Scout Notes

Bruno’s blank, Iheanacho v Vardy, the Chesterfield Cafu and other FPL talking points

A fairly dismal evening on the Fantasy Premier League front saw only five players deliver attacking returns, all of whom were owned by fewer than 2% of managers.

The cherry on the excrement was a second successive blank for Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m), the most-captained and most-owned FPL asset of Double Gameweek 26.

BRUNO MARS

A truly grim spectacle at Selhurst Park saw Manchester United grind out a goalless draw for the third time in a week.

We highlighted the Red Devils’ ongoing cautiousness in games against ‘big six’ opposition after Sunday’s game at Chelsea but perhaps one other factor we overlooked is fatigue.

United have played twice a week, every week from the beginning of 2021 up until now.

There has been relatively little rotation from Ole Gunnar Solksjaer throughout that run and there was a jaded quality to their display against Palace, with Fernandes looking particularly flat – this was his 16th appearance in little more than two months, with 14 of those coming from the start.

The Portuguese playmaker didn’t register a single shot at Selhurst Park, although did top the pile for chances created.

Back-to-back clean sheets was good news for owners of United’s defensive assets, at least, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.6m) and Luke Shaw (£5.1m) now first and third among FPL defenders for ‘form’ (average score over the last 30 days).

RIGHT BACK AT YOU

A rare miscalculation from Nick Pope (£5.6m) was a contributing factor in Burnley losing their clean sheet on Wednesday, although in fairness, not many right-thinking individuals would have anticipated Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.6m) meeting Wilfred Ndidi’s (£4.8m) chipped through-ball with a Van Persie-esque volley.

For a team renowned for their reputation as a defence-first side, the clean sheets have been in fairly short supply of late – only four have arrived in the Clarets’ last 15 matches.

Burnley’s backline aren’t famed for compensating with attacking returns at the other end of the pitch but Matthew Lowton (£4.5m) – dubbed the ‘Chesterfield Cafu’ by internet wags for his recent displays – has suddenly burst into life in the last month.

The budget right-back has supplied 10 chances in the last three Gameweeks (two of which were admittedly ‘doubles’), with four of those key passes arriving in the Leicester game.

Shaw is the only FPL defender who has supplied more opportunities than Lowton in that time, while no-one in the Burnley man’s Fantasy position has carved out as many ‘big chances’.

As for Leicester’s own marauding right-back, Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) began the game at wing-back and ended it as a winger – but all of that hyped ‘out of position’ potential amounted to nought as he ended Double Gameweek 26 with a meagre two points.

KELECHI CRASHES THE PARTY

Iheanacho has been a benefactor of injury-enforced absences to James Maddison (£7.3m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.9m), if only in that first-team starts are now easier to come by.

Those two midfielders being sidelined has not exactly helped Jamie Vardy (£10.2m), whose record now stands at one goal in his last ten Premier League appearances.

The Foxes were short on inspiration at Turf Moor, as they had been against Arsenal on Sunday, with Vardy mustering just one shot on goal in another showing that hinted at his underlying fitness issues catching up with him.

It might not just be the absence of Barnes and Maddison that is damaging Vardy’s output, however.

The veteran striker isn’t used to sharing the limelight with a strike partner and Iheanacho has certainly been hogging the chances, having seven of them across the two Gameweek 26 matches; Vardy had one.

HEROES TO VILLANS

Aston Villa’s yo-yo form in 2021 continued as they once again failed to string together successive wins, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to a Sheffield United side who had Phil Jagielka (£3.9m) sent off in the second half.

So used to performing heroics en route to keeping a clean sheet, Emiliano Martinez (£5.3m) for once had very little to do at Bramall Lane on Wednesday.

But one of just two shots on target the Villans faced, David McGoldrick‘s (£5.2m) opportunistic strike from a mishit George Baldock (£4.9m) effort, beat the Argentine shot-stopper and put paid to hopes of a ninth shut-out on the road.

Villa’s shot count suggested they didn’t miss the injured Jack Grealish (£7.6m) too much, with Ollie Watkins (£6.6m) striking the woodwork, John McGinn (£5.5m) missing a sitter and Ezri Konsa (£4.6m) forcing a fine stop out of Aaron Ramsdale (£4.6m).

But at full-time, visiting boss Dean Smith lamented the lack of a final-third spark that Grealish so often brings:

For all of the possession in the final third we needed better quality, better runs and better balls in but, for me, we tried to get the goal back inside the first five minutes after the sending off instead of being patient, pulling them out and finding holes.

Bertrand Traore (£5.9m) was perhaps the pick of Villa’s FPL assets, with a game-high five attempts including one jinking, Ricky Villa-esque run that ended in an off-target effort.

305 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    This week blows

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      5 playing tomorrow with one of them Triple Captained, so I'm hoping all the goals have been saved for then

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        What you on at the minute.

        1. rubberdignerapids
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          81 (89 with a -8)

          I have Kane(TC), Son, Reguillon, DCL and Salah remaining

          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            Very good. Could have a monster score by this week's standards at the end.

