Scout Notes

Latest on Man City penalty takers and Gündogan’s injury

Man City 3-0 Spurs

  • Goals: Rodri (£5.3m), Ilkay Gündogan x2 (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Gündogan, Raheem Sterling (£11.6m), Ederson (£6.1m)
  • Bonus points: Gündogan x3, Ederson x2, Rodri x1

ON THE SPOT

Manchester City’s penalty-taking saga of 2020/21 took another intriguing turn in their 3-0 win over Spurs.

After the first match of Double Gameweek 24, the club’s designated spot-kick taker remains unknown even though they scored a penalty on Saturday.

Fresh from his Gameweek 23 miss at Anfield, Ilkay Gündogan (£6.0m) did not step up this time, even though it was him who won the latest penalty.

Despite Ederson (£6.1m) waltzing to the half-way line, figurative cap in hand and sporting puppy-dog eyes, Pep Guardiola would not let his goalkeeper anywhere near the penalty.

Instead, Rodri (£5.3m) was the man who grabbed the ball and took it. 

His effort was not exactly convincing, squeezing just under Hugo Lloris‘ (£ outstretched palm in what could have been a save for the Spurs goalkeeper.

Incredibly, that was the midfielder’s first-ever penalty in club football, the fact he took it simply coming down to his attitude, based on his post-match quotes.

“No (I’ve never taken a penalty in my club career before). I was a bit angry the last weeks because we’ve been missing many penalties, more than we expect. You have to score big penalties. I grabbed the ball and nobody take it away from me. We were laughing in the locker room. Next penalty, I’m going to take.” – Rodri

However, Guardiola was keen to nip Rodri’s enthusiasm in the bud, citing the fortune associate with the Spaniard’s penalty and ruling out any chance of him establishing himself as the first-choice taker.

“No (Rodri has not done enough to convince me he is Manchester City’s penalty taker). The taker was no good. We were lucky. So I love and admire the courage to take it but he was not a good taker. We were lucky.” – Pep Guardiola

Naturally, journalists put the question of Ederson taking a penalty to the Manchester City manager, which perhaps carried more weight considering his 70-yard pass to assist Gündogan’s second goal of the night.

“If he can play that pass from 70 yards he can shoot from 12. His quality of the shot is good. I know him. Penalties are different. I need to think.” – Pep Guardiola

GROIN-DOGAN

For all Gündogan’s brilliance in Man City’s 3-0 win, his burgeoning ownership will still have one eye on Guardiola’s next press conference.

After racking up his fourth double-figure haul since Gameweek 19, the German international asked to be brought off in the 68th minute, clutching his groin.

Guardiola revealed after the game that they would not know enough to assess the damage and provide a return date until he had been looked at tomorrow.

“We will see (how he is) tomorrow. He told me (his groin) was tight. He is intelligent to say it but we will see tomorrow.” – Pep Guardiola

Aside from the injury latest, Gündogan owners will be pleased with one development in Double Gameweek 24: how he combines with Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m).

We recently reported that the midfielder was struggling to occupy advanced pockets of space when Guardiola deployed a centre-forward instead of a false-nine.

But it appears that Gündogan is rapidly learning to overcome that stumbling block.

Against Spurs, he pressed into dangerous areas with ominous regularity, popping up to get on the end of passes from Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) and Ederson in the second half after winning a penalty for a similar run in the first.

DIAS ANOTHER DAY

Cancelo finally delivers big haul as Gündogan shines in KDB's absence 17

Even though Manchester City recording a 14th clean sheet of the season, the somewhat surprising absentee was Rúben Dias (£6.1m).

It was the first time Guardiola’s men had taken to the field in the Premier League without him since Gameweek 3.

Judging by the manager’s pre-match quotes, his midweek illness likely played a part in that benching though.

“He had the fever and didn’t feel good. Aymeric played so we went with him.” – Pep Guardiola

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) enjoyed a largely uneventful evening alongside John Stones (£5.2m) and, considering he has now started three of the last four matches for City, it is clear the competition for centre-back places is continually on the rise.

As a result, João Cancelo (£6.1m) is now the most popular defender among Guardiola’s men, boasting 23.0% ownership worldwide.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Laporte, Stones, Cancelo; Gündogan, Rodri, B Silva; Sterling, Jesus, Foden.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; B Davies, Dier, D Sánchez, Tanganga; Højbjerg, Ndombèlé; Son, Moura, Lamela; Kane.

