Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Pre-season

Stoke City were the first Premier League side in first team friendly action as they began their pre-season tour of Switzerland with a 1-0 victory in the opening fixture of the “2017 Uhrencup”.

Neuchatel Xamax 0 Stoke City 1

With just five days of pre-season training behind them, Mark Hughes’ side played out their first summer encounter and earned a 1-0 win over Swiss second division side Neuchatel Xamax in the Tissot Arena.

The opening match in the four-team Uhrencup – which also features BSC Young Boys and Benfica – was decided by a late own goal as Hughes used the opportunity to field two different XI’s over the two halves.

Mixing first-team players and Under 23s, Hughes started the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation and fielded Jack Butland in goal ahead of a defence that included captain Ryan Shawcross and full-backs Phil Bardsley and Erik Pieters.

Bojan started in the central attacking midfield position, with want-away Marko Arnautovic also named in the starting line-up. Saido Berahino was the lone striker.

Hughes’ early plans were disrupted by a back injury for Bardsley, who departed on 19 minutes. The problem was later reported as a knee injury.

Berahino is a player who will be monitored by Fantasy managers in pre-season, with the former West Brom man surely burdened with the responsibility of scoring 15+ goals next season. Stoke’s official website described the striker’s appearance as “incredibly trim”, although he fluffed his lines having been presented the best opportunity of the first half.

The striker was replaced by Peter Crouch for the second period as Hughes retained the same shape. Giannelli Imbula, Glen Johnson and new signing Josh Tymon were also introduced.

It was Belgian starlet Thibaud Verlinden – promoted to the first team squad for 2017/18 – who provided the spark that led to the match’s decisive moment when his 87th-minute cross was diverted into his own goal by the unfortunate Mustafa Sejmenović.

Hughes seemed happy with the win and overall performance, explaining the intention behind his line-ups.

“We mixed it up tonight with some young guns and some more senior lads, and I think that was the right thing to do. We are just getting started, and it is all about getting the minutes on the pitch, getting the timing of your play right and I saw quite a bit of that tonight which is satisfying.”

However, the Potters boss is likely to have been distracted by confirmation of the transfer request submitted by Arnautovic earlier that day.

With a renewed bid from West Ham United looming, this threatens to cast a shadow over pre-season preparations, with Arnautovic a crucial component of the Stoke attack.

Hughes’ post-match response to the news indicated this was perhaps not a situation that will quickly be resolved.

“Marko and his people have put in a transfer request, but that happens on occasions. Any comings and goings are at our discretion, and it’s our decision ultimately. Players can express an opinion or a view in terms of where they see their future but at the end of the day contracted players are contracted to the club and ultimately we have the final say.”

Arnautovic limped off after the first half in Switzerland and it remains to be seen if yesterday’s breaking story impacts on his pitch-time in the fixtures to come.

Stoke’s next Uhrencup encounter is against BSC Young Boys on Wednesday.

Stoke City XI First Half: Butland; Bardsley (Edwards 19), Shawcross, Sweeney, Pieters; Adam, Jarvis; Arnautovic, Bojan, Telford; Berahino.

Stoke City XI Second Half: Haugaard; Johnson, Wollscheid, Souttar, Tymon; Muniesa, Imbula; Ngoy, Shenton (Campbell 80), Verlinden; Crouch.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,247 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Can all non-FPL Opening talk please be on hold today.

    1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry for top of the page

  2. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Still not up, more viagra needed.

  3. Fantasy Gold
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    1hr37mins until launch

  4. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero usually starts on fire and Kane usually starts slow. Decisions, decisions.

    PS hurry up FPL.

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      FPL Towers are laughing at all of us right now

  5. DanwiseTheBrave
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Remember Mark Rogers.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Who? Not joking, I keep seeing his name but have no idea who he is 😕

        1. Wild Rover
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Hahaha @Bemba 😀

          1. DanwiseTheBrave
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Indeed, certainly gave us a target for our frustrations.

    2. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. I recall him

  6. Waxys
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Can people stop trolling with the fake launch dates?

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Fighting a losing battle there mate

  7. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    New chip Free Hit.