            1. rubberdignerapids
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 25 days ago

              I hope so...I've been having a terrible season so far by my standards

              1. DA Minnion (Former great)
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 25 days ago

                Bruno tc really let me down tonight. On 93 but Only Kane Son and Dcl left. 5.3 K overall so can't really complain though.

                1. rubberdignerapids
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 25 days ago

                  That's unlucky...he should have at least got a pen vs Chelsea- that's an awesome rank...whereas I'm struggling to even break 500k...would rather be in your shoes haha

                  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 25 days ago

                    Mostly a game of luck with a bit of strategy thrown in.

                    1. rubberdignerapids
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 25 days ago

                      I would had said the opposite in prior seasons, but have no clue anymore- I've had 3 top 5k finishes in 8 seasons and never finished outside the top 100k (besides filling out a GW1 team in SS 2018/19, not changing it and effectively having a sabbatical that season)

  2. tom_p77
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Rank these City players (highest minutes first) for DGW27

    A) Gundo
    B) Stones
    C) Cancelo
    D) KDB

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      ADBC

  3. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Barnes + DCL > Son + Antonio (-4)? Exact cash.

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Wait until tomorrow's games, but I would tentatively say yes

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Seems good but yes wait for Son/DCL games.

    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      DCL could get a DGW28

    4. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Just the possible gw28 for DCL that would put me off that. Wait I would say.

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Blind devotees of Guru Crellin. 🙄

        There is absolutely no reason to expect that fixture to go into GW28 and there never was. His 65% figure was nonsense because it assumed that the PL would schedule the fixture that week if possible. Why? There is a designated slot in GW37 that will be free for that game.

  4. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Kane (c), Son, Keane and Areola - How many points can I expect tomorrow... Need 8 for my first 100+ score of the season.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      You would be mighty unlucky to not get to 100. I'm going to guess 8+8, 3, 2, 2 for 23.

      I'm on 84 (-4) with DCL, Salah and Kane(TC) to go...I'd be super bummed to not break 100 myself.

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        As a Chelsea fan, I hope Salah stays quiet. But hope Kane goes bonkers...

  5. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    82 points so far with TC Harry, Son, Salah and DCL to play. 19K Rank

    Dilemma: Save or make a change? $0 ITB
    Martinez
    Dias - Cancelo - Coufal
    Bruno - Gundo (C) - Salah - Son - Raphina
    Bamford - Kane

    Steer - DCL - Shaw - Struijjk

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Save and reassess with two transfers in the bag.

    2. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Save... unless you want to bring in someone for BGW29 ahead of time.

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I've got 3x Leeds and considering playing Dallas & 1 of Raph/Bam. Feels like there's a better chance of a clean sheet for Leeds than a goal against WH. Even if a clean sheet is relatively low. WHU are just so good defending deep.

    4. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Great rank!! 😎

  6. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Really would have loved 2 bonus from AWB. Made a lot of completed passes and had an interception and a cross in the last 30 mins, but went from 23 to 24, back to 23 and to 24 BPS again. Hmmmm....

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Shaw lost his 2bp in the first game in minute 90+3 for some random reason...also felt he should have been up in bps for this game.

      I know there's a system/method but I'd rather not understand and just gripe.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Can remember he committed a foul towards the end of the game in that match. It doesn't tend to update for maybe 2-3 mins after.

  7. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Martinez Areola
    Dias Cancelo Cresswell Dallas Tark
    Bruno Salah Gundo Trossard Raphinha
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Anything for a hit?
    A) Antonio
    B) Son
    C) Bale
    D) Other?

  8. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Barnes to Foden and Bruno to Son for team below ( although bench seems wrong!)

    A Yes
    B No

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Salah Son* Foden* Gundogan Raphinha
    Kane Watkins

    Pope DCL Digne Shaw

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      B

  9. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Chilwell to Castagne for a hit turned out excellent then!

  10. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Barnes, DCL to Foden, Ings? -4

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      If it was Antonio instead of Ings then yes but Southampton not in form so think better off just doing Barnes to Foden

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Just Barnes to Foden?

  11. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Transfer advice please

    Mccarthy
    Cancelo Stones Konsa
    Salah Gundo Bruno Son
    Watkins Kane Bamford

    Sanchez Shaw Ayling Bissouma
    1FT, 0ITB

    A) Bruno to Bale
    B) Bruno + Gundo to KDB + Saka -4
    C) Bruno + Cancelo to KDB + Reguilon -4
    D) Something else

  12. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Stones and Cancelo, stick or switch?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Stick, I am.

    2. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I’m keeping Cancelo. I think rule is play them and have a good bench, as likelihood is if either don’t start they won’t play any minutes at all.

  13. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Bruno > kdb?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      No.

  14. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Time to play my Wildcard? I think yes!? I still have BB and TC

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Maguire / Stones
    Son / Bruno / Salah / Gundo
    Bamford / Richarlson / Vardy

    Bench: Foster, Smith Rowe*, Coufal, Douglas*

    1ft and 0.5 itb

  15. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Should I pull the trigger on Rashford > Son for a FT?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I would

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Think I'll do it before the price changes tonight, thanks!

