[sbu_large_image] Scout Notes
16 December 2013 1941 comments
Paul Paul
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Luis Suarez tears Tottenham apart as Liverpool turn in their slickest display of the season. Danny Welbeck is at the double as Wayne Rooney drops deeper in United’s comfortable win at Villa, while Gary Hooper is in the goals again as Norwich and Swansea share the points at Carrow Road:

Suarez Dismantles Spurs at the Lane
Having scored in just one of his previous four away games, the Uruguayan was overlooked by many for the armband this weekend. Factor in the loss of Steven Gerrard in the Liverpool engine room and there were concerns that Brendan Rodgers’ side may struggle to break down the Tottenham rearguard – what transpired was nothing short of sublime as Suarez served up an astonishing 22-point haul in his first game as stand-in Reds skipper.

Playing a part in all five of his side’s strikes, with two goals and a trio of assists in the 5-0 hammering, the Uruguayan’s performances have now reached a level previously unseen by Fantasy managers – put into perspective, Robin van Persie averaged 6.9 points per game last term for United; Suarez has so far produced 12.4 ppg in 11 appearances. The Liverpool forward has seven double-figure hauls to his name and, with 16 goals and 10 assists, has played a part in 26 of the 34 goals his side have scored since he returned from suspension in Gameweek 6 – with a home game against Cardiff up next, it’s likely he’ll be the most overwhelming armband favourite in memory.

Henderson Under the Radar
Recovered from the knock picked up in last week’s win over West Ham, the midfielder was fielded as the most advanced of the central midfield three in yesterday’s trip to Tottenham. The only outfield player to start every league game under Brendan Rodgers, Henderson delivered his most impressive showing of the season by bagging a goal and assist in the 5-0 rout. A crucial part of the Reds’ first XI, he has also chipped in with a couple of assists over the last six and, priced at just 5.9 in FPL, may be a real, overlooked alternative to consider in light of his new position. Elsewhere, Philippe Coutinho turned in yet another disappointing display for his Fantasy owners and failed to deliver points yet again. Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their last six league games with the Brazilian back in the XI but, despite his side’s flourishing form, the 8.6-priced midfielder has just a single goal and assist to his name over that period – a clear example, if ever, that picking a player based on the idea of “team coverage” is never guaranteed to bring home the points.

Spurs Fail Miserably at Both Ends of the Pitch
With the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches all still sidelined through injury, the Spurs boss watched on as his patched-up backline was dismantled by Suarez and co. Having registered seven clean sheets in the first 10 Gameweeks, Spurs have conceded in every league game since in a run that has seen them ship 16 goals in just six league games as their defensive resolve has quickly fallen to pieces. A recent upturn in attacking intent had produced two goals in each of the last three before yesterday but the statistics are damning for Villas-Boas – his side failed to register a single shot on target and allowed Liverpool their first clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 2. The Spurs boss now faces up to the next three games without his midfield ever-present Paulinho – the Brazilian will miss the midweek cup clash against West Ham, in addition to league games with Southampton and West Brom. However, his manager has revealed the club may consider appealing his sending-off.

Welbeck Shines as Rooney Drops Deep
Having seen Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku fail to live up to our expectations the previous day, Wayne Rooney’s Fantasy owners were optimistic of a bumper haul away to Villa yesterday. Instead, the United forward was handed a more withdrawn role and managed just a single assist in the 3-0 win as Danny Welbeck made the most of a rare opportunity as the champions’ lone striker.

With Robin van Persie sidelined for a month due to a thigh injury, Welbeck certainly staked a claim for another start through the middle at home to West Ham next weekend by bagging a first-half brace before Tom Cleverley added the third. Coming in at just 7.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Welbeck’s budget-friendly appeal could sway many non-Rooney owners eyeing up a potential replacement for Aguero, depending on the latter’s calf scans. Welbeck’s versatility could prove his downfall, though – despite his impressive showing, he may yet be shifted to the flanks if Moyes opts to restore Shinji Kagawa to his XI. The Japan international missed out through illness again yesterday but, if fit in time for next week, could well be handed the role in “the hole”, thus allowing Rooney the advanced central spot once again.

Rare Clean Sheet for United at Lacklustre Villa
Somewhat incredibly, yesterday was the first time this season Moyes’ side have kept out their opponents on the road. With a single shut-out in their previous 11 Gameweeks, United rolled up to Villa with one of the poorest defensive records in the league but benefitted from their hosts’ worrying inability to find the net. Home games against West Ham and Swansea in the next five, allied with trips to Hull and Norwich hint at further defensive returns and bolster Jonny Evans’ appeal – the 5.0 priced Northern Ireland international has now started eight of the last 10 league fixtures and continues to benefit from injury concerns over the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling at the heart of the champions’ defence.

For the hosts, Paul Lambert has plenty to worry about. Despite handing Christian Benteke another start in a 4-3-3, the Villa boss watched his side fail to score for the seventh time in the last 10 Gameweeks – the only crumb of comfort for Villa is that their schedule (sto, CPL, SWA, sun) remains favourable over the next four. Lambert will need to make do without Gabby Agbonlahor for next week’s trip to the Britannia, though – the forward will serve a one-match ban after picking up his fifth caution of the campaign yesterday.

Hooper’s Scoring Streak Continues
The Canaries summer signing fired home a superb equaliser to earn a share of the spoils at home to Swansea yesterday. Hooper’s long-range effort was clearly the sign of a striker filled with self-belief right now – he’s now scored in four of the last six Gameweeks, which is all the more impressive given that he was a sub for one of those matches. Indeed, Hooper has now struck four of his side’s nine goals from Gameweek 9 onwards and, despite rumours of an imminent return for Ricky van Wolfswinkel, the 6.1-priced former Celtic man will surely continue to lead the line as Chris Hughton’s side prepare to face all of the bottom three (sun, FUL, cpl) in the next four Gameweeks.

Dyer Concern for Swans
The wide man continued his upturn in attacking consistency by grabbing the opener at Carrow Road yesterday. Having recently notched against Stoke and Newcastle, Dyer’s strike was the third time in the last six Gameweeks he has found the net but Michael Laudrup is now sweating over his availability after he was withdrawn before the interval with an ankle injury. Initial x-rays have shown “no obvious break”, according to the club, with Dyer set for further scans later tomorrow before a final diagnosis.

The Swans boss will also be concerned by Michu’s form – the Spaniard was handed the lone forward role but yet again drew a blank as he continues to find last season’s form hard to rediscover – he’s now scored just twice in 12 appearances this term and, with Everton, Chelsea, City, United and Spurs in the next six Gameweeks, few will be willing to go anywhere near Swansea’s assets just now.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB departure confirmed

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  2. The Finnisher
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    That's gotta be the end of Michael Dawson.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Aye. Any manager with sense knows Dawson is shite, unfortunately.

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Doubt it, he gets a lot of unfair press on here, he is not part of a one man defensive unit. Spurs defensive record was not their problem initially, it was the host of expensive flops in other areas, 7 goals at home all season.

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  3. AK ⭐
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Bye bye AVB.

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  4. vova
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB to Rodgers for a hit?

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  5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    christ, i bet the spurs board didnt captain suarez....... talk about a rage transfer!! 😀

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      They probably still have Soldado... 😀

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  6. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-agrees-departure-of-andre-villas-boas-161213/

    By mutual consent, AVB has left Spurs. Official statement above.

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    1. Tribecca
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      lol! he deserves it!! 2 sackings in 3 yrs AVB is just a bad bad coach

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        he had an excellent record and was very highly regarded before taking the Chelsea job.

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Bit of a shame IMO. I'd have liked to see him given he chance to turn this around.

      Burning question for me, who was actually responsible for transfer dealings?

      I think AVB's biggest problem was the sheer number of "good" players in midfield with no out and out "star-quality" players. Nobody was good enough to justify a proper run in the team.

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  7. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero to Soldado???

    Surely they will start to score goals now!!

    Essential!!

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      **Defoe

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  8. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    This is what happens when you have a manager who is younger than the ball boys.

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  9. Rafabio
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB sacked yet?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure. I'm waiting for breaking news.

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  10. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Adios Villas Boas.

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    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Andre Villas Goas

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      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        😛

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  11. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Any news this morning?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing, boring isn't it?

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  12. Scottys Army
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    levy is a clown

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      yep he was so full of himself after bales sale too

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      1. De_Roiste
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        To be fair, he played that well and did great business.. But Real got their own back by seeking Özil to Arsenal.

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  13. Hobo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs sell their best player and bring in 7 new faces, then give manager 4 months to make it work - Joke club!

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    1. Scottys Army
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      agree , avb didnt get a say in who was bough either

      Mickey mouse club

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      It may be difficult, but his tactics and line ups have been wrong all season.

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      1. Hobo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        7 new players, most intended to be first team - not easy to find the right formation with that

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  14. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    How does this look

    Kun & RavMo to Lukaku & Silva?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Nice, unlucky with the timing of the question. 😉

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    2. boogle
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I replied to your first one.

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  15. A.T
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Next spurs manager then?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      ole gunnar

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    2. vova
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Martin Lol

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    3. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Capello

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    4. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Or Di Matteo

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    5. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      ' Arry

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    6. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Holloway. Has premier league experience, used to handling new faces and plays attacking football

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  16. De_Roiste
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Whomever takes over at Spurs has a fantastic squad!

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  17. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I just put 100pounds on Capello being next Tottenham manager at 4/1, it won't be that for long guys!

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      where?

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        stan james

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    2. hugothedog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Either this or Sherwood caretaker until spring.

      Levy has a history of caretaker managers.

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    3. vova
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Capello won't leave Russia before the World Cup... I hope.

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  18. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Suarez getting managers sacked now too 🙄

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  19. sy
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Did AVB make the summer signings? If so then he deserves to go if not then the person bringing them in should be sacked.

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    1. Scottys Army
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      it was the sporting director

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    2. Damo.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Nah it was Baldini. Just been reading he's also had the best win % of any Spurs manager in the premier league era.

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      1. sy
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        He should get the blame more than AVB, its a shame I do like AVB as a manager but when you dont control the players brought in makes life more difficult.

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  20. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Saf > spurs

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  21. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Seriously ... Ian Holloway for the next Spurs manager. Please!

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  22. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    How many millions will the new spurs manager be given to spend in January 😉

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  23. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    is de matteo avialble for spurs ?

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    1. sy
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      He is would be a decent choice

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  24. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    They talk a lot in the draw.

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  25. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs sabotaging the CL draw with news release. Close as they'll get to the Chumps League for a year or so.

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  26. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    CL draw, AVB sacked!!!

    So much to discuss on here 🙂

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Do you ever work. 😛

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  27. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB will somehow worm his way into another big club.

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    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not in England surely? He's shown nothing at two clubs now. You'd be mad to give him a job.

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  28. Willis.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Di Matteo will be the next Spurs manager and will go on to win the league.

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