Scout Notes

Scout Scribbles – Johnson Concern for Liverpool

Glen Johnson’s ankle injury may be worse than first feared. Eden Hazard skips training for Belgium with an Achilles complaint. Jozy Altidore is passed fit after a recent hamstring problem, Rafael could be set to return soon for United, while Luis Suarez may have to make do with a role on the flank this season for Liverpool.

Johnson Ankle Worry

Liverpool issued an official injury update on Glen Johnson yesterday after the right-back pulled out of England duties. The Reds defender was subbed off towards the end of Sunday’s win over United with an ankle problem and the club revealed:

“After being examined by the club’s medical staff at Melwood, Johnson is required to rest his ankle this week. A further review will then take place to check stability and decide on further management. Therefore, Liverpool have not put a timeframe on Johnson’s return to fitness at this stage.”

The Scout Says: A spell on the sidelines for Johnson would undoubtedly be a bitter blow for Brendan Rodgers. The full-back has been an integral part of the defence that has registered three back-to-back clean sheets so far and with a kind upcoming schedule on the horizon, was set for increased investment. Fantasy managers could be afforded a real bargain, though – Andre Wisdom comes in at just 4.4 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and looks the obvious candidate to benefit if Johnson is indeed ruled out for any length of time. Martin Kelly, also at 4.4, is the other option available to Rodgers.

Hazard Concern for Belgium

Reports in The Mail suggest Eden Hazard has been forced out of training with Belgium due to an Achilles problem. The Chelsea winger has allegedly told his national team’s doctors he has been suffering with the problem for “two to three weeks” and has been ordered to rest ahead of Friday’s showdown with Scotland.

The Scout Says: With Belgium in a strong position to qualify for next year’s World Cup, it’s highly unlikely they will risk the wide man over the next week if the injury is any real worry. Certainly, any potential absence would have a major effect on Fantasy line-ups – while Jose Mourinho has a multitude of attacking midfielders to choose from, Hazard is the most popular midfielder in the FPL game and currently resides in over 24%. An injury update from the Belgium squad will be keenly awaited as his owners hope for a positive prognosis with 10 days still to go before domestic action resumes.

Altidore Hamstring Relief

Sunderland’s Jozy Altidore has been given the all-clear to resume training with the US national squad. The forward missed out on last Saturday’s defeat at Crystal Palace due to a hamstring injury and was expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks but an MRI scan has shown there is no serious damage ahead of games against Costa Rica and Mexico.

The Scout Says: This will be welcome news for Paolo Di Canio after the weekend loss against the Eagles. Having sold Stephane Sessegnon to West Brom, the Black Cats’ boss awaits news on Connor Wickham, who has withdrawn from England Under 21 duty, and with Steven Fletcher lacking fitness and new loan signing Fabio Borini also short of sharpness, Sunderland will be more reliant than ever on Altidore ahead of a run of games which sees them entertain Arsenal, Liverpool and United over the next four Gameweeks.

Rafael on the Mend

United’s Rafael has conveniently handed Fantasy managers a heads-up via his Instagram account by revealing he is set to return to training next week after missing the start of the season due to a hamstring injury.

The Scout Says: David Moyes will be relieved by the Brazilian’s speedy recovery after seeing Phil Jones forced off against Liverpool with an ankle injury. The former Blackburn man has deputised at right-back in the Brazilian’s absence but has since withdrawn from England duties with the problem – a possible return for Rafael would bring him firmly back onto Fantasy radars ahead of a run which see the champions face four home games (CPL, WBA, SOT, STO) and a trip to Sunderland in the next six.

Suarez Set for Wide Role

Reports in this morning’s Times suggest Luis Suarez will be shifted to the flank upon his return to action for Liverpool later this month. The Uruguayan is due back in time for the Gameweek 6 trip to Sunderland and with Brendan Rodgers bringing in Victor Moses on loan, Philippe Coutinho could be set for a move to “the hole” behind Daniel Sturridge as the Reds boss rolls out a 4-2-3-1:

The Scout Says: Sturridge’s form certainly has been worthy of the lone forward role. The former Chelsea man has not only notched in each of the first three Gameweeks, he has now found the net 10 times in the eight games Suarez has been suspended for – a clear indication of his goal-getting abilities. Such a scenario would not only cement Sturridge’s appeal for Fantasy managers, it would also re-ignite Coutinho’s potential – the Brazilian has failed to produce any returns in the opening three Gameweeks and has resultantly been sold on by over 106,000 FPL managers. Sturridge missed training for England yesterday with the thigh problem that had bothered him prior to the United match but his absence is thought to be precautionary.

Parr Boost for Palace

Crystal Palace left-back Jonathan Parr stepped up his recovery from an ankle ligament injury by turning out for the Eagles’ second-string side yesterday. The Norwegian, along with Paddy McCarthy, started the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff U21s before making way at the break in his first match since being sidelined towards the end of last season.

The Scout Says: Parr was a key player for Ian Holloway’s side last term and turned out 38 times in their promotion-winning campaign. His absence has afforded Dean Moxey the chance to deputise in the back-four but, once fully-fit, it’s likely that the Norway international will regain his starting berth – handing Fantasy managers another budget option, with a 4.0 price tag in the FPL game.

