Scout Notes

Calvert-Lewin injury latest as Everton’s budget FPL midfielders catch the eye

We continue our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Scout Notes from Gameweek 4 with analysis of Everton v Burnley.

EVERTON 3-1 BURNLEY

  • Goals: Michael Keane (£5.0m), Andros Townsend (£5.4m), Demarai Gray (£5.6m) | Ben Mee (£4.9m)
  • Assists: Townsend, Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.5m) x2 | Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m)
  • Bonus (projected): Townsend x3, Doucoure x2, Keane x1

CALVERT-LEWIN INJURED

Everton manager Rafa Benitez confirmed shortly before kick-off that Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.2m) could be out for “two or three weeks”, but did warn it could be longer.

“He has broken his toe. He was training with problems and playing with pain. He had an injury the other day to his quadriceps and we have to wait two-to-three weeks, maybe more.”

Calvert-Lewin had been playing through the pain barrier but the England international now faces a spell on the sidelines, with Everton facing Aston Villa (a), Norwich City (h) and Manchester United (a) before the next international break in October.

EVERTON CHANGE SHAPE AS BUDGET MIDFIELDERS IMPRESS

As a result of Calvert-Lewin’s injury, Benitez switched to a back three formation with Richarlison (£7.5m) leading the line, flanked by Demarai Gray (£5.6m) and Andros Townsend (£5.4m).

However, Everton struggled in their new shape and lacked intensity until they moved to a 4-3-3 on the hour mark. That signalled an instant improvement, with Townsend and Gray adding to Michael Keane’s (£5.0m) earlier strike.

It’s now three goals in as matches for Gray this season, though it is worth noting that they have arrived from just three shots on target, while Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.5m) produced two assists and also had a goal disallowed for offside. 

Demarai Gray’s goal attempts in 2021/22 (shots on target in green)

Meanwhile, it was a quiet night for Richarlison, who ended the match with just one goal attempt and was replaced by new-signing Salomon Rondon (£6.0m) on 81 minutes.

The Toffees won their opener against Southampton once Benitez switched his system at half-time, and his tactical changes were key to Everton remaining unbeaten once again.

BURNLEY STRUGGLE WITH EVERTON CHANGES

A well drilled Burnley side impressed for 60 minutes at Goodison Park, but struggled to cope after Everton’s changes.

Before that, Ben Mee (£4.9m) had converted from a Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) cross, netting on his 200th Premier League appearance.

Elsewhere, Chris Wood (£6.9m) missed an early big chance, as he couldn’t get a head on a lovely Dwight McNeil (£5.9m) cross, though his off the ball movement and running in behind was good for the opening 45 minutes.

Following the defeat, Burnley are still without a win and sit 18th in the table with just one point from their opening four matches.

“We are quite a wise group and they know you have to make it happen. We had a mad six minutes which cost us. We did not respond to their leveller and it killed our performance. A lot of it was right.

The challenge you have in football is that you are searching for the first win but if you come off it a little bit, give the ball away cheaply and they score. The yardages are important when you are on top, you keep up the pressure.

Last year home and away form changed, we kept the stadium quiet but our group is wise enough to know fans change quickly. That is part of being in the Premier League.

Last season we had injuries and were stretched. The performances are not far away but the margins are tight. We are performing well as a team but we cannot keep having a soft 10 minutes against Brighton and a soft six minutes here.” – Sean Dyche

EVERTON XI: Pickford, Godfrey (Gomes 61), Keane, Mina, Coleman, Allan, Doucoure, Digne, Gray (Iwobi 88), Townsend, Richarlison (Rondon 81)

BURNLEY XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson (Lennon 76), Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil, Barnes (Vyrdra 76), Wood (Rodriguez 86)

1,594 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Would you...
    Play Reguilon (CHE)
    or
    Take -4, DCL ---> Jimenez/Bamford

    Already taken -4, removing Son & Antonio

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Play Reg

    2. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Play. However the removing of Antonio for 1gw is a mistake. Especially for a hit

      1. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        We will see 😉

  2. Yolo Toure
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Cancelo + Traore
    B) Rudiger + Raphinha
    C) James + Raphinha

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

  3. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I think Trent, Salah, Ronaldo and Lukaku are going to score heaps more than anyone else in their positions. And with the rare emergence of cheap enablers (multiple starting 4.0 defenders and

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It cut me off..

      ...and budget midfielders, I think you can have them all.

      Trent/Salah/Rom/Ron as your spine is doable with Gallagher/Gray/Marcal/Duffy and so on in play now. Just have to avoid the distraction of mid priced non-nailed mids.

      1. sovietrockettes
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting - this may very well be my GW7 wildcard play

      2. Yolo Toure
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        who are the best 4.0 defenders who start?

        1. sovietrockettes
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Brandon Williams, Livramento and Duffy

      3. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Arise Sir Baines the Counsel!

      4. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        You sir. Are correct.

