Scout Notes

Why Fernandes and United’s ‘big six’ record doesn’t bode well for Gameweek 27 derby

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Edouard Mendy (£5.1m), Andreas Christensen (£4.7m) x3, David de Gea x1

An instantly forgettable match at Stamford Bridge saw Manchester United draw a blank against a fellow ‘big six’ team yet again.

The two goalkeepers and Chelsea stopper Andreas Christensen (£4.7m) took home the bonus points in west London, which gives the impression the game had more goalmouth action than it actually did.

David de Gea (£5.3m) did make one excellent stop to keep out Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) and Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) was inches away from nodding in a teasing right-wing cross but clear-cut chances were scarce, with the visitors managing just two efforts in the opposition area.

FRANK (ASSESSMENT ON) BRUNO

A first blank in five matches for Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) arrived at an inopportune time for Fantasy managers who had backed him with the armband in Gameweek 26.

The Portugal international was well shackled throughout, with his expected goal involvement (xGI) total a paltry 0.09 against the Blues.

It has to be pointed out that, had there been a different referee than Stuart Attwell in charge at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, we could be sitting here talking about the Portuguese playmaker’s latest double-digit haul.

But this ended up being groundhog day for Fernandes, who has scored only one goal – a penalty, naturally – against the classic ‘big six’ this season.

He’s not created a single ‘big chance’ in any of his seven matches against the traditional elite and has been presented with only one gilt-edged opportunity of his own from open play.

But this isn’t (just) a Fernandes problem, it’s a United one: their last six results against ‘big six’ opposition are: 0-0, 0-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-0 and 0-0.

There is a multitude of theories as to why this is: everything from the mental scars of the 6-1 defeat to Spurs and a desire to keep the Champions League-chasing pack at bay to a drop-off in opposition pressing have been floated.

The current lack of an in-form striker, with Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) injured and Anthony Martial (£8.7m) in dire form, doesn’t help, either.

Whatever the reason, United’s defenders now look like better bets than Fernandes and co in these high-profile games, the next of which is this weekend’s Manchester derby.

Five of the Red Devils’ nine clean sheets this season have come against Chelsea (twice), Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal.

HAIL CESAR

Chelsea’s collective frontline isn’t a great deal better on current form: their eight goals scored under Thomas Tuchel has been bettered by nine other teams over the same timeframe.

And then there is the week-to-week uncertainty over who starts in attack – more of which below.

It’s the Blues’ backline that has really caught the eye from an FPL perspective, with five clean sheets banked in their last seven outings.

With the wing-backs as vulnerable to rotation as the forward players, it’s Chelsea’s centre-halves that are starting to increase in appeal.

Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.7m) has quietly gone about his business under his new manager, averaging 6.3 points per match and starting every Premier League game since the change in the hot seat. The budget-friendly Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) retains his ever-present starter tag, too.

Gameweeks 30-34 look like a good time to pounce, for those not already on the Chelsea rearguard bandwagon.

GERMAN ENGINEERING

Bar Azpilicueta and one or two others, tapping into this Chelsea team from a Fantasy perspective is fraught with risks on the rotation front.

Timo Werner (£9.2m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) were the latest victims of Thomas Tuchel’s tinkering, dropping to the bench for this dour draw.

Missing altogether was Tammy Abraham (£7.1m), whose absence Tuchel explained:

We have a strong squad. We have only Thiago Silva injured. It means you have to take hard decisions. It was about judging all the alternatives we had. We opted for Oli [Giroud] to begin, with Timo [Werner] on the bench. We had Kai [Havertz] who can play as a number nine.

Right wing-back Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) was substituted prematurely for the second week in a row, meanwhile, with his manager explaining his half-time withdrawal:

A little bit injured. It was a tactical reason and a little injury, a combination because we switched to a back five in defence. That was not an option to use Callum there, and that’s why it was a tactical choice.



Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi (James 45), Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell; Ziyech (Werner 78), Mount; Giroud (Pulisic 65).

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Greenwood (Martial 79).

560 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    A. Mee to Targett

    B. Rashford to Bale

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      I have no Villa defence ( WOL) & Bale would partner Son (CRY)

    2. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      B but Son?

