Scout Notes

Josh King makes his case as the best budget FPL forward

We continue our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 12 Scout Notes with analysis of Watford v Manchester United, a match that saw the Red Devils suffer a humiliating 4-1 defeat which led to the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

For a briefer summary of Saturday’s action, click here.

WATFORD 4-1 MANCHESTER UNITED

  • Goals: Joshua King (£5.6m), Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m), Joao Pedro (£5.4m), Emmanuel Dennis (£5.2m) | Donny van de Beek (£5.7m)
  • Assists: Dennis x2, Kiko Femenia (£4.3m), Ben Foster (£4.1m) | Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.4m)
  • Bonus: Dennis x3, Pedro x2, van de Beek x1

KING JOSHUA

Two Watford strikers now sit among the top eight best-performing forwards of the season following Saturday’s thrashing of United.

A third double-digit haul of the campaign for Emmanuel Dennis (£5.2m) puts the Nigerian in fourth and, unsurprisingly, he is among the most-bought players of Gameweek 13 as a result.

But it’s Joshua King (£5.6m) where our focus lies in this write-up.

Since the Norwegian’s first start under Claudio Ranieri in Gameweek 9, no player in any position – not even Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) – can better him for goal attempts (17), big chances (seven) or the all-important goals scored (four).

Only the Egyptian has more penalty box touches in that time, which is perhaps surprising given how much King drifts to the left.

Josh King making a case as the best budget FPL forward

Three of those four strikes of course came against Everton a month ago, a match that might have just been written off as a freak occurrence were it not for his consistently good underlying numbers and another pasting of an established if beleaguered Premier League club at the weekend.

King had six attempts against Manchester United, another one of which ought to have been despatched via his head.

Watford are happening upon another below-par team in Gameweek 13 in the form of a Leicester City side who are without a clean sheet since the opening day.

But it’s the ticker-topping run from Gameweek 16-24 that particularly catches the eye:

It’s easy to make a snap judgement on some of the less fashionable sides like Watford when it comes to FPL transfers but with much more expensive forwards really struggling to make a case for inclusion elsewhere, a £5.6m striker being presented with regular chances should be worth a thought at least – especially one with a bit of Fantasy pedigree like King.

The Norwegian, incidentally, also has the advantage of not missing a chunk of games this winter due to the clash with the African Cup of Nations, something will affect Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m) and potentially Dennis.

SARR ON PENALTIES – OR OFF?

Might King be on penalties now, too?

Sarr had an eventful afternoon at Vicarage Road, twice missing from the spot – the referee ordering a retake of his original saved effort – before scoring Watford’s second goal and then limping off with a knee problem.

Joao Pedro (£5.4m) might be part of the equation after taking and scoring two last season (as Sarr did) but isn’t a regular starter, while King converted 10 of the 12 spot-kicks that he was presented with at Bournemouth.

As for the knee injury that appeared to force Sarr off, Ranieri didn’t seem too concerned after full-time.

“I think [he’s OK], I didn’t want to risk him. He runs a lot. I don’t know if maybe the knee… I don’t know. In the next days, the doctors will see everything.” – Claudio Ranieri on Ismaila Sarr’s substitution

SORRY UNITED

Following Solskjaer’s departure, Michael Carrick will take charge of United while the search for an interim manager goes on.

Chelsea’s clash with the Red Devils in Gameweek 13 might show up as a blob of red on your Season Ticker of choice but there is little to concern the likes of Reece James (£6.1m) and Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) based on recent evidence, with the out-of-sorts United second-best against Watford even before Harry Maguire (£5.4m) was sent off for two bookings.

Already without Maguire and Raphael Varane (£5.5m) for the trip to west London, United will be sweating over the availability of Luke Shaw (£5.2m) after he seemingly suffered a second concussion in the space of a fortnight at Vicarage Road. He didn’t make the trip to Spain for the midweek Champions League tie with Villarreal as a result.

