Scout Notes

Gündogan shines in KDB’s absence as Cancelo finally delivers attacking haul

West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Manchester City

  • Goals: Ilkay Gündogan (£5.7m) x2 | Joao Cancelo (£5.9m) | Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m) Raheem Sterling (£11.5m)
  • Assists: Mahrez | Sterling | Cancelo | Bernardo Silva (£7.4m)
  • Bonus: Gündogan x3 | Cancelo x2 | Mahrez x1

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners who kept faith with Joao Cancelo (£5.9m) were finally rewarded with attacking points as the Portuguese full-back scored and assisted, bringing in a monster 17-point haul.

Managers looking for a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) need not look far, with Ilkay Gündogan (£5.7m) bagging a brace and maximum bonus points.

As good as Manchester City were going forward, all FPL players will now be looking at targeting teams playing West Brom, who have shipped 17 goals in five games.

WOW CANCELO

Cancelo has delivered consistently impressive attacking numbers all season, without the points to show for it.

Before the West Brom game, Cancelo only had one assist against West Ham to his name.

But it finally clicked on Tuesday, with Cancelo scoring and laying on the first goal with a terrific through ball for Gündogan.

As he has done throughout most of the season, Cancelo started at right-back but spent most of the game as an auxilliary centre midfielder.

This leaves Cancelo in the prime position to lay on assists or have shots on goal, with him creating the most chances of any player in the match.

Gündogan credited the defender for setting up his first goal and his passing range.

“When we have the ball, he plays a bit of a different role, he plays in the middle a bit more, gets more touches and he has the quality to put in these balls and I knew it.

“He is doing well. Everyone is doing well, him especially in the last few weeks, and we need this rhythm to maintain our level.”

Ilkay Gündogan

Cancelo’s stats throughout the season suggest his 17-point haul was far from a fluke, and there could be many more to come this season.

With good fixtures and in a City defence which has conceded one goal in five games, Cancelo looks more than capable of building on this score.

The only negative for Cancelo is the potential of rotation, with Kyle Walker (£6.1m) returning to the bench for City.

WHO NEEDS KDB?

With De Bruyne missing the next few games through injury, more than 500,000 managers gambled on Gündogan to replace him, despite the huge difference in price.

And their gamble paid off in style, with Gündogan scoring twice and picking up maximum bonus points.

A feature of City’s game in the last few weeks has been Gündogan pushing further forward from his deep-lying role in midfield to join attacks.

For City’s first goal, the German midfielder ran in behind West Brom’s defence to latch onto Cancelo’s through ball, before stroking the ball past Sam Johnstone (£4.5m).

And for his second, Gündogan won the ball high up the pitch before dribbling into the box to score.

As his heatmap shows in City’s last six games, the midfielder is now picking up the ball far more in the opposition half, rarely coming deep to receive passes.

His double against the Baggies makes it six goals in seven games for Gündogan, who has now established himself as one of the biggest goal threats in midfield in the league.

Manager Pep Guardiola praised his first signing for Man City and his “sense of goal”.

“He’s a guy that has an incredible sense of goal. When he plays near to the box he has the timing to arrive at the right time, at the right second. When he arrives he has the calmness to slow down and make the right decision. I am happy for him. He deserves the best.”

Pep Guardiola

With Sheffield United (home) and Burnley (away) up next for the Cityzens, Gündogan looks essential if he can avoid Pep’s rotation.

His withdrawal from the game at 52 minutes hints that Pep wants him fresh for upcoming fixtures.

A STERLING PERFORMANCE

Another player looking to step out from the shadow of KDB will be Raheem Sterling (£11.5m).

Despite being City’s top scoring midfielder and scoring more than 200 points in his last three seasons, Sterling has gone under the radar being owned by less than 10% of players.

Previously immune to Pep’s rotation, Sterling has found himself benched three times so far.

But the England international re-established himself as an FPL asset with a strong all-round performance against West Brom.

Playing in a fluid front three without a recognised striker, Sterling was a constant goal and assist threat throughout the game.

With Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) failing to convince and Sergio Aguero (£10.2m) struggling with fitness, now seems the perfect time for Sterling to step up.

LOOMING THREAT

John Stones (£5.1m) owners would have been worried to see Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) warming up around the 51st minute.

Fortunately for Stones and Ruben Dias (£5.9m), Gündogan was withdrawn and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) moved into a midfield role, with Laporte filling in at left-back.

After starting the FA Cup match, it appears Laporte is nearing full fitness, something to cause concern for Stones and Dias owners.

