Scout Notes

International Scout Notes – Sunday

There’s injury news both good and bad involving Liverpool midfielders, while a key defensive asset for Spurs looks set to be fit for Saturday’s north London derby.

On the pitch, meanwhile, Switzerland and Croatia book their places at Russia 2018.

Here are the notes from Sunday’s international programme.

Mixed news for key trio

Liverpool’s attacking options received a boost when Sadio Mane returned fit and firing for both club and country last week.

But the midfielder has now been released from international duty, with his national federation citing concerns over the recurrence of ‘an old injury’ following his star turn in Senegal’s 2-0 win over South Africa on Friday.

That is understood to refer to the hamstring problem that had kept him out of action for a month before he produced a double-digit performance on his return for Liverpool in their Gameweek 11 win at West Ham.

Mane provided two assists in the 4-1 victory over the Hammers and followed that up with another as Senegal sealed their place at Russia 2018.

Owned by 7.6% of Fantasy Premier League managers, the winger’s release by Senegal was confirmed in a statement from the country’s FA.

“After consultations between the medical staff of the national team of Senegal and Liverpool, it was decided by mutual agreement to make him available to his club to continue treatment until full recovery.”

Mane will now be assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff on his return to the club ahead of the Gameweek 12 visit from Southampton on Saturday.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Jurgen Klopp, however.

Long-term absentee Adam Lallana is reportedly close to a return, while Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has now declared himself fully recovered from a groin issue that had kept him out of Liverpool’s last three matches in all competitions.

He was unused on the bench in Brazil’s friendly win over Japan on Friday and hopes to feature in his country’s match at Wembley tomorrow.

“Unfortunately, I could not play for Liverpool in the past three games because of injury. Now I feel 100 percent fit, I have recovered, and I am in a good shape to be available for the game against England.”

Injuries and the protracted saga of a possible move to Barcelona have dampened Fantasy interest in Coutinho this season – he is currently owned by just 4.4% of managers.

But he is now making all the right noises, stating that he is happy and ‘playing in one of the biggest leagues in the world’, and could become a differential prospect for Liverpool in an excellent upcoming schedule.

A Gameweek 13 visit from Chelsea and a pre-Christmas trip to Arsenal aside, the Reds’ fixtures are set fair until the middle of January.

Meanwhile, Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen (8.7%) has reportedly recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of Belgium’s 3-3 draw with Mexico on Friday.

The centre-half could now feature in his country’s friendly with Japan tomorrow ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s north London derby.

Elsewhere…

Switzerland booked their place at Russia 2018 with a 1-0 aggregate win over Northern Ireland.

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and Stoke City midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri started last night’s second leg goalless draw, with the latter withdrawn after 80 minutes.

West Brom defender Jonny Evans saw a last-minute header cleared off the line that would have taken the tie into extra time.

He was joined in the side by club-mate’s Gareth McAuley and Chris Brunt. All three, together with Southampton midfielder Steven Davis, played the full match for the Ulstermen.

Croatia’s play-off passage to next year’s World Cup finals was rather less fraught.

They completed a 4-1 aggregate victory over Greece with a 0-0 draw away last night in which Liverpool centre-half Dejan Lovren played the full 90 minutes for the second time over the international break.

Everton winger Nikola Vlasic was an unused substitute last night, having seen seven minutes of action in the first leg.

Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey played the full 90 minutes for Ghana in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw at home to Egypt.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny and Stoke City’s Ramadan Sobhi started and finished for the visitors.

Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie started and played 56 minutes for Benin in a 1-1 draw with Tanzania.

462 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mikeharbrw
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    PLEASE LET THIS INTERNATIONAL BREAK BE OVER SOON

  2. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Feels weird selling a GK that got a CS, pen save and max baps in the same fixture last season.

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Who’s that?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Forster 😛

    2. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Forster?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yup. If he had half decent fixtures I’d probably keep but his next 12 or so are just terrible. Doesn’t justify the .5 over Ryan/Pope.

    3. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I feel bad never having Gomes in my team again after he got 2 penalty saves a clean sheet and max bonus in a game a couple years ago (a YC too though to lose 1pt). Most I ever got from a keeper in 1 game.