      5. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        It is possible to have them all and score well, especially for GW4. But from GW 5, both Ron vs Rom and Gray vs Gallagher rotate perfectly with fixtures, rather than going well together

        Even worse, Duffy and Livra can put you in trouble if you must always play one

        And then you'd be locked out of some proper monsters like Son (yes), Chelsea + City Def + med, Shaw, Jota, Antonio, DCL, Jesus, Reguilon, Tierney, Jimenez, etc... Players who managed to be absent or not haul in GW4, allowing Rom + Ron to shine in their predictably easy matches

        This WC move is basically "I'm sure the best GW4 team will do well until GW19+"

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Forgot the Man U mids, even, who are showing exactly what that price bracket can do over the season

        2. Goonsquad245
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          This is a great post. +1 to all of it

    2. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I have a nagging doubt that Antonio could equal their points and that money could be spent elsewhere. There's not really anything to stop him apart from if he gets injured. I want to have both of them but feel like it is the irresponsible move.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        You can have all three! I agree that the 8.0 striker bracket remains hugely valuable - nothing in midfield compares.

        Trent - Others
        Salah - Raphinha - Gallagher - Gray/Doucore/or even Traore
        Ronaldo - Lukaku - Antonio

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Spread "Others" out

          1. Baines on Toast...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            So you can either go Shaw/James and three x 4.0s, or someone like Marcal with another 4.5 in there.

            1. Baines on Toast...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              Duffy & Liv I'm betting are hard to beat for season value if they stay in the sides, and they look safe.

            2. artvandelay316
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              It is tempting but I still see big gaps there, and not just with three 4m defence. I personally wouldn't want to lose the 7-7.5m mids that I have. I don't see the ones listed in mid being able to sustain their point scoring and if one loses their form or gets injured they are going to be tough to replace.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It’s looking that way

      Looks like the FPL “middle class” is about to get brutally squeezed out in favour of the elite and the cheaper guys

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks Marxius!

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          The proletarians of Livramento, Williams, Duffy, Gallagher, Gray, Traore, Sarr, Doucoure, Townsend, Soucek, Harrison have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.

          While the bourgeoisie of CR7, Lukaku, Salah sun themselves in their 12.0 mansions

          1. The Knights Template
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            FPL is the opium of the people!

      2. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        You Sir. Are also correct.

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Caveat: I wish I realised this last week when I wildcarded 😀

  4. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So, I don't have Salah. But I do have Bruno, Ronaldo and Jota.

    Should I sell Bruno for Salah

    Buy Van Dijk for more Liverpool cover, can't afford Trent.

    Although I expect Palace to put up a good fight v Liverpool Salah is quite likely to haul.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      These are good things to do.

  5. sovietrockettes
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Lord help me, I’ve just done Benrahma>Traore, Toney>Jimenez for my first hit of the season

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Fizzaahhhhhh!

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Brentford defensively have been strong this season in terms of chances conceded.
      Hopefully, Wolves can still score a few.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yup! Thinking of getting a Brentford wingback by GW10

  6. Al Pacho
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Marcal Ayling
    Salah Jota Raphinha Sarr Gray
    Ronaldo Lukaku

    Subs: Steer Livramento Duffy Scarlett
    WC activated
    0.1 ITB

    G2G?
    Do I need to do any changes to my team?
    Thank you

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I have Ayling and thinking about swapping for a defender who might actually get some cleansheets.

      1. Al Pacho
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Leeds have some good fixtures coming along tho

  7. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bamford only mentioned his hammy because, as a keen FPL player, he wants himself to be a differential against Newcastle.

  8. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who should be number one from now on - Ramsdale or Leno?

    Asking for a friend.

    1. sovietrockettes
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like Ramsdale

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      You’re the expert but suspect with the contract situation with Leno they want to bed in Ramsdale as first choice

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez

    4. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I hated the fact that Ramsdale joined Arsenal, but he's had a good start. I expect him to stay no1 until he does some big blunders

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        So... Next week? 😀

        He sure has a lot to prove. But maybe this is finally his time, with a good, hopefully settled defence ahead of him

  9. sovietrockettes
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Allan
    B) Tsimikas
    C) Lowton

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

      1. sovietrockettes
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Clean sheet against The Arsenal?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. sovietrockettes
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        How did he look last night?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I wasn't prepared for follow-up questioning.

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

    How is this WC looking? Not fan of money on the bench.

    Sanchez Steele
    Taa Shaw Semedo Williams Livra
    Salah Jota Gray Sarr Raph
    Jimi CR7 Bamford

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Fine

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Should be more than fine on the WC, any suggestions? 😀

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I'd be removing Jota on a WC. Too short term a punt for me. And you have no Chelsea. I'd want at least 1-2 Chelsea on a WC. You don't want to be booking transfers down the wallaby track.

          1. Pukkipartyy
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Im all for the fixtures and Jotas next two are very nice.
            GW7 CR7 + Jota -> Lukaku + Mount/Havertz. Dont like to book transfers but i like to play the fixtures.

            1. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              I wish you well in the battles to come.