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Already own

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      B, but Bale is a risk so up to you.

    4. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      B

    5. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      B

    6. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Thank you. I'll monitor his minutes vs. Fulham & if it looks like he'll start then B it is

  2. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    am still traumatized with what DCL (TC) to me yesterday.

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      did to me.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Did he at least use lube?

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks for the chuckle

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Only 1pt less than Bruno and 4pts less than Kane 😉

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Not to worry he still has the Westbrom fixture!

  3. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Early days but...

    Barnes > Son
    Bruno > Bale

    Yey or nay? Two best options to add for GW29 too maybe...

    Martinez Pope
    Cancelo AWB Lowton Targett Dallas
    Gundo Sterling Barnes* Bruno* Raphina
    Watkins Kane DCL

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Yey

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Wouldn't ever get rid of Bruno. Would just bring in one of the Spurs guys for Barnes

  4. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    People still hanging on to Salah even at this late stage of the season. not sure what for. if you wanna sell him, go for it I say.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Next 2 are decent though

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        yeah, but will you capt him over say next 3? prob not. 9 Ga's in last 4 gameweeks.Zero goals.

    2. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Sold for KdB last week as part of a WC. Will watch the rest of the pool games from behind the sofa this season.

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Ìt's the fear. I had him pretty much solid in my team for 3 1/2 years and got rid before Christmas. Was not the easiest of decisions lol, but like all change you soon get used to it

    4. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Still huge ownership among active players. The same could be said about Son until Sunday only one return i last six.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        true, but bale changed all of that. Livp no one to bring in to create. Jota a big miss.

        1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          I understand your point of view. Analyzing Salah on the basis of his numbers and Liverpool’s form you are right. However, the perspective changes often after one game. Until Sunday Spurs have played dreadful football. Now after Bale’s best two weeks since probably 2017 he and Spurs are the hottest commodity on the market. Personally I will keep Salah until his ownership among active plyers will go down to 25%

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            not sure who is active and who not. top10k ownership is all that interest me. I reckon there will be some movement now

    5. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Keeping for one more week, then probably going to swap him and DCL to Grealish/Lookman and Kane in GW29, then I wildcard.

  5. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Cancelo Stones Coufal (Dallas Mee)
    Salah Bruno Son Gund Raphinha
    Antonio Bamford (DCL)

    1FT £2.6m WC, TC & BB left.

    Eventual plan is to dead end team into GW30 and then WC31. Will probably do Salah + DCL > Kane + Lingaard in 28/29.

    Tempted to BB this week now Forster is in favour.

    A) Mee > Dunk (and BB Forster, Dallas, Dunk, DCL)
    B) Mee > Dunk and just build towards 29
    C) Save FT

  6. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Currently on 71 with these still to play (hopefully):

    Martinez
    Cancello
    Shaw
    Dias
    Gundo
    Bruno
    Salah
    Lookman
    Son
    Kane (TC)
    Watkins

    Is there a chance that round 2 of the DGW could even outscore my first half? If so any guesses what the final score could be (it'll be a record for me if it surpasses 127)

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Yes

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Good chance your 2nd round will outscore 1st round, and that you will go beyond 130, 140 points.

      1. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        I'll get some bubbles in the fridge then... 🙂

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Hahaha, enjoy 🙂

  7. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    This was Arsenal's first away win against a team in the top 3 (at kick-off) since 2015 against Man City.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Wow just wow

      Should I get in Tierney from Shaw? Would be a longish term hold ideally. Too early?

  8. Gross Blank Point
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    So, Sergio Reguilón?
    3% ownership, pretty outstanding stats when he's played the full 90 mins, great fixtures for the run in and returned nicely at the weekend. Is he one to have very soon if you don't own?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Q: Is 3% ownership a good or bad thing?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        A: Neither

      2. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Low ownership for high scorer is always a good thing ! It's whether he stays fit. And yeh, the Bale thing is a future stumbling block.
        I've bought and sold Digne 3 times this season and have never been happy with him lol, bad management, need a set and forget attacking full back till the end of season

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          I mean, you're asking whether or not he's going to be a high-scoring player, right? But you're saying, yes he will be because he is low-owned. Doesn't make sense. Ownership doesn't cause points increase/reduction. It's redundant and actually harmful to the decision-making process imo.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 27 days ago

              I don't think he ever said he will be a high scoring player because he's low owned. He's more saying good stats and low ownership, could he be one to own as a differential to shoot up the rankings

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                I understand that. But I think the rationale is majorly flawed. The stats are an indication he might be a high-scorer (good player to own). Low ownership is not an indication of that.

