Fantasy Football Tips, News and Views from Fantasy Football Scout

Saturday saw a first in Fantasy Football Scout’s preparation for the new season. As per usual, there was a whole host of pre-season friendlies taking place in the build up to August 14th. However, for the first time, two members of the Scout team were able to -legally- take in 90 minutes of action in two of those many fixtures.

From the comfort of his Scottish manor, Sir Paulos put down his dutiful Scout Report pencil and took in the delights of Arsenal hosting AC Milan in the Emirates Cup. I, on the other hand, took a trip down to the Walkers Stadium as Steve Bruce brought his Sunderland team knocking on the door of my much beloved Leicester City. Here is what we gleaned from these fixtures, starting with my well esteemed colleague…

Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool successfully navigated the Macedonian minnow banana skin in their Europa League qualifier thanks to a brace from David Ngog. The French striker, who lives almost permanently in the shadow of Fernando Torres, came up with two quality strikes to see off FK Rabotnick and suggest that he is determined to prove himself at Anfield under the new regime…

Shay Given’s heroics in Man City’s shootout victory over Club America appear to have dismissed fears on the Irishman’s fitness. At the same time Given’s performance drew comments from boss Roberto Mancini on the future for Joe Hart that suggest that the England-hopeful could well face a year as understudy.

As we eluded to in our earlier pre-season catch-up, Mancini’s options across the side are plentiful making it any investment in City players a real risk from a Fantasy perspective. The goalkeeping situation is of particular interest because of Hart’s achievements at Birmingham last season. Hart will struggle to build on his reputation now that he is competing head-to-head with Given at City and he could well be in for a year of frustration in which Carling Cup outings become a highlight…

Avram Grant’s rebuilding program at West Ham continues to click through the gears with the addition of explosive winger Pablo Barrera from Mexican club side Pumas de la UNAM for £4m. The Mexico international arrives at Upton Park on a four-year deal and, as his performances at this year’s World Cup illustrate, will add some much-needed speed and trickery to the Hammers side.

Despite having a multitude of strikers last season, West Ham lacked any real pace going forward and mustered a mere 47 league goals all term, with their goal threat away from home, in particular, being a cause for concern; 17 goals and only one win on their travels was indicative of the lacklustre performances that led to Gianfranco Zola’s departure from the club.

Before leaving for Anfield, Roy Hodgson did squeeze in one purchase for Fulham by securing the services of Swiss International Philippe Senderos on a free transfer from Arsenal. After becoming a bit of a forgotten man at the Emirates over the last couple of years, the towering centre-back will be hoping for a fresh start at the Cottage and will be seeking to prove his doubters wrong.

At times his Premier League showings have been calamitous, but ex-Arsenal man has plenty of talent to offer his new employers. He reads the game well and is regarded as one of the more intelligent defenders around – after all Wenger doesn’t often sign players without something between their ears.

If he’s handed a solid run of games, Senderos could prove to be great value pick as he rarely gets booked, offers a reasonable goal threat at set pieces, and would profit from Fulham’s canny knack of keeping clean sheets in home games. Hodgson certainly rated him highly….

Sunderland continued their early summer recruitment drive by agreeing a £500K year-long loan deal with Egyptian club ENPPI for adaptable right-sided player Ahmed Al-Muhamaddi. The move comes with an option to make the move for the 22 year old Egyptian international – nicknamed the Egyptian Beckham due to his excellent crossing- a permanent one next summer for £2m.