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. beric
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can anyone share a list of the likely DGW teams in 26?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I second this, would like to know, but I think it’s all a bit hazy at the moment.

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

        Do neither of you follow Ben Crellin? Surely everyone knows that's where you go for DGW/BGW info.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yep have done for many a season

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          And he still hasn’t rolled out any definites

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

          Aint got the Twitter

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, everyone then lol

  2. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Dias Stones Justin (Dallas, Coufal)
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo (Soucek)
    Antonio Bamford Rodrigo

    6.2ITB

    A) Rodrigo, Johnstone > Kane, Martinez for -4
    B) Rodrigo > Kane

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

      B

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

    Did KWP + Bamford > Mitchell + Kane -4 last night. Took a chance because with that Kane rise i’d have been priced out. Glad i did! Hope he stays fit now. Anyone else almost priced out from Kane? 2 rises in a few days!!

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

    My hits in the last few weeks have been glorious both points wise and for team structure:

    GW19: Antonio (18), Stones (27), KDB (8)
    GW20: Cancelo (17), Gundogan (14)

    My plan this week is Son + DCL in leaving me with:

    Mccarthy
    Robbo Stones Cancelo Chilwell
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo
    DCL Watkins

    Johnstone Antonio Coufal Bissouma

    Dont think Ive ever been more satisfied with a squad without a wildcard

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same, good feeling aint it! 🙂 think I’ll be bringing in Antonio before weekend, very similar team to yourself. Had to go for Kane though, I feel he’s a must

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

        Kane is a tough miss. I can only own one of him or Son and since Son allows a slot for DCL I think he's a better fit for my team

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

    For GW21
    A. Bamford > DCL (-4)
    B. Start Soucek
    C. Start Bamford

    Think A but you never know with Soucek.

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

    Need Cancelo in my team (have Stones).

    Who do i sell from a defence of Maguire, Creswell, Dallas, Mitchell?

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

      Mitchell

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

        That will tie up a lot of funds on the bench and Mitchell is currently starting for CP

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

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

      Dallas if you intend to play 4ATB, if not then probably Maguire

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

        City's schedule changes for the worse soon, not to mention CL starting, so 4ATB not a great idea. Plan to sell City def in 2-3 gameweeks, Stones will probably start getting rotated with Laporte

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

        It'll probably be Maguire, think yesterday's goal and the clean sheet ag Liverpool is the maximum i could have got from him

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

    Better option for the next few weeks?

    A) Kane & Barnes
    B) Son & DCL

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

      I guess B

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

      Im going for B personally

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

      Very close call this. Either should go well

    4. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      both should do well i guess B

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

      Cheers all!

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

    Zaha's haircut is horrific

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

      Let's see your hair cut then. Put it out in the public.

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

        Look up David Beckham's haircut.

        It's nothing like that 😉

      2. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Your haircut looks awesome.. Thanks for putting it out in public!! 😉

  9. Live Lad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking about Digne or Chilwell for Zouma.
    (1) Digne. Seemed like Godfrey played behind him, which means he is more attacking than before. Practically a wing attacker? On set-pieces. Everton has a slight chance of a DGW before the big DGW.

    (2) Chilwell. Tuchel played 3 CBs, meaning Chilwell will be attacking most of the time. No chance of an early DGW though. Chelsea has more CS potential than Everton.

    Please help decide. Thanks.

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

      Thinking of getting them both and play 442 or 451 with Kane upfront

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

      I'd go Digne purely because I'm concerned about rotation for Chilwell

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

        This is my thinking too. I'm also looking at both

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

      I have Chilwell but no idea what to do with him. Currently I am keeping

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

        Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is to do nothing.

        I’ve had Chilwell since GW4 and have been pondering the same thing.

        His fixtures are reasonable so I’m tempted to keep.

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

      Second game where Digne has played in front of Godfrey.

      Hopefully, this system plus Doucoure will help Everton’s CS chances. They only conceded through Pickford’s error last night.

      Allan was targeting a Feb 8th return.

      Who knows with Chelsea. That’s a wait-and-see for now. They’ve got some good fixtures coming up though.

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

      I have Chilwell, he's probably the safer pick due to the CSs but punting on Digne doesnt sound like a bad idea at all at least for the next few weeks

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

    Wood + Soucek ➡ DCL + Son

    Y/N?

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

      Y

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

      Yes

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

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

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

      I think just Adams to Kane for this week. Watkins in nice form

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

    Martinez,
    Maguire, Stones, Creswell
    Bruno, Gundo, Salah, Son,
    Bamford, Antonio, Watkins

    Forster, Dallas, Mitchell, Soucek
    1FT, 7.4 ITB

    Is Bamford, Maguire -> Kane/DCL, Cancelo (-4) a good option?

