Scout Notes

Assessing Lingard and Iheanacho’s sustainability after latest FPL hauls

West Ham 3-2 Leicester

  • Goals: Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) x2, Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m) | Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) x2
  • Assists: Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m), Bowen, Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) | Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m), Marc Albrighton (£5.2m)
  • Bonus points: Iheanacho x3 Lingard x2 Bowen x2

Two more goals added to the Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) hype train, which even a late Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) double couldn’t derail.

The in-form striker’s brace did, however, deny the England midfielder the maximum bonus point award, although Lingard still produced a third straight double-digit haul for his 22.8% ownership.

Lingardium Leviosa

Lingard continues to fly high since making his loan move to West Ham.

He now has eight goals and four assists in nine starts for David Moyes’ men – that’s just two assists shy of his best season at Manchester United (2017/18), but from about 1,000 minutes less pitch-time.

Unsurprisingly, he’s put on over a million managers in FPL over the past three Gameweeks.

Small wonder that Lingard’s ownership levels are rising yet again following Sunday’s star turn and he currently tops the transfers-in table ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.

That starts a generally favourable run-in for West Ham during which they will host Chelsea and Everton, but also travel to Burnley, Brighton and West Brom before a final-day home fixture against Southampton.

With a Champions League place now entirely in their own hands, Moyes is unlikely to tinker with his side any more than necessary, further ramping up the appeal of Lingard and his team-mates.

Bowen For Gold

One enforced change for Moyes was replacing the injured Michail Antonio (£6.6m) up front, with Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m) stepping in and stepping up.

He scored for the third straight match, with an assist taking him to a first double-digit score since Gameweek 10.

Should he continue as a frontman, his low cost and ownership (1.8%) make him a strong differential candidate for those looking to steal a march on mini-league opponents.

It is also worth pointing out that Lingard’s latest haul was largely unaffected by Antonio’s absence, further boosting his long-term Fantasy credentials.

On the downside for West Ham, and owners of their defenders, they made it three straight weeks of either blowing, or nearly blowing, a three-goal lead.

Their most popular asset, (and FPL’s most owned defender), Aaron Cresswell (28.3%), spared his managers that pain by limping off with a hamstring injury after 52 minutes. His owners’ agony was one of a different kind, his substitution occurring eight minutes before he would have claimed a clean sheet and his first-half booking meant he scored zero points in Gameweek 31.

Speaking post-match, Moyes was unsure as to the extent of the issue for Cresswell, and also for Mark Noble (£4.5m), who injured his elbow.

“My biggest concern would be we really can’t afford to lose too many more players through injury because it will affect our performances as we go along.” – David Moyes

The pair will undergo scans this week, with any Cresswell news especially relevant for many Fantasy managers.

At least the 5.5% on Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m) gained assist points for the second straight game to offset the goals conceded, but the Hammers’ backline is looking rather too generous to encourage investment at present.

Not So Cunning Foxes

Leicester were poor in the first half, improved in the second and, in Iheanacho, have a red-hot striker.

His brace took him to seven goals from his last five starts, four of which have come with maximum bonus awards, and he now has an ownership (8.3%) bordering on the respectable.

Like Lingard, he’s attracting more managers for Gameweek 32, and the Foxes’ immediate schedule – West Brom, Crystal Palace and Newcastle at home, Southampton away – certainly warrants that interest.

Crucially, he has outscored Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) by 52 points to 23 since Double Gameweek 26, besting him for 21 attempts on goal to nine during the same period.

Many Fantasy bosses would have been hoping to evaluate the form of James Maddison (£7.2m) ahead of those fixtures.

But a Covid-19 breach by the midfielder led his manager, Brendan Rodgers, to drop him (and two others) from the match-day squad.

“We’ve dealt with that. The players are disappointed. They’re good boys, they’re not going to get thrown away. We’ll draw a line under it. They’ll rejoin us next week and we will prepare for the (FA Cup) semi-final.” – Brendan Rodgers

Defensive options remain limited in a side with just one clean sheet since Gameweek 23, although Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) underlined his attacking credentials with an assist and a match-leading 11 penalty area touches.

West Ham United XI (3-4-1-2): Fabianski; Cresswell (Balbuena 53), Diop, Dawson; Masuaku, Soucek, Noble (Johnson 82), Coufal; Fornals; Bowen (Benrahma 84), Lingard.

Leicester City XI (3-5-2): Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Amartey (Thomas 45); Castagne, Praet (Albrighton 59), Ndidi, Tielemans, R Pereira; Vardy, Iheanacho.

SHEFF UTD 0-3 Arsenal

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) x2, Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m)
  • Assists: Danny Ceballos (£4.7m), Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m) Thomas Partey (£4.9m)
  • Bonus points: Lacazette x3 Rob Holding (£4.2m) x2 Ceballos x1

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) made it four goals in six Gameweeks as Arsenal swept aside an increasingly awful Sheffield United.