Elsewhere in Double Gameweek 24

James Maddison (£7.4m), Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) got the goals for Leicester as they executed an impressive second-half comeback to beat Liverpool 3-1 on Saturday lunch-time.

The latter looks set to emerge from the King Power Stadium with the most impressive tally as he recorded a goal and an assist, putting him in the running for two bonus points.

It was bad news for owners of Liverpool defenders as Ozan Kabak‘s (£5.0m) debut ended in disaster. Goalkeeper Alisson (£5.9m) collided with him in the 81st minute, allowing Vardy to convert into an open net.

With goals for Maddison (15.2%-owned) and Vardy (14.8%), the fact that Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) also found the net means the Fantasy masses are likely to be content with the way Double Gameweek 24 has begun.

The Egyptian is owned by 42.7% of managers worldwide, although was not considered a big part of the captaincy by the highest-performing managers.

Just 0.5% of the top 10k handed him the armband this week, a total of nine players receiving more attention in that department, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m)

Burnley got their Double Gameweek off to a relatively positive start, although it came at some cost.

As expected, they secured a clean sheet against a Crystal Palace attack still yet to score a Premier League goal without Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) in the team this season.

Nick Pope (£5.5m) secured an eight-point score thanks to three saves and a one bonus while Matt Lowton (£4.5m) score his first-ever goal for Burnley.

While it was a rare attacking return for the right-back, he capitalised on Crystal Palace’s well-documented problems defending their left flank of late, recently discussed in our Double Gameweek 24 preview article.

However, the second half produced two concerning injuries for Sean Dyche’s men.

Ben Mee (£5.0m) was taken off with a potentially serious head injury, receiving extensive treatment on the pitch and coming off wearing a brace.

And minutes later, Erik Pieters (£4.3m) felt a groin problem develop and was replaced by Phil Bardsley (£4.4m)

Fantasy managers invested in the Burnley defence will know the impact Mee has had this season and with Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) still sidelined, their left-back position could also be a problem against Fulham…

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1,225 Comments Post a Comment
  1. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Emi Martinez could be the best DGW26 captain pick at this rate.

  2. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s this wildcard? Very rough first draft, plan is BB 26 and no FH left for 29

    Martinez Areola
    Dallas Targett vestergaard Cancelo digne
    Son sterling Gündogan Bruno raphinha
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Not sure on Watkins and digne will probably change. Sterling or salah as well is tough call. Prob do Bamford to DCL in 26 and still leaves me 7 for 29

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good team although I'd try to get Ings somehow considering that Soton might have 3 DGWs on the trot. Also, how do you feel going Salahless?

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Def want Ings but just can’t stretch to get him. Would need to sacrifice around 2m from somewhere else. Salah vs sterling is a tough one, city likely to have more doubles is tempting me to get sterling but salah and double city defence is probably the sensible way to go

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Downgrade Digne

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Would need a sub 4.5m defender to afford Ings and then that prices me out of DCL

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Digne > United or Spurs defender.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate. I was thinking about shaw in there! Not sure on the spurs defence

    3. The Bad Seed
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im in the same boat,

      My WC team is very similar.

      Differences:

      Shaw for Digne
      Grealish for Son
      Salah for Bruno
      Ingis for Watkins

      Having grealish covers watkins, and allows me to go ings.
      A spurs double up isnt so tempting with the way they are playing now... Id rather only have Kane.

      Might get bruno back and drop Sterling and head back to a 2 city defence.
      Bamford is a season keeper for me. It's a crime to let such value go.

      Also, have you checked if the defenders you have rotate well? I have the same (Shaw for Digne), but havent gone in depth.

      Your thoughts on mine? XD

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good, Digne overpriced IMO and would rather Maddison than Son right now. Are you going to BB in 26 with Areola Raphina Dallas Targett? Not a great looking BB?

  3. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Getting
    A) kwp
    B) another leeds def or keeper (have dallas)

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d go for saints defender. Kwp is good but I’m keeping an eye on vestergaard, he’s always likely to pop up with a goal

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        KWP is a BAPS monster though and could get assists.

