U want Ings when he's back. Or Che Adams right now

  4. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    3 baps for Mc? Nice.

  5. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lovely end to the week. Looking like 84 points and I saved my FT. 3.2m to 1.2m in 2 gws 🙂 hopefully break into top 1m next week. How’s everyone done??

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

      About 50 points or something ffs

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

        Liar

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

        lol not true..

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

      58 (-4) red arrow

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      100k drop, not so bad...

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

      83 points. 424k to 163k

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      6 green arrows in a row slow climbing from the rot

    6. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      My rank increase halved tonight, with McCarthy becoming second in the main threats to rank table, so it dampens the feeling of success.

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

    KWP 1 bap from a blank. I'll take it.

  7. Roy Hudd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Carthy cleanie. Nice!

  8. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    79 points this GW & activated WC for next

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

      Wildcarding out a 79 pts team, why ?

      1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Activated on Saturday, slightly premature I guess but despite the great GW, have lots of deadwood I need to shift who’s prices were plummeting

  9. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez to McCarthy....yes or no??

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

      Probably no

  10. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best captain if you don't have City or Vardy?

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

      between Salah or DCL for me

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

  11. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The good from today is 3 bps for mccarthy and 1 for taylor...

    That had to be clanie for hampton...

    7

  12. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez still hasn’t blanked 3 games in a row in PL. It must be a record by now, over 80 games.

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

      Salah?

      1. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Salah blanked 6 games in a row in 18/19. De Bruyne blanked 3 times in a row this season already (came off the bench on the 3rd one) but he also has a relatively long run of blanks in 18/19 (his injury-ridden season).

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

      Wouldn’t be surprised if De Bruyne hasn’t either

  13. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best site for live rank / minileague impact / etc?

    1. Eagleowl
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I prefer FPL Gameweek

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

    Bad gw down to 850k.Bring in gw10!

  15. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which move makes sense?

    A jimenez to vardy + jamesrod to jota
    B son to sterling + jimenez to adams

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A) just the first part..

  16. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TC Vardy v Fulham?

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

      nah dont like it

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn’t

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why not?

    4. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I was half thinking to do this but I’d just captain

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        They are flat track bullies.

  17. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed. What to do ? 1FT .2 ITB. No Vardy or Salah.

    Martinez

    Chilwell - PVA - Cancelo ( Coufal, Williams )

    Sterling(C) - KDB - Fernandes - Grealish - Jota

    DCL - Richarlison ( Brewster )

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      good to go for next GW. won't be removing any of those front 7 players..

  18. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Might stop being so negative

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You missed writing being sick part.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Woohoo yes fudgy. U can do it!

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

      Yes mate come on

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You'll live longer, scientific fact.

  19. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any thoughts here? Would love Salah, but maybe Jota to Zaha instead?

    McCarthy
    Robertson Konsa Chillwell
    KDB Fernandes Grealish Zaha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Subs: Semedo, Anguissa, Lampety

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

      yea I concur

  20. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    82 pts all out. Good, good gameweek. Up from 1.4m to 750k.

    But now the toughest challenge is coming, December.

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      nice jump.. hopefully, I can get into top 1m next GW...

  21. TH14 - INVINCIBLE
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Zaha play next match, keep or sell?

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

      Tested Positive and only has 2 good fixtures left anyway, sell

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

      his fixture is on Friday, when was his positive test? Im not really clued in with covid, but surely he isnt playing.

      Im guessing his positive test came in over the weekend?

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

      Unless his positive test came in last week, it looks unlikely due to the 10 day isolation rule.

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

    75 (-8)

    Up from 3.8m to 3.2 🙂

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice work, Sir Steve

  23. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Good evening all.

    I have 2 questions.

    Mitchell (palace), is he going to start playing again? I see he was on the bench this evening.

    I'm thinking of doing Saiss > Laporte with my FT. Good move?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doubt it without injuries etc

      Yes, but no hurry atm

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not unless PVA moves into midfield.

      Why not cheapest Dias or Cancelo?

  24. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane to Vard FT now?

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I did. But it's early and risky for .1 million when they midweek game.

  25. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How did Jimenez do in this game, worth to keep?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Did what Jimenez does. Looked dangerous enough in the last half an hour.

  26. Davros
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wow Wolves 20 shots 9 on target. For anyone that watched it, was it as one sided as it sounds?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1 save was genuinely difficult (Dendoncker in first 5 mins)

      1. Davros
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ta

  27. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    84points

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Great post

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      thanks for the update. This is the reason I come on here

  28. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Urrrrghhhhh... 42. A drop of 500K. Which all things considered is actually fine. It truly is.

    Going to sit on my FT until price moves or injury news forces my hand.

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      With Bruno captain as well...

      Took some doing, team looked good to be fair. That’s ff!!

  29. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota or Bowen for Townsend?

  30. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson + Podence > Vardy (C) + Riedewald for free.

    No KDB no Salah though.