Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Pre Season – Part Two

Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho hand Liverpool some pre-season silverware, while Spurs put four past a Paris Saint-Germain side who have much to blame on their goalkeeper.

There are also draws for Newcastle United, Southampton and Swansea City, but Stoke City and Watford squeeze out narrow Saturday wins.

Here’s the second instalment of our Scout Notes from a bumper pre-season crop.

Leicester City 1 Liverpool 2

Liverpool came from behind to secure the Asia Trophy in a match that provided some possible answers to the conundrum of which players look like secure starters in the Reds’ highly competitive midfield.

Islam Slimani gave Craig Shakespeare’s side the lead, from a Christian Fuchs cross, before stunning goals from Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho secured the trophy for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

And it is that duo who are beginning to emerge as sure-fire starters for Liverpool – if the Brazilian remains at Anfield that is.

Salah’s goal, from a Coutinho assist, was his second pre-season strike. That form has persuaded 14.0% of Fantasy Premier League managers to take the plunge, and at 9.0 it’s currently looking like money well spent.

A massive 32.1% own Coutinho, who converted a Roberto Firmino pass for a superb long-range winner against the Foxes, and the 9.0-priced midfielder is another who Klopp will find very hard to ignore when Liverpool travel to Watford in Gameweek 1.

Firmino’s contribution was also welcome for the 19.0% of managers with him in their FPL front lines, but another popular pick, the 9.4%-owned James Milner, lasted just 40 minutes before coming off with a thigh problem.

Klopp was unsure as to the extent of the injury post-match.

“He felt it a little bit, a bit stiff. I hope nothing serious but we have to see.”

Bosses with the 6.5 man in their squads will be monitoring the situation studiously, particularly now that Andrew Robertson (5.0) has signed for the Reds to provide Milner with direct competition at left-back.

City boss Craig Shakespeare set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Jamie Vardy up front alongside Slimani, before switching to a 4-5-1 with Andy King supporting the England international after the break.

Matty James (4.5) was handed a second successive start in midfield after enduring a 19-month lay-off with a serious knee injury.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Amartey (Simpson 46), Maguire, Morgan (Benalouane 77), Fuchs; Mahrez (Musa 65), Drinkwater (Iborra 56), James (Ndidi 56), Albrighton (Lawrence 46); Slimani (King 46), Vardy (Ulloa 66).

Liverpool XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 55), Matip (Klavan 46), Lovren (Flanagan 84), Milner (Moreno 41); Wijnaldum (Solanke 65), Coutinho (Woodburn 55), Lallana (Henderson 46); Salah (Kent 65), Firmino (Sturridge 46), Origi (Grujic 46).

Paris Saint-Germain 2 Tottenham Hotspur 4

Spurs got their pre-season underway with a fine win against PSG in which the French side’s keeper played a major part.

Christian Eriksen had lashed in a superb 30-yard effort to equalise before Eric Dier gave the Londoners the lead when the Parisian goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, made an unholy hash of a clearance.

The hapless Trapp, whose performance suggested a bid to become Cockney rhyming slang, wasn’t finished either, as he was sent off in the second half for handling the ball outside his area.

Toby Alderweireld, with a shot from the edge of the box, and a late Harry Kane penalty rounded off the scoring for Spurs in Orlando.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 in both halves, with midfielder Harry Winks given his first outing since a serious ankle injury picked up in April.

Spurs XI First half: Lloris; Walker-Peters, Carter-Vickers, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Onomah, Eriksen, Nkoudou; Janssen.

Spurs XI Second half: Vorm; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele (Winks 60); Oakley-Boothe, Eriksen, Alli; Kane.

Preston North End 1 Newcastle United 1

Aleksandar Mitrovic was preferred to Dwight Gayle up front for Newcastle United, and he took his chance to score his first goal of pre-season.

Paul Dummett’s right-footed shot was saved, and Mitrovic followed up to slot in the rebound.

Magpies coach Rafa Benitez is reportedly keen on bringing in at least one more striker over the summer, so Mitrovic – and possibly even the 10.8%-owned Gayle (6.5) – remain far from assured Gameweek 1 starters.

Benitez handed Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo their debuts off the bench, while defender Florian Lejeune made his first start.

Full-back Manquillo (4.5) was given a mere 13 minutes to impress and was used on the right wing.

Speaking post-match, Benitez revealed that former Liverpool and Sunderland loanee Manquillo’s role is certainly not set in stone.

“…with Javier Manquillo he’s a player that can play in both positions. We needed some cover for the full-backs. So I think he has to improve from last season, but he has the potential. He can train and understand what we’re looking for. He can play in different positions and one who has experience in the Premier League.”

Lejeune, meanwhile, has made a strong start for Newcastle at centre-half, and could grow to be a popular pick in the 4.5 price bracket if he can cement his starting role.

Newcastle United XI First half: Elliot; Mbemba, Hanley, Lejeune, Dummett; Atsu, Diamé, Shelvey, Aarons, De Jong; Mitrović.

Newcastle United XI Second half: Darlow (Woodman 70); Yedlin, Mbemba, Lejeune (Manquillo 76), Clark; Murphy, Hayden, Colback, Pérez, De Jong (Roberts 62); Gayle.

Brentford 2 Southampton 2

Charlie Austin scored twice in eight second half minutes for Southampton, only for goalkeeper Fraser Forster’s error to hand their hosts a share of the spoils.

Austin pounced on a defensive mix-up to open his – and Southampton’s – pre-season account before latching on to a Sam McQueen cross to double his tally.

The 6.5-priced forward is owned by just 2.3% of FPL managers, while team-mate Manolo Gabbiadini (7.0) is currently in 5.0% of squads. The Italian saw action in the second half, but it was Austin who emerged in credit from the Griffin Park encounter.

Saints coach Mauricio Pellegrino stuck with his go-to 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dusan Tadic in the No. 10 role once again.

But there was no place for either James Ward Prowse or Nathan Redmond as they continue to recover from their Euro U21 exertions, while Cedric Soares also remains on extended leave following Portugal’s Confederations Cup campaign.

Southampton XI: Forster, Pied (Jones 77); Bednarek (Stephens 45), Yoshida (Gardos 77), Targett (McQueen 45), Davis (Wood 63), Romeu (Hojbjerg 63), Long, Tadic (Gallagher 63), Boufal (Johnson 71), Austin (Gabbiadini 63).

Amiens SC 0 Stoke City 1

Mame Diouf grabbed the only goal of a match which turned tasty after the break, with four Stoke City players shown yellow cards.

The forward, who was preferred to Saido Berahino in the lone striker role, notched his second consecutive pre-season goal for the Potters.

Manager Mark Hughes fielded a strong line-up, with Geoff Cameron alongside Ryan Shawcross at centre-half in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The arrival of Kurt Zouma on loan from Chelsea will surely limit Cameron’s prospects in that role.

With Darren Fletcher and Joe Allen deployed in the midfield pivot, Cameron’s best opportunity for starts may emerge at right-back where Glenn Johnson and Phil Bardsley are competing for minutes.

Elsewhere, Ramadan Shobhi is one to watch. He was handed a start and could get more opportunities now that Marko Arnautovic has left for West Ham.

The 5.0-priced midfielder might be hoping for increased pitch-time, but it would be a major surprise if Hughes doesn’t splash the cash on an Arnautovic replacement by the end of the transfer window.

Stoke City XI: Butland; Johnson (Edwards 46), Shawcross (c) (Muniesa 72), Cameron (Wollscheid 72), Pieters; Fletcher (Tymon 77), Allen (Imbula 77); Shaqiri (Verlinden 77), Bojan (Berahino 62), Ramadan (Adam 77); Diouf (Crouch 62).

SD Eibar 0 Watford 1

Etienne Capoue continued to build on his reputation for fast starts with the winning goal in Austria.

The Watford midfielder became last season’s early budget bandwagon on his way to a seven-goal, 131-point campaign, and he opened his summer account from an Isaac Success assist 12 minutes from time against the Hornets’ La Liga opponents.

Coach Marco Silva opted for his preferred 4-2-3-1 system with Ben Watson this time joined by Capoue in the pivot, while new signing Will Hughes was handed his first start as part of the attacking midfield three.

Forward Troy Deeney took no part in the tour of Austria and had what the club described as ‘minor surgery’ on a groin injury on Saturday.

Watford XI: Gomes (63, Bachmann); Janmaat, Kabasele, Prödl, Holebas; Watson (Chalobah 46), Capoue; Berghuis (Sinclair 46), Hughes (Doucouré 46), Amrabat; Okaka (Success, 63).

North Carolina 0 Swansea City 0

Leroy Fer and Jordan Ayew were particularly profligate as Swansea City completed their US tour with a goalless whimper.

Swans coach Paul Clement opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation in which Tammy Abraham started as the lone striker and midfielder Tom Carroll – a 4.3%-owned 4.5 option – again monopolised set-pieces in the continued (and almost certainly permanent) absence of Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Swansea City XI: Fabianski (Nordfeldt 62); Naughton (Rangel 62), Mawson (van der Hoorn 62), Fernandez, Olsson (Kingsley 62); Britton (Mesa 62), Carroll (Grimes 66); Fer (Fulton 66), Routledge (Narsingh 66), Ayew (Montero 66); Abraham (McBurnie 66).

A reminder that all the friendly results and key Scout Notes are being captured here, in our Pre-Season Guide.