Most of United’s players have been off the menu for some time in FPL but there will be hope that the appointment of a new head coach, even a short-term one, can reinvigorate the likes of Bruno Fernandes (£11.7m) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.4m) and increase their appeal to us Fantasy managers – particularly with an attractive fixture swing coming up in Gameweek 15/16:

Until then, though, targeting a patched-up defence that has conceded 15 goals in their last five matches looks like the play to make.

And in further good news for James owners, United have allowed more chances to be created from their left flank than any other side in that time…


Watford XI: Foster; Femenia, N’Koulou (Troost-Ekong 64), Cathcart, Masina; Sarr (Hernandez 68), Cleverley, Sissoko, Louza (Pedro 77), Dennis; King.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw (Dalot 85); Matic, McTominay (van de Beek 46); Sancho (Lingard 90), Fernandes, Rashford (Martial 46); Ronaldo.

207 Comments Post a Comment
  1. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one for next gw-

    A Antonio
    B Raph
    C Lamptey

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C

  2. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Repost

    A. Mbeumo (EVE) + 4 points

    Or

    B. Jota (SOT)

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

      B

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      IF fit and IF Firmino isn't close to returning then B.

  3. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Guaita, Foster
    Rudiger, TAA, Cancelo, Livra, Manquillo
    Salah, Son, Raphinha, Mbeumo, Brownhill
    Vardy, Antonio, Toney

    2FTs, 0itb
    A handful of issues with my team, I'd say, but kind of thinking I sell Son or Vardy to help fund James or Chilwell. Yea or nay? Not above a hit either, fwiw.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Sell vardy

    2. AD105
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Antonio/Mbuemo/Manq> King/Gallagher/James?

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Bit short on King. Would have to be Dennis.

        1. AD105
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          He’d do the job

  4. AD105
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Keep Foden or Antonio? One needs to go to free up funds

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

      I would be tempted to keep Foden

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Keep foden if not injured

  5. Cheeky Onion
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Appreciate any thoughts on this weeks moves - 0.7 ITB - 1 FT - WC still available

    Sanchez
    TAA - Cancelo - Rudiger
    Salah - Son - Havertz - Raph
    Antonio - Toney - Armstrong

    Foster - Veltman - Livra - Brownhill

    A) Antonio > Jimi/Benteke
    B) Havertz > Gallagher/ESR/City mid
    C) Veltman + Antonio/Havertz > James + Benteke/ESR (-4)
    D) Roll FT

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B to make funds for James

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        ESR, Gallagher or other mid 7 mil or less?

  6. EffPeeEll
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Antonio & Mbeumo > Bentekers & ESR

    or

    Antonio > Bentekers and roll a Xfer

    thx

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure
      If it was to Jota I would

  7. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    1 FT. 1.5 ITB

    Ramsdale
    TAA James Cancelo
    Salah Son Raph Saka Mbeumo
    Toney Wilson

    Foster Antonio Duffy Livra

    A) Save FT
    B) Raph —> Jota (if fit)
    C) Duffy —> Regulion

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A or Mbuemo to Gallagher

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

  8. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Now have the defence of Taa, James, Chilwell and Cancelo with Livra sub, probably won’t change this all season unless injury or suspension

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      same, been working a treat for me last 4-5 GW's or so

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      You will change it because that is how FPL works.

      1. demob
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Exactly. How naive

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. — Mike Tyson

  9. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Swap Foden + 4.5m defender to TAA + 4.5m mid? .... have 2FT

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on the rest of your team

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        It's a team without TAA!

        Thanks - The only way he can come in is by downgrading Foden, Son or Vardy. I would end up playing TAA instead of Foden, which probably means more points

        1. KunDogan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Ditch Vardy

        2. demob
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Vardy obvi

  10. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Any ideas where to go with my team long term?

    Ramsdale Gunn
    TAA Cancelo Dias James Chilwell
    Salah Son Gallagher Bowen Allan
    Jesus Antonio Dennis

    1ft
    0itb

    Will save this week but next tempted to do Son and Jesus to Mane and cheap striker.

