Scout Notes
6 August 2016 2058 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
Share:

Harry Kane is at the double as Spurs thrash Inter. Burnley’s Andre Gray scores yet again, Arsenal put eight past their Norwegian opponents, whilst West Ham enjoy a winning house-warming party.

Spurs 6 Inter Milan 1

Harry Kane hit the ground running with a brace on his return to a Spurs side bolstered by a number of internationals back from their summer break.

The England striker scored an early penalty earned by the impressive Kyle Walker and doubled his tally from an Erik Lamela assist in the second half.

Owned by 10% of FPL managers, the Argentinian midfielder was influential throughout, scoring from a Kane assist and setting up Academy striker Shayon Harrison to complete the drubbing.

In between, new signing Vincent Janssen assisted a Dele Alli goal before the roles were reversed to make it 5-1.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino also gave Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose their first starts of the summer, while Hugo Lloris and Ben Davies made their return to the squad on the bench.

Intriguingly, Kane and Janssen were afforded 17 minutes up front together before the former’s withdrawal just after the hour-mark – this saw the England international drop deeper into the central support role, allowing the new boy to lead the line.

After the match, Kane was confident they have the potential to strike up a partnership up front:

“He’s a great player. He likes to hold the ball up and bring others into the game. I’m sure we will play together this season. You can see he’s very strong, he’s got a good finish when he’s given the chance. He’s a great addition to the squad, as both signings have been.”

Spurs XI: Vorm (Lloris 46), Walker (Trippier 46), Alderweireld, Carter-Vickers, Rose (Davies 46); Mason (Winks 46), Dier (Amos 85); Lamela (Edwards 81), Alli (Harrison 76), Eriksen (Janssen 46); Kane (Carroll 62).

Arsenal 8 Viking FK 0

Four goals in ten second half minutes underlined Arsenal’s superiority against Norwegian opponents who faded badly.

Santi Cazorla missed an early penalty but played the full 90 minutes as captain of a young side, with neither Alexis Sanchez nor Aaron Ramsey featuring at all.

The Spaniard made amends when his corner was headed by Mohamed Elneny into the path of Joel Campbell, who made no mistake from a yard out.

Cazorla doubled the lead after the break, Campbell provided Theo Walcott with his first goal of pre-season shortly afterwards and an own goal soon followed as things turned ugly for Viking.

Alex Iwobi set up Campbell for his second before scoring two of his own, with assists from Cazorla and Jeff Reine-Adelaide, before Chuba Akpom rounded off the rout late on.

Gabriel returned from a bout of tonsilitis to stake his claim for a centre-half spot, while David Ospina was again preferred to Petr Cech in goal.

With a rather more meaningful fixture to come tomorrow against Man City, Arsene Wenger is likely to field a considerably stronger side – the Gunners boss has already confirmed that Sanchez will feature.

Wenger also gave Fantasy managers an early heads-up on his Gameweek 1 options by admitting that next Sunday’s encounter against Liverpool “will come too early” for Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil following their late return to training due to Euro 2016.

The Gunners boss also took time to single out Cazorla – a player that only last week he had suggested could miss the start of the season due to a lack of fitness:

“It’s the first time he’s played 90 minutes for a long, long time because he’s basically been out since November. He played the last game of the season and 90 minutes today. Let’s see how he recovers from that. Of course we need him back in good shape. He’s a pleasure to watch, especially when it’s a demonstration like tonight. He’s one of the few players that you don’t know whether they’re right or left footed. It’s good that he came through well. We have no injuries tonight so that’s positive.”

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Debuchy (Bellerin 70), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Iwobi 45), Gibbs (Monreal 70), Elneny (Zelalem 70), Gabriel (Holding 45), Campbell (Akpom 70), Cazorla, Walcott (Willock 70), Bielik, Coquelin (Reine-Adelaide 45).

Burnley 1 Real Sociedad 1

Yet another Andre Gray goal – his ninth in six summer matches – earned Burnley a draw from an encounter manager Sean Dyche saw as something of a template for the season ahead.

Already trailing 1-0, Burnley had to make do with minimal possession in the second half, defending manfully until Gray pinched a late equaliser with a fine solo effort.

Dyche was certainly glad of the goal – and the way the match panned out:

“It’s good because some teams in the Premier League will play like that and you’re going to have spells without the ball. It’s how well you deal with those spells.”

Gray’s superb pre-season has now tempted just over 11% of FPL managers, even though he will have to face Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal in the first eight Gameweeks.

Dyche fielded the strongest side available to him against Sociedad, with new signing Johann Berg Gudmundsson making his first appearance in front of the Burnley fans. The Icelandic international was afforded the right wing role, with Scott Arfield on the left, as George Boyd dropped to the bench.

