Scout Notes

Assessing Salah’s blank as Robertson moves top of the FPL defenders’ points table

Newcastle United 0-0 Liverpool

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Andrew Robertson (£7.3m), Federico Fernandez (£4.7m) x3, Karl Darlow (£5.0m) x1

The final fixture of an eight-match Gameweek that refused to stick to the script ended in suitably underwhelming fashion at St James Park on Wednesday.

Liverpool failed to score for the first time in the Premier League this season as poor finishing and a dogged defensive effort from Newcastle United left the Reds, and those Fantasy managers who backed their attacking assets, frustrated.

EGYPT ME OUT OF POINTS

A second successive blank for Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) capped off a below-par week for many Fantasy Premier League bosses, with the Egyptian backed with the armband by huge swathes of the FPL community for the clash with Newcastle.

Both he and Sadio Mane (£11.9m) never really got going on Tyneside but even taking into account their listless displays, this was one of those games when the margins between double-digit haul and a three-pointer were slim.

But for the merest brush on the fingertips of Karl Darlow‘s (£5.0m) gloves, Salah would have opened the scoring and potentially the floodgates in the 33rd minute.

His second wasted big chance arrived midway through the second half, the Egyptian failing to even hit the target with this effort, but Salah has historically had a profligate side to his game and occasional frustrating afternoons come with the territory.

Mane was also denied a tap-in by a goalmouth clearance from Fabian Schar (£4.9m), while Firmino spurned three very presentable headed opportunities and ought to have continued his good festive form.

INJURY LATEST

In terms of positive news, Liverpool appeared to emerge from their Gameweek 16 clash on Tyneside relatively unscathed.

An early injury to Andrew Robertson (£7.3m), in which the left-back needed treatment, seemingly amounted to nothing, with the Scot going on to last the full 90 minutes – the 16th time in a row he has done that in the Premier League in 2020/21.

Jurgen Klopp said after the game:

As far as I know, in the moment, nobody got injured tonight, which is a very important thing. So that means we probably can go with the same squad to Southampton.

The return of Thiago Alcantara (£5.7m) as a second-half substitute was a boost to the Reds but from a Fantasy perspective, the most pertinent injury news of the evening concerned Joel Matip (£5.5m).

Any notion that the Cameroon international could offer FPL managers a reliable, cut-price route into the Liverpool backline over the coming weeks and months were dashed yet again when the injury-prone stopper succumbed to yet another fitness issue in Gameweek 15.

Klopp said after full-time on Wednesday:

The normal stuff with these kind of injuries, around about three weeks.

That would put Matip on a collision course with Double Gameweek 19, so any punt on Nathaniel Phillips (£4.0m) and Rhys Williams (£4.0m) for the home fixtures against Manchester United and Burnley is a risky one at this stage.

Even if Matip was ruled out for that double-header, the fact that the two bargain-bin defenders continue to share game-time is off-putting; it was Williams who got the nod to deputise for Matip in Gameweeks 13 and 15, and Phillips at St James Park.

GREAT SCOT

On the subject of Liverpool’s backline, Robertson produced another fine performance from left-back en route to a tidy haul.

With much focus on Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) et al this season, the Scotland international has quietly gone about his business and this latest nine-point return moved him into first place in the FPL defenders’ points standings.

But for Roberto Firmino‘s (£9.3m) poor miss from Robertson’s 67th-minute corner, the in-form full-back would have been looking at another double-digit score.

One slight concern on the clean sheet front might be the absence of Matip, with neither Williams nor Phillips looking particularly solid.

This was the first match that Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in this season when either one of those budget assets has played and it took a last-ditch block from Fabinho (£5.4m) to stop Callum Wilson (£6.5m) from extending that drought, with the Newcastle striker having brushed off Phillips all too easily to carve out an early opening.

DARLOW V DUBRAVKA

Included in the Newcastle United squad for the first time this season was goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (£4.8m), who had been sidelined for four months with a heel problem.

