Scout Notes

Smith Rowe tops the GW35 points table as Tuchel laments his own rotation

Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m)
  • Assists: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m)
  • Bonus: Smith-Rowe x3, Bernd Leno (£5.0m) x2, Rob Holding (£4.3m), Gabriel (£4.9m) x1

Arsenal channelled the spirit of George Graham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, grinding out a hard-earned 1-0 win.

It was a classic backs-to-the-wall display, with Arsenal registering only seven penalty box touches all evening – a total matched by Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) in a 25-minute cameo.

They did ride their luck, with Kai Havertz (£8.3m) missing an early sitter and Chelsea hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession.

But the Gunners have been solid on their travels all season and this was their eighth away clean sheet of 2020/21, a total that only Manchester City have beaten on the road.

And up next is Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a side that have scored just twice in their last six home matches.

ROTATOR WAFFLE

A total of 18 players were used by Thomas Tuchel across his side’s Double Gameweek 35, with only Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.9m), Reece James (£5.1m), Billy Gilmour (£4.3m) and Christian Pulisic (£8.3m) escaping a benching.

Azpilicueta remains Tuchel’s most-used player since his appointment, having started 15 of the Blues’ 17 league matches from Gameweek 20 onwards.

That’s one more than even Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) has managed; the Chelsea custodian was benched again on Wednesday, with Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) handed his third Premier League start in the Tuchel era.

The Chelsea boss has had great success with his squad management since his appointment but this proved to be one step too far, with the Blues delivering a flat display.

An admirably honest Tuchel said after full-time:

The choices were not so good today from my side.

I’m not happy with my line-up, was too many changes. I should not have done it like this.

RIGHT PAIR OF BLANKERS

Arsenal and Chelsea now take a backseat in Blank Gameweek 36, with the Blues’ involvement in the FA Cup final on Saturday meaning that they and Mikel Arteta’s troops are without a Premier League fixture this coming weekend.

With Chelsea’s Gameweek 37 and 38 fixtures sandwiched by their appearance at Wembley and the UEFA Champions League final, it seems likely that we’ll see a similar division of minutes between their squad – although a top-four place could still be on the line on the final day and Tuchel’s comments above are worth bearing in mind.

As for Arsenal, their elimination from the Europa League means that they can focus on domestic matters, although the odds on them qualifying for Europe next year are still long.

A double-header against Crystal Palace and Brighton is a decent way to round off the season for the Gunners but again, Arteta’s predilection for a spot of rotation – there were five changes tonight – will be offputting for some Fantasy managers.

RED ALERT

Wednesday’s result suddenly handed an advantage to Liverpool in the race for a top-four place.

Leicester and Chelsea face each other in Gameweek 37, meaning that the Reds ‘only’ need to win their remaining four Premier League matches to secure a qualification spot for next season’s Champions League.

That should keep Jurgen Klopp’s starting XIs at full strength for the remainder of the campaign, with their FPL assets enjoying some favourable matches against the likes of West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace in Gameweeks 36-38.

EMILE PESKY

One of FPL’s cheapest midfielders is the highest-scoring player of Gameweek 35 so far.

The busy Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) found the net for the second successive match to end the Gameweek on 19 points.

While not rotation-proof, he’s been a regular in Arteta’s side: of the last 19 Premier League matchday squads he has been available for, Smith Rowe has started on 16 occasions.

That’s an excellent record for someone so cheap, as is his tally of seven attacking returns in those 16 starts.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) has been less reliable for minutes but when he has featured, he has quietly delivered.

The Gabon international has seven goals and two assists in his last eight league starts and it was he who teed up Smith-Rowe for the game’s only goal in west London.

456 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Currently at 10 starters for gw36. Advice and insights greatly appreciated.

    Pickford (Forster)
    TAA - Phillips - Dallas - Coufal (Maguire)
    Salah - Bale - Zaha (Bruno - Greenwood)
    DCL - Benteke (Nacho)

    1 ft, 0.5 itb

    Would you:

    A) Nacho -> Wood
    B) Nacho -> Bamford
    C) Nacho -> Antonio
    D) Bruno -> Son
    E) Bruno -> Raphinha
    F) Bruno -> Raphinha, Nacho -> Kane (-4), bench Zaha/Coufal
    G) Bruno -> Son, Nacho -> Ings (-4), bench Zaha/Coufal

    A serious headache this.

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      F

      1. Rassi
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. That was my original plan until I started tinkering. 🙂

    2. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think F too. Always nice to have Kane, particularly as he will have eyes on the golden boot.

      1. Rassi
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

  2. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Currently at a season high rank of 8k! Would love to maintain it till the end so not sure whether should take a hit or not. Here's my team for next GW

    Forster (Mendy)
    Coleman TAA (Rudiger Holding Shaw)
    Salah Jota Son Lingard (Bruno)
    Vydra (Nacho Vardy)

    1 FT and 0.1 ITB. What should I do?

    1. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy to DCL and Holding/Rudiger to Dallas

      1. gellinmagellan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks!