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

      Sounds good

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

      Looks like a good move

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

    Raphinha Vardy >> Son Kane (-4)

    Y or N

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

      Big Y

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

      Absolutely

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

      Yes

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

    What would you do here. 1 FT 5.3 itb

    Martinez (Peacock)
    Robertson - Maguire - Cancelo - Dallas - Coufal
    Fernandes - Zaha - Gundogan - Klich - Mount
    Kane - Bamford - Wilson

    Mount out first maybe Wilson too with a hit.

    Could do Mount to Son and Wilson to DCL for -4. OR around 700k so would need some differentials but not sure if it would still be best to get Son in?

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

      Can you afford just Mount to Son?

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

        Yes I think I can. Option too

  15. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Rodrigo to Kane with FT, keep Soucek as 8th attacker
    B) Soucek, Son to Rodrigo/Bamford and DCL for -4, keep Rodrigo/Bamford as 8th attacker and maybe downgrade later

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

      I think just A for now

  16. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins and DCL never get bonus on scoring 1 goal.

    Guys like Antonio and Ings always get full bonus on scoring 1 goal.

    Think this is something we should consider it a bit more while looking at them as options

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

      Would have loved to get Ings, pity he hasn't got the fixtures

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Pity he’s also made of glass

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

    Thinking of doing Bamford > Richarlison.

    DCLs form is no good, no goals in 7. Richa always fun to own.

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

      Good option. And Richarlison must be less owned

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

      Bit too punty for me, lots of better forward options for less.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hypocrisy in that. Richa’s form is worse than DCLs

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

        But more exciting to own and on pens

  18. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Adams -> Kane
    B) Brewster -> Kane, Robertson -> Cancelo (-4)
    C) Something else

    1FT, £6.5m ITB

    McCarthy, Johnstone
    Robertson, Justin, Dallas, Coufal, Stones
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundo, Soucek
    Bamford, Adams, Brewster

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

      B

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

    Kane or Sterling to captain?

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

      Kane

  20. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford or Wood out?

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

      Wood I think.

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      knock on wood

  21. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    pls:
    a. Digne in 442
    b. DCL in 343

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m tempted by A

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        so am I only 5,2% owned

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

      Newcastle game is good for Digne
      Leeds game is very good for DCL

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Quite the opposite actually, DCL is suited to low block defences

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

          Leeds are terrible at defending set pieces too

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      another argument for Digne is rotates quite well with Dier

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

    Bamford-> DCL (or any striker other than kane and Antonio worth a -4?

    I'm afraid he's on the verge of being dropped and my bench cover isn't great (ESR - yellow flagged, coufal & Bowen have liverpool)

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dropped for who? They have no strikers

  23. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins or Bamford to Kane - opinions, please. Thank you

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

      The one not scoring without extra games

  24. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Could Ndidi getting injured be a viable reason to keep Bamford?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Changes very little

  25. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play:

    A) Bamford vs Lei
    B) Antonio vs LIV

    Cheers!

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B but need to see how Pool go today

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

      B

  26. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lose Dallas or Coufal for Digne?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

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

    Thoughts on this team? Vardy obviously needs to go but I also want to get rid of the players* below, where should I prioritise?

    Martinez Johnstone*
    Robbo Stones Coufal Targett Alioski*
    Salah Son Bruno Raphinha Soucek
    Antonio Vardy* Bamford*

    1. JD10056
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Johnstone...good back-up (change on WC to Areola), get rid of Robbo (go Cancelo/Dias), Alioski to Mitchell (MItchell is playing), keep Bamford (none better at price), decrease Vardy to someone cheap (maybe Adams/Brewster) and then upgrade Raphinha to Sterling - hope this helps!

  28. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best asset to bring in?

    A. Barnes
    B. Zaha
    C. Digne
    D. DCL

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Barnes

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

      CD for a hit could pay off over next 4 GWs

    3. JD10056
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      None

    4. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C & D both look tempting for the next 4

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

    Big decision time - plz help

    A) Soucek ➡ Son (own Kane)
    B) Use the funds to get 15 DGW players for GW26 to BB (then WC)

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

      I guess B is the sensible play but not owning both in GW23 could hurt.

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

        Could do Salah to Son for one week and then back 🙂

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      in option B do you know for certain which teams will have dgw?

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

        Gonna try uding the Ben Crellins probabilities

  30. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So I need just 12 points from Son and Salah to go through in the Cup.... just the 12, what do you reckon my chances are 50:50?