Scout Notes

Pogba making case for FPL inclusion as United face more appealing fixtures

FULHAM 1-2 MAN UNITED

  • Goals: Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) | Edinson Cavani (£7.8m), Paul Pogba (£7.7m)
  • Assists: André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) | Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m)
  • Bonus points: Pogba x3, Zambo Anguissa x2, Cavani x1

POG IN THE WHEEL

Paul Pogba‘s (£7.7m) latest Fantasy Premier League return has installed him on many a radar ahead of Gameweek 20.

The Frenchman netted the winner in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory at Fulham on Wednesday night and has involved himself in three goals since Gameweek 17.

No member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad has matched Pogba’s attacking returns over the last four matches, in which he has produced an average of seven points.

By comparison, the more expensive Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) has a goal, assist and five points per game during that period and Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) has a solitary assist to his name.

“I would like to say so (Pogba is at his fittest and most focused). He is happy, physically in good shape and we know all about his talent. Today we played him in midfield and it was worth it.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Whether Pogba can sustain this form beyond Double Gameweek 19 is certainly worth monitoring.

It must be noted, pinning down his favoured position in Manchester United’s formation remains a challenging prospect.

After starting on the left-hand side of attacking midfield against Aston Villa and Burnley, he has returned to the holding roles for the last two matches.

And some cynics might point out that his stunning out-of-the-box goal at Craven Cottage came from his only shot of the game.

DEFENSIVE POTENTIAL?

According to the Fantasy Football Scout Season Ticker, no team has better fixtures for defensive potential over the next six Gameweeks than Manchester United.

They face Sheffield United (home), Arsenal (away), Southampton (home), Everton (home), West Bromwich Albion (away) and Newcastle (home) between now and Gameweek 25 – encouraging indeed.

Their preparation for that run of matches has been relatively positive. Since Gameweek 16, only Arsenal (four) have more clean sheets than Manchester United (three).

However, their start at Fulham might have worried owners of Harry Maguire (£5.4m), Luke Shaw (£4.8m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m).

With the Red Devils producing some sloppy passing and poor defending early-on, the Cottagers exposed their high line in the fifth minute when Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) ploughed through the middle to open the scoring.

And some might argue that United’s defence is not as strong without Victor Lindelöf (£4.8m) next to Maguire, the centre-back missing out at Craven Cottage.

“(Lindelof) is not bad, it’s still his back we’ve got a few issues with, I felt it was better he stayed home, trained a bit and can be ready for the weekend,” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

TAKE A LOOK

A third Premier League goal of the season for Lookman is sure to increase attention on the player for differential potential.

His Wednesday-night opener was his second attacking return of the last three matches and it is possible he could find himself deployed out-of-position from now on.

With Aleksandar Mitrović (£5.5m) still fit enough only for cameo appearances from the bench and Bobby De Cordova-Reid (£5.3m) missing out through suspension, Scott Parker used Lookman as the centre-forward in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

“(Deploying Lookman through the middle) worked to a tee in the first goal. His finishing was deadly. I thought that worked well. He’s vital, everyone has seen he is quality and he proved that tonight. For sure (Lookman will relish the pressure). He needs to relish. A young player who is thriving and getting a run he’s not had over the last couple of years. Huge player and he’s going to be a difference-maker for us.” – Scott Parker

His positioning is, of course, something to monitor in the next few matches although some Fantasy managers could benefit from jumping early.

When sorting the Season Ticker by attacking potential over the next six Gameweeks, Fulham rank second best with Brighton (away) and West Bromwich (away) their next two opponents.

Fulham XI (3-4-2-1): Areola; Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina (Mitrović 83′); Bryan, Reed, Zambo Anguissa (Lemina 79′), Tete; Cavaleiro (Kamara 71′), Loftus-Cheek; Lookman.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka; Fred, Pogba; Martial (McTominay 85′), B Fernandes (Matić 90+5′), Greenwood (Rashford 85′); Cavani.

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1,587 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so if grealish get a yellow card, he will be banned for next one or?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes - last chance saloon

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

  2. Athletico Underachieving
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez,
    Stones, cancelo, Dallas, couf, targett
    Bruno, son, madders, soucek, gundo,
    Kane, Wilson, Watkins

    Loads ITB for Wilson - Vardy In GW21. Might go Sou - Zaha too.

    Any obvious moves I’m missing? Would like Grealish but YC risk and would have to do Targett - Mitchell for a hit

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

      Are you targeting Leeds? If so, can do Watkins to Ings instead of the zaha move if he has a double in 23.

      1. Athletico Underachieving
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Aaah nice. Was thinking Watkins - Bamford if Leeds DGW confirmed but am lacking Soton cover too.

