Scout Notes

Everton flat in Calvert-Lewin absence as new budget FPL forwards find the target

West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Manchester United

  • Goals: Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) | Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m)
  • Assists: Conor Gallagher (£5.5m) | Luke Shaw (£5.0m)
  • Bonus Points: Shaw x3, Fernandes x2, Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) x1

Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) spared Fantasy managers a whole heap of anguish by scoring for the third match running even as his Manchester United side struggled against lowly West Brom.

Captain Fantastic

The midfielder came into the encounter as Gameweek 24’s most-captained player, with more than a million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bosses handing him the armband despite United’s lack of a double fixture.

His superb volley, from a Luke Shaw (£5.0m) assist, ensured the Red Devils got something from the game. Two bonus points meant most Fantasy captainers were also satisfied as Fernandes made it 14 goals (and 11 assists) from an increasingly exceptional season.

The same can’t be said for United as a team. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were held to a third draw in four fixtures, although Shaw has proved as equally reliable as Fernandes during that spell.

As well as a Gameweek 21 clean sheet, the left-back has four assists from the last three matches. Everton’s Lucas Digne (£6.1m) and West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m) are the only FPL defenders who have more than his total of five assists for the season.

Forward Failings

Things weren’t so impressive elsewhere, however.

A net 196,720 bought Edinson Cavani (£8.0m) and watched their man have precisely zero shots. Anthony Martial (£8.7m) was just as unproductive, while Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) managed one, which was off target.

Much like anyone who has experienced a ‘workforce streamlining’ over the last couple of decades, West Brom striker Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) was asked to do more with less.

He duly obliged with a match-leading four attempts, despite the home side having just 26% possession.

The Galatasaray loanee now has a goal and two assists from his first four fixtures, although he contrived to miss a couple of excellent chances to win the game against United.

Competition among forwards in his £6.0m price bracket is not the stiffest. Southampton’s Che Adams (£5.8m) leads the way for points, despite scoring only four goals all season and none since Gameweek 12.

But investment in a West Brom forward looks unwise even with a short-term schedule involving Burnley and Crystal Palace away and Brighton and Newcastle at The Hawthorns, especially as Brighton and Burnley have been defensively solid of late.

United’s fixtures (NEW, che, mci, WHU) are tougher than that. Looking beyond Fernandes, and to a lesser extent Shaw, doesn’t offer the prospect of reliable returns.

West Brom XI (4-1-4-1): Jonhstone; Peltier (Furlong 45), Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Yokuslu (Livermore 67); Maitland-Niles, Gallagher, Pereira, Snodgrass (Phillips 87); Diagne. 

Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred (van de Beek 79); Rashford, Fernandes, Martial (Greenwood 66); Cavani. 

Everton 0-2 Fulham

  • Goals: Josh Maja (£5.5m) x2
  • Assists: Ola Aina (£4.5m), Harrison Reed (£4.4m)
  • Bonus Points: Maja x3 Aina x2 Tosin Adarabioyo (£4.5m)

Everton and Fulham’s Double Gameweek campaigns got off to remarkably different starts on Sunday, with the lowly visitors excelling against a dreadful home side.

Fantasy interest centred on the Toffees – the entire Fulham squad’s ownership totalled 17%, or less than half a Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m and 38.5%).

Unfortunately for all those managers, including the net 116,977 who’d bought him for the double, the striker’s hamstring injury meant he didn’t even make the bench.

Lonely And Lost

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti responded by first playing Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) as a false nine, later moving Richarlison (£7.9m) to a central role.

Everton sat deep and allowed the visitors plenty of possession in the final third (70% v 30%), which suited Fulham just fine.

In a game of little goalmouth action, Scott Parker’s team converted two of the three attempts they had on target, with the 0.1%-owned Josh Maja (£5.5m) scoring twice.

READ MORE ON MAJA’S BRACE HERE

And while a team with just six clean sheets from 23 matches doesn’t exactly scream defensive investment, three of those shut-outs have come in the last five games and an immediate fixture list of Sheffield United and Crystal Palace suggests more could be incoming.

Home Discomforts

Sunday’s result meant yet another bad day at Goodison Park for Everton.

They haven’t won at home since Gameweek 14, scoring just the once and conceding six goals during a run of three losses and a draw.

Small wonder, then, that Richarlison suffered so badly – Everton have managed a league-worst nine attempts on target and just one big chance during that barren spell, while the 23 opportunities they’ve created is second only to West Brom’s 20.