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy + Nacho -> Bamford + Ings

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sell Vardy and defender by your choice to field full XI.

    4. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      8k is great.

  3. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I have Dallas, GK for the rest of the season to replace Mendy (up to 5.4)?
    A) Meslier
    B) Fabianski

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Meslier out of these two.

  4. ballstoyede
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On WC this week:

    Lloris Button
    Dallas TAA Digne Coufal Mitchell
    SmithR Salah Bruno Saint-Maximin Raphinha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    0.1 ITB

    Any glaring errors/misses?

  5. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dropped down from 80th to 130th past couple of days, hoping Digne and DCL can get me back into the top 100 tonight.

    Big decision for the last few weeks - sell Fernandes for Salah or keep Fernandes for 37 and 38 and look for differentials elsewhere?

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I would sell. Though Fulham is great for Bruno, he could easily be rested vs. Wolves with the EL final just three days away.

      1. Mweene
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        True. Salah seems like an ultra boring pick when I should just be going for it by taking risks in the last 3 weeks though.

        Then again if he hauls I'm dead and buried.

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Get Salah and take some other risks too.

      1. Mweene
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Raphinha might be my differential.

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d want triple pool as they have so much more to play for (Bruno may get rested last league game before cup final?) but I’m sure you can make a better call than me the season you’ve had! I was top 5k couple seasons back but struggling to get top 100k this season.

    4. big_cliff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mane could be a good punt instead of Salah. I do feel a Liverpool attacker is needed with our fixtures. We're still creating tons of decent chances, just need these guys to start putting them in the back of the net

      1. big_cliff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Oh wait...I read it as 80k to 130k...I doubt I should be dispensing you advice. Nevermind what I said

  6. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wow Smith Rowe 19pts at front of my bench! Gutted, to make matters worse Lingard only got 1pt. Oh well hopefully DCL cheers me up tonight (and Greenwood please get a rest!)

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pain. Pure pain.

  7. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    One hour before the deadline Holding and ESR were in my starting team. I even have a screenshot because I thought this is gonna be my final 15/15 DGW squad and shared it with friends.

    Then I put in Bale because of classic late overthinking (form, confidence, expected goal fest between Spurs & Leeds) and also took a hit for Robertson who I still see as potentially one of the highest scoring defenders in last 4 GWs. I really hope gets more than 7 points so I can still say I did something right. I felt like there was logic behind both picks and why could they outscore Gunners who weren't even safe to start.

    So it's now: 19 + 9 +4 vs 2 + 6 + ?

    If only I knew which Arsenal will turn up.

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Unlucky. I can’t honestly say I was close to selecting ESR ahead of Lingard due to the form of the two. Was sure he’d only play one game to, very surprised to see him start alongside Odegard last night.

    2. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Scenes when even Arteta doesn't know the starting XI...

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      ESR alone did a lot of damage.

    5. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      ESR + Holding in my 11

  8. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would you rather do

    A) Bruno-> Son/Bale
    B) Castagne -> Dallas (have Ayling)

    To field an 11 this week?

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I feel Castagne may not be useful any GW till the end yet, whereas Bruno at least has a good GW37 (but may need to sell/bench in GW38).

      Son/Bale could get you more immediate returns though.

      Bit of a toss-up.

    3. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A I think.

      Feel like Dallas can wait a week

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1FT.

    Nacho + Castagne -> Dallas + Antonio/Bamford (-4)? Yay or Nay?

    May just field 10 for 36.

    Martinez
    Castagne Shaw Phillips
    Bruno Jota Salah Greenwood
    Watkins Nacho Kane

    Sanchez Rudiger Lingard Coady

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      To field XI I'd definitely sell Castagne, then would most likely take the -4 for the FWD.

      The most likely 'worst case scenario' is a 1-2 point blank for a FWD. (Watkins -1 an outlier...), so a low-risk net of -2 (won't be much more than -2).

      More fun IMO to hope for a return from your forward. They also both have good remaining fixtures.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, a -4 should do the trick.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Good moves

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        thanks

    3. Help Me!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      In similar boat, but I don't have enough so getting Jota to Raph as well. For -8

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Was thinking of -8 but at this stage it seems too much. Trying to maintain rank somewhat.

    4. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Good moves, however our record v Brighton over the years have not been great, ( no wins in the last 7 ) they are a bit of a bogey team for us. I would go Bamford over Antonio..............not a easy choice as we have something to play for.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Didn't know about that record. Will know which forward to get. Even considering DCL.

  10. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    0.1 off maguire and nacho to Dallas and Antonio.

    Is there any striker 6.3 and under worth getting? Adams perhaps?