The Slovak will have to be content with a place among the substitutes for now, however, with Darlow producing a well-timed masterclass between the posts and earning his manager’s backing after full-time:

Karl has waited patiently for his chance because of the form of Dubravka but he’s number one at the moment because of the performances that he’s putting in.

FIVE GO DEFENDING

A solid defensive showing from Newcastle at the Etihad on Boxing Day was followed up by an even better display against Liverpool, with centre-backs Schar and Federico Fernandez (£4.7m) particularly impressing.

Fernandez proved to be a bonus point magnet whenever the Magpies kept clean sheets last season and it so proved again on Wednesday, with the stopper collecting maximum bonus along with Robertson.

The problem with targeting Newcastle’s defence in FPL is Bruce’s determination to roll out a more attacking formation in the so-called ‘easier’ games – good news for the talismanic Wilson, who continues to thrive despite the limited service and who went close to scoring against Liverpool, but less so elsewhere.

The Magpies resemble a solid outfit in a backs-to-the-wall 5-4-1 but look less so in a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1, conceding goals against the likes of Burnley, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion – all at home – this season when playing without a third centre-half.

Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m), incidentally, looks likely to miss Gameweek 17 on his long road back from a positive COVID-19 test, but he’s one for the watchlist at that ever-dwindling price.


Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Murphy (Almiron 67), Yedlin, Ritchie (Lewis 86), Clark, Fernandez, Schar, Hayden, M.Longstaff, Wilson, Joelinton.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson, Jones (Wijnaldum 68), Henderson, Milner (Thiago 73), Salah (Shaqiri 90), Firmino, Mane.


811 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    is there pressers today ?

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

      Yes some today and some tomorrow.

  2. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taylor to: (0.6mITB)

    A) Holding
    B) Bednarek
    C) Bellerin
    D) Lowton

    *Building towards getting 10/11 out for GW18 then FH GW19

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would need to be one of the Arsenal boys, probably Bellerin, seeing as the others don’t play GW18.

  3. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mendy
    Robbo-Justin-Stones-Mitchell
    Bruno-Salah-Son-Grealish
    Wilson-Bam

    Adams-konza-Burke
    1FT 2.9 ITB

    which move do you recommend. Thanks in advance.

    a) Konza > Coufal
    b) Grealish + Wilson > Raphina + Vardy (-4)
    c) Grealish > Raph
    d) Burke > Soucek/Raph
    e) any suggestions?

  4. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone know when we will find out about fixtures being rescheduled??

    All transfers depend on this info.

    1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Any news on the Covid positive cases? 3 more Man City players are infected..

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Where did u hear that?

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That was why the Everton game was suspended, was it not?

          1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It is written that this is in addition to the 4 cases already reported..

            1. Top Dog
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              You have not interpreted this correctly.

              Those additional 3 positive cases were reported on Monday, that is why Everton game called off. Tests carried on Tue show no new cases, hence why training ground has reopened

              1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Yes, you are right. What I meant is that these 3 could be any players. Could be highly owned ones as well. Any news about the identity of these 3 cases?

                1. Volley127
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Cancelo, Torres and Ederson in addition to Walker and Jesus it seems. Nothing official but all the rumours suggest those 5.

    2. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only guessing but they'll probably get this weekend out the way first before seeing what games need to be rescheduled. Don't know whether FA cup results could have an impact on rescheduling eg when Marine win at Spurs 🙂

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

    Roll transfer? Hoping to field 9-10 for GW18...1FT 0.1 ITB

    Martinez
    TAA Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish
    (K)ane Bamford Watkins

    Soucek Coufal Lamptey Forster

  6. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have a few issues in the squad but 1.7M to play with. 1FT. A few bad fixtures and an annoying injury.

    Mccarthy
    Taylor** TAA Dias
    Grealish Son Salah Bruno
    Watkins Bamford DCL
    (Forster, KWP, Coufal, Riedwald)

    Ideally Watkins, Taylor, Riedewald need to go.

    Taylor > Dallas
    Riedewald > Raphina/Harrison
    Watkins > 8.0M or below
    Grealish > 9.3 or below

    Any suggestions?