Those managers who bought into Everton’s Double Gameweek 24 might already be considering their exit strategy, seeing as their awful home form will be combined with trips to Liverpool and Chelsea before a blank Gameweek 29.

A net 162,928 had purchased James Rodriguez (£7.7m), only for their man to limp off with an ankle issue after 67 minutes.

Ancelotti played down the seriousness of the injury post-match, while giving a non-committal update on the likes of Calvert-Lewin.

He (James) had a knock in training. I think it will not be serious,. We are going to check tomorrow, like we have to check Dominic for the game on Wednesday, and also Allan and Pickford.

FPL bosses will be desperate for the forward to get some midweek pitch-time, although hoping for returns from any Everton assets at home to the juggernaut that is Manchester City looks the wild side of optimistic.


Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Olsen; Coleman (Keane 56), Holgate, Godfrey, Digne;  Davies (King 56), Gomes; Rodríguez (Bernard 68), Doucouré, Sigurdsson; Richarlison. 

Fulham XI (4-4-2): Areola; Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina; Reed, Lemina (Onomah 90+1), Lookman (Zambo Anguissa 83), Loftus-Cheek; De Cordova-Reid, Maja (Cavaleiro 73).

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562 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s my WC looking. For DGW 25 + 26. limited as i do not have FH. Will obviously BB26. Absolutely tumbled down from 25K to a shocking 170K in about 5 GW’s disaster.

    Martinez McCarthy
    Cancelo Dias Dallas Lowton Burn
    Salah Bruno Gundo Rash Grealish
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    4 DGW25
    10 DGW26

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

      1M ITB for flexibility. Any suggestions

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

      McCarthy is a bit meh. Areola is better but otherwise, looks fine. Rashford is an interesting differential over the more popular Son.

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

        I agree. I’ll swap Mccarthy with Areola i think. I actually dont fancy saints to keep a CS in the DGW. Would you go with Ings?

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

          Yes. I like Ings.

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

        Obviously i’m slightly hindered without a free hit so i have to build with 29 in mind.

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

          Not tempted by Raphinha too?

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why Rashford?

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

      wow!! you must have some team value to afford that team...Im falling almost 2 million short.

  2. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chances Pope keeps a clean sheet vs Fulham with Mee out? i'm not confident

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fulham aren't bad in fairness.

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

      I’m not too confident either

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not likely Fulham are pretty slick and create chances, but even if he conceded if he plays 90= 2, makes 6 saves= 2 and he's level with Martinez

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well, I'm hoping Burnley keep Fulham at arms length and just force them into long range attempts. Mee is a big loss though and Fulham are playing well, but lacking in the final 3rd

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Not worrying too much about it, famous last words but minimum he's getting 3 points which is 1 point behind the benched Martinez

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

          hopefully 0-0 as I own areola and lowton

          1. Rains of Castamere
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I own the same two and would love that, as long as Pope didn't get 10-11pts.

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

              I think it's actually got 0-0 all over it, both off the back of big wins and will be content to settle for a point

              1. Max City
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Tarkowski and Areola owner here.. I benched Martinez 2 GWs in a row as well as his 21 points

        3. Paulybaby123
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Good chance

        4. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A 0-0 scoreline would be icing on the cake for me.

          Another Lowton goal would be the cherry on top.

      • DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So how long is Mee out for. Just the Fulham game?

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

          yeah, they have to wait a week

      • sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lads, quick help here please:

        Martínez / Pope
        Dias / Stones / Cresswell / Digne /  Dallas
        Salah / Bruno / Grealish / Gündogan / Soucek
        DCL / Antonio / Watkins

        2 ft

        A. DCL, Watkins (or Antonio) to Ings, Bamford
        B. DCL, Salah to Raphinha, Kane
        C. Grealish, Antonio to Raphinha, Bamford
        D. Something else

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

          C

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

            Appreciate it, sir!

      • Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The first step of 4 DGWers to 0 is underway.

        Mee. Gone.
        Gundo. Ruled out soon.
        Cancelo. Rested.
        Foden. Crap. Doesn't matter.

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          🙁

        2. Tambling5
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes all this desperation to get three Leeds in for next week seems a bit OTT! Certainly not going to do anything that impinges on future GWs too much!

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

          Foden is crap?

          Your credibility is shot old chap.

      • CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Assuming Spurs/Villa have a gw29 fixture, do you think this is good enough?

        Any suggestions for the 3rd def appreciated.