                A) Player A will get 100 points (50% ownership)
                B) Player B will get 99 points (1% ownership)

                Player A will get you more points AND (therefore) a higher rank. GOGS67 is making an argument that a player is better (will get more points) as a result of his ownership.

                What other question could he be asking us that, 'will he get more points due to these factors and others?'. Well, I disagree that low ownership makes a player better (unless he scores more points than alternatives - in which case, the points are the thing, not the ownership).

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 27 days ago

                    Oh I simply didn't read his message that way and I think you've got the wrong end of the stick

                    To me the 3% ownership line was him adding a bonus of already thinking someone was a good player with good stats

                    I don't think he meant 3% will = more points, more good player that gets points and is 3% = more benefit for me if it proved to be the correct call

                    1. Deulofail
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 27 days ago

                      But then he is factoring it into his decision. He's considering ownership. Which I think is a mistake. Because it's not a predictive factor.

                      It's a subtle but important point imo. You don't need to mention it. Yet, he made it his first factor to consider.

                  • Gross Blank Point
                    • 3 Years
                    3 years, 27 days ago

                    "GOGS67 is making an argument that a player is better (will get more points) as a result of his ownership"
                    Sorry, I have no idea where you're getting that from, MNIIQ understands what i was saying.

              2. Gross Blank Point
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                No, He's already a decent scoring player when fit.
                I don't know a huge amount about him but his ownership seems very low for the potential, and that means a rise in the rankings if he keeps returning That's what I'm trying to figure out

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Bloody loves a good illegal party during lockdown too

        3. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          He's tempting for me(e)

          Not sure about the Arsenal fixture though. I don't need him for GW29, either. An easier move to make, but blocks getting Bale, who is also tempting.

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            Hah, very similar situation.
            Who are you leaning more towards to? Obviously (at least for my squad) it would be more balanced with Reguilon.
            If Bale, I would either have Brewster as fodder or something equally bad.

            1. Gross Blank Point
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              Yeh, Kane/Son/Bale would leave a far less balanced squad than K/S/ Reguilon for me as well.
              Think I'll go the defensive option until after GW29 , see how it goes.

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                I don't really know what balance is or why it's important tbh. I just me for points and let the team look like whatever it looks like, taking into consideration exit routes, but only to a small degree, since it's not easy to predict who you will need to sell and for whom (and what price they will be).

                1. Deulofail
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 27 days ago

                  I just mine for points*

                  I didn't realise you were two different people replying to me. Maybe you could both consider getting a grav (profile picture)? 😛

            2. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              I haven't really thought about it yet. Lots of the gameweek still to play. It depends a lot on injury news as well, since I have Smih Rowe and Minamino, and everyone else who may or may not be likely to play. Mee > Reg is probably a bigger upgrae than Bruno > Bale, for instance, but then maybe I'll take a hit to make something happen. Or save for 2FTs for the next week. Yeah, sorry, too early 🙂

              1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                Thanks, you are right, it's way too early.
                Good luck either way 🙂

      3. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Best Option for this week with some GW29 planning involved;

        B) Barnes --> Lingard
        C) Bruno —> Son

        1. McSauce
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          A or B sorry 🙂

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          A

        3. GoonerSteve
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Don't forget Lingard can't play vs Utd week 28.

        4. Steiger
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          B

      4. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        So why is everyone buying Mount again?

        They have no BGW29 fixtures.

        3 goals 0 assists in last 11 weeks and not even nailed or even guaranteed to play 90 when playing.

        Let me guess, fixtures.

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          "No BGW29 fixture"

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Is everyone really buying him?

      5. fusen
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Have any other managers recently acted like Dean Smith in regards to having an injured player?