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

          Leeds could do just as well in 23 too, both good captain options. You have enough transfers to double up actually since can do Vardy to the other one.

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

    Any chance my 121 points beat 117 + Martínez + Watkins in the cup?

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

      Unlikely

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

      No chance, tie at most.

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

      I hope not

    4. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Remember that one time when Watkins missed that penalty 😉
      Regrettably, I do.

  4. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this plan please? 🙂

    Team atm -

    Martinez - Button
    Dias - Dier- KWP - Holding - Mitchell
    KDB - Bruno - Son - Grealish - Foden
    Kane - Wilson - Bamford

    GW 20 - Kane > Vardy
    GW 21 - KDB > Salah
    GW 22 - Save FT
    GW 23 - KWP + Wilson > Antonio + Coufal (if no sot - lee DGW in 23) or Foden + Wilson > Ings + Bissouma (if sot - lee DGW in 23)
    GW 24 - Vardy > Lacazette (punt)
    GW 25 - WC

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes but I'd take a hit to get people on the pitch.

      Especially if pivoting through premium midfield into Kane.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry. Misread that.

      I'd hold Kane over Vardy.

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Also Liverpool run is poor and fixtures too so I'd be sticking with Man City midfield for KDB.

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gundogan might get to play more offensively with KDB out too.

  5. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB + Lacazette to Kane + Gundo now?

    Yay or nay?

    Surely Spurs and Man City rest players away at Cheltenham and Wycombe so no further injury risk and barring Covid-19 you avoid the price fall.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would wait if you can

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

      I'm questioning the same. Def the KDB - Gundo move.
      Is the other move for free? If so, I would

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't mind hits.

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You going to be priced out otherwise? If so, I'd do it.

  6. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking of KDB to Gundogan this week. Was tempted to do the move before KDB injury so it seems sensible.

    Would you do either of these for a -4?
    A) CTaylor - Stones
    B) Wood - Vardy (then move to Kane in 21/23)

    Martinez Johnstone
    Robbo Cancelo Dallas Coufal CTaylor
    Salah KDB Bruno Raphina Soucek
    Wood Bamford Antonio

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan tops the stats tables last four matches for Shots in box and big chances. Also seems to be on penalties with KDB out. Relatively nailed now. No brainier, don’t let the price make you think otherwise.

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

        This!

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

        How do you know what sort of role he will have without KDB? Maybe he will have more defensive responsibility and not get forward as much

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          True - I did realise that after I brought him in. Part of the reason he has been playing so well must have been as a results of KDB’s creativity. It’s probably only a three GW gamble and at that price I don’t think it’s too much risk.

        2. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I can't see why that would be the case really, either he gets played in KDB's role as AM (I think more like Bernardo gets that) or he retains his existing CM role with Rodri the DM. He's a different beast now freed up from the double DM pivot thingy of old.

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

        I see Foden emerging

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He's already emerged. I think he could play the central AM role and has the passing ability but it is more likely he stays wide, he can take players on from that position and is doing very well at it.

  7. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who you guys replacing De Bruyne with?

    I think Son, Gundogan, Rashford, Pogba are good shouts.

    I think Rashford is my favourite pick.

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling, Maddison and Barnes not bad picks either. Aubameyang could be a fun punt too.

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

      Rashford should do well. I have done KDB to Gundo. Helps me do Davis to Kane next week for a Kane Vardy Bamford front 3.

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I want the Kane Vardy Bamford front 3 too.

        Got Antonio, Vardy and Bamford at the moment

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

          I think that front three works well for the next few. And then Ings.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan for reasons above

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm tempted to move Salah for free next week to one of the above and just do KDB>Gundogan for now

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      On fixtures both Man City and Man Utd

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

      Easily by some distance Son if you dont have him already

    6. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      One of the first two probably. Maddison interests me more than usual though as he talks a good game about getting into the box more and is actually doing it too.

  8. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB expected goals 3 ahead of double gameweek according to latest scout captaincy video. 8 points Sigh. Think I’m just about over my TC failure but he would have been such a good captain option this week against West Brom to.

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

    A) KDB & Brewster to Gundogan & Kane (-4)
    B) KDB & Robertson to Son & Cancelo (-4)
    C) KDB, Robertson & Brewster to Maddison, Cancelo & Kane (-8)
    D) KDB to Son for free

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A all day long.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup A for me too. Lovely stuff.

  10. jcr1997
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Options - thoughts 1FT?

    Wilson to Antonio
    Neto to Gundogan (already got Foden)
    Targett to Stones (already got Dias)

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

    Play one of Raphinha, Soucek or Coufal?