        Martinez/Areola

        Dallas - Dunk - (tbc)
        Son - Raphinha
        Kane - Bamford - Watkins

        1. adam wigan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah that looks good. I’m going to be in a similar situation I think. How about Coufal? Or maybe an arsenal defender? Arsenals fixtures look good after that

        2. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks.

          Yes - If Tierney's back, he could be an option, Coufal too perhaps although WH have a bad run of fixtures.

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

        I need to ship laca have 3.5 ITB

        is there a case for going vardy over kane? his numbers are really good since he came back and the fixtures are decent as well

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'd be looking to get Kane and Barnes, personally.

        2. Max City
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'm getting Kane..

          Please advise below in a my way to get Kane

        3. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Could be risking going without Kane. His EO will be sky high that week.

      • Max City
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Who would you lose for Raphinha in DGW25?
        A. Salah
        B. Fernandes
        C. Grealish
        D. Son
        E. Gundogan

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Grealish unless Gundo is confirmed out for a while.

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

          A.
          C.

          Or D.

      • CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lookman and Mee owner,if he scores it will be like my captain scored

      • MMN
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2 FT 0.1m ITB. WC gone, going to BB in 26.

        Anything better than Chilwell, DCL & Antonio > Dallas, Ings, Bamford with doubles and extra fixtures in mind?

        Areola
        Stones, Mee, Cancelo
        Gundo, Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Barnes
        Watkins, Antonio*
        Martinez, Chilwell*, DCL, Justin*

        1. Max City
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No

      • quayle99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would you take -4 to do Grealish > Ward Prowse
        (if it meant you could upgrade Brewster to Vardy in a few weeks)

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Not for me.

      • AJ24
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is there a summary of the DGW and when they are proposed following last weeks FA cups..

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Crellin has said it could be Thurs/Fri when they're announced

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

        Can you imagine if Man Utd had been on a double?

        TC would have been played by many with a home game too. Guess Bruno returned points.

        "A net 196,720 bought Edinson Cavani (£8.0m) and watched their man have precisely zero shots. Anthony Martial (£8.7m) was just as unproductive, while Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) managed one, which was off target."

      • My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Looks like one of the bog boys will have to be dropped for the wildcard. Which one of these you think I can go without?
        A) Kane
        B) Son
        C) Salah
        D) Fernandes

        1. Tambling5
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Flush away Salah or Son, but keep an eye on Kane's fitness.

        2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Instinctively I'd say B), though he is best value for money.

        3. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B

      • Party time
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Can Antonio just fail the fitness test already

          1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            he wont play........

          2. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            DEAD

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

            He starts.

        • Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So everyone is doing imaginary WC's without any DGW fixtures.
          lol

          PS: even worse..people are giving advice on these WC's

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Hey Christina , don't be nasty 🙂

          2. Tambling5
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yes. I'm actually perversely quite glad I've used mine already! Stops one getting sucked in...

          3. Jordan.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            spot on christina as usual,not looked myself yet ,probs w/c 25 BB 26 ,but no clue without any games..

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

            In Ben crellin all trust

          5. Tambling5
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Most of them seem to be the template that everyone more or less has already!

          6. Party time
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah xx

              People are dumb

          7. Jordan.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            shocking trent to lowton was my t/f last week,obviously could have afforded mee or tarko,so my true reasoning with having benched nearly 300 points already this year ,it is time to return to a crap bench ,because thank christ it looks like covid is on the retreat and with planning to BBgw26, lowton was the first of my 3 fodders he fitted the bill exactly ,was expecting maybe 8 over the 2 games 15 from 1 unbelievably lucky...

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Jordan you're normally on point , long posts never get answers , stick to the lesser mate

              1. Jordan.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                fair enough,didnt really want a response ,it was just my reasoning for what many consider elsewhere a silly move, no probs...

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

              Wohooo

          8. sirmorbach
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Lads, I do apologise for what may be a repetitive question, but I'm a bit lost here. What do we know so far regarding upcoming doubles? Is there any read I could check in order to update myself?

            1. Fulchester's New Centr…
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Ken Brellin? something like that.

            2. A. PRISE
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Brin Kreller

            3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Try Ken Tellin

          9. Egg noodle
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            What happens to all our already-made transfers and WC's if the DGW is not announced before the deadline?

            Going to be one of the greatest LOL moments in FPL history.

          10. Yuhz89
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Why everyone consider Kane is better than Son for the dgw?