Pep has also been talking up Laporte since his return from injury, describing him as their “best left centre-back”.

Following the match, he said:

“From the beginning of the season apart from the game against Leicester we concede so few.

Now our defenders concentrate for 90 minutes. Ruben and John, Aymeric, they are so focused.

The midfielders and the strikers know we are there and covered and in the right moment we will score.

It is impossible to be at the latter stages of any competition without being solid at the back.”

Pep Guardiola

With the form of Stones and Dias, and the City defence in general, few managers would think of switching personnel.

But with three games in nine days, rotation is bound to come in to play putting the place of John Stones, in particular, at risk.

WHIPPING BOYS

After appointing Sam Allardyce as manager, many people expected the veteran manager to tighten up the Baggies’ defence.

Before the introduction of Big Sam, West Brom had conceded the most goals in the league, and had the worst Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) rating.

To make matters worse for the Baggies, they also conceded the most shots on target, shots in the box, and headed attempts.

Looking at the figures under Allardyce, you could even argue that their defence has got worse since his arrival.

In the 13 games before Big Sam’s appointment, West Brom conceded 26 goals and had an xGC of 25.24.

In the seven games with Allardyce at the helm, his team has still conceded the most goals, with 22, and has the worst xGC in the league.

Their overall defending appears to have got even worse, with the Baggies now conceding the most shots inside the box, outside the box, on target, headed attempts and losing the most tackles.

Following the game, Allardyce did not appear for the post-match press conference for an hour, locking his players in the dressing room and telling them some home truths.

“A few home truths needed to be said. I think it had to be done now because there is a short period of time before the next game then a short period of time for the game after that.

“And these two games really do stand high on what we need to do and how we need to try and perform. I needed to get my disappointment and feelings out of the way immediately after the game – that’s why it took so long.

“They (the players) needed to air some of their views – that’s fine because we are all in it together. But I was disappointed with that performance, to say the least. To get it out the way means it’s done and dusted.

“Hopefully, we will learn from it and we won’t see it again between now and the end of the season. I can accept defeat but not like that.”

Sam Allardyce

With no light at the end of the tunnel and defensive performances that are getting worse, targeting teams playing West Brom seems like a sound strategy.

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-1-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs; Snodgrass (Phillips 59), Livermore, Sawyers, Grant (Robson-Kanu 64; Pereira; Robinson (Bartley 46)

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Gündogan (Laporte 52), Rodri, Bernardo Silva (Jesus 61); Foden (Torres 52), Mahrez, Sterling

1,484 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Me 36 points with Kane Son and Salah to go

    Cup rival 35 points thanks mostly to Barnes and Tielemans with son ndombele and Kane (c) to go am I out?

    Cheers

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

      Yes you are out

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

      You win, Kane blank and Salah scores

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still a chance

  2. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford/Adams > Kane/DCL (-4), or just do one of them for free & start Watkins?

  3. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ole's at the wheel. Goodnight.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He ran it into a tree

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

    Who to captain?

    A. Salah
    B. Bruno
    C. DCL
    D. Sterling
    E. Cancelo

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

      Kane

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

      A or C

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane for me

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

    Do the FFS cup and Members' Cup start soon?

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wish I was brave and captained Cancelo

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

      Haha, if wishes were horses..

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

      Who’s the alternative? I think Cancelo is the best option

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. Got the right vice captain tho....

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I had him on C till 4:20 then bottled it..

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

    Who to captain at the weekend?

    A.....kane at Brighton

    B...gundog v Sheffield

    Thanks

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very tempted by B. But same as this week will bottle and go for one of the Spurs guys

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

    On a wildcard - how does this look :
    Martinez / Forster
    Dias / Stones / Justin / Dawson / Holding
    Bruno / Salah / Son / Grealish / Gundogan
    Kane / DCL / Watkins

    0.1 left ITB.

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

      Canceloless

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

        Yeah but can't afford them all. TV is 106.4 and that's best I can do.

    2. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How much cost this team?

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

        106.3 and 0.1 ITB

        1. The Frenchie
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nice

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

            Thanks

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

    Is Kane essential?

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

      Not really.

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not essential but he is going to have his best season.

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

      142 pts would suggest almost so.

      bha and WBA in next 4 so you'll need him for that. Now that Gundog has replaced KDB in most teams, this gives you the cash to bring in Kane along with Antonio/Watkins/Bamford.

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The only premium seemingly getting points. Gotta spend the cash somewhere

  10. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who wins?