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Not trolling.

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Do we get a free hit on you if you're trolling?

    3. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Just seen this. I'm definitely going to set my team up for GW2 and use it in GW1

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

      Wow

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Nice! so this is basically just an extra wildcard? 3 wildcards essentially now?

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          No... your team changes back after the GW.

        2. Pasqualinho
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          The "Free Hit" chip replaces last season's "All Out Attack" chip to sit alongside the Wildcard, the Triple Captain and Bench Boost.

          I read that as 1 WC only.

    5. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It will replace aoa

    6. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ah I see a chip I will use by the fourth gameweek max. I took 82 hits last season

    7. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      This looks great. Much better than AOA.

    8. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      This is a gamechanger

    9. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ideal for GWs with a lot of blanks, maybe? Will need some thought!

      1. Ziro
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        This.
        For the week right after the DGW when/if many teams miss.
        Or for the GW28 blanks Bonanza equivalent

    10. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      So basically everyone can pick a team just for a dgw, not very challenging

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        you won't be able to use another chip in DGW though

      2. Pasqualinho
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        But no TC or bench boost allowed in the same week.

    11. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Another h2h ruiner

      1. Pasqualinho
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe. Still has the potential to fare worse that your original team, though.

  8. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on fpl launch time?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Link?

  9. Ludo
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Some light reading while you wait for the game to come out. The FFS Captain Poll has an impressive reputation. Here’s a look at how the top three players in the poll performed on average last season:
    1st – 7.5 Points Per Game (PPG), 29% Blank (3 points or less)
    2nd – 6.4 PPG, 45% Blank
    3rd – 6.8 PPG, 32% Blank

    I also wanted to find out how the leader of the poll does in weeks where there’s a clear first choice, and where votes are more closely split. When the poll leader had a 10-point lead or more:
    1st – 8.4 PPG, 20% Blank
    2nd – 4.8 PPG, 52% Blank
    3rd – 6.6 PPG, 40% Blank

    When the poll leader was less than 10-points ahead:
    1st – 5.8 PPG, 46% Blank
    2nd – 9.5 PPG, 31% Blank
    3rd – 7.2 PPG, 15% Blank

    I think this tells us that the poll is brilliant when there’s a runaway leader, but shouldn’t be relied on as much where there’s a close race between captaincy candidates. There was a 10-point leader in the poll in 25 of 38 Gameweeks last season, around two thirds of the time.

    FPL winner Ben Crabtree captained the poll leader 58% of the time last season. However, he captained 10-point leaders 80% of the time, with his five variations outscoring the poll by just two points – 43 (8.6 PPG) to 41 (8.2 PPG).

    Where there wasn’t a clear candidate, he captained the poll leader just twice, 15% of the time. These picks really won him the title – his average captaincy score was 9.8 PPG, his closest challenger in second averaged 9.2 PPG, and the average for the top ten overall was 8.8 PPG. If there’s a clear leader in the poll, I think the best strategy is almost always to captain them. If there isn’t, then that’s where the fun starts.

    1. PvA
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks Ludo!

    2. Fiz
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Interesting, thanks

    3. DanwiseTheBrave
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      By a 10 point lead do you mean a 10% lead in the poll?

      1. Ludo
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yes - sorry, I've clearly spent far too much time following politics!

        So if Kane receives 30% of votes in the poll, and Sanchez gets 20%, that would be a 10-point lead.

        1. DanwiseTheBrave
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Cool, very nice work! Thanks!

    4. Sebastes
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nice one, thanks!

    5. Tonezfc
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Great post!

    6. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      useful info, thanks

    7. Fantasy Gold
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Outstanding analysis as usual Ludo.

      Thanks!

    8. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Wow. Stellar stuff. Thanks Ludo. 🙂

      Another possible conclusion: don't captain the second in the poll ... unless the poll lead is less than 10 points.

      Then, ALWAYS captain the second!!! 😆

    9. SAY MY NAME
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks Ludo, good work, always useful and well presented stats, cheers!

