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. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT...thinking James has to go.
    Best replacement? 6.4m max

    mccarthy, x
    james, justin, dallas, coufal, konsa
    salah, son, bruno, soucek, bissouma
    vardy, bamford, adams

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

      Chilwell or Saiss

  2. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need to sell one? 0 ITB.

    A. Lamptey
    B. Taylor

    Who to bring in?

    1. Lowton
    2. Holding

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

      There is a chance Burnley vs Fulham gets cancelled I think so careful with Burnley

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

        Oh thank you very much for that

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B1

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

        Miss

      2. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You sunk my Gameweek!

  3. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Klich > Podence?

    FH19

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

    1 FT. 0.7ITB.

    Martinez
    Dallas Coufal Bednarek
    KDB Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Adams DCL

    Johnstone Bissouma Taylor* Matip*

    A. Matip -> Chilwell
    B. Matip + DCL -> Robbo + Wilson (-4)
    C. Matip/Taylor + KDB -> Robbo + Rashford (-4)

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

      Very similar teams. Think I’m doing C myself for this week

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not Wilson whatever
      C looks great!

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

      C

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

      Cheers all

  5. Supernintendo Chalmers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think of:

    A) DCL + Grealish to Vardy + Raphinha (-4 pts)

    B) Adams + Grealish + Dias to Vardy + Raphinha + Stones (-8 pts)
    Dias to Stones is a sideways move but releases funds

    McCarthy
    Robbo / Dias* / Chilli / KWP / Coufal
    Bruno / Grealish* / Son / Salah / Bissouma
    DCL* / Bam / Adams*

  6. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hindsight I know, but I wonder if folks should've paid more attention to the fact that Mane wasn't on the pitch when Salah went mad against Palace.

    Salah has only got double figures once with Mane in the team this season - and this was against Wolves when he was gifted a goal straight away. For the Leeds and Villa games Mane wasn't there, nor when he scored v Palace.

    Watching the games, it's clear there's still a strange incompatibility there. They are terrible at passing to each other and almost seem surprised when the other does.

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

      I absolutely agree with what you say in the last paragraph. I have been observing both of them for a few GWs now. Passing to each other is the last option. If there is any other player open the pass goes there, even if it means going sideways or back.

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

        Me too. It’s clear watching them (Liv) play that those two never play for each other.

        If I was Koop I’d look to sell Mane in January because this surely can’t be good for team morale.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bruno perma captain

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

      They would have so many more double digit hauls if they start assisting each other.

      If I'm not wrong the last time both got a double digits in the same game was Huddersfield a couple of seasons back.

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What's the reason ?
      Is Salah jealous that Mane is better footballer ?
      Is Mane angry that despite being better footballer Salah seems to be LFC's poster boy ?
      Are they just both too greedy ?

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

        Its the "best player in Africa" rivalry.

    5. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mane played 90mins aganist Leeds

    6. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wasn't one of the goals a long range effort and one after a corner kick scramble? Doubt it had anything to do with Mane or lack of him.

  7. tommo123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone WCing this week for FH next week(18) and BB the week after (19)?

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

      too risky

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With possible treble weeks coming I’d hold off

      1. tommo123
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        OK thanks for your help guys

  8. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 3 City players...

    Will we know if the Chelsea v Man City will be on or not before the GW17 deadline?

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

      Probably no one knows that yet.

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

      Even if it is, your players may have COVID.

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

      Think it's on. They opened training yesterday with no new pos tests.

    4. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All postponement decision will be made last minute. No match will be postponed unless there is no other sensible option than to postpone.

  9. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to do here? 2FTs

    A) Taylor, Mahrez > Barnes, Dallas
    B) Taylor, Mahrez > Lowton, Rashford
    C) Mahrez, DCL > Raphinha, Vardy

    1. Supernintendo Chalmers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C for me.

      What do you think of:
      A) DCL + Grealish to Vardy + Raphinha (-4 pts)

      B) Adams + Grealish + Dias to Vardy + Raphinha + Stones (-8 pts)
      Dias to Stones is a sideways move but releases funds

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

        I would do A. Saves on points and I think I'd rather be losing DCL anyway

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

          Ey answer my post too lol

      2. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

        Def not B. A looks decent, but DCL could punish us if we sell, at least for a -4.

        1. Supernintendo Chalmers
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yea agreed. I got carried away with suggesting B.
          Vardy having been rested seems like he would at least cover any DCL returns, and you want Vardy for that double GW.

          Cheers all

  10. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2FTs and 0.3 ITB. Also have Taylor but I guess Matip is more critical. Still don't know if I should BB GW19 as I would need -12 (if Taylor is not fit) to get 15 playing players..

    A) Matip + KDB -> Robertson + Rashford
    B) Matip + Grealish -> Robertson + Soucek/Raphinha

    1. CAP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like A

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

      A for me

    3. Supernintendo Chalmers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Prefer B for the value of Raphinha at the moment.
      Presumably you have Bruno already.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, Raphinha much better value than Rasford indeed. Already have Bruno.
        Basically it is between KDB or Grealish, which one to ditch first

        1. Supernintendo Chalmers
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I ditched KDB last GW thankfully, but will likely be bringing him into my FH team. KDB is looking sharp but City just look off the pace up front. Grealish was unlucky not to haul this GW and still has that team built around him so not a bad one to hold.