    A) Robertson
    B) Kane & Son

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think liverpool with matip and Henderson back in midfield could be vital.. Could be close but I’m backing liverpool to win and get back on track.

  11. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Cavani or switch to Watkins? 🙂

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

      Had his rest. Keep

  12. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I wonder if it's worth bringing in Pope now as a set and forget with a 4.0 back up (Peacock-Farrell)?

    5.4 ppg in last ten games.

    Martinez 4.2 ppg in last ten.

    Can only see BUR getting stronger from here on in.

    1. Dain Bramage
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Got both but Pope is the number 1 but what do I know my benched scored better then the average score haha

  13. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why is DCL on 0% on fplstats?

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

      Price protected after red flag removal

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why is KDB not dropping in price? So annoying

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Price locked

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Price locked

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Resets on the 30/1 but not sure why?

    5. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all.

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

    How many points do you think Son, Salah & Kane can bring in tomorrow?

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

      8-9

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

      3

  15. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones - Dias +

    A) Cancelo
    B) Gundogan

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  16. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno to Lundstram (c) for a hit is a no brainer right?

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

      Only if you TC

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep, Im glad I saved TC during the DGW. Its written in the stars

    2. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Easiest decision you'll make all season

  17. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias Robertson Cancelo
    Soucek Gundogan Salah Fernandes
    Antonio Kane (c) Calvert-Lewin

    De Gea ESR Coufal Yed

    Gtg?

    I’m loving my new look front line...

  18. 1-1 at Newcastle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:

    Antonio (LIV)
    Soucek (LIV)
    Watkins (sou)

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

      Soucek

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do you want to bench Soucek? Antonio must play...

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek

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

      b

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

      Tough call. Probably Antonio or soucek? Southamptons beat up backlands might give opportunity to Watkins?

  19. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No one:

    Rio: amble

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

      Huh?

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

      This isn't a YT video comment section

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

    Anyone else thinking of shipping Bruno?

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

      No. Gotta keep for the season.

  21. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Terrible GW for me. Went Son instead of Gundo, benched Soucek at last minute for Dallas even though he was in my bus team for days. I even considered saving a transfer and playing both Dallas and Soucek.

    Last minute wrong calls on Gundo and Soucek meant 30+ pts lost.

    Also considered selling Rash too for a hit. Wish have done it.

    Rashford is Terrible asset. Never owning him again.

    Well this kind of GWs happen. At least had Cancelo.

    How was your GW ?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Also Maguire luckily scored. So not to bad.

      I presume Bruno fail was for everyone beside Magnus who went Sterling C

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

      62 with Salah, Son and Robertson to play.

      Can't complain.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I am afraid to look at Live FPL

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like I'll end up about average, could have been a decent GW if I'd started Soucek but oh well.

  22. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno = Jack Wilshere without pens.

    Massively overrated player.

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

      😆

  23. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rio criticising Martial:
    What's Rooney doing in that situation?

    Rio: He's launching the player or the ball into the stands
    😆

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

      less ambling, more causing of ruckus'

  24. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Sterling play next match, he played 90min?
    Thinking to captain him:)

  25. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am selling Bamford

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just sold, couldn’t wait any longer

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For DCL?

    3. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good shout

  26. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I wonder if any non-Bruno captainers will make themselves known tonight

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

      I think theres a few.

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would have captained him if I had him.

      Do I count?

  27. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT 1.5m ITB

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Cancelo Justin Coufal Stones Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha Soucek
    Adams Bamford Vardy*

    Pretty set on Vardy to Kane. Inclined to take a hit also, Gundo would be nice, but my forwards might need a reshuffle too.

    Any of these below in addition to Vardy > Kane worth a hit? I'd need to get Kane in tonight if I'm doing A as he looks likely to rise.

    A) Raph > Gundo
    B) Bamford > Antonio
    C) Adams > Watkins

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

    KWP + Bamford > Mitchell + Kane -4? Essentially, is Kane worth a -4?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      For sure

  29. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB and KWP out for - 4 but for what combo?

    A) Son and Cancelo
    B) Gundo and Cancelo

    Current team:
    Martinez Forster
    Stones *** Coufal Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Fernandes *** Grealish Soucek
    Bamford Antonio Kane

  30. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno > Maddison for a hit?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No.

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

      Madisson?? Did you not watch the match tonight?
      I would choose Barnes, he was in a class of his own...he should have had at least 3 assists and possibly a goal...his threat in the box was incredible

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldnt panic into getting rid of Bruno