So poor were the Blades that the brave souls still invested in the likes of Bernd Leno (£5.0m) or Rob Holding (£4.2m) – and that’s nearly 11% of FPL managers all in – were treated to clean sheet points for the first time in nine matches.

But it was more about the Gunners’ attacking fluency at Bramall Lane, with Lacazette’s opener a fitting finish to a clever flicked assist from the impressive Dani Ceballos (£4.7m).

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has not been afraid to play his younger stars this season and, in the absence of three key attackers, he handed Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m) a rare start in what has been an injury-hit campaign.

The striker responded with a goal, but the match was more forgettable for fellow starlet Bukayo Saka (£5.2m), who had only just come back from another issue, only to limp off with a thigh problem after 68 minutes.

Arteta was guarded about the injury after the game.

“He had discomfort in his thigh and it’s the last thing that we need because we’re missing some big players at the moment and we don’t want to lose another one. I don’t know the extent. Hopefully, it’s not that serious.” – Mikel Arteta

Some 7.2% of FPL managers will have to wait and see on their man, who could be a key figure in Arsenal’s good run-in, with tricky matches against Everton and Chelsea offset by encounters with four of the bottom five and 13th-placed Crystal Palace.

The problem for anyone considering Arsenal options is Europe, with the Gunners’ only real chance of securing a Champions League place next season involving winning the Europa League.

Should they progress from Thursday’s quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague, Arteta is highly likely to rest key men for the semi-final ties which come before Gameweeks 34 and 35.

That’s a problem for another day, and there is at least only one issue involving Sheffield United players – just don’t own them.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Baldock, Stevens, Ampadu; Egan, Osborn, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood; Burke (Brewster 64), McGoldrick (McBurnie 64 ((Mousset 83)). 

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Chambers, Holding, Mari, Xhaka; Ceballos, Partey; Saka (Willian 69), Pepe, Martinelli (Elneny 83); Lacazette (Nketiah 89).

Elsewhere in Gameweek 31

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652 Comments Post a Comment
  1. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play up Pompey post

  2. WHUFCSmith23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Disaster of a week. Red arrow after wildcard as usual and my mini league rival got 25 more points than me. TWENTY FIVE. I'm going to pretend football doesn't exist for a few days and go watch The X Files.

  3. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Oh Dan Burn.

    Nothing personal, but you are not my friend anymore.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who did he block from the bench?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Dallas

        1. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Christ I felt bad over him blocking 3 extra points from Bamford.

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I just knew it would happen. Would have been lucky to get the points but this season all these things seem to be happening!!

        2. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ah man, that’s so unlucky

  4. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Finally some points from my defenders. White & Digne owner. I feel a bit better for benching Dallas.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What a relief! Similar boat with Digne & Sanchez. So glad I didn't watch that match however.

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        And your life is much better for it

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        At least you beat City.

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I know . It was amazing. Still would have liked Dallas off the bench. Would have pushed me into possibly top 1 K.

  5. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lloris • Mendy
    Azpi • Robertson • Phillips • Shaw • Holding
    Jota • Son • Bruno • Lingard • Maddison
    Kane • Vardy • Iheanacho

    Guys any improvement suggestions to this BB squad with 1FT, 0ITB?

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't think Lloris is worth it.

      Lloris > Forster
      Robertson > TAA

  6. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Spawns points off the bench everywhere tonight.

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Spawny ffs

  7. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy Meslier
    Dias Alonso Digne Coufal Veltman
    Bruno Gundo Jota Raphinha Lingard
    Kane DCL Bamford
    Would you try survive with Gundo to Son or just WC?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks OK, I wouldn't WC that

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why would you wildcard?!

      Gundo -> Son for sure. Consider Bamford -> Iheanacho (-4)

      Might as well hold the WC until potential DGW 35 is known

    3. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would not WC

  8. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Well those results are as bad as physically possible for non owners

    In a ML my rival had 2 players left today. I was +15 on him so far this GW. His 2 players: Johnstone and Dunk

    FPL is fun isn’t it 🙂

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It’s one of those gw’s

  9. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Havertz is an interesting one. Surely will become a Tuchel favourite and decently priced at 8.2m. Definitely on my radar

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He looked good at weekend. So many mid option and next to no strikers!

      1. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        True. I'd love him but would probably need to shift Jesse. Not be doing that anytime soon

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Pulisic better. Both rotatable. Pulisic to keep form until he's injured within 5 games. Havertz still inconsistent. Mount more reliable.

  10. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hurry up with the rough with the rough hot topic

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      There will be a beautiful split this week.

      Some huge smooths too no doubt with people playing Johnstone, Dallas & Iheanacho off the bench etc

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The smooths:

        Dallas would have stayed rooted to my bench had I kept him so I don't have to look at his points on my bench (just Ihenacho and Holding points instead).
        Vardy will remain a huge differential going forward.
        No need to overthink the transfer this week (Sterling to Son).
        Martinez BAP

  11. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    LMS safety score is 55. That’s me out, had high hopes as well!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If I wasn't out already I would be out now.