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

        Harrison better

  11. CAP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish and KDB > Rash and Son for free?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Grealish hauls this week, he hauls every 3rd game

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

        He wont haul against Man utd.

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

          Scored there last season...

  12. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I don't have a DGW GK, Martinez is my. Should I bring in Mccarthy for him? I'm going to FH GW18, so won't have 2fts either way and don't know what to do with my FT this GW. My team:

    Martinez-4.0
    Robbo-Justin-Dias-Dallas-Johnson
    Salah-Kdb-Fernandes-Bowen-Bissouma
    Martial-Adams-Bamford

    0.0itb

    1. Supernintendo Chalmers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB needs to go for Son and possibly Martial for Vardy.
      You can always bring KDB back in to your FH team but think he will continue to frustrate.

  13. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can anyone confirm that Cancelo was one of the latest City players to get Covid?

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

      City have not confirmed but the rumours suggest so.

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

      Cancelo, Torres and Ederson. Based on the rumours..

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      But recon he should be good for GW19?

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

    How nailed is Justin coming into the DGW? Want to get rid of Taylor now, but find it quite difficult finding a good replacement. I'm using FH in GW18. Would love your input on which option is best

    A) Taylor and Mendy -> Justin and someone like McCarthy (-4)
    A) Taylor -> someone under 4.6

    Rest of my defence is Zouma, Dias, Dallas and Coufal

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

      *B) Taylor -> someone under 4.6

      1. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Also like to know this

  15. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Taylor and Lamptey replacements?

    Rest of defence is:

    Robertson Ayling Coufal xxx xxx

    1. 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin? Nailed and double coming up

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin, Lowton/KWP/Bednarek?

    3. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dier and Holding

  16. Erdogan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which games do we think could be at risk this GW? Fulham? City? Do we think there will be some clarity later on today?

    1. 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think City Chelsea be ok. Burnley Fulham is in doubt though

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

        Cheers

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't know what's the situation inside clubs, but I can't see Man City playing just couple of days after their game has been called off. Otherwise it would be strange because I doubt the players that got sick are already healthy

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ok, sorry, I read that this game is set to go. I don't know, strange for me

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

        Good point. I don’t have much info, but maybe the called off game was a panic/pre-caution call. They tested couple more players positive and decided to call off. Maybe in next few days re-tested all and found no more additional cases?

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

        Monday to Sunday is not a couple of days, it's almost a week.

        And the cancellation is due to uncertainty about who has and who doesn't and training ground needing to be closed etc. Not necessarily because they couldn't field a team.

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          6 days is a couple of days be the definition 😛 Ok, that makes sense, but I doubt that the players who tested positive will be available.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All games are at risk at the moment. I would try to avoid having too many players playing in one game, and I certainly wouldn't c and vc players from the same team/match.

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

        Tested this in practice yesterday with Kane (c) Son (vc).

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

      Thanks all for input, have 2 FT’s, I think I will just make sort the bench and get rid of non playing bench players. It was painful not being able to get full 11 on. I guess this season strong bench will pay long term dividends.

  17. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only Robertson, Martinez and Dallas prevented me from a total disaster in the last couple of GWs... The margins are small in this game, one bad decision could mean a huge swings in points

  18. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB > Rashford this week?

    1. Supernintendo Chalmers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes.

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

    Need a few differentials got too many highly owned assets?

    Grealish to Barnes/Raphina/El Ghazi?

    Martinez
    Zouma, Robbo, Stones, Dallas
    Bruno, Son, Grealish, Salah
    Kane, Bamford,

    Johnson, Adams, Soucek, Coufal

    1FT .1 itb

  20. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bowen owners, keeping or selling?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I sold a few weeks back just too inconsistent to own! But the dgw 19 might be worth holding for those fixtures and then sell, if he plays both!

  21. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should Justin be nailed for the DGW?

    Or go for someone like Fofana?

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

      Soyuncu is back so let’s monitor how leicester line up at the back then

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin should go right back as perriera isn’t back yet

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

    Play one:
    A - Reece (MCI)
    B- Dallas (tot)
    C- Mitchell (SHU)
    ?

    1. 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Dallas, PVA should come back in for Mitchell

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

      Reece might not be fit. Mitchell for the CS if he plays. Dallas for a potential goal/ assist.

      B Dallas.

  23. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Burnley-fulham definitely off?

    1. 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not yet. Will depend on Fulhams latest test results

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do we think we get to know before the deadline?

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

      No

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No.

  24. The Pesci challenge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taylor to Dallas for a -4 if Taylor is out?

  25. tommo123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Taylor replacement with 4.5m?

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep

      1. tommo123
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He's injured

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding

  26. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Justin or Dallas
    B) Raphinha or Barnes

  27. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If there is now a good chance of TGWs is it best to FH18 and then hold bonus chips instead of using another in DGW19?

    I plan to load up on DGW players anyway by taking 1 hit but think I will hold my bonus chips.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Even the FH chip could be saved imo, with no obvious good fixtures and covid risks

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good point.
        I was planning to use originally so I could then bonus in DGW19.
        I could always FH19 and save the other 2.

        So difficult to navigate this season!!!

  28. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tierney/Bellerin/neither?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks ya rat

  29. tommo123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Most still free hitting in GW18?