        I'm wondering if I'm the only one who finds the way Smith has acted as a bit pathetic. Ignoring FPL, I don't get why he thinks it is so vital to try and hide Grealish clearly having a bit of a bad injury. Opposition teams will know who is training and who isn't in the PL. It's a multi-million pound business, analysts will be checking Getty images for training photos etc.

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          he acts a bit clownish

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Do we know HOW he got injured?

          That might be the reason he is avoiding a straight forward response saying "He is badly injured", next question might come from media, "HOW?"

        3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Moyes with Antonio got very dicey - West Ham mgmt deliberately had to down play it & specifically avoid using the word “hamstring” due to their lack of signing a striker during the window

          1. fusen
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            I suppose that is similar although Moyes usually just says he may struggle to make it due to 'fatigue', so doesn't quite try to hide the lack of playing and is just vague on the reasoning.

            1. casual69
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              his behaviour was a tad strange, however just goes to show the pressure a manager is under.

              He is one of the nice guys in the premier league

      6. OLD Rafiki
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        am afraid to sell salah,last time I did that he ended up having a hatrick.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          FoMo is strong on this one 🙂

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          grow some balls. last time he had a hatty was gw 1

        3. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 27 days ago

            Sell him if you want, nothing to be afraid of this season. I've kept simply because I have other important transfers to make and I'm in no rush to get him out .

            Is he gonna haul and truly punish? Probably not, but he'll get decent returns in the next 4-5 I think

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              will do. just trying to spice up my season after a good gw(so far). want to put pressure on ml leader.

          • Malkmus
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            His fixtures until the end of the season are good enough for me to hold. I think he'll come good, and is a big differential in my leagues.

        4. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          is top 100k the new top 10k ?

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            feels like it
            🙁

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 27 days ago

              No, top 10K is top 10K, is it harder now? Sure but it's not that impressive to me anyway if you got top 10k when nobody ever played the game

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                top 10k was bit of a bench mark ... seems a lot harder to get there and stay there now

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 27 days ago

                    It is a bench mark and it is harder now, but I think it should remain the bench mark rather than saying 100k is the new top 10k. I just take older good ranks as something I hold in less esteem because it was easier, full of casuals like when I started playing (captained rudy gestede once) and less players overall

                    1. Hotdogs for Tea
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 27 days ago

                      but that is what I am asking though ... how do we compare ‘5 top 10k finishes’ in days gone by, with the here and now.

                      I think getting in the top 10k 5 years ago is a bit like getting on the top 100k now, imho

                      1. Christina.
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 27 days ago

                        its a lot harder for sure
                        more info
                        more players

                        1. Hotdogs for Tea
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 27 days ago

                          yip, it’s not just the number of players ... it’s the number of competitive players and the info they have

                      2. @persecuted_by_mods
                          3 years, 27 days ago

                          You're right, and my answer is I don't compare it favourably to be honest. I see it as less of an achievement, recent high finishes are more impressive to me

                          1. Hotdogs for Tea
                            • 8 Years
                            3 years, 27 days ago

                            I agree

                2. Deulofail
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 27 days ago

                  Yes please

              2. One Wheels Enough
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                Play Shaw or Dallas this week?

                1. DannyDrinkVodka
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 27 days ago

                  Dallas surely

                  1. One Wheels Enough
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 27 days ago

                    It feels a bit 50:50 with Utd's record v top 6

                  2. casual69
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 27 days ago

                    are you shaw?

                    1. Malkmus
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 27 days ago

                      I have shaw and I'm not shaw

              3. Malkmus
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                A'noon. I've seen a lot of talk about fixture swing in gw31 and I'm probably doing wc then. Barring form/injuries, who do we think is a priority to get in from gw31 onwards? Chelsea? Rudiger?

                1. Bonus magnet
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 27 days ago

                  excellent just completed it and its a good target audience for this

              4. Dasher0303
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                What to do here?

                Martinez
                Stones Dias Dallas
                Son Bruno Raph Gundo
                Kane Richarlison Bam

                Steele Shaw Barnes Dunne

                1ft 2.5 itb got BB and WC left

                Dunne to targett/konsa/reguilon?
                Or Barnes to lingard/bale?