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It’s a weird week - those who wildcarded to the template and those who made no changes to their teams from last week will have done well.

      Those who made 2 to 3 transfers or went off wildcard template are the ones really punished this week

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lots of points off the bench so bit of luck involved and that 0-0 tonight killed me!

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        WC 65 points.

    3. Mince n Tatties
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Unlucky Pat... Think I’ve scrapped it with 56 unless Veltman gets a bonus point to add to this

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Well done. Nice to still be in at this stage of the season!

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      76 on WC and cut lead of ML leader from 53 to 19 points so pretty happy with that- for a change this season! Think he made mistake not playing WC

  12. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts please guys? With exact cash. Thanks

    This week - Auba and Gundo to Bruno and Lingard -4
    Next week- Son and Stones to Jota and Trent -4.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How essential is Salah against Leeds

    Have Jota and TAA

    Already used my free transfer

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      As essential as Sterling was this week

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        🙁

        If I met Sterling in real life, I'd probably blank him. Retribution.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Based on the City match, not very. He'll be highly owned but not too highly captained fortunately.

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He won’t be captained much with Spurs double so don’t think he can do too much damage to rank

  14. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I always said it’s good to have playing benches due to Covid and rotation but got shot down by people that said one playing sub is all you need.

    Now people are gagging for their benches to come on lol

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Finally paid off for you in gw31

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No, I just had veltman come on, I just saying my style was always picking a playing bench and not fodder

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Over the course of the season I don’t think spending more on the bench would’ve paid off....plenty of cheap bench players available

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DCL to Vardy for a hit stupid or?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Already have Ihenacho

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure on vardy, struggling a bit for form and not worth his price but those fixtures are so nice! If you have nothing pressing to use the cash on then it’s worth a punt

  16. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    76 points with a Captain fail KDB(c) Kane(v). I’ll take it and move on

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bad luck - I know what you mean

      I only got 97 points but I’ll learn to live with it. We go again this gameweek.

      1. Spg76
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yip

  17. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worth selling Martinez for Lloris?

    Not much to get excited about for Martinez anymore looking at the fixtures.

    1. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think Martinez is a keep. He’ll get save points against city and they are likely to have a double in the fitire

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just keep Martinez and take the 4pt minimum each week

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ask people who sold/benched Martinez this week if they're happy with their decision.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not for Lloris. He'll get you 2x fk all this GW.

  18. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gtg?

    Martinez
    Rudiger Saiss holding
    KDB Bruno lingard son jota
    Kane iheanacho

    Fabric DCl Coufal Philips

  19. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mates, Im in a difficult moment so I would appreciate the help here

    Mendy
    Fofana, Rudiger, Holding
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Jota, Neto
    Kane, Vardy

    Forster, Masuaku, Philips, Davis

    Gundo Neto Vardy to Son Lingard Nacho (-8) ?

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I switched TAA Lingard Nacho to Philips Neto Vardy just before deadline... :/
      Had to to trust the template. 40 pts spread.
      Time to focus and regroup

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can see the appeal with the hit, might pay off actually but can you just do Neto to lingard?

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, i can.
        But first no Son.
        And second my Vardy choice doesnt seem so good if Nacho plays with him. Its like Nacho is the focal point right now

  20. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Got a green arrow with a -12 this week. One of the four I brought in returned. One of the four I shipped returned.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      So you would’ve had a bigger green without the -12?

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Correct. And I would have got Dallas points.

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ah man, that’s unlucky

  21. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    50k -> 45k

    Slow progress

  22. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bowen up front and for less money but surely no-one can dethrone Messi Lingard.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don’t overthink it Andy!!

    2. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      do it just to get one over the twitter form merchants when bowen outscores him

  23. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Does Potter never get angry when they don't fight for two more points?

  24. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Nacho for Antonio or stones for reguilon next week?

    1. Bobby
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry reguilon for stones

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here?

    Martinez, Pope
    TAA, Rudiger, Stones, Dunk, Coufal
    Son, Saka, Bruno, Lingard, Jota
    Kane, Ihenacho, DCL

    3.9 ITB

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

  26. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sickening GW. Original plan for 32 was just Gundo > Son, then free up funds for Son > Salah in 33, but with the injury concerns in the team atm might be worth taking the hit this week? Gundo > Son and DCL > Nacho could be worth it?

    1FT - 5.2m ITB

    Martinez
    Stones Digne Azpi
    Bruno Gundogan Lingard Jota
    Kane (TC) DCL* Bamford

    Fabri - ESR* Targett Cressunwell*

  27. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I'd play your Brighton defender vs Chelsea

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why

  28. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No bonus points for Veltman?

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      nah i'll take the 6 tho for a 4.3 defender.

      1. estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        But why tho? Because the other 3 got the same?

  29. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Happy Ramadan

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ramadan Mubarak

  30. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Neto owners, who you are replacing him with? Especially those 0 ITB.