Scout Notes
24 July 2016 1915 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Riyad Mahrez nets a superb opener as Leicester get the better of Celtic. Promoted frontmen Andre Gray and Jordan Rhodes take their summer tallies to four strikes apiece, Southampton new boy Nathan Redmond bags a brace, whilst a trio of midfielders are amongst the goals as Ronald Koeman kick starts his Everton career with a victory.

Portsmouth 3 Bournemouth 3

Bournemouth equalised twice but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils in a six-goal thriller against their south coast rivals.

Lewis Grabban, Jordon Ibe and Dan Gosling were on target for the Cherries, with Ryan Fraser and Rhoys Wiggins providing assists.

Coach Eddie Howe had to make do without a number of players at Fratton Park.

Steven Cook was due to have a precautionary scan over the weekend on a thigh issue picked up on the club’s US trip, although Howe is confident the key defender will miss no more than two weeks of action.

Elsewhere in the treatment room, striker Benik Afobe is expected to return to light training at the start of next week following a knee injury. On-loan Nathan Ake was rested as a precautionary measure, whilst Adam Smith has yet to return to action, having missed the end of the previous campaign with a groin injury.

Bournemouth XI: Federici, O’Kane, Francis, Daniels, Wiggins (Butcher 83), Fraser (Ibe 45), L Cook (MacDonald 45), Arter, Pugh (King 45), Grabban (Mousset 45), Wilson (Gosling 45).

Bradford City 1 Burnley 4

Andre Gray continued his fine pre-season form with another two goals – doubling his summer tally – as Burnley scored three in five first-half minutes.

George Boyd crossed for Gray to head home after 15 minutes and the striker doubled the lead two minutes later from a Dean Marney through-ball.

Ben Mee’s header from a David Jones corner rounded off the scoring burst, with Michael Kightly adding a fourth late on.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche was able to field two Euro 2016 returnees – Stephen Ward and Tom Heaton – with new signing Nick Pope replacing the latter in goal after the break.

A comprehensive victory for the Clarets was marred only by Ashley Barnes coming off with a hamstring injury and his replacement, Lukas Jutkiewicz, then succumbing to a similar complaint of his own.

Post match, Dyche rolled out an update on the duo:

“Ashley felt his hamstring and that’s why he just walked straight off. I’ve told the players to do that. There are no heroes at this stage and as soon as they feel anything at all they have to head off, because then there’s a shorter recovery period. We hope it’s a minor one, but we’ll have to wait and see. Lukas was going to come out for the second half, but his hamstring was tight when he was warming up, so I said not to push it. We want people fit.”

Burnley XI: Heaton (Pope 46), Darikwa (Lowton 73), Keane (K Long 73), Mee (Tarkowski 73), Ward (Lafferty 66), Arfield (Ginnelly 81), Marney (Ulvestad 66), Jones (O’Neill 81), Boyd (Kightly 73), Gray (Agyei 66), Barnes (Jutkiewicz 44, (Hennings 46))

Barnsley 0 Everton 3

A strong Everton side made short work of Barnsley and handed new manager Ronald Koeman a pre-season victory.

The Toffees had already kept a clean sheet in a behind-closed-doors match against Czech outfit FK Jablonec last weekend, and they did it again in Yorkshire – without either Phil Jagielka or John Stones, who had a minor muscle strain.

Mason Holgate and Brendan Galloway deputised for the two England internationals, but there was plenty of experience on show across the pitch, with Kevin Mirallas opening the scoring from a free-kick and Gerard Deulofeu latching onto a Ross Barkley through-ball to double the lead.

Barkley then scored himself to cap a fine second-half performance as Everton employed Koeman’s high tempo pressing game to good effect.

Joel Robles was preferred in goal for this opening friendly, with Maarten Stekelenburg unused from the bench – both are priced at 5.0 in the FPL.

Everton XI: Robles, Davies (Coleman 45), Galloway (Mori 45), Holgate (Pennington 75), Baines (Oviedo 60); Lennon, Gibson (Grant 60), Besic (McGeady 60), Mirallas (Cleverley 60), Galloway (Barkley 45), Deulofeu (Tarashaj 60).