  7. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain option

    A. Son (Leeds)
    B. Salah (sou)
    C. Vardy (new)
    D. Bruno(Villa)

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        southampton been solid, very few big chances conceded but salah is salah I guess and 3 blanks in a row for salah has never happened almost

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Never almost?

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D or Zaha for me

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      Watch him run into the spaces and exploit the Leeds high line.

    4. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    5. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am more than likely going A.

  8. Nedvěd11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lol, 43 points and red arrow

    DCL, KDB, Cancelo, Son (C), Dier not playing..will The points for these players be in GW16 ?

    If not this years FPL is toxic..

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Similar situation for almost all the managers. I had Kane, KDB, Son, Coufal who did not play. And the bench gave me 4 points.

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 Citeh, 2 Chelsea, 2 Spurs plus Coufal, Taylor and DCL. 6 players remaining got me 49 points. A guy in my ML got 9 points with only 2 players. (It can always be worse)

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

      Got 37pts and only dropped 95k to 145k. So what ever...

  9. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Though I have a couple of issues in my team but I have decided to save the FT this week. Too many rescheduling announcements expected over the next few days. Best to hold.

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      depends on tactics, FH in gw 18 your transfer saved will be lost

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not wasting my FH in a GW which would potentially have just 2 FPL worthy games. Plus already have 8 for that GW. And the 2 FTs in hand will help in strengthening if required.

        1. drughi
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          well if you have 8 players already for gw 18 then yeah ofc you wouldnt waste a FH.

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

    Who will your captain be for GW17?

    I'm going for Kane (C) over Son.

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would do the same if I have Kane

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Split your captaincy and VC between 2 teams.

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

        VC is on Bruno, naturally. Plays soon after the deadline too.

    3. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      On son right now but vardy, salah and bruno also in the mix

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Has to be between Son and Kane for sure. Son can exploit the space but Kane is Kane. Still cant decide.

    5. mookie
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I was on Kane vs. Fulham but will go with Son vs. Leeds. Since Leeds dominated possession against United, Leicester, Chelsea, Arsenal and City, I expect do so against Spurs as well. I think Son will have the better chances on the counter.

    6. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

    7. Boywiththesoupdragontattoo
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looking at West Brom against Leeds I’m tempted to go with Auba as the puntiest of one week punts.

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

    Who to captain?

    A. Bruno (AVL)
    B. Salah (sou)

    Just checked last 2 and 4 gw stats...they favour Bruno.

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

    Would you play the FH if going in with only 5 or 6 players for gw 18?

    Currently have Kane, Son, Martinez, Konsa and plan to add Stones to the list.

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well, yes. 5-6 players is BAD

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think you need the big guns to avoid playing FH
      So Kane and Son, Grealish, KDB, City defence

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

        Would only be missing out on KDB and Grealish.
        Think I'm gonna take my chances as KDB and City haven't looked themselves this season so maybe I can get away with saving my FH for later.

    3. Davros
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

    Who to play? Will this game be full of goals or tight?

    A. Dier (LEE)
    B. Dallas (tot)

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Spurs CS more likely then leeds CS I would say but both teams to score is not unlikely

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B. The walmart Robbo.

  14. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    TOT vs FUL can only move to DGW19 if FUL vs MUN is moved from DGW19 to BGW18........this would be ideal for those like myself trying to navigate GW18 without a FH........

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      got 2 spurs so wouldnt mind a dgw for them in dgw19. Then I would have 15 DGW players

  15. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Matip now he could be fit for the dgw? Would like to get Justin but is he too short-term with Pereira fit?

  16. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we know what's going on with Bowen?

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The withdrawal at HT? Moyes had to rotate because of fixture congestion. He put out a changed team and it didn’t work in the first half, so a tactical switch was needed. I think he will be in the team as normal going forward.