  3. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Which move is best?
    A) alonso + rooney to lukaku + dann
    B) alonso + rooney to morata and alder
    C) walker and rooney to dann and lukaku
    *will buy christensen if he proves to be nailed or courtois later after liverpool vs chelsea.

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      definitely B

  4. HLaw/91
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    How'd you get your name to show up in the Hall of Fame?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      join the league

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      show up?
      if you want to know where you stand,put your name in

  5. Expected Toulouse
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Sorry for repost, bottomed on the last article.

    A. Play Tom Carroll
    B. Mbemba to Mee (-4) play Mee.

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B pays off long term

      1. Cityzen Kane
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed but Arsenal the following week? maybe a -4 given that might not make it worth while?

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      BBBBBB

    3. Expected Toulouse
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers.

  6. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Sensible moves?

    Tammy and Salah in for Jesus and Ritchie (-4)

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      crazy wildcat move imo to get tammy in

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah but I'm not sure Tammy would do anything this week.

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yess

    4. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Tammy has been involved in 5 of swans’ 7 goals btw 🙂

    5. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Any move that replaces Ritchie with Salah is a good move to be fair

  7. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Mane 🙁

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm hoping it's precautionary !

  8. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    The RMT tool is backing Richarlison as my 1st choice captain this week... 😀

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      its a computer

      1. GoonerByron
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I know, just interesting to see!

    2. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'd agree IF it wasn't a home game!

  9. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Does the fact that Liverpool have not scored against Southampton in their last four games against them put anyone off captaining Salah or Mane (if fit)?

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      no

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No, I just never considered it.

      Dont have them all but imo Kane Lukaku and Aguero are much better options this GW

  10. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski Elliot
    Cedric Azpi Stones Ward Mbemba
    Silva Sterling Salah RLC Carroll
    Kane Morata Vardy

    got 0.2 itb but 2 FT

    Can't see any way to get Lukaku in there? Maybe just Cedric and Mbemba out for better cover?

    1. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe just Cedric out so you have 2 FT next week in case you need to swap in a different big hitter.

    2. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      cedric out definitely the best move.
      Think you are covered without Upgrading Mbemba just yet, but something to look at soon.

  11. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    You get the feeling that Phil Jones could pull up at any minute.
    One of these days he is going to limp off and leave his owners with a 1 pointer, while Man U go on to keep a clean sheet.

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Well yeah, but his price is still worth it

    2. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He did that at Huddersfield. Its just the rest of his fellow back four got the same!

    3. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      high % of that every week. But worth the risk as they do keep clean sheets and he's so cheap compared to rest of united defenders

  12. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Which combo for WC?

    A) Zaha/Ramsey + Niasse
    B) Gross + Abraham

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      CL and zaha

      1. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Why CL? He didn't start the last game

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      A

  13. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    There can't be any doubt that the wildcard is the most powerful weapon in our chip rack therefore looking at the best way to employ it is integral to our success.
    Since the chips were introduced into fpl the common theory has been to save it for around the double weeks so we can maximise the bench boost chip, cant help thinking that's floored logic, why use your most powerful weapon to upgrade a lesser chip?
    The 2nd wildcard is available from gw22. From gw23 Chelsea and Arsenal in particular have great fixtures, wonder how many points could be gained by an early wildcard then work towards getting your dgw team in order.
    Also I reckon free hit the next best if used properly, bench boost gives you the best chance of a green arrow because it's 4 extra players but the ability to pick anyone you want to for one week is truly salivating, will wait for more dgw info but I'm hopeful a well played fhc could be the defining moment of our seasons, using it in a bumper dgw could well be amazing and a much higher point ceiling than an underwhelming reduced fixture list of a blank

    1. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Last year was my first time playing (started in gw13).
      Due to inexperience I used it in Jan/Feb I think. On the double game week with bench boost I scored 158 points. I found as long as I planned in advance it wasn't a big deal.

  14. Scout Pick Community Champion Lottery – Gameweek 12
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Scout Pick Community Champion Lottery – Gameweek 12

    Once again we are on the look out for a champion to represent the community to take on the Scout Picks and win the chance of a prize.

    If you want to take part please email your FFS name and FPL ID number to community@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk .

    The champion will then be selected at random shortly after the deadline of 8:30am Wednesday and then be asked to submit their XI by Friday 12 noon by emailing me at jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk

    We only need 11 picks and please be mindful of the 84m budget. There’s no captain in the picks either and please stick to a designated FPL formation, including no more than three players from one team. No captain or chips will be applied.

    At the end of the season the champion who beats the picks by the highest margin will win a £100 Amazon voucher.

    The champion will be revealed in a midweek Scout Squad article, which will outline our initial thinking around the picks. Our and the champions picks will be revealed as usual in the Scout Picks article.

    Should the community “Champion” fail to provide an initial or final Scout Pick selection, then an “Assistant Manager” chosen by us, will gain control of the selection to represent the community for the Gameweek in question.

  15. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Step aside Mo, Captain Kane has go this...

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      *got

  16. Key Lessons learned so far
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Fantasy Football Scout daily hot topic

    In yesterday's Hall of Fame analysis a number of key issues emerged from the top ten's successes and failures. http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/11/12/hall-of-fame-analysis-egersdorff-leads-the-way/

    Wildcard timing is key - with GWK 4 proving too early, while GWK 6 perfectly timed.

    Leaping on emerging bandwagons quickly - with those who pounced on City assets doing well and those who hesitated slipping down the rankings.

    Another key lesson was to use mini wildcards and save transfers. Those who have used 1 hit to make three transfers have achieved some good rankings boosts.

    Have some of those lessons above been key lessons you have also learned?

    What other key lessons have you learned from this season so far?

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      The GWK 4 Wildcard may well be the worst in FPL history - given the warnings that were given at the time about lack of information and the way that so many top managers fell down the rankings as a result of using it.

      This is the first season where I can recall such an early move falling so flat and a key lesson I've picked up is to be very wary about using it early next season.

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yep, awful GW4 wildcardage, regretted it almost immediately.
        Was bittersweet as a Liverpool fan watching them hammer Arsenal with no fantasy coverage in GW3, that and a poor start led me to the wildcard. I think it's important to take a step back and try to make less emotional decisions. Usually I can do that but I ballsed up on this occasion.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          What you have though is the pedigree to turn it around.

          Those 'mini wildcards' have done wonders for Grant and Mark. Looks to be key to a big rankings boost.

          1. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah, that's interesting, only a couple of gameweeks ago I was ahead of Mark and I'm certainly not averse to the odd hit. I'd say I've taken a fair amount less than usual this season actually.

        2. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          While the Wildcard was hardly a success for either of us, I feel it's harsh not to acknowledge that GW4 Carders who backed Liverpool were more than a little unfortunate.

          Liverpool looked untouchable vs Arsenal, urging investment in Firmino etc with the GW4 WC. Just as City looked fantastic for those playing their WC's later. The difference was, City continued to fly and Liverpool crashed, mainly due to one event that involved both teams a week after the GW4 cards were activated.

          Mane saw red at City to take himself out of the equation for three matches - which clearly didn't help Firmino's prospects. He shifted to the flank and suddenly the WC to bring him in and back Liverpool looked ill-fated.

          You can call it bad timing, but above all, looking back, that's just bad luck.

          That was followed by 34 shots for Liverpool against Burnley in GW5. That's the most shots of any time in a single match this season - including anything City have produced since.

          Also, in my case, I backed Alexander-Arnold who played, had an effort cleared off the line and set up more chances (7) in a single match than any defender so far this season (and any player at all until Ozil in GW10) - including one that Solanke hit the bar with from three yards out.

          He also conceded vs Burnley - the only occasion Liverpool have let in a goal at Anfield in five matches so far.

          Had Mane's not seen red at City, the matches that followed, including Burnley, could have been very different.

          Let's not also forget that Pogba's injury fell immediately after GW4 and he was a major asset brought in at that time. Again, that's turned out to be crucial for those who held Lukaku or backed United with the early WC.

          It could have been very different and the failing of the GW4 WC wasn't all down to a bad call on timing.

          Arguably, you shouldn't need luck if you've played your WC, but the events that immediately followed GW4 were unfortunate IMO.

          1. J0E
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Picking Alexander Arnold as part of a rotation with Tom Carroll and Loftus Cheek ahead of a nightmare run of fixtures for the young loanee wasn't bad luck ...that was just bad 😉

            1. Mark
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 17 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              He wasn't - TAA was my fifth defender not my fourth.