    1. Help Me!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm taking an additional hit, Jota to Raphina to afford Dallas and Antonio/Bamford.

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Morning all. What you think to this? Could also go Holding/Rudi >> Dallas instead of the Digne move.

    Bruno+Shaw+Nacho >> Son+Digne+Antonio/Bam (-8)?

    Forster
    TAA. Ward
    Salah. Jota. ASM
    Kane. DCL
    (Mendy. Shaw. Nacho. Bruno. Greenwood. Holding. Rudiger)

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Morning Rafa, i think i like the holdig/rudi to dallas move over Digne. Sets you up for the rest of the season with GW38 in mind. Trent Dallas Holding/Rudi back three that week. Ward has liverpool and Digne has city

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks yeah. Worth a -8? Will Holding/Rudi play 38 is the other question?

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          one of them will play, the -8 now sets you up nicely and imo you wouldnt require any more hits. I am -8'ing, posted below and i feel fine about it. You've scored well this week so should help hide the hit

  12. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which option for -8 to field 11? (probably 10 if Forster benched)

    Forster
    TAA-Ayling-Castagne
    Salah-Greenwood-Pereira-Jota
    Nacho-Watkins-Kane
    -------------------------------------------
    Mendy Azpilicueta Bruno Shaw

    A) Castagne/Greenwood/Nacho -> Dallas/Son/Vydra
    B) Castagne/Bruno/Nacho -> Dallas/Son/Bamford
    C) Castagne/Greenwood/Nacho -> Dallas/Raphinha/DCL

    1. Help Me!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B > C > A
      I think Bruno will be rested

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        cheers

  13. Tartanjock
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    FH team: Am in the mix for ML, others have no chips left.

    Pickford (Forster)
    TAA Stones Vestergaard (Philips Mitchell)
    Salah Bale Son Lingaard (Bissouma)
    Antonio or Wood? Kane DCL

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think those on FH should take the opportunity to attack the city fixture knowing you have a good first bench guy and rivals have very little city coverage. Maybe drop a spurs guy for a Mahrez

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Shhhhh....

      2. Tartanjock
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I like that, cheers 🙂
        Will give me bit extra money as well

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          thoughts on everton double up with Rich and DCL?

          Sheff utd hauls over the past weeks

          35- Eze 14, Beneteke 8
          34: Bale 21 Son 12
          31: Laca 13
          30: Harrison 13
          28: Nacho 17, Vardy 13

          1. Tartanjock
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            2 strikers from Everton would worry me but your haul list suggests it could be beneficial.
            Expect a few goals from Everton but then again . . .

    2. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah I'd be tempted to attack the city game too, could you do Dallas mahrez and foden in for vestegaard, lingard and bale?

      1. Tartanjock
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, leaves me 1.3 spare
        I'll tinker about with it some more.
        TVM

  14. Help Me!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    To get 11 playing in GW36,
    Is it good idea to Fofana, Jota, Iheanacho to Dallas, Raphina, Bamford/Antonio?
    Will be -8 hit, but would be getting rid of Fofana and Iheanacho with meh fixtures.

  15. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A Ings & Raphinha
    B Ings & Mahrez
    C Bamford & Mahrez
    D Bamford & Son (Have Kane)

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        +1

  16. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    morning all, looking to sell all my Leicester guys who have dropped off my eye test last 3 GWs

    Out: Fofana, Vardy and Nacho

    I have 2.2m itb so have a healthy £23.5m for those three spots, who should i be targeting?

    BGW36 team

    Johnstone
    Fofana* Trent Digne
    Jota Salah Trossard Son
    Nacho* Vardy* DCL

    Forster Greenwood Holding Rudiger

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dallas, Bamford and Kane

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        bish bash bosh, easy peasy. Bamford over Antonio?

        1. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Both with good fixtures. It's up to you mate

          1. dbeck
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Trossard to Raph following week is on my mind, I am leaning more to Antonio as just feel the ceiling is higher

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah I don’t think you can go wrong with the players I am targeting above too

  17. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    0.1 itb 1ft No chips left

    Martinez
    Veltman Webster KWP N.Phillips
    Salah (c) Jota
    Kane DCL (vc)

    Schmeichel Holding ESR Rashford Bruno Nacho

    A) Rashford + Nacho > Bale + Bamford (-4)
    B) Rashford + Nacho > Raph + Ings (-4)
    C) Rashford + Nacho > Bale + Antonio (-4)

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is this worth a -8?

    Maguire Bruno Zaha -> Foden Mané Digne.??

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha to Foden can be avoided

      1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        agree

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      i'd just do the maguire and bruno to mane and digne move imo, or doesnt that work cash wise?

  19. liverbear
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who to transfer in on a minus 4 to get 11 out

    Bale or Dallas

    Who has the higher ceiling

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bale has the higher celing for sure, depends on who is leaving your team but in a vacuum, Bale over Dallas