Scunthorpe United 0 Hull 2

Hull might be without a manager and a large chunk of their senior players, but they continued their unbeaten pre-season run with a regulation win at Scunthorpe.

Shaun Maloney and Abel Hernandez struck either side of half-time, with Robert Snodgrass and Sam Clucas providing the assists.

Caretaker manager Mike Phelan had to make do with what little resources are currently at his disposal, recalling Josh Clackstone from an U21 training camp to partner Curtis Davies in defence and using Clucas and Maloney in central midfield. Adama Diomande also made his first appearance of pre-season.

With Allan McGregor sidelined for months due to injury, Eldin Jakupovic (priced at 4.0 in Fantasy Premier League) was praised for his performance by the local media as he looks to strengthen his claim to be the club’s number one goalkeeper in the Scot’s absence.

Hull XI: Jakupovic, Elmohamady (Barkworth 76), Clackstone, Davies, Robertson (Tymon 46), Diame (Bowen 60), Snodgrass, Maloney (Olley 76), Clucas, Luer (Hernandez 46), Diomande (Odemwingie 60).

AD Alcorcon 2 Middlesbrough 2

Alvaro Negredo and Victor Valdes were handed their debuts as Aitor Karanka’s side ended all-square with the Spanish second division outfit, AD Alcorcon.

Negredo made an instant impact, netting after fellow new boy Gaston Ramirez’ shot came back off the post, and the Spaniard almost doubled his haul before being replaced at the break.

That was one of five alterations made by Karanka at half-time, with Jordan Rhodes replacing Negredo in the usual 4-2-3-1 set-up. The former Blackburn man is clearly intent on nailing down the lone striker role and maintained his fine summer form by netting a fourth of pre-season, courtesy of a Carlos de Pena assist.

Middlesbrough XI: Valdes (Mejias 46), Barragan (Nsue 46), Morris (De Sart 71), Gibson (Baptiste 71), Friend (Reach 71), Clayton (Forshaw 71), De Roon (Fischer 71), Adomah (Stuani 46), Ramirez (Nugent 46), Downing (De Pena 59), Negredo (Rhodes 46).

Celtic 1 Leicester City 1 (Leicester win 6-5 on penalties)

The Sunday press are now linking Riyad Mahrez with a move to Arsenal, but the Player of the Year seemed to thoroughly enjoy his first pre-season run-out for the champions.

The Algerian marked it with a typically stunning goal, cutting in from the right and firing home with his left.

Ranieri used the Celtic match to field all three of his new signings, with centre-half Luis Hernandez starting ahead of Marcin Wasilewski at the back. One of that pair will be expected to be given the nod at Hull on the opening day, with Robert Huth serving a suspension from last season.

Hernandez’ long throws a consistent and potent attacking weapon throughout a contest which saw Ranieri deploy Demarai Gray in behind lone striker Leonardo Ulloa in the first half.

Leicester XI: Zieler (Schmeichel 46); Amartey, Hernandez (Okazaki 62), Morgan (Wasilewski 62), Chilwell; Mahrez (Fuchs 70), Mendy (Simpson 46), Drinkwater, Albrighton (Schlupp 46); Ulloa (Huth 62), Gray (Musa 46).

PEC Zwolle 0 Southampton 4

A goal from Charlie Austin, a Nathan Redmond double and a late penalty for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg gave Claude Puel’s men a comfortable win in Holland.

Puel ran the rule over 21 players, but Dušan Tadić missed out and the Euro 2016 quartet of Steven Davis, Shane Long, Ryan Bertrand and Fraser Forster were also absent having only returned to training in midweek.

Defender Maya Yoshida made his first start of pre-season as Austin finished off some good work from Oriol Romeu before the striker played in Redmond to score his first goal for the Saints.

His second arrived not long afterwards and was a typical individual effort before the 4.5 priced Højbjerg opened his own Southampton account after winning and then converting a penalty.