              My defence was Jones, Cedric, Naughton, Dawson and TAA post WC.

              He was a punt with Burnley in mind that didn't come off.

              1. The Rumour Mill
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                I look forward to the picking of Trent Alexander Arnold still being debated over, attacked and defended in scoutcast 700 in about a decade's time! 😀

              2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                It was only Gomez being stupid enough to get that last minute CL red that ruined it...

              3. GHB
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                Mark stop biting on this! Jonty has been winding you up ever since, it’s great to watch/read tbh

            2. Legomané
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Very rich coming from the man who persuaded some of us that Mooy was a valid FPL pick 🙂

          2. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            I hear you, things can always work out differently and I do feel like I've had more than my fair share of bad luck this season though I don't like to dwell on it.

            For my part though, to suddenly double up on Liverpool when they're away at City in the early kick off after an international break is hardly ideal and I even dispersed with Jesus in the process (again, Liverpool fan). That left me without an obvious captain choice so I went down the one week Lacazette punt route too. It could have all worked out beautifully but I honestly didn't fancy my chances and had already regretted it going into the gameweek.

          3. ChristoBisto
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            It was too quick to jump on Liverpool and Firmino after one good game, they are notoriously flaky. The Man City thing is different, after seeing them on form for a couple of games it indicated sustained form. We can all quote stats that indicate we were unlucky not to score more points. With all due respect Mark you should put your hands up and acknowledge the mistakes.

            1. Cityzen Kane
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              I had Firmino and Salah week 1.... due to watching them preseason. They were impressive. It is very true Mane not there has affected them, particularily Firmino

              1. ChristoBisto
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                Salah seems to have done alright

                1. Cityzen Kane
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 4 months ago

                  yeah, he has. But I feel with Mane he will excell

          4. Hymie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            I'm sorry, but as a Liverpool fan myself, the fixtures after GW2 never demanded you pick even one Liverpool player. I even traded out Salah back then for god knows who, still find myself in the top 100k.

            Given all the resources at your disposal, you really should be able to step back and prioritise fixtures + form rather than backing one or the other on an "eye-test" or past reputation.

            If "ifs and buts"...

      2. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Gw4 wildcard worked very well actually. Like always it's just about picking the right players.

      3. Expected Toulouse
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah definitely, i wildcarded around then and failed. Have had steady gains but nothing special. I have had a bad year getting my captaincy right. That has cost me. Next year will definitely hold on longer with WC.

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

        Give it a rest, please. I think you've gone on about that for long enough.

      5. pax888
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Played my wildcard GW3 and very happy with how it went.

        Brought in Davies, Jones, Eriksen, Richarlison, Kane.

        Obviously a few that didn't work out as well - Alonso, Pogba (injured shortly after), Firmino.

        Don't think there's ever a right or wrong time to play just whatever works for your team and circumstances at the time!

      6. dimitros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        What are the criteria for evaluating a Wildcard as failed?
        I used my Wildcard on GW4, knowing that many big teams were playing away(Spurs, Chelsea, Utd), or together(City - Liverpool), but it then paid off as i was expecting. This can be shown from the results on the following weeks:
        GW1 59
        GW2 52
        GW3 56
        GW4 37
        GW5 52
        GW6 76
        GW7 77

        GW 1-3 Average:55.6
        GW 4-7 Average:60.5

      7. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I seem to recall the transfer window and bedding in new players was still fresh & raw with team formations still not settled down. Most were just eager to play the WC and pick a new squad after a slow start, it is supposed to be fun after all 🙂

    2. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I played my WC in GW4 and have moved from 1.6m to 116k. Obviously it depends a lot on how you shaped up at the start.

      The biggest lesson I have learned is that the best returns (Citeh players aside, who will score v anyone) come from big assets playing at home against reasonable/good teams or away against anyone. The worst sides in the league now know how to shut up shop

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        That home and away point is really interesting...and crucial re Kane.

        Kane has scored in every single league game he's been available for against Arsenal. Yet he will be barely captained in comparison to those home fixtures against Palace etc.

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Look at games where Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal have scored well. It is against teams who cannot just set up to shut up shop (Arsenal at Everton and home to Leicester, Liverpool at WHU and Watford, Spurs at Huddersfield and home to Liverpool).