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes but then he was benched against Southampton and came on for 18min only

  17. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    One of my favourite scenes from GOT when Little finger did his "chaos is a ladder" speech. Good on LR for referencing it. I feel like the slimy schemer getting a nice green arrow with 11 players and 61 points. The 1 point from Vardy, 2 from Wood (transferred in for DCL) and most of all 2 from Mitchell all feel majestic in the context of Man City and Kane no shows.

  18. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So many dgws coming. I'm starting to waiver my triple captain in gw19 strategy.

    Maybe it is just better to field 11 dgw players and save that chip for later gws.

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Last season I saved my WC for the longest only for people who wasted their WC early to get unlimited transfers

    2. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm starting to go this way having wildcarded for a potential BB in GW19. Unless Spurs - Fulham gets moved to GW19 transfer strategy pretty much in ruins. Hard to take the risk of Burnley-Fulham going ahead atm.

  19. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is a better pick for the DGW19, which is just over two weeks away

    A. Ayling
    B. Alioski

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      owner of ayling but if I could choose now both dallas and alioski is better picks

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  20. Footieboot
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My god so much effort put into this and I get punished for something so random. DCL, KDB, Dier, Son, Kane, Stones, Anguissa (off the bench) all postponed fixtures and Coufal full rest. 23 points and a huge red arrow with Salah (C) missing sitters.

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I feel your pain (30 here). Just one game week (hopefully). Fingers crossed no more postponements (same old City always cheating)

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You haven’t been punished.

      It’s a game. A free one.

      People have had to endure terrible things this year. This wasn’t one of them.

    3. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Punished lol. Get a grip mate, its a free game

    4. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The silver lining is you’ll have those players for a DGW sometime soon probably.

  21. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My gut is telling me not to play and chips in blank or double. In the unverified hope that there will be later (and potentially better) opportunities to use them, when my rivals have already used them.

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd use them before the league is cancelled

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

    Best Taylor replacement?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      how much itb, alioski ?

  23. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I believe we can expect major changes in fixtures tinge announced in the next couple of days.
    I have put my tinkering in hold until then as it is pointless at this stage and have sat back from it a bit and I am quite enjoying the mess eventually.
    It brings more skill of management / planning / reactivity / risk-reward into the game and give it a fresh air as I have been playing for 10+ years

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I agree. We’ve not had a season with lots of fixture congestion - blanks and doubles for what seems like a long time. In the past, I’ve been able to make lots of gains over opponents when it happened.

      I’ve never seen so much whinging about it as on here in the past few days. It’s the ‘entitled’ generation.

  24. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Buy Raphinha or Soucek?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Raph

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wondering this myself. Currently Siding with Raph based on the DGW fixtures.

    3. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Raphinha

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

      Raphinha of course

  25. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worst gameweek of the season, injuries everywhere and team is a mess.

    Now going to pivot to play what I've got in BGW18 with the view of using FH to chase upside in a later DGW,.

    How to improve for this week and BGW18 in mind?

    Mendy,
    Dier, Cresswell, Taylor,
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son
    DCL, Bamford, Adams

    Bench: Forster, Targett, Lamptey, Riedewald
    0.2 ITB

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m doing Lamptey to Holding.

  26. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Too late to get the hero that is James Justin? Stupidly got rid about 7gws ago since rumours of Pereira benching him...

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. But I am not getting him. I have decided to keep my defense sub 5.0 this season.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Makes no sense to me. No Robbo?

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No Robbo. And has worked well for me since I took that call. 9 straight green arrows.

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Whatever floats your boat 🙂

  27. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Taylor confirmed out?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wait press

  28. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Kilman an option again?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      short term maybe. Too risky for me

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

    In the horrible position now of having so many injuries that getting to my BB 19 team looks impossible but also having no players for 18 so having to FH that anyway

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      In that case just triple captain in gw19 and wait other opportunity to bb

  30. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Zouma Coufal Targett Kilman

    Planning for bench boost in DGW19, best combo to replace Forster and Kilman?

    A) McCarthy & Alioski
    B) Meslier & Bednarek
    C) Johnstone & Stones