After the match, Puel revealed he expects Tadic to quickly recover from a minor leg complaint:

“I think Dusan can play in the next game. We just took the decision to leave him for this game. He felt just something in his leg and I think for the next game, or perhaps for Saturday, no problem, he can play.”

Southampton XI First half: Gazzaniga, Martina, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Targett, Romeu, Clasie, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Redmond, Austin.

Southampton XI Second half: Gazzaniga, Valery, Stephens, Jones, McQueen, Højbjerg, Reed, Hesketh (Turnbull 71), Isgrove, Gallagher, Olomola.

Preston North End 1 Stoke 1

Ryan Shawcross and Marko Arnautovic returned to the fray as boss Mark Hughes again experimented with a three centre-back system.

It was the second successive time Hughes had tried the formation, using Philipp Wollscheid, Shawcross and Marc Muniesa in between wing-backs Glen Johnson and Erik Pieters.

Charlie Adam and Giannelli Imbula sat in central midfield while Arnautovic, Joselu and Bojan rotated positions up front.

Mame Diouf, Peter Crouch and Julian Ngoy then came on as the Potters reverted to a 4-2-3-1 after the break and it was Diouf, working from the right wing, who equalised from a Bojan pass.

After the match, Hughes conceded he’s still happy to tinker with his tactical approach at the moment:

“We used three different formations throughout the game today, starting off with three at the back which is something that new to the lads. That is something that could be an option to us next season – there are positive aspects to it but there are problems that it brings too, which we need to look at and address. There is certainly no harm in having more strings to our bow though.”

The news that 19-year-old winger Ramadan Sobhi is almost certain to join the Potters in a £5 million move from Egyptian champions Al Ahly will add to his option as the club prepare for a ten-day US training camp.

Stoke XI: Butland; Johnson (Bardsley 65), Shawcross (Ngoy 46), Wollscheid, Muniesa, Pieters (Taylor 80); Adam, Imbula (Lecygne 75); Bojan (Shenton 65), Arnautovic (Diouf 46); Joselu (Crouch 46).

Rotherham Utd 1 Sunderland 2

David Moyes watched his new club beat Rotherham through goals from Fabio Borini and Charles N’Zogbia.

The Black Cats’ new boss might seek to tweak the 4-3-3 formation put out by stand-in coaches Paul Bracewell and Robbie Stockdale, but the system worked well, with Wahbi Khazri and Fabio Borini either side of Jermain Defoe and Jeremain Lens, Charles N’Zogbia and Jack Rodwell starting in midfield.

Borini opened the scoring from an N’Zogbia pass before the French trialist sealed the win late in the second half.

Sunderland XI: Pickford (Mannone 46), J Robson, Kone (E Robson 84), Kaboul (Ledger 77), van Aanholt, Rodwell, N’Zogbia, Lens (Greenwood 88), Khazri (Gooch 64), Borini (Watmore 55), Defoe (Honeyman 75).

Bristol Rovers 1 Swansea 5

Andre Ayew, starting up front for the second match running, scored early as Swansea put four past their opponents in the first half.

Ayew found the top corner with a free-kick after Jack Cork was fouled before Leroy Fer stole possession and ran through to make it two.

Stephen Kingsley was the next on the score sheet when his cross looped into the net and Kyle Naughton rounded off a clinical first period with a fourth.

Wayne Routledge made it five after the break from a Cork assist.

Jefferson Montero and Ki Sung-Yueng, along with a quartet of Euro 2016 stars that includes Gylfi Sigurdsson, are still yet to join up with the Swans.

Swansea XI: Nordfeldt (Tremmel 62), Naughton, Fernandez, Amat (van der Hoorn 77), Kingsley (Rangel 62),Britton (Fulton 62), Cork, Fer (King 77), Dyer (Barrow 77), Routledge (Gorre 80), Ayew (McBurnie 62).

Watford 0 Anzhi Makhachkala 0

Watford’s Austrian tour ended in a uneventful goalless draw played out in sweltering conditions.

Coach Walter Mazzarri again employed a 3-5-2 system, with Christian Kabasele handed his first start alongside Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos in defence.

If the Hornets’ fans had little to enjoy on the pitch, there were points of interest off it, with reports of a £16 million bid for Lille midfielder Sofiane Boufal and a loan move for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers.

Watford XI: Gomes (Pantilimon 46); Kabasele (Prödl 61), Cathcart (Nyom 61), Britos (Rowan 82); Anya (Zuniga 65), Watson (Amrabat 61), Capoue, Doucoure (Mason 75), Holebas (Suarez 61); Deeney, Sinclair (Vydra 61).

Karlsruher 0 West Ham 3

West Ham’s previously underwhelming pre-season finally moved up a gear with a convincing victory in Austria.

The Hammers made a fast start against their German opponents when Andy Carroll headed home an Enner Valencia cross and Sofiane Feghouli continued his fine July form by doubling the lead with a shot from 20 yards.

Substitute Ashley Fletcher rounded off an eye-catching performance when he finished smartly from an Aaron Cresswell pass late on, but the full-back’s match ended not long afterwards when he was forced off by a challenge that soured an otherwise good night for the Hammers.

Coach Slaven Bilic, who partnered Havard Nordtveit with Winston Reid at centre-half and again used Michail Antonio as a right-back, had mixed feelings as his side prepare for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League tie against NK Domzale in Slovenia.

“We played as a team, we were compact, we saw some great things and it was a good result. The only downside of this game is that we have to see what is wrong with Cresswell. He got injured and it didn’t look that good. We will have to assess it.”

West Ham XI: Randolph, Antonio, Nordtveit, Reid (Rice 85), Cresswell (Makasi 85), Feghouli (Martinez 85), Noble, Kouyate, Tore (Byram 64), Valencia (Fletcher 75), Carroll (Obiang 64)

1,915 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Big sams big plans
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    I'm keeping an eye on barkley in the pre season, think he could potentially be a good option

    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Thank you.

    2. Esraj
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      catch him at the right time.

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      GB said Deulofeu was playing as a number 10 yesterday . Barkley has to be the number 10 to have any chance of being in my team .

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        GB says a lot of things.

        Barkley came on at half and dazzled with a goal and assist.

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          😆

        2. Worzel Gummidge
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Barkley is in my team now but no idea why. My app is saying he got 2 goals and the other was Miralles. That correct? Who got the assists?

        3. davies
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Baffles me how he wasn't given a chance for England in Euro's

      2. Big sams big plans
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Deulofeu may be one to watch then, I thought he was amazing when he played last season

    4. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      2 2 2 2 2 14 2 2 2 2

  2. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    RMT please

    Foster Jaku
    Shaw Terry Stones Friend Wilson
    Mahrez Mkhi Ayew Tadic Fletcher
    Kun Lukaku Gray/Rondon

  3. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    RMT

    Foster / Mannone
    Azpilicueta / Shaw / Souare / Taylor / Wasilewski
    Mkhitaryan / Firmino / Tadic / Townsend / Gradel
    Aguero / Costa / Gray

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Personally I'd downgrade gradel and upgrade tadic/Townsend

      1. andymck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Anyone worth getting who's less than 5.5?

        1. UshFPL
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          A 4.5 such as Fletcher to bench every week

        2. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Routledge been decent in pre season, else just get a 4.5 fodder

  4. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Why it's always 0.5 short? 😡

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      That's what she said.

  5. Squires FC
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Any friendlies worth watching today?

  6. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Now that West Ham have wingers in Feghouli and Tore does this mean Payet can finally play centrally?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      yes

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Feghouli could play in the 10 with Payet on the left. Honestly, Payet is better as an inside left forward rather than a #10.

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        But Payet probably likely to play in the hole at the start of the season.

    3. djenzio
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I thought Feghouli was a no.10?

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        He can play the wing and the #10

    4. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Bilic seems to prefer him coming inside from the left.

    5. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't Lanzini play a couple of games at number 10 last year ? . I don't think it guarantees much

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        He played most there with Payet on the left iirc

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers Jazz

      2. MrMaverick
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        lanzini played as a cm in 433, not at 10

    6. MrMaverick
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      wh play a 433, not a 4231 lol

  7. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Hazard worth 2.5 more than fab? i get it that conte claimed hazard is the second coming of jesus christ, but in reality he had a very poor year - chelsea AND belguim...

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Yes imo

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        thanks

    2. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Belgium might have disappointed a bit at the Euros but some of his performances were unreal.

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      He did well in the euros

    4. Big sams big plans
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Hazard was not poor for Belgium, he was their best player by a mile

  8. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Looking to wc after gw7.

    Leave one of the following out.
    Yaya, Eriksen or Firmino.

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Yaya

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      yaya

    3. UshFPL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Yaya

    4. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Only one I'd want to start with is Eriksen

      Leave out yaya

    5. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks boys.

      New it would be a majority of Yaya's but not that it would be this decisive.

  9. UshFPL
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Which of these options do you prefer?
    A) Tadic and Ayew
    B) Mahrez and Feghouli/Gradel
    C) Mane and Redmond
    D) Firmino and Townsend
    E) Any other £15.0 combo
    The rest of my midfield is Hazard, Mkhi and Hojberg

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B but only if mahrez stays at leicester
      Else E) Eriksen + Townsend

    4. UshFPL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks. Was leaning towards A but going with B now. Only problem is its a bit inflexible i think? Means i have to make 2 transfers to change my 5.5 to the early midfield bandwagon

  10. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Is Payet likely to play GW1?

  11. Worzel Gummidge
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Hello. So.....

    1) Hazard & Rooney
    2) Bats & Mhiki

    I pefer 1. Big hopes for Rooney and Hazard more secured for starts over Bats maybe (plus a pen taker)

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      1.

    2. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      That's not equal.

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Costa + mkhi?

    4. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      2 for me. Seriously surprised by the amount Rooney seems to be cropping up. He's finished as a top player

    5. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      1

  12. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    The better front 8

    A
    MK Hazard Townsend Lamela Capoue
    Kun Lukaku Austin

    B MK Eriksen Townsend Mirallas Tadic
    Kun Costa Diamonde

    A gives 3-4-3, B is a 3-5-2

    Thoughts??

    1. H-SF
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A, Lamela will be class next season. I wouldn't choose Capoue or Townsend though.

  13. Morgs
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Does anyone know when the 16/17 iPhone app comes out for FPL?

    1. Sillet Bang
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      use ffm when they update it

      1. Morgs
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What's ffm?

  14. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    I'm surprised by lack of Kanes in RMTs

    1. Esraj
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      No dembele. Looked burnt out in the Euros.

    2. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Too pricey for my liking, going without initially though that may change of he starts banging them in..

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Fair, Costa is a better deal imo

        1. MrMaverick
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          gr8 banter

  15. Hibbo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Messi has had his hair dyed blonde.

    What a fruit.

  16. DaveBensonPhilips
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Is anyone tempted by Albrighton at 5.5? I'm flip-flopping between him and Gradel.

    1. Esraj
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Gradel much better choice.

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Not at all

    3. Morgs
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Sounds like a gay porno full of disappointment

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Harsh.

        OP could easily be a girl.

      2. DaveBensonPhilips
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What a thing to say

    4. davies
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Don't think he'll start

    5. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Gradel, Ibe and Feg is your man.

  17. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Højberg scored a pen yesterday? Could make him more interesting, might monitor for couple of weeks but definitely on the radar..

    1. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      None of the regular penalty takers were on the field. I'd be wary. For me, Capoue is unrivalled in the 4.5 bracket

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Leko

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      He won the pen and took it in a team of reserves against a useless team.

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        This, so only focus on that he won a pen.

    3. davies
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Too risky to start with I reckon

  18. Esraj
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Liverpool have a long list of players indeed. What are they gonna do with so many midfielders?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Idk, but I'm not going near til things clear up with the way they play. Expect a lot of rotation.

      1. polis
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I was set on Firmino but you've got me thinking now.

        Surely he's the most nailed on the 73 attacking mids they have?

        1. H-SF
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          No not sure, I think Llalana will get game time as he fits Klopp's style (intense press) but surely Mane (will probably start) and Gini (in and out of the team) being signed is bad for Firmino's chances.

    2. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Hopefully ship off Lucas. Milner and Henderson not guaranteed a start either.

      I think Klopp will start with Can, Grujic and Wijnaldum..

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        So one of Coutinho, FIrmino and Mane benched?

        1. polis
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Surely didn't spend that much on Mane to bench him. Which now contradicts my point above.

          Urgh. What a mess.

        2. BrockLanders
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Depends on the line up, but I'd assume a 4,3,3. Then you'd have Coutinho, Firmino, Mane, Sturridge and Mane vying for 3 positions. Would think only Coutinho is completely nailed out of those 5..

          1. polis
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Wijnaldum isn't a central mid either, so throw him in the mix for the 3.

            And Lallana.

            And may as well throw Markovic in there too.

            Absolute minefield. I'd have thought Firmino would be more nailed than Coutinho but you're probably right.

  19. Prøphet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Ivanovic set to miss the start of the season due to injury.

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Can't see him starting anyway.

      1. Prøphet
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Regardless, one less option for Che at the back.

  20. davies
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Seems like a 3-way rotation of defenders from CPL, MID, SWA is the best one on paper

    Souare, Friend & Naylor the best choices?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      That's what I've gone for.

    2. MrMaverick
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      lol

      1. davies
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What you lol'ing at

        1. MrMaverick
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          lol

          1. andy85wsm
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            No need to be an idiot about it. If you don't like someone else's idea either don't comment or let them know why and what could be better

  21. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Cuadrado gonna be a nice pick if Willian is injured.

    A proper RWB.

    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Willian injured?

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        If.

    2. H-SF
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      off to Italy isn't he?

  22. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    How injured is Alexis? When is he expected back?

      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Sounds like he should be fine for GW1?

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Wenger is saying the exact same thing he said this time last year . It's hard to tell at the min .

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            No preseason for last two years , needs a rest etc . It would be a complete guess on my part at the min

  23. Les Majesteux
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Who is nailed on for Swansea in defence?

    My guess is Williams and Taylor.

    1. H-SF
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Kyle Naughton maybe?

    2. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Williams the only totally safe one at the moment

  24. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    How is this looking?

    Mandanda, DDG
    Friend, Terry, Evans, PVA, Soare
    Hazard, Eriksen, Feghouli, Bolasie, Leko
    Aguero, Ibra, Gray
    0.5m in account.

    1. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Def bit light will Ibra be matchfit for GW 1 as he not on pre-season tour...

  25. C_G
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this squad?

    Jaku Foster

    Shaw Azpi Friend Pieters Fernandez

    MK Redmond Mahrez Townsend Gradel

    Aguero Gray Costa

    1. H-SF
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      v. good squad can't really fault it. I would probably opt for Feghouli over Gradel.

      1. Top 210 Club
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Feg very poor goal record, gradel can score hatties

  26. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Did Cresswell have his scan yet?

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      It's a boy.

  27. KujaliaFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Is there no UFPL this season?

    I really enjoyed that game.

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Nope.

      1. KujaliaFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Darn.

        Oh well, I guess I'll be more focused.

  28. Jay_
    9 years, 11 months ago

    What option fills the gaps better?

    Foster Jakupovic
    *** *** Fernandez Souare Kone
    Hazard Mahrez Ayew *** Capoue
    Aguero Gray ***

    A: Fuchs VVD Mkhitaryan Wilson

    B: Morgan Cedric Gradel Ibrahimvic

    1. Rich_20
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A is surely odds on to score more points over the whole season. Ibra will frustrate and pop up in spurts imo.

  29. Jonny Sutt
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Best 5.5 midfield?

    1. Les Majesteux
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Feghouli
      Ibe
      Fischer
      Grandel

      Just my opinion.

    2. UshFPL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Gradel or Feghouli

      1. H-SF
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        tough one that. I chose Feg but am reconsidering...

  30. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Goodness just watched Swansea's pre season game there and Ayew is up top. Must say that makes him very interesting