          No team can kick off a home game with the target being a 0-0 draw, so have to attack and so will leave gaps at the back. The same goes for Liverpool and Leicester when they travelled to Spurs and Arsenal respectively, their fans would have expected them to be looking for a result. Result: chances against them.

          For this reason (and many more), I think Kane is a better option than Salah against a Saints defence which I would expect to be looking first of all for a clean sheet. That's not to say Kabe will score more (it's only a theory, not a rule), but I expect him to have more opportunity to score

          1. J0E
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Salah is no where near the armband for me either. Liverpool haven't scored in their last four against Southampton. Bogey team.

            1. Going Home
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Also a fair point - but the same would apply to Lukaku (not in my side so not my first thought). Benitez can set up looking to hold for a 0-0 and no Newcastle fan would be unhappy with their lack of endeavour. This could well limit Lukaku's attacking threat. Arsenal at home to their biggest rivals arguably have no choice but to look for the win, and so I would expect Kane to have plenty of opportunities to score

            2. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              ....2 of the 4 games were league cup games played within 2 weeks of each other where neither Mane or Salah played, arguably 2 of the most exciting players currently in the PL.

              1. J0E
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                Also Southampton are arguably much worse so I hope you are right with your optimism, especially as a Salah owner.

            3. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              I’m predicting a Salah blank in the next two, SOU and che.

              Hopefully, his price then starts to drop a little and I can get him in.

              1. rohanchaini
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 4 months ago

                Do you check Salah's record against Chelsea?
                He scored every time whenever he meets Chelsea.

          2. Alnair
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            This is a very interesting point.

            1. Going Home
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 4 months ago

              Cheers Alnair - if it holds up over the coming weeks, I might put together an article/stats analysis

        2. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Probably a lot to do with Lukaku having Chelsea away one week and Newcastle home the next. If Lukaku had Chelsea away this week then Kane would have been default captain at Arsenal.

        3. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          He will be my captain though - as I dont have Lukaku.

    3. CL4PTRAP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      WC chip played far too early, GW3. Not enough information at the time. Shifting my structure too often afterwards led to big hits and I'm still not quite there yet. Need to exercise far more patience.

    4. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      1. Be wary of any team that changes its home stadium. Twice in 2 years now we have seen with Spurs and WHU a previously strong home team be compromised by unfamiliar surroundings. West Ham are still yet to recover. Spurs have shown signs of improvement at Wembley but certainly aren't matching their home form of last season against the poor sides. The will be relavent next season too when Spurs move into new WHL, and whenever Chelsea move out of Stamford bridge too.

      2. Be flexible and adaptable with your initial squad structure and formation. This will save you from having to take the early wildcard before seasons trends have fully developed, as Jonty alludes to above. A good spread of teams covered with good value players should save you from terrible gameweeks in those early weeks.

    5. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Don't obsess about having 3 premium strikers - it's almost a bandwagon. Particularly if you are rarely going to captain the 3rd striker.
      Did a flip through the top 100 sides (couldn't be bothered to do more) and not many taking that approach. And it's not all about what chips they have or haven't played.
      Funds spread through the side will pay off better over a run of GWs.

    6. darrellb
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      for me, its following my gut a bit more even when the statistics tell you otherwise. this year ive almost completely ignored it. i know its hindsight, but wouldve saved me from at least 2 dud captain kanes including last week. saw them coming but still went ahead with it.
      of course theres the risk of it failing like az's richarlson captain gamble but at least then u know u gave it a shot.

    7. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Still got my wildcard, I have four defensive transfers plus Morata to bring in but I can work through them and save it. I'm hoping there is a season defining occurance to capitalise on in December, an injury or whatever, then I can adjust. Such as City being down to one striker etc.

      Something I've learnt is to not be too hasty to move on good players. Unless someone is seriously out of form, I'm more inclined to stick rather than twist these days. Too easy to get bitten. We read it every week guys selling two players for a hit only for one of the two they bring in to not play and end up 20 points down or whetever.

      1. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        same as you. kept WC for same reasons. Last December injuries saw me drop from 250k to 975k in 4 GWs.

        I've saved FTs where possible and had a couple of mini-WCs to sort out injuries and dropped players like Stephens.

        Still got most of the "core " players I started season with - one notable exception was Lukaku to Kane GW5.

    8. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      After struggling massively at the start of this season, my lessons learnt would be:

      - In teams that play a single striker and 2 wingers (say a 433), go with one of the wide players. Typically, they’ll be the paciest players and be the target of through balls, creating one-on-one situations or assists via cutbacks. They’re classed as midfielders in FPL, so earn the extra points per goal and CS.

      A midfield of Salah, Sterling, Sané, Richarlison would have served you quite handsomely and didn’t require rocket science levels of intelligence to switch to after GW4.

      - Ensure your squad has a strong captain candidate for any given week. It’s not about picking the leader of the captain poll necessarily, but going with the form option. Ideally, they’ll have a home fixture too. Target attacking players against teams on a bad run, teams that you know play openly, or teams with an injury crisis in defence, midfield.

      - Choose strikers that are free from rotation... Morata, Lukaku, Kane. They’re most likely to be your go-to captain and choosing Kane(c) in a blank against Swansea, Bournemouth, etc. is still the low risk call than a 1 pointer from Jesus.

      - Generally, play safe with your captain pick and take risks in your squad. Don’t be put off by rotation in squad players under 8m if they’re proving explosive when they do play.

      - Rotation is increasing each year. Do what you can to recognise which players are key for the CL side and will have reduced minutes in the PL. Alternatively, choose players with minimal squad competition or CB’s which are rotated much less than other positions, generally.

      - Don’t try and be too clever, I.e. don’t move heaven and earth to jump on who you think will be the next bandwagon before he’s showing signs of picking up speed. An example here is Alexis Sanchez.

      - Minimise hits. Plan for 6 weeks at a time and remain patient.

      You can’t account for luck, but I know if I’d followed this advice and remained disciplined, id be doing much better than I am this season.

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Some great stuff but I would say that opting for Sane in the GW4 WC would have been an outlandish maverick move.

        He'd started 1 of 3 by that point and did not have a single attacking return.

        Salah - for sure, Richarlison and Sterling - yeah, they had shown promise but, you'd have need a bit of vision to overlook Mky, Pogba, Eriksen/Ali at the time.

        We can always look back and spot the oversights but if we take a snapshot of the season at any point so far, we can do similar because there's been no established template as yet.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers Mark. I did hesitate before stating after GW4, but GW4 was the first week we saw Man City minus Kompany and the adoption of 4123/2323 in win over Liverpool (Sané scoring twice). City then went on to thrash Watford away in GW5.

          We were concerned about Sané playing LWB, but with Kompany out, it became apparent that in GW4 and since, he would have faith in Sterling and Sané.

      2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I think this post and Mark's at the start of the topic basically cover my failings too. I'm now stuck between going back to basics to slowly turn the season around or being aggressive with hits and differentials. Get the feeling the latter may end badly if I go that route...

    9. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think you can make hard and fast rules after having looked at ten managers teams. Only one of which is doing really well.

      I used my WC immediately after the first GW, due mainly to injuries and their obvious ensuing price falls. Resulting in 43pts more than if I hadn't, plus a team value of 100.5, rather than 99.5. To say that this was too early and an incorrect decision is a little silly imo.

      Suppose what I am trying to say is that FPL being so dynamic and with so many different team structures, to say any strategy or WC use is right or wrong based on such a small sample is difficult to justify.

    10. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I think that looking at the top ten in the Hall of Fame at this stage of the season tells us more about the methods that have served them well in seasons past than about the ones that are going to be most effective in the current season.

      They are mostly believers in the tried and trusted 3-4-3 formation, and seem to be somewhat reluctant to consider that formations with more than 3 defenders and/or fewer than 3 forwards might possibly be more effective this time around.

      They have perhaps also shown a bit too much faith in Harry Kane.

      As to Mark's wildcard, I feel that it fell between two stools. Rotating 3 out of 5 cheap defenders can work well in a 3-4-3, and having 2 cheap midfielders can work well in a 4-3-3, but including 5 cheap defenders as well as 2 cheap midfielders, especially when one of the defenders (TAA) is by no means certain to play, is not something that I would be happy with.

      We all have to make compromises though. Mark's compromise was to include 9 cheapies (also including 2 cheap goalkeepers) in order to enable him to field 3 premium forwards plus a strong midfield 3; I prefer to have a more balanced team. But Mark's a better player than I am, so what do I know?