    That will give me enough to upgrade Allan to ESR.

    Question is. Is a strike force of Antonio, Dennis and a Broja or King if I can stretch that far strong enough?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      United in 16 if they look half decent

  11. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    why is foden flagged. he got a kick and played a good 30 mins more

    1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Pep said he had a problem in his leg before the match. He got kicked and went down a couple times yesterday, and was subbed shortly after the last kick. Doubt it's anything more than precaution. I'm more concerned about him being on the wing.

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      He is not flagged in my team.

    3. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not flagged anymore

  12. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Best Gray replacements? 6.7m or less

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Gallagher
      Cornet
      ESR

      1. AD105
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        This

      2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I plan on ending up with Gallagher and Raphinha as my set and forget cheapies. But I have more faith with Raphinha for the rest of the season, and Gallagher for the short term (and maybe long-term if he keeps it up)

  13. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Why are most ppl down on Reguilon?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      It's Spurs?

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        It's Spurs under Conte? Reguilon is pretty much a forward now. They have decent fixtures. I guess I'm overlooking something, because Reggy seems like a steal in the 4th defender spot.

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I am looking at after Burnley as agree could get points

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I think he’s a great pick.

      But is he better than TAA Cancelo Chillwell Rudiger?

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Oh and James

      2. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        no, but that's why he's ~1m cheaper

  14. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Is Ruidger to Chilwell sideways? Have James too

    1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nah. Chilwell on set pieces and playing high up the pitch.

    2. AD105
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Much higher points ceiling so a good move in my book if there are no other fires in your time to put out - Chilly has averaged 9 odd points per game this season

      1. AD105
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        *team

    3. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers!

    4. DB_00
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Thinking of the same move here. I think long term it will be worth it as Rudiger has a lower ceiling. Just unsure if it's the best use of a transfer right now with rotation surely coming for Chilwell in this busy period. Tough one

    5. tangtastic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      if its an improvement its not sideways

  15. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Which move to do this week
    1) muembo to Gallagher
    2) Foden to jota

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      2

    2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Same dilemma. I might just hold.

    3. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      1 easy

    4. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Both perhaps?

  16. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Havertz and Antonio -> Son and Benteke (-4)?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yeh

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Tekkers…brave man

  17. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    D. Luiz/Antonio to Jota/King for free? Benching headache but December meens rotation

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yes I would.

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yeh

  18. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Been on a fantastic run recently…

    A. Anything worth a FT? Zero itb
    B. Right bench ?

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo. Trent. Chilwell. James
    Raph. Salah c. Jota.
    Antonio. Kane. Pukki

    Foster. Mbuemo. Livra. Brownhill

    1. demob
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Roll

      1. Meechoo115
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. And Antonio or Mbuemo ?

  19. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hi folks. Take a hit here and bench Raphina or Toney?

    Sanchez
    Trent, Cancelo, Chillwell, James, Reguillon
    Salah, Jota, Zaha
    Ronaldo, Toney

    Steele, Raphina, Bissouma, Davis 0ft .2itb

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing worth a hit. Close but I would bench Raph. Or perhaps Reg. Or Toney.

      Great team

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thank you. Reguillon was in the box so much yesterday though albeit he didn’t get the pass to him but at least in positive positions. Can everyone poor form continue? Raphina and Jota flagged anyway might make the decision for me…

    2. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Funnily enough your player with nastiest fixture and in a team in disarray is Ronaldo !!

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I know but everyone has double Chelsea including myself and if someone is going to ruin it it will be him! Also, you can’t bench him really otherwise you just sell but I don’t think that’s worth a -4!

  20. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    a. Sarr -> Gallagher/ESR
    b. Antonio -> Wilson
    c. do something else

    Sánchez
    Cancelo, Chilwell, James, TAA
    Raphinha, Salah, Son, Sarr
    Jiménez, Toney

    Steele, Gilmour, Antonio, Duffy
    2 free transfer, 0.1 million in the bank

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A to Gallagher

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed