Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Saints Frustrate Kane

Spurs can only draw with Southampton as a single goal for Harry Kane helps Fantasy managers who backed a certain alternative big-name striker steal a march on their rivals.

It says something about this season when captaining, and in fact even owning, Sergio Aguero can turn out to be something of a differential.

But Gameweek 24 is starting to look like a memorable one for the 1.3 million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who held Aguero and in particular the 43% of those (581,000+) who handed the armband to the Argentine. His hat-trick and 17 points on Saturday easily eclipsed the work of Harry Kane at Southampton today.

The Spurs forward, owned by 48.4% and captained by 29.3% of all managers, scored and was awarded two bonus points in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s.

That produced ‘only’ eight points, handing those on Aguero a big advantage in the rankings shake-up, with the difference felt most markedly by those in the top 100.

Some 53 opted for Kane as their captain, and only 18 for Aguero, as a consistently unpredictable season provided another twist.

Only one of Kane’s three efforts was on target in Sunday’s encounter, and he missed a big chance late on to narrow the Gameweek 24 performance gap with Aguero.

Kane’s ownership must now face up to their 13.0-priced main man embarking on a three-match run involving Man United and Arsenal at home and Liverpool away.

On the upside, he is currently on his most consistent run of the season, scoring in four of his last five starts, and although the upcoming matches are undeniably testing, his record in those fixtures is generally excellent.

He’s scored six goals in as many appearances against the Gunners and four in six matches with Liverpool. Only against United has he suffered, with just one goal from seven encounters.

So while the armband might not be heading his way again in the immediate future, his ownership may not suffer too much.

Even so, Kane is already suffering an ownership loss, with over 17,000 moving him out, and 11,000 of those swapping to Aguero so far.

Spurs assets blunted

Illness kept Christian Eriksen out of Sunday’s contest.

That weakened Spurs’ attacking threat, with Son Heung-min in particular producing a lacklustre performance in which he failed to have a single attempt on goal.

Then again, the South Korean’s away form has been poor all season. Only one of his eight goals has come on the road and he was replaced by Erik Lamela after 70 uninspiring minutes against the Saints.

It should also be noted that Mauricio Pochettino confirmed post-match that Eriksen was not the only player unwell heading into Sunday’s draw. That might also have been a factor behind Son’s early withdrawal when Spurs were chasing a winning goal.

Both Eriksen and Son are now among the most sold ahead of Gameweek 25 and the start of that nasty little run, even though the Dane has produced returns in seven of his last nine appearances and Son will be facing United and Arsenal at Wembley. Indeed, with Kane, there are currently three Spurs players in the top seven for transfers-out.

At the back, Ben Davies was the only defender to emerge with a decent return as he provided the corner from which Kane equalised and also took home maximum bonus.

He was only on set-piece duties due to Eriksen’s absence, but that’s now five assists for the season from the Welsh international and Danny Rose’s continuing injury issues mean that Davies at least remains a reliable starter.

Faith in Spurs defence is otherwise in decline in light of the schedule to come and a run of just three clean sheets from the last eight Gameweeks.

But the potential return of Toby Alderweireld in the FA Cup next weekend might persuade Mauricio Pochettino to move back to a 3-4-2-1, having preferred 4-2-3-1 of late.

And Spurs with and without Alderweireld are a different beast entirely.

They’ve kept clean sheets in 50% of their matches with him in the side, and just 35.7% without, while conceding an average of 0.7 goals per match with him and 1.1 when he’s absent.

The Belgian will no doubt be eased back into the swing of things once he finally returns, but if he can provide the required stability to Spurs’ backline, they have a fine schedule once the next three matches are done with.

Only a trip to Chelsea and Man City at home should provide major challenges to Pochettino’s side across the final 11 Gameweeks of the season.

Interest in Saints stays muted

Southampton showed a level of grit to negate Spurs, but the fact that they had to rely on an own goal from Davinson Sanchez to find a way to score spoke volumes for their ongoing toothlessness in attack.

They’ve averaged just a goal a match this season and have a chronic lack of options up front, with Manolo Gabbiadini again failing today, which prompted teenager Michael Obafemi to be given a chance in place of the Italian late on.

But there’s minimal Fantasy interest to be found anywhere among Mauricio Pellegrino’s squad, with goalkeeper Fraser Forster (4.9%) and defender Ryan Bertrand (4.8%), who provided the assist for the Sanchez own goal, their most popular assets.

Forster is not even in the side at the moment as Alex McCarthy (4.4) was handed a fourth straight start in his place.

Nonetheless, the upcoming schedule now looks vital, and may yet bring them back into consideration.

Six of their next eight matches are against relegation rivals (BHA wba STK new swa whu) in a run that could well determine Southampton’s top-flight status.

The fixtures take a turn for the worse again from Gameweek 33, so it’s probably a case of now or never for managers to invest in Saints assets.

Based on their current form – they’ve not won since Gameweek 13 – it’s starting to look like never, unless things improve markedly and immediately.

2,023 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mr. Zee
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any news about Lanzini injury?

    1. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Dinnery saying out for about a month: https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/955383213257609221

      1. Mr. Zee
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        tnx

    2. MTPockets
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Read something about possible hamstring earlier - scan planned.

    3. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Silly question but all this talk of DGW/ BGW planning has got me thinking....

      Is Free Hit the “most powerful” chip potential?

      Im not sure the second WC is as important anymore?

      My reasoning is if you use your free hit on a major BGW those players you remove will have a DGW after therefore you will have them back in your team after that GW resulting in less surgery to get DGW players in your team?

      Just a thought....

      1. MTPockets
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I'm hoping so. Could be quite handy if held for GW35 blanks (between the two DGWs and therefore enables wildcarding ahead of first DGW).

        • Individual
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yep that's the beauty of FH, Obi Wan. Think a lot of people spaffed it early to gain a rank advantage - I can see why they did it - but it actually the prime use is the blanks imo... it's just a case of whether there will be enough fixtures in GW31 to actually merit using it, otherwise I might hold on til later on.

          The second WC remains super powerful as a course correction tool, however. Don't underestimate it as you can completely reconfigure yourself as we transition from one template to another - a lot of WC squads I'm seeing seem a waste to me, as it's only a -8 from what people had anyway or a bit of messing around the peripheries.

        • Prestige_Worldwide
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I think it’s a very handy chip to work well with the WC & BB, so you can get the team you want (WC) then FH to avoid blanks , the B.B. the DGW in the space of 3 weeks.

          In essence it makes your WC and B.B. even better than previous seasons (if you use it this way)

      2. Transferred Out
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I have Hune, RLC and DCL and 1.5itb, which to priortise first?

        I am considering Hune -> Maguire at the moment

        1. Individual
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Depends on who will make your first xi on the pitch best really, though Hune to Maguire sounds good to me.

      3. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Who to sell? Christensen or stones?
        Currently thinking about selling christensen

        1. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Stones

        2. MTPockets
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Neither - look at their fixtures.

            1. #FPLBhuna
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              this

          • Individual
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Christensen if you have to - but the fixtures point to selling either being a bit of an against-the-grain idea.

        3. VardysParty
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Have though up another option:

          Otamendi and Son to Jones and Sane on 2FT

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Sideways.

            1. VardysParty
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Pickford, Speroni
              Alonso, Azpi, Otamendi, Ogbonna, Masuaku
              Sterling, Salah, Arnautovic, Lingard, Son
              Kane, Firmino, Niasse

              Can’t seem to think of a good move. 2 FT and nothing in bank

              1. Individual
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Son to Shaqiri and bank the other probably

        4. Champions united
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          DDG
          Ota kenny Christensen ogbonnaa
          Salah sterling arnauvic pogba
          Kane firminho

          Lingard long quaner

          Any suggestion what 2do withnthis lot

        5. #FPLBhuna
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Team:

          Lloris
          Alonso - Maguire - Masuaku - Kenny - Dunk
          Salah - Sterling - Son - Lanzini* - Richarlison
          Kane - Firmino - Quaner

          *Lanzini has picked up a hamstring injury - hence the plan to potentially bin him but will not make any move until Monday next week until I hear more.

          Best gw25 moves?

          A) Son + Lanzini > Sane + Shaqiri (-4)
          B) Kane + Son + Lanzini > Aguero + Hazard + Shaqiri (-8)
          C) Lanzini > Shaqiri (FT)

          Please don't mention Mahrez. I will get him in, but not fancying him this week.

        6. TOBY1
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I’m not 100% sure on Aguero. I had him and nervously captained him this week. Glad it turned out so well. But I wouldn’t say he’s essential. Planning to get Firmino and spend elsewhere at some point.

          Saw someone saying he was lucky to get a hatrick and whilst that’s true for the first goal - he could have had a couple more goals and a couple of assists in that game...

          1. rnrd
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            He's definitely a good option until Jesus is back

            WBA - bur - LEI
            then jesus will probably be back.
            And this coincides with Kane having great fixtures again

            it's a keep and swap on GW28 for me

        7. jamie1972
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          My team is a mess

          Pope (Elliott)

          Otta Christiensen Hegazi Masuaku Ogbonna

          Salah Lingard Richarlison Sterling (Kouyate)

          Kane Aguero (Quaner)

          1ft 2m itb

          a) Richarlison > Miki (bit of a gamble but a differential)

          b) Richarlison > KDB and downgrade Otta to a 4.5 (-4)

          c) Kouyate > 7m mid (Ramsey or Arnoutovic

          d) WC (and miss out using it on the big DGW)

          Help?

        8. 007 [RoboKlopp]
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Hi, Son owner.
          Are you keeping him? Why?
          Thinking to replace with Arnie but miss his price rise today.
          Thanks.