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Good analysis, especially that point about having too many budget players on a wildcard and focusing too much of the budget on only two to three players. If those two to three fail you then there's no one of quality among the rest to bail you out.

        This was a mistake I made last season by focusing my early wildcard on the likes of Sanchez. I learned my lesson then.

        I've seen a few wildcards at the moment following the similar path - with triple Palace! They may want to look in detail at the experience of the GWK 4 wildcarders and make sure they have enough quality elsewhere in case the Eagles carry on plummeting.

        1. tisza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Triple Palace is Fpl knee-jerking at its best. At least 3 Liverpool gave you the funds to try and dig a way out of the hole.
          I assume most people's triple Palace would be Dann, Zaha, RLC. Not a lot to work with if it doesn't pan out.
          Sticking to my guns that chasing 3 premium strikers is a road to mediocrity at best. Just as many GWs this season where they've all blanked as when they've all come in.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            not sure you can call triple-Palace knee-jerking when they have done almost nothing of note so far

        2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Could be worse I've seen some with triple Brighton...:-)

          1. J0E
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Even I wouldn’t do that 🙂

    11. Diva
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      "Wildcard timing is key - with GWK 4 proving too early, while GWK 6 perfectly timed."

      Based on a sample of just 2 managers who wildcarded in GW6. That statement isn't worth the pixels it is written on.

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Exactly my thoughts.
        No Scoutcast last week. Seems Jonty had to get his weekly dig about Mark's double pivot/TAA move somehow.

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

        Really not sure about this thread tbh, there's no right or wrong time to WC, the only right time is when it's right for you.

        Really don't understand why Mark gets stick for his or even needs to justify it, the WC is not just for one week and he's going in the right direction.

        I used mine straight away after GW1, started with 3 big strikers, a big defence and weak midfield, 2 big strikers blanked, the midfield flopped (Fabregas got sent off which didn't help) and felt the danger early of putting all my eggs in 3 strikers basket so changed tactics straight and redistributed the funds, rather than prolong what I already knew deep down, I acted fast.

        8 green arrows out of 10 followed and now sit at 33k, peaked at 6k (the week after using the FHC) but was progressing well before using it, only thing that derailed me slightly is Aguero's car crash and getting sucked into Pep's rotation, 2 bad weeks in a row produced a small setback.

        Was it too early after GW1 and did it do me any harm with the lack of info? No and it hasn't, how much info do you need to know which top teams look good and who you should wait and see on.

        Do like Jonty as a poster but this just seems like another attempt to dig Mark out and it's getting a bit boring now, why not have a little side bet to see who finishes higher out of the two of you and then can you truly decide on who was right and who was wrong?

        1. Diva
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Exactly, the right time to wildcard is when your team needs it, not some arbritary point in time. And even then it might, in retrospect, turn out to have been the wrong moment to wildcard...

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            This.

  17. samidace
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    shit i just buy mane right after west ham match, please be fit sadio 🙁

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Why?

      1. samidace
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        he's reported got hamstring injury again and now he's on medical treatment in melwood, hoping him on line up saturday

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Why did you get him in straight after WHU - no price change and no suggestion of price change

          1. samidace
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            because ive been waiting for him and i thought his price will rise soon (now my bank is 0), and believe me he's beast n good differential by now (my position isn't good in my league) so i need him

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Its just a reason not to play him in senegals next non important game

      1. samidace
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        yeah hope he will play against his former club and got hattrick :))

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Excuse*

  18. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    I'm a bit wary of the Free Hit chip.
    What happens with player prices when you swap players out using FH?
    If I buy a player for 10.0 and keep him to 10.8.
    Use the Free Hit, I assume he is only worth 10.4 in cash.
    The player has a good week and goes up to 11.1.
    Revert back to my original squad. Do I get the 0.3 increase?

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      You can use 10.4 of his value when replacing him. When you revert to your original squad, any rises/falls in player value during the week will effect your returning players

    2. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      You get your original team back as if they never left, including any price changes.

      1. dimitros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        So, this actually means i should not care at all about price rises/falls when using a Free Hit chip, right?

  19. John t penguin
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    jonty doing a critical analysis of the top HOF players is like Robbie Savage doing analysis of Manchester City midfield.