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1,010 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Blue Teets
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Getting in Ozil before he's kicked a ball is total speculation. Jump on the wagon don't stand in the road!

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    1. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Or get on first for the best seat 🙂

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      1. Blue Teets
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        On a wagon whose direction is unknown, when there is a proven, cheaper and potentially betterr route.

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        1. Namtab Nomolos
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          If you're already on the Wenger Bus anyway it's not a big effort to pop to the top deck and check it out.

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          1. Blue Teets
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 6 months ago

            The deck chairs are covered in bird shite

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          2. Namtab Nomolos
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 6 months ago

            With price frozen until late on you should probably get an almost free look at him if you wait, having Giroud and Walcott already it's probably a little bit of an overreach I'll grant you 😉

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            1. Hoof It and Hope
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 6 months ago

              Why is his price frozen? How does that work?

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              1. FISSH
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 6 months ago

                new players have a weeks protection

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  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Need to find 1.6m to fund my dzeko 》rvp move

    boruc (foster)
    Coleman ivanovic chester (murner ward)
    Miralas wally coutinho tarabt (kim)
    Soldado lambert Rvp

    A: foster + miralas >> myhill + hernandez (-8)
    B: ivanovic >> def upto 4.9m (-4)
    C: ivanovic + miralas >> mertsacker + mid upto 6.9m

    Have no idea which way to go

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  3. King Nemanja
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    I have seen plenty of chatter on here regarding RVP and his price tag. Many people suggesting that he was worth every penny of his 13m starting price last year, so he should be worth all of his 14m again this year.

    Would I be correct in saying that the reason many are choosing to go without this year is because all the 9m strikers are firing already, unlike last year where there were good cheap options available?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I'd have RVP if he was 13. 14 if too much.

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    2. Touré De Force
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      You would be 100% correct. I plan to shell out the 14.0m for the next 4-6 GWs, then reevaluate on my WC. Giving him the armband for all those fixtures as well. It's going to be a semi-differential strategy amongst FFS users, though it's exactly what all the casulas will be doing. Be pretty hilarious if the casuals way out performed the average FFS user based on this.

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  4. New Article Posted
  5. mvtaylor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    I don't think I've ever been as disappointed by a game launch as I have by Rome 2. Sigh.

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  6. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    A) Walcott + Soldado

    B) Giroud + Lamela

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  7. Assisting you all day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Best striker to have for next few weeks? under 11 milllion

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  8. Manani
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    already used my FT,

    Mig 4.0
    Cole Clyne Chester (Coleman Ward)
    Walcott Lampard Silva Kim (Mirallas)
    Giroud Sturridge Soldado

    how does this team look?
    Any problem I am missing?

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    1. wikidwhite
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good in my opinion. Personally I think Benteke is essential this weekend. Against a weakened backline of Newcastle combined with the fact they will be demoralized at the lack of movement in the transfer market..... Could be a massacre!

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  9. bixie11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Assisting midfielders, Hazard first gw and Walcott gw 2 and 3 as my captains didn´t get any BP altough both got assist. Walcott was on 4 BPS against Tottenham but for exemple Ramsey was on 6 BPS!

    So midds like Silva, Mata, Özil wont be better buy than Yaya, Lampard and Cazorla?? Is this gonna change if we see more goals?

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  10. wikidwhite
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    How do I look for the foreseeable guys please? RMT:

    Migs -----> Boruc

    Zab - Shaw - Collins -----> Coleman - Whittaker

    Walcott - Siva - Lamela - Barkley -----> Kasami

    Benteke - Giroud - Sturridge

    2.9 Mill in the bank. Already used my FT this week but think I'm set, any ideas though for this week or the near future please?

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  11. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    possible Man city back four

    zab nasta demechilis clichy ??

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  12. Heels_Over_Head
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Clean sheet projections for the season by team based on 3 game weeks (by request)

    Liverpool: 38 clean sheets, the impregnables

    Newcastle, Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham, Man City & West Ham: 26 clean sheets

    Southampton, Hull, Cardiff, Arsenal, Norwich, ManU, Stoke, Swansea, Fulham, West Brom: 13 clean sheets

    Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Aston Villa: 0 clean sheets, captain your strikers against these

    Total clean sheets for the season: 324

    Get those defenders while they're still cheap !

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  13. It's Carrick, you know…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    pick one from Spurs
    A) Eriksen 8m, I think he play AMC support Soldado and run all area when attacking
    B) Lamela 9m, I never see him play
    C) Soldado got in team, 20+ Goal in La Liga great Poacher like Ruud, RVP

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  14. OscaRemy
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Afternoon Gents, rip it apart!

    Mignolet - Lewis

    Terry - Walker - Vidic - Zaba - Chester

    JWP - Brady -Walcott - Lamela - Lampard

    Giroud - Tekkers - Sturridge.

    Thoughts?

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    1. YuvalFPL
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Quality.

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  15. SilkySkills
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    This is affordable to me and with all the talk of defenders earning well was thinking of a change.

    ................................Mignolet..........................
    ......................................................................
    Ivanovic - Zabaleta - Vertonghen - Vidic - Baines
    ......................................................................
    .....................Walcott.............Ozil...................
    ......................................................................
    ...............Giroud..........Bony........Welbeck.......

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