2,183 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hey guys,
    Still looking for about 20 people to join my promotion/relegation Fpl draft tournament.
    Here's the original post that explains what it's about. http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/07/21/fpl-draft-is-released/?hc_page=8#hc_comment_15920786

    1. Kered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This link doesn't work. New one on new article page 1

  2. New Post
  3. fattfattygavgav
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Marks out of 10 please

    Foster
    Trippier, Lindelof, Bertrand, Monreal
    Willian, De Bruyne, Coutinho
    Kane, Lukaku, Gayle

    Elliot, Carroll, RLC, Rangel

    Thanks

    1. Kippers
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      7/10
      Swap Gayle

      1. fattfattygavgav
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, see your point but Gayle was great last season and might have a point to prove in the prem. Might shift to Austin eventually though

    2. perryjustin7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Unless the prices have changed already this selection is 500k over budget. Good team though.

    3. Boywiththesoupdragontattoo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'd save yourself 0.5m by swapping KDB for Ali and swap Lindelof or Monreal (both of whom might have rotation issues!) for Kompany...

  4. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Better choice:

    a) Daniels + Cedric + Alli (got Kane)
    b) 4.5 + Daniels/Cedric + KDB

    1. savemebarry1
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      a

  5. Parm
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else get that sickly feeling in your stomach looking at any striker under the price of £8.0m?

  6. Kippers
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Opinions please chaps

    Forster
    Alonso - Trippier - Soares - Azpi
    Zaha - Alli - Willian - Lanzini
    Kane - lukaku

    Did have defoe up front but swapped him for a premium defender.

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Nice team, no city players though.

      Any subs?

      1. Kippers
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Playing telegraph one so no subs.

        I did consider jesus/KDB but think Alli and kane will perform again this season

  7. arkom
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    My midfield now:
    KDB - Coutinho - Willian - 6£ - Carrol

    Best 6£ mid. please?

    Phillips? Snoddy? Chadli? Stanislas?

    1. Boywiththesoupdragontattoo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ince has a really good early fixtures as does Philips. The other left field choice is Ritchie of Newcastle.

    2. savemebarry1
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Phillips

  8. Dljbrown
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Any feedback on my first draft is appreciated.

    Courtious

    McAuley / Daniels / Cedric

    Ali / Pogba / Knockaert / Loftus-Cheek

    Kane / Lukaku / Jesus

    Subs: Joel Coleman / Hunemeier / Mccarthur / Rangel

    Thanks in advance

  9. AF90
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Most people going RLC as 5th mid? Is Chalobah a just as good/better option?

  10. Turns
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    So now thinking 442 for balance - what do you all think?

    Foster (Elliot)
    Alonso - Cedric - Trippier - Daniels (Long)
    Alli - Coutinho - Willian - Tadic (Carroll)
    Kane - Lukaku (Fletcher)

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty good. I would consider getting city players in though

    2. Capitan_K
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      nice. 8/10 Your subs suck

  11. Journeyman
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Currently here...

    Foster (Myhill)

    Lindehof, Cedric, Trippier, ... (Francis, Rangel )
    Ramsey, KDB, Mikhi, Redmond ..(..Loftus-Cheek )
    Lukaku, Kane, Gabbiadini

    Driven by opening fixtures, I'd thin Southampton out as we go. Is the theory. Decent plan?

  12. spedro20
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Martial or Mkhitarian? Why?

  13. Dele Harry
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    where can I find the rotations for this season?

  14. Boywiththesoupdragontattoo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Can't work out the best combo...

    Willian and Lukaku
    Sanchez and Gayle
    Or De Bruyne and Vardy?

    Any thoughts welcome!

    1. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      You can add

      Fabregas/Lanzini/Arnautivic/Zaha + Luk/Kun

      or

      Alonso + Luk/Kun

      Not clear which will bring home the bacon early on.

      I am currently on Fabregas Lukaku parnered with Aguero up front for my man city But I have no Kane. Someone must lose out. You decide you losses out.

  15. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Best options for a 5m midfielder?

    Thanks

    1. savemebarry1
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Don't. Just go for a 4.5 mid like Loftus-Cheek or Carroll, there's no decent 5.0m options.

  16. joeynse99
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    RMT

    Foster (Hart)
    Trippier, Bertrand, Daniels (Lowton/Rangel)
    Salah, Willian, Sane, Phillips (Romeu)
    Kane, Lukaku, Gayle

    1.0 mil ITB and swapping Gayle for Chicharito if he's priced at 7.5
    Thoughts?

  17. @FPL_Chess
      6 years, 7 months ago

      FPL Chess is normally a 30-40 strong mini-league (code 7741-3334); however, we advised you that it would be an honour if any Fantasy Football Scout players joined us - and you have – lots of you. Fabulous. If you check out the web site you'll see FPL Chess has been going since the 2010-11 season, but with the same people playing each other every year we knew we needed new players to freshen it up. So please continue to use the above code. And make yourself at home. You'll certainly be made welcome.