    10. Back on the horse
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Interesting post, Ludo.

  10. Lovren an elevator
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Is it today that the site is rumoured to be ready?

    1. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, just like when it was rumoured to launch yesterday...

  11. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What is difference between free hit and wc ?

    1. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Seriously?

    2. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It's a one time thing and your team goes back to normal after...

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Wow

    3. Fiz
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Free hit is maybe for 1 player unlike wildcard

      1. Waxys
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        That would be really meh for chips that are meant to have Aggie effect

      2. Fiz
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        lol it was a real thing then just thought people were speculating their own ideas

    4. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It's a one week only team and your old team returns to you.

    5. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Way i read it, free hit chip allows you to change your team with unlimited transfers for one GW, and then your team reverts back to its original set up for the next GW. It's like a WC that only lasts 1 week I think?

      1. mad_beer ✅
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yes.

    6. bojack
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A free hit is usually what a dealer gives you to get you hooked.

      A WC is a water closet, otherwise known as a toilet.

  12. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    FPL have crossed the line with this free hit thing.

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Excellent. More delay in launch.

    2. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It's actually really good much better then all out attack

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        it kind of takes away from the strategy of building a team in advance for DGWs, meaning casuals who may not have looked in advance at DGW fixtures aren't at a disadvantage (assuming they use the chip in this way) - i say this because i've always blown my WC way before DGW comes around 😀

        This being said it allows us to focus on short term fixtures, the here and now - or we can use the chip when we just see a week with an excellent set of fixture combinations

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No one took the joke. RIP my stand-up career 🙁

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Not many people follow Cricket here.

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Tough crowd 🙁

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            🙁

    4. ScotDougie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Is there a price restriction on it ?

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        the article mentions not being able to play the market, i assume the 'free hit' team would be subject to your tv/sv of your normal team

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    FPL open?

    Please reply asap

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. They've added baps for GW38.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Charlie Adam - 3pts?

        1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Barry Ferguson

  14. Waxys
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    This new chip is amazing. I'm saving it for the DGW games fore sure I'll be able to have best team for the fixtures it really would be something special. I wonder if it effects any profit we made though I assume not

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It won't affect any profit of your old team.

    2. Aarono23
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      They say it won't be able to be used to play the market so think your assumption is correct. Issue with using it for a DGW means would not be able to use bench boost or TC for that week though.

      1. Waxys
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Last day of the season for me then. Go out on a high note

    3. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Your one week team does not gain value but your old team still does.

    4. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nah I'd say it won't effect profit as the team will just return the what we had the previous week with any rises or falls adjusted for I would have thought.

      As you say it would potentially be good for the doubles or better year for the big blank GW where we fill up on poor teams for a week to field 11 starters then desperately try to get rid.

    5. FPL Kid
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think it's going to work better for scenarios like week 28 where only a few teams play that week. Rather than build your team over a period of weeks, you can continue to pick the right team each week then use the chip to have 15 players that week.

      With no benefit to price increases you could also do it on the Friday or Saturday to ensure we get as much team news as possible

      Approve of this change to the chips, a lot more strategy to contemplate

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        yep, this, or weeks where there is a perfect combination of fixtures (but one that doesn't match our current squad)

    6. LangerznMash
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Do you still bank the free transfer for that week as technically you haven't used it.

  15. Waxys
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    BREAKING NEWS: Leicester City Football Club agree deal in principle with Manchester City for Kelechi Iheanacho for a fee of £25m. [Sky Sports]

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Won't be nailed there unfortunately.

      1. Waxys
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        4-4-2? With Vardy and Iheanacho up front

    2. Lovren an elevator
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      You think him and Vardy can both be nailed? If so, great option

  16. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Waiting for "Updating..." posts

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      That's the thing. If it's not even updating yet then there is virtually no way it's getting released today.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        No changes to the rules this year should speed up the process.

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Well there is already a big change with the new chip.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It's coming, it's come soon hopefully. 11am Tuesday again maybe.

  17. Tickle Me Enzo
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    7 hours behind all of you, and I still have not gone to sleep yet waiting, although not for lack of trying.

  18. The Tinkerman
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Immediate reaction to the free hit chip is that it could have a significant impact on how we approach DGWs.

    We no longer need to load our teams with DGW players a week in advance using a WC, although of course we couldn't play BB or TC at the same time... so it's impact is hard to guess. I'd imagine many of us will not use it for DGWs but many other players will, diluting our strategy.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      We usually get around 3 GWS. And there will be 3 chips (Not including WCs).

      I'm no Carol Vorderman, but I think 3 in 3 goes.

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        If we have three decent sized DGWs then yes, it will probably have a decent points impact. But it also allows people who don't plan ahead, like we do, more of a chance to take advantage of DGWs without any hits... thereby diluting our advantage.

        1. SAY MY NAME
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          exactly this

      2. The Tinkerman
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I think I'd prefer to save the chip for blanks, could have a bigger impact then. I usually already have approx. 2 DGW players from each team playing from forward planning, so tend to be fine for smaller DGWs. Blank GWs a bigger opportunity to make ground.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Aye, early days but my initial thinking is it will be good for a big blank week to load up on the few teams playing.--

    2. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think that FPL have looked at the problems GW28 gave us last year, when there were just a few lesser ranked teams playing, and thought of a chip that could help avoid it next year.

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, looks perfect for a week with lots of blanks. But doesn't mean the majority of players will use it for that. They might in our community, but overall many will use it for DGWs you'd imagine.

    3. Desertbug
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Magic Pixie Dust DGW Chip, Relieves you of any guilt or decision making responsibility. Who cares if a squad has lousy fixtures after the DGW. Now you can go ahead and load up without consequence.

      Simpleton chip. Negates advantages of advance planning for tricky curves in the schedule. Bleh

  19. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    So it would be very silly to use the free hit chip in GW1.

  20. Waxys
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Wow I can't believe I forgot. This chip is perfect for the headache known as blanks

  21. Andy_Social
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Wow, it's amazing. AOA was utter dross but this one ....... requires some real strategic thinking. For DGW sure, but so is BB and TC. Hmm.

    1. Prokoptas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I guess many will use this as a blank GW chip rather than a DGW chip - which, if so, would somewhat undermine the advantages of planning for blanks 2 months in advance.

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        on the face of it this chip negates so many advantages that we gain through advanced planning

  22. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Wow,
    It can be used for dgw or a 4 games week like 28
    All strategies will change!

  23. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Free Hit, eh? Have to think about this one... As they say on the site , it could be best used for the weeks decimated by cup fixs, so if only 4 or 5 games, temporarily load up on those teams, even if they're rubbish for one week only. So WC1 GW2/5/7, FH GW28, WC2 GW35, BB GW36... TC somewhere Kane/Kaku/Lacazette have a DGW?

  24. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Free Hit sounds good for DGWs which come as late as GW34-GW37 in the season?

    Or perhaps still sit on that wildcard for the DGWs to shape squad for end of the season rotation?

  25. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone here writes blogs or posts on PL?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      We all do.

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Can you link me to any?

  26. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Wow, that free hit chip is huge for DGW planning.

    1. Desertbug
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It means you don't have to plan at all. Just keep your same longterm view of the upcoming fixtures and then plop this down as a freebie and get whoever you want for the DGW without consequences.

      No planning.

  27. Corona Macallan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    So now we will have 3 powerful chips for the 3 dgws

  28. Lovren an elevator
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    First 7 predicted picks in a draft league this season?

    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I'd think Sanchez, Kane, Lukaku, Hazard, Jesus, Aguero, Coutinho.

      Mane/Alli/de Bruyne/Lacazette - next, I'd think.

    2. Prokoptas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      In some order: Kane, Lukaku, Sanchez, Hazard, Aguero, De Bruyne, Alli?

  29. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Now that they announced the new chip pack up and come back tomorrow. They won't launch it tonight me thinks.

  30. Twelve years a slave
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Question is, is this an extra chip or is it replacing something

    1. Corona Macallan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It replaces aoa

    2. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      replaces AOA as they'd said.