        I tend to fancy full backs over CBs

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I do as well, and both are good options....just every time I watch Southampton vestergaard looks like he’ll score!

          1. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Haha yes, coupled with JWPs deliveries it's a match made in heaven!

  4. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would really help if they officially announce all the DGW fixtures ASAP.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully they don’t leave it too much longer as otherwise I’ll be sweating on a wildcard. Will just have to trust Ben Crellin otherwise

  5. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Martinez for Areola, Will Areola match Martinez?

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      same here, hopefully...

      1. _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        highly unlikely though

        1. Bavarian
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          with a penalty save, all would be fine 🙂

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like Areola, will do well for bonus if he keeps a clean sheet and should get a few save pts. Reckon 7/8 pts minimum which wouldn’t be the end of the world

      1. _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'd definitely take that

  6. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can Mee play the second game if he's okay?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If it’s concussion then think protocol is around a week before he could play again? But not sure it’s been confirmed as concussion so he might be fine

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Read somewhere it was a concussion sub but not sure

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I think Dyche was playing it down as not serious so could be he’ll be fine

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Of course

    3. The Mighty One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dyche already said he is fine but will definitely not play on WED because there is a minimum 6 day waiting period on all concussions.

  7. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo (c), Pope, Salah, Stones= a red arrow, game is so competitive

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not is 100k is the new 10k

      2. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Guy I'm playing in my H2H league had 88 points. TC'd Gundy - couldn't believe it.

        1. 3 A
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I triple captain him too. Hope he stay fit and score more against Everton

    • CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A relaxing day ahead. Bruno, Bamford and Reid my only players featuring. Am informed Bamford brought in Rapha for his own team...

    • Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Imagine not owning Lowtonaldo

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lowton Alves

    • JAYPEE
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts on Stones -> 5.9 DEF so I can do Lookman -> Gundogan (-8)

      Or should I just do Sterling to Gündogan (-4)

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sideways move. Don't like it.

      2. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2nd option

    • 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For gw 25 and 26, A or B?
      A. Son, Watkins + 4 pts
      B. Raphinha, Kane

      Cheers.

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kane.

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B

    • FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is top 100K really the new top 10K?

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nah

      2. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        How many players did the game have total 5 years ago?

      3. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes because there are
        A) double the players now
        B) There is so much more information available now that more people use

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

        Yes because it makes some of the fragile egos on here feel better about themselves 🙂

    • bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ben mee not flagged because dyche Said he was ok?

      1. mad_beer ✅
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I assume so.

    • Sterling Morse
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If gundo is injured for Everton game what happens to captaincy if vice is Bruno?

      1. Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nothing.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You get Gundo's captaincy points regardless as he has played within this GW

        1. Sterling Morse
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ok thanks

    • Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio >>> Ings (GW 25) >>> Kane (GW 26) is the way to go?

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sounds like a plan.

    • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      12 months left on his contract at end of season - Where will Danny Ings end up in the summer?

      A. Spurs
      B. Man Utd
      C. Man City
      D. Leicester
      E. West Ham

      All of these clubs need a striker (for varying reasons) Wouldn’t even be suprised if Chelsea, Wolves & Arsenal are all in for I’m too - he could pick his club & fee won’t be bananas with the contract situation - surely Southampton won’t risk letting him sign an agreement to leave for free at Christmas

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A.

        I think kane's role this season shows it could work out with ings in front of him.

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Liverpool

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Pretty sure that’s the one place he won’t go after Klopp sold him - but could be wrong

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Although there mightn’t have been too much animosity either... but would seem a bit odd to go back again

            Stranger things though

      3. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Arsenal

      4. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No way he ended up at city... Probably sign new contract

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

      Baggies goal...

    • MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aaaaand that's why I didn't get Shaw. Check his history, has barely scored well in a single 'easy' fixture all season.

      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Numpty!

        1. MMN
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Would have benched Barnes if I did and United's defensive frailties were highlighted again.

          He won't get 3 bonus every time he assists and he won't play twice in the double either most likely with Chelsea, Palace, and City in 6 days.

    • Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So, Gundo not gonna play on wednesday or still early to say?-worried owner

      1. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No way. Too much action coming up over the next few months that they won’t risk worsening it.