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Ever the faithful hound. 🙂

      We'll see if we can get Pele to do the next one 😉

    2. Fuchs Mane Kante
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Will Jonty ever recognise my massive gains.

  20. SN
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    A. Azpi + Gross

    B. Stones + Zaha

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      A. Stones less attacking threat, more rotation risk (Stones owner and soon to be replacing with Azpi) and Zaha not shown to be better option than Gross in any event

      1. SN
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Good points

        Thanks mate

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          More than welcome - although hopefully not too many people bring in Azip before I look to do the same in GW14 - could do without much in the way of price rise lol

  21. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Choose one for a Cedric replacement?

    a) Dunk
    b) Duffy
    c) Moreno
    d) Daniels

    1. SN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels

    2. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Duffy - Daniels looks excellent value until you consider his almost complete lack of attacking returns. If the tide turns for him, then he's a great option. But not before

  22. Reckoner.
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Whos the best sub 5.0m defender for the next few weeks? Daniels?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      If I had Daniels I wouldn't bench him

  23. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Do you guys think Mané is really injured or did they just made a compromise with Klopp to sent him back to England sooner than expected?

    I read this a few days ago - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-hopeful-sadio-mane-boost-13888287

      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      They have done Liverpool a favour imo. Mane set up both goals for Senegal in a 2:0 win that sent them to the World Cup. Absolutely no reason to use him in the next game if they have already qualified.

  24. Fuchs Mane Kante
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Been neglecting fantasy football mainly because of the football manager free demo.

    Good job its international break.

    In my defence, i have...

  25. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Hi guys. Any thoughts on my latest WC team? I think I'm pretty set with this. My only issue would be to upgrade Abraham to Morata and downgrade Hazard to cheap mid (if I go down to 4.5m I could upgrade GK/defence too).

    Thoughts?

    Elliot, Speroni
    Jones, Daniels, Mee, Duffy, Moreno
    Hazard, Salah, Sterling, Richarlson, RLC
    Kane, Lukaku, Abraham

    0.0 ITB

  26. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morning all, scoutcast and PL footy is back this week 🙂 can you help me with the below please?

    Fabianski
    Bellerin Jones Alonso
    Salah KDB Eriksen Ritchie
    Abraham Lukaku Firmino

    Elliot Carroll Cedric Tuanzabe

    0 ITB & 1 FT

    Which option is better?
    A Eriksen > Mane
    B Cedric > Ake or Daniels
    C Ritchie > Groß
    D Something else?

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Upgrading Firmino to Kane/Morata looks the best move. So one of those mids may have to go. Eriksen to a cheaper one perhaps.

      Or Bellerin to a cheaper one....although not enough in the bank.

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        This - I have Bobby as a third forward and am reasonably happy with him. I would be very annoyed with him as a second forward. Maybe get some ££ out of KDB and/or Bellerin to fund the upgrade

  27. Reckoner.
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best sub 6.0m Forward option? Was all set on Abraham but Murray and Calvert-Lewin now tempting me.

    Calvert-Lewin has a great run of fixtures.

    1. Expected Toulouse
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Murray. Though if you are going only two up to then Calvert Lewin could be an option to rotate as a third striker with your mid/defence.

    2. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm waiting for the next Everton manager but tempted by Calvert-Lewin over Niasse.

      Young, versatile and surely more likely to be involved than Niasse going forward. Both have a lot of competition which isn't great.

      Diouf is another one to watch.

  28. That Fantasy Guy
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Who else is going old school and playing the fixtures by doing Morata to Lukaku?
    Crazy yes. But can't shift Kun or Kane for him...

  29. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Last decisions on Wildcard...... Lukaku or Aguero?

    Pope / Elliot
    Jones / Daniels / Mee / Moreno / Duffy
    Salah / Sterling / Richalison / Gross / Loftus-Cheek
    Kane / Aguero / Morata

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Sorry, but you keep on asking this Q...while you advise others to go Kun and then downgrade to Lukaku if needed.

      Maybe you should follow your own advice?

  30. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anything need doing here - 1FT 0.2 ITB

    Speroni
    Mee Jones Azpi Daniels
    Hazard Richarlison Salah Sane DSilva
    Kane

    Elliot Abraham Duffy Diouf