Scout Notes

Blades defence finally records clean sheet as Wilson blanks again

Sheffield United 1-0 Newcastle

  • Goals: Billy Sharp (£5.5m)
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus points: Ethan Ampadu x3 (£4.3m), Aaron Ramsdale x2 (£4.7m), Sharp x1

Sheffield United finally showed some of the form of last season to record their first win over the season over a poor Newcastle side.

A penalty club legend Billy Sharp (£5.5m) controversially awarded by VAR was enough to give them the 1-0 win.

Free Hitters plumping for Newcastle assets like Karl Darlow (£5.0m) and Callum Wilson (£6.6m) in Blank Gameweek 18 will be fuming at the Magpies display, who were vulnerable at the back and toothless up front.

The performance was made even worse by Ryan Fraser (£5.6m) getting sent off in the first half for two bookable offences. But the Toon were poor even with 11 men on the pitch.

Owners of premium assets looking to target the Blades may also be having second thoughts after a much improved performance.

Battling Blades

Chris Wilder’s backline which was a staple of so many manager’s teams last year has been rightly avoided this season, conceding the third-highest amount of goals in the Premier League.

The Blades had been without a clean sheet all season, and conceded goals to some of the league’s weakest attacks.

Even their last four games where they played Crystal Palace, Burnley and Brighton yielded no clean sheet returns.

But, albeit it against a poor Newcastle team, their defence looked well organised and was barely troubled all game.

Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu (£4.3m) scooped the maximum bonus after a strong defensive display. He may even have picked up an assist had Oliver Burke’s (£4.3m) touch not deserted him when going through on goal.

Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7m), who has received a lot of stick since returning to the club from Bournemouth, looked assured between the sticks as he collected two bonus points.

And had Karl Darlow (£5.0m) not been at his best, then wing-back Jayden Bogle (4.3m) would also have added to his goal tally.

Chris Wilder praised his side for their battling display, while playing down any talk of a great escape.

Regardless of what people say about Newcastle, you look at their team and they’ve got some good players, they’ve got some fabulous players off the bench and they’re an established Premier League side and we’re not. They’re established Premier League players and our players aren’t and they’re fighting for their lives and I think you saw that tonight. You saw a team that was fighting for their lives that was brave enough to play as well in and out of possession, stuff was good.”

Chris Wilder

Ogle Bogle

With Sam Baldock (£5.0m) injured, Bogle looks to have nailed down the right wing-back berth at Sheffield United and has put in some eye-catching displays.

The former Derby man bombed down the right hand side and had two attempts in the box well saved by Darlow.

On Tuesday evening, only Anthony Martial (£8.8m) had a higer expected goals tally than Bogle, without scoring.

Add this to his goal and all-round attacking display at Brighton, Bogle could be worth considering once the Blades’ fixtures clear up.

Time up for Bruce?

Steve Bruce’s Newcastle have remained bottom of most stats tables throughout the season.

The Magpies managed to defy the stats and the eye test in the first half of the campaign, picking up some impressive results along the way.

But it appears that these performances are coming home to roost.

The loss to the Blades means no wins in six now for the Geordies, who are sliding worryingly towards a relegation battle.

Fans are now calling for manager Bruce’s head, after watching their side being outplayed by all the bottom three.

But a clearly dejected Bruce quickly confirmed he would not be resigning in the wake of this result.

“Look, you’re asking the wrong person about that. I’ll never, ever walk away from a challenge and I’ve been in it long enough to have that respect. But I understand that, especially watching the first half, we weren’t good enough and at the end of the day I take the responsibility because I pick the team.”

Steve Bruce

Wilsooooooooooooon

Newcastle’s star striker has now gone four games without delivering any FPL returns.

Take penalties out of the equation, and Wilson has not scored since Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace back in Gameweek 10.

Part of this is the fault of his teammates and their tactical set-up, with Wilson appearing lonelier than Tom Hanks’ ball for huge parts of the game.

With his side having so little possession, Wilson is often seen drifting back towards his own goal in search of the ball.

But the striker is also starting to miss big chances which he was gobbling up earlier in the season.

The Toon’s only big chance of the game fell to the hitman, who headed wide from close range.

With Wilson shy of goals and service, he no longer looks to be a viable FPL asset.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Darlow; Yedlin (Murphy 84), Fernandez (Carroll 77), Schar, Clark, Dummett (Ritchie 74) Hendrick, Hayden, Longstaff, Fraser, Wilson

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Bogle, Basham (Brewster 51), Ampadu, Egan, Osborn; Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood; McGoldrick (Jagielka 94), Burke (Sharp 59)

1,188 Comments Post a Comment
  1. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm seeing my FH team in the RMT tool for GW19
    Will this be fixed to my actual team?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably after gw18 finished

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

      No. The tool just reads your latest squad points page, so you won't see your GW19 team until the deadline passes.

      Gotta build it manually!

  2. Front 442
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When are we likely to find out about the Leeds v Southampton game?

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shrewsbury back in training today so should be soonish you'd hope.

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

      probably not until after deadline. Unlikely to reschedule until sure whether Shrewsbury can fulfil fixture,

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I was planning on saving ft for 19 with 9dgw players and Kane/Son. Hopefully Leeds still goes ahead.

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

    A) Salah, Son, Brewster
    B) Salah, Rashford, Brewster
    C) Son, Rashford, Antonio

    All three play, as planning to BB.

    Thanks all.

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

      I’d go C there

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

    I'll probably skip the BB if both Villa and Leeds are off.

    I can field:

    Johnstone
    Zouma James Stones Coufal
    Salah KdB Fernandes Son
    Bamford Antonio
    (Martinez Grealish Dallas Davis)

    1 FT will be Adams > Antonio.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd have 12 doublers still with the 3 Leeds lads as singlers. I think I still want to play BB so I can get all this value tied up on my bench out back into the first 11.

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will you double Captain KDB ?

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

        Let's see how he does tonight. Maybe.

  6. TheCurseOfRaheem
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So glad I used my last two FTs before the FH to bring in Leeds players. Ugh.

  7. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mccarthy* Button

    Dias* Mitchell Allioski* Coufal* Mee*
    KDB* Salah* Maddison* Bowen* Grealish*
    Adams* Bamford* Kane

    1 Ft 0.7 itb
    * =DGW
    Ideas?
    Would Button > Johnstone leave me too short?

  8. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Plan is to take a - 8 and bench boost. Squad would be

    10 dgw players
    3 X Leeds prob with 1 game v Brighton
    Martinez and Watkins

    Still worth bb? Not sure I'll have a better set up and 2nd wildcard will be needed for managing future blanks..... thanks

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

      No. Because Martinez and Watkins if they don't play on Sunday have just a single game away at City.

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

        I realise that. But genuinely don't thonill be able to get a better bb set up later in the season.

        Could move to - 12 if there is a decent Watkins dgw forward. Don't think there is tho

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

          You will be able to. GW26 is going to be a big one. You'll have time to morph your team in preparation for it. BB'ing Martinez and Watkins as two of your 4 guys is not good enough.

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

            Not sure though. The wildcard I play ahead of gw26 will partly be played with the blanks of 29 in mind.

            So I'll have 11dgw players in the wildcard and 4 bench players who feature in bgw29.

            It means I can make transfers in the next few weeks without thinking of the doubles

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

              You can't plan to play your WC ahead of 26. So much can change. I don't intend to plan my WC for this second half. Ideally I'd like to deadend my team in 29 and Wildcard in 30 for the last 8 GWs but lots can change.

              If you have to BB a single gameweek, do that, but if two of your players are Martinez and Watkins with a SGW vs City you're not gonna have a good BB.

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in same headache- got 2 Leeds,1 Villa and 2 S'ton

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

        Will you do it reism1?

        1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          All depends on News what games are going ahead etc. I'm holding fire currently

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

    Gutted I ditched Bailly for Saiss on my FH 7 points vs 1pt. D'oh. Sodding yellow flag's.

    On the plus side I have 15 DGW players. But 5 of them are Leeds/Villa

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep us updated

  10. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can I make transfers and BB in the same GW. Rookie knowledge I know, I've completely forgot though

    Cheers

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

      Yes

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

      Yeah you can

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

      Cheers guys. Wow an 11 next to your name Viper. Nice. It's like a badge of honor

  11. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No Salah, no Salah, sitting in my team....

    A. Bruno + Kane -> Salah + Vardy -4
    B. Son + Kane -> Salah + Antonio/Ings - 4
    C. Go without

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

      C

  12. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) kwp to stones
    B) lowton to coufal
    C) Zouma, Justin to Dias, Coufal -4

  13. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think this Bench will be worth Bench Bossting if both Avl vs Eve & Lee vs Sou is off?

    Martinez Bamford Raphinha Dallas

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's still a good bench. I'd do it if whole 15 looks like starting and getting gametime.

  14. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When and how will we know for sure Villa and Leeds are off ?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      When - unknown
      How - waiting

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

      59 mins before kick off.

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

      Should know about Villa today

      1. One Man
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate.

  15. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looking at a max 4.3m defender to afford Salah switch, are any of these likely yo play both DGW games (notwithstanding game called fof ofc)

    Struijk
    Pieters
    O'Shea
    others??

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

      Mitchell (3.9) if you don’t already have him

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sold on WC. But he is far from nailed

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

    Is Neto & Kane to Salah & Antonio for a hit good for the double gameweek? Already have Son.
    A) Yes Yes Yes
    B) No No No

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

      A

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

    If Leeds/Villa is off then BB is definitely worth saving, but a good week for TC chip.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'll still use BB but yes there will be other opportunities.

  18. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno to KdB for the double?

    Also Bruno on 4 YC so suspension imminent

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      that means nothing. he will surely be careful witch challenges now and the ref will also know hes on 4 so probably needs a very dirty challenge.

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        "the ref will also know hes on 4 so probably needs a very dirty challenge" — assuming the ref has hime triple captain. Could be he's ditched for KDB and sends him off for smirking.

        1. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No mate its utd, you know what happens all year

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Does this not reset soon? Or extend to 10 yellows?

      1. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Resets for Bruno if he gets through next 2.

    3. dadoune30
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah he might prefer get a 5th vs Liverpool as next is only Fulham.. Then plays the FA Cup again vs Lpool

  19. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    never buying wilson again. hate watching newcastle. didnt even try to atack against bottom team.

  20. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane & Son to Werner & KdB for -4?

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not convinced with werner mate. Can you stretch to vardy?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Unfortunately not

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      werner? are you being serious

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any better up to 9.3?

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

          Could be Gabriel Jesus if he performs against Brighton.

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Doubt he'll play both though. But I would jump on him

        2. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wait for Martial update, Cavani may be an option. Could just keep Kane and Son

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            mmm Cavani. Good shout

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

          if (I know) Southampton Leeds isn't moved then Ings is your man

          Or just get Antonio and keep MITB - no doubt a new emergency will arise soon enough

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

    4. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

  21. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    PVA, kane, brewster -> antonio, vardy, chilwell (-8)

    Good move?

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

      Yeah.

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

    Villa vs Everton and Soton vs Leeds being called off would bring me from 3 SGW players to 7. Fair to say that Operation: FH19 is a very close to a go!

  23. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, which best option Cheers a) Wilson to Abraham or Antonio ; or b) son & Wilson to KDB & forward Under 4.8m?

  24. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    B) would obviously be -4

  25. JohannaAdams10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    You can’t play your wildcard and bench boost in the same week?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No you can’t

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No you can't. One chip per GW

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

      1 chip per week.

  26. Party time
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone wanna WC for dgw 19?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No not for my team

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

        No. Why would you?

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Depends on your team. BB chips is the best to use for the DGW and prefer to take one or two hits. Should've WC18

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

        Should have just done it for 18 all the players are the same

    • FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The real winner in this situation is the causal who logs on to FPL for 5 mins a week

      1. Party time
          3 years, 2 months ago

          The real winner is the casual who has forgotten about fpl & his ghost team is acing it

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

          Casuals will get hammered in this period. This is the most hardcore FPL season ever imo.

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

        My plan. Wondering if I'm missing anything

        -12 for this BB

        Johnstone
        Chilwell, Cancelo, Dias, Maguire
        Salah, KDB, Bruno, Soucek
        Antonio, Wood

        Martinez*, Coufal, Raphinha*, Bamford*

        Really want to BB now, because it will be hard to BB26 if you don't have FH left. Loading up on dgwers for BB then = no players left for BGW29.

        So WC25 - when we'll know the fixtures of DGW26 and BGW29
        11 DGWers and bench consisting of players for BGW29

        Then with FTs prepare for BGW29

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

          This is totally my plan too.

          I say do it.

          - 12 is a little steep though.

          I am looking ar - 8 with 2 villa or - 12 with 1 villa

      3. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hi all, assuming the leeds vs. saints doesnt go through, best moves here with 1ft and 0.5m itb?

        Martinez
        Stones Cancelo Coufal Taylor -- Dallas
        Bruno Kdb Rashford Son -- Burke
        Bamford Lacazette -- Wilson

        A: Son + Lacazette >> Salah + Antonio (-4)
        B: something else.

      4. NotsoSpursy
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Morning! Please can you advise on any improvements? I'm feeling frivolous 🙂


        McCarthy DGW

        Zouma DGW - Dallas DGW - Holding - Konsa DGW

        Soucek DGW - Mané DGW - Bruno DGW - Salah DGW

        Bamfod DGW - Kane

        Mitchell - Bissouma* - Calvert-Lewin*