          1. MTPockets
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Probably keeping. Because Richarlison out more of a priority and not that convinced about Mun defence away.

            • FPL Hitman
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              With Lanzini injury I am not sure Arnie will produce returns the way he is

            • maverickga
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Keeping, beacause Alli to Mahrez this week.

          2. Jon Bones Jones
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Owners keeping Hazard?

            1. Jon Bones Jones
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              No owners except me 🙁

          3. AdamJ91
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Anyone care to help me with this team?

            Gomes - Elliot
            Otamendi - Jones - Alonso - Dunk - Kenny
            Salah - Sterling - Son* - Lingard* - Arnautovic
            Kane - Depoitre* - DCL*

            2.5 ITB; 1 FT

            * - these are players I'm currently trying to move out, could maybe add Gomes to that too but with a new manager he could preform better.

            I even consider doing Kane, Lingard, Son & Depoitre > Aguero, Mahrez, Vardy, Ox/Shaqiri (-12) which could be complete madness.

            1. MTPockets
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Gomes - perhaps, but Watford have 2 clean sheets in last 20 games.

            2. JasonG123
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Shaqiri literally has double the points per game against non top 6 teams:

              - Shaqiri against non top 6 teams - points per match of 4.8 (15 games)
              - Shaqiri against top 6 teams - points per match of 2.4 (7 games)

              Coupled with the new manager effect and the good underlying stats think he could be a good differential.

              1. MTPockets
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Agree, it's just finding the FT for the punt that's tricky.

              2. Count of Monte Hristo
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Thoughts on Son + Lingard > Arnautovic + Walcott/Willian for free?

              3. Runaway
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Would you do
                Kane + DCL > Firmino + Vardy for -4
                Kun > Kane @GW28
                ?

                Team atm:
                Fabianski / Elliot
                Alonso / Otamanedi / Jones / Ogbonna / Dunk
                Salah / Sterling / Arnie / Lingard / Albrighton
                Kane / Kun / DCL
                1 FT, 0.2 ITB

              4. jimmy.floyd
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Crazy to stick with Kane and Lingard?
                Have Arnie, Salah and Kun but no Firmino or Sterling

              5. Bavarian
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Alonso or Azpi?

                1. M00N
                  • 9 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  100% Alonso

                  1. Bavarian
                    • 6 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    cheers

              6. new article posted
              7. LSP
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Pick two:

                Sane
                Mane
                Mahrez

                1. rnrd
                  • 9 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Joe Allen people ?

                  1. Jammy
                    • 10 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    LOL, scores once

              8. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Need to bring in a 4.3 playing defender to bring Sanchez back.

                Vert > Dummet Sutner or Francis.

                What you reckon? tx

              9. It’s gonna Ben Mee
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Kane > Firmino would allow me to get the following team:

                Ederson
                Alonso Rüdiger Jones Bavies
                Mahrez Sterling Arnie Salah
                Kun Firm

                Bench: Elliot Dunk Milivojevic McBurnie

                Would need to do it over several weeks as it would mean getting rid of Pope, Ogbonna, Zanka, Kenny, Lingard and Kane. Looks pretty good, no?

              10. Jammy
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Anyone looking in to bring Sanchez straight away?

                1. Fitzy.
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Not at all.

              11. CostaCoffee
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Chelsea could complete deals for Dzeko and Emerson in the next 24hrs, according to Sky. Emerson could potentially rotate with Alonso when fully fit which would bring an end to Alonso being FPL gold

              12. Mind över Mata
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Best mid option for 5.7m? Am between:

                A) Ox
                B) Chupo-Moteng
                C) Albrighton

                Thoughts?

              13. PocketZola
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                dcl to tosun?

              14. Cantona90
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Is Tarkowski nailed on? I have Ward in my work fantasy football, using telegraph prices. He’s 0.3 cheaper and wondering whether to do the sideways move or just hold on to Ward?

                1. badgerboy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  He is nailed on.

              15. fakelund
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                who gets more points over the next few weeks?

                A) Mahrez + Diouf
                B) Choupo-Moting + Vardy

              16. rkpower1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Any advice on this team? 1 FT and 0.1m in the bank. Thinking of shipping DCL this week to free up another mil or so:

                Foster
                Stones, Jones, Robertson, Ogbonna
                Sterling, Salah, Lingard, Hazard, Mahrez
                Kane

                Subs: Crouch, Calvert-Lewin, Tarkowski

              17. TerryVenables
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                (A)Firmino > Aguero
                (B)DCL > Vardy

              18. MannionUK
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Fab
                Alonso, Kenny, Jones, Otamendi
                Lingard, Son, Arny, Sterling
                Kane, Aguero

                DCL, RLC, Dunk, Migs

                Talked out of using wildcard now........ How about:

                Lingard + Arny + Migs -> Salah + Milivojevic + Adrian (-8)