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Why not wait until Son plays a game tomorrow in case he gets hurt? Price Change predictor says Son won't change tonight.

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I might get busy and forget to make the move tomorrow, so fingers crossed he survives the 90

  16. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Tomorrow could be huge for those of us with Spurs, especially Kane(c).

    Sat on 75 post hits currently with Kane(tc) Son Salah DCL Digne to go. Quietly optimistic

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Same 4/5 and Kane TC but having no Son means WorryTime........

  17. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Play 1

    A Coufal (LEE)
    B Dallas ( whu)

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      B

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      a - whu defense is excellent. don't see them giving up much to dallas as an attacking threat and i fancy them to score at home too.

  18. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Barnes to Raphinha?

    or would you look to someone else?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I like it.

  19. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Last Man Standing Update (575 teams)

    Current safety score = 62
    Top score = 115
    LMS average = 76.89 (-4.08) = 72.81
    Players played = 8.44/13.7
    Captains played = 14.78%

    3 games left.

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  20. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Any advice here much appreciated thanks guys. 1FT 0.0 itb

    Marti
    Cancelo Pereira Digne
    KDB Gundo Bruno Raphinha
    Bamford Kane DCL

    Fabri Burn Struijk Barnes.

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Very similar below

      Barnes is the question. Saving free if I can. Barnes to Grealish perhaps

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Hard to commit to Grealish with uncertainty around his injury. Wish we knew how long he’s out for.

    2. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Yeah Grealish is in my thoughts but definitely need more information

  21. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    How's this looking? 1 ft 0.1itb

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Castagne
    Son Salah Raphinha Gundo(c)
    Bam DCL Kane

    Pope Barnes** Dallas Digne

    1. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I'm not sold on playing Raph and Bam but apart from that gtg. Set on Gundo (c)?

  22. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    1. Save.
    2. Watkins -> Antonio. Lots of upside even with the possible extra game for Villa.
    3. Bruno + Stones -> KDB + White. (-4, Exact cash- a bit risky).

    *Martinez.
    Shaw, Cancelo, Stones.
    Salah, *Raphinha, *Son, Gundo.
    *Kane, *Watkins, *Bamford.
    *Areola, Bruno, *Dallas, *Burn.
    0.1m ITB. No chips remaining.
    8 players for 29 atm.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I like 2. Can at least wait another 24 hrs and hopefully hear about that potential fixture.

  23. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Risers: None

    Fallers: van Dijk (6.2)

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Lol very random

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        van who lol

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Aye

    2. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      517,760 people still have van Dijk in their team.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Vast majority dead teams, I'm sure.

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

    4. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Cheers Raga, I'm sure all of those VVD teams are doing better than me this GW lol

    5. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      That’s a little out of left field.

    6. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      He’s been threatening to drop for 2 weeks. Somehow still 6% owned

    7. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I'd like to know who finally decided enough was enough, time to move him on.

    8. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I see a lot of have people have logged in this week after months! 😛

    9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      VVD 6.0 next season? TAA & Robbo 6.5’s maybe??

    10. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      VVD owners finally admitting this might not be a little tweak

    11. Chemical76
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Knee jerkers!

  24. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    I was hoping for Martinez no show after his 'injury' and DDG to gain some ground away at Palace. Lol what happened to DDG?

  25. Party time
      3 years, 25 days ago

      wow Utd & bruno 😆

    • the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Barnes to Saka and play Saka for free. Or bank FT and play DCL and bench Barnes???

      Cheers

      1. LSK
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I’d hold off for a week unless Saka is really calling out to you.

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Cheers what about Lookman??

          1. LSK
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            I’m in the same boat as you and I’m holding because none of the options are really standing out to me. I’m sure one of Saka, Lookman, Lingard etc will do well but I’m going to wait and see. Maybe Everton and Villa get a double in 28 so it will be nice to have two free transfers next week.

            1. the dom 1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 25 days ago

              Yep might sit on it and just play DCL this coming GW. 2FTs will be nice if EVE have DGW 28. Cheers

    • Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      If I already have Raphinha in my team as my 5th midfielder. I'm thinking it might be better to swap Barnes for Lookman and start playing Raphinha and use Lookman for GW 29 only who has a better fixture than somebody like Lingard

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Could work nicely.

        Any thoughts on my post above. ??

    • vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Who to start this week?

      A) DCL (che)
      B) Digne (che)
      C) Luke Thomas (bha)

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Thomas or DCL

        1. vincentwsho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Thanks for the feedback.

          Struggling between these 2 as well... DCL seems safer as he could haul, but Chelsea's defense is strong. Thomas could get a CS if he starts...

          Thought of Digne as well actually, as the game could be 0-0

    • Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Got rid of Bruno before Newcastle on the WC. Don't know it was the best choice because of his points at Newcastle but it allowed for a good week this week and it seems everyone's shipping now after 2 blanks this week. Feeling better about it now

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Fair enough he’s blanked these last two and I’m glad as I didn’t cap him, but no reason to move him on, he can haul in any game. I’d feel uneasy without him.

    • SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Is Veltman nailed? Thinking Bruno and Mee > kdb and veltman.