            2. Ze_Austin
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              Oh. If you're doing this, get 4.5 for Sarr, Tierney for Williams now. Works better

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      So close to my team, I guess there's a template now for those of us going with just Ronaldo + Salah

      Sarr is annoying atm. He'll be good for two games, and then nought. Jota is also an explosive unknown, as the knight said. Bamford mentioned his hamstring. Can you keep your pre-WC team for one more GW?

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Nah already hit the button. How is your team wc team lookin?
        My only concern is that i dont like to have 5.5m (Gray) on the bench...

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Used my WC in GW3 and got lucky with my plans because it led to a GW5+ team with two hits

          I'm pretty sure you'd want Antonio vs this Leeds defence, especially if Bamford is out, so it might be worth having eight attackers for now just to keep him

          It's a very tricky situation to be on a WC, as the template is in flux due to absences

          FWIW, my current team is:

          Sanchez | Matthews
          TAA Shaw Tierney Marçal | Duffy
          (C) Salah Jota Raphinha Gray | Gilmour
          CR7 Jimenez | Antonio

          So I might be biased in all I'm saying

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

    Sanchez(Foster)
    TAA/Shaw/Reguilon/Ayling(Tsimikas)
    Salah/Fernandez/Benrahma/Gray/ Bissouma
    Lukaka(Antonio/Scarlett)

    Is Antonio + Fernandes to Ronaldo + Raphina a good move for a -4 hit?

    Leaves me with £1.6 ITB

    Cheers

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

      Yeah I would

  12. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So irritated that I moved out Gray from my WC draft and picked Raph instead. Effected my defender choice too!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I just brought him in on WC. No longer enraged.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Do well Sir!

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Likewise Sir Loon.

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

      take the hit and all will be fine

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        No way! Hahahaha. Raph Run starts now (hopefully)

  13. Johndwilcox
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Coufal out for James or Rudiger? Will James be nailed coming back

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Why would you think James is nailed? Why?

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      James will start about 4 in 5 which is probably good enough given his assist potential

  14. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Shaw Coufal Tsimi Omo
    Salah Greenwood Benrahma Raphinha Gilmour
    Ronaldo Antonio* DCL*

    Unfortunately got in DCL for this week and went early on Raphinha/Ronaldo with my 2FTs to avoid being priced out.

    Worth playing the WC or just get Jimi/Bam for DCL for -4 and ride out Antonio?

    Would WC to something like this

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Cancelo Shaw Semedo Livramento
    Salah Jota Greenwood Gray Gallagher
    Ronaldo Jimi 4.5

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Problem for me is, I don't ideally want to WC to get players between 5-7m in. There's not a premium in there that I have to re-shuffle around to get or so, rather just getting lots of in-form cheapies (which could be good) but it's more of a putting-out-fires-WC than a this-team-is-too-good-to-resist-WC and I don't like that

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Did you just answer your own post?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Sometimes you just have to listen & people will solve their own problems

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Haha, for me there is a difference between what I like and what is best for me. Asking if the situation is so bad that a WC is needed, even if it goes against how I originally planned on playing it

          2. The Knights Template
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks Maximus Aurelias!

  15. No Salah
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Coady Coufal
    Salah Bruno Jota Greenwood Benrahma
    Jimenez

    Steele Antonio Amartey Obafemi

    1 FT 0 ITB

    A. Benrahma + Antonio to Sarr + Bamford for -4

    B. Coufal to Marcal FT

    Any other suggestions?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      No Salah No Grav

  16. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Still not convinced who to pick as a 2-3 GW punt

    1. Sarr
    2. Gray
    3. Doucoure
    4. Trincao
    5. Traore
    6. Gallagher

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      sarr, best fixtures.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      One of the first three

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      One of the top 3. Looks like you've put ghem in the order you like.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sarr on penalties (hopefully), 3 nice fixtures and a bit of the X-Factor

      Has a ceiling as high as the Sistine chapel too when he's on it

  17. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Son could be back next GW?

    Should've kept him...

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      ... in a cage.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I keep all my players caged in mine dungeon. Tis an excellent performance motivator.

  18. lockdownlad
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone who watched that Watford v Wolves game, was Semedo as threatening as Marcal going forwards? Swapped Marcal for Semedo right at the deadline and now absolutely fuming.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo looked far more dangerous and was really high up the pitch. Marcal was pretty fortunate with his returns. Would prefer to have Semedo if I could have one.

      1. lockdownlad
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate, thanks. Only watched the highlights and I didn't know they both played in the full match.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      If you'd played better and kept Marcal you'd have 13pts.

      1. lockdownlad
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I know, still can't believe he got 2 assists the second I swapped him out.

    3. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo should have scored twice.

  19. falafel
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What du you guys think of Ödegaard?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      All falafel no shawerma

  20. Monty123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is this a FPL anomaly, both my main team and my second team are on precisely the same OR.

    Both are on the same points but shouldn't one be above the other even alphabetically?

  21. Monty123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    With DCL out and Everton's short term fixtures, is it worth bringing in the bully that is Rondon for Villa away and Norwich at home?

  22. kip kop
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Pick one for a WC team:

    a) Townsend
    b) Grey
    C) Doucoure