The loan signing of Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan came too late for him to feature, while injuries also deprived Dyche of Stephen Ward and Ashley Barnes.

Burnley XI: Heaton; Lafferty, Mee, Keane, Lowton; Gudmundsson (Boyd 61), Marney (Ulvestad 83), Jones, Arfield; Gray, Vokes (Jutkiewicz 83).

Sunderland 1 Borussia Dortmund 1

Sunderland finished their six-match pre-season schedule unbeaten after earning a respectable draw against the Bundesliga big-hitters.

The Black Cats went behind early on but eventually pegged Dortmund back when Lamine Kone headed home a Jeremain Lens free-kick in the second half. Priced at 4.5 in FPL, the centre-half reminded us of the eye for goal that saw him score twice in 15 league outings after arriving in the 2015/16 winter transfer window.

Last night’s encounter was notable more for the number of key absentees than events on the pitch.

Injury had already deprived David Moyes of Jermain Defoe, Jan Kirchhoff, Sebastian Larsson and Billy Jones, while the absence of trialist Charles N’Zogbia suggests that his time at Sunderland is coming to an end.

Another trialist, Steven Pienaar, didn’t travel either, although the former Everton man is expected to continue training with the Black Cats.

After the stalemate, assistant manager Paul Bracewell issued an injury update as the Wearsiders prepare for their Gameweek 1 trip to Man City in seven days’ time:

“We’re hoping Billy will be fit for the start of the season. We left him and one or two others behind in the UK, but with a view to them joining back in on Monday, all being well. Jan is working over the weekend and we are hoping he will be back in. Billy as well. But we won’t know until Monday whether they have had any reactions from the work they have been doing. Again, Jermain has been working over the weekend and hopefully he will be back working with us next week. Seb’s picked up an injury and he is being assessed, so by Monday we will have a better picture.”

Moyes could at least call on the services of fit-again Patrick van Aanholt and Jack Rodwell, and he used John O’Shea in a holding role normally assigned to Kirchhoff, who is valued at 4.5 and designated as a midfielder in this year’s Fantasy Premier League game.

The Black Cats manager boosted his options at the back after making Chelsea defender Papy Djilobodji his first signing, with the club splashing out £8 million on the centre-half last night.

Sunderland XI: Mannone (Pickford 46), O’Shea, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Cattermole (Greenwood 84), Rodwell (Gooch 78), Watmore (Asoro 67), Lens (Honeyman 72), Khazri (J Robson 46), Borini (Embleton 84).

West Ham 3 NK Domzale 0

Cheikhou Kouyate’s brace, from Sam Byram and Andy Carroll assists, steered West Ham into the final Europa League qualifying round.

Sofiane Feghouli, who has impressed throughout the summer, added a third when Mark Noble sent him through as the Hammers celebrated their London Stadium debut in style.

Coach Slaven Bilic was without Euro 2016 stars Dimitri Payet, James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna as well as injured duo Aaron Cresswell and Manuel Lanzini, and he gave Reece Oxford a full 90 minutes in midfield despite the teenager being consistently linked with moves away from the Hammers.

Once again, Michail Antonio lined up at right-back, with Byram stationed on the opposite side of defence to cover for the stricken Cresswell.

After the 3-0 win, the Croatian talked up his goal scorers, with Feghouli, in particular, coming in for praise after netting his second of pre-season:

“Cheikhou has a great engine and determination and quality and those large, long strides make the pitch look small when he’s covering it. He’s a great asset. Sometimes when he plays deeper it limits his movement up front. He’s a top player and he’s getting in good shape. Sofiane Feghouli is a special kind of player and that’s why we’re happy to get him. He scored a great goal and could have got more. He works hard for the team. He still isn’t in his best shape, which is normal for this stage, and when he does, we’re expecting great things from him”.

In terms of off the pitch activity, Swansea’s Andre Ayew is reportedly edging towards a move to the Hammers, particularly as the Swans have just signed Spanish striker Fernando Llorente.

One player who won’t be leaving is Diafra Sakho. The forward was due to move to West Brom for a club record fee, but the deal fell through after a back injury meant the Senegal international is almost certain to miss the start of the season.

West Ham XI: Randolph, Antonio, Reid, Oxford, Byram, Feghouli (Quina 88), Nordtveit, Noble, Kouyate (Obiang 78), Valencia, Carroll (Fletcher 90).

  1. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Jake Livermore starts at centre-half alongside Curtis Davies, with Tom Huddlestone occupying his usual central midfield role

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Vahrez could go bananas next week

  2. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Gradel or Gaston for the first 3 weeks?

    1. Elijah's Wood
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Gaston has the fixtures, Gradel playing in a better team

  3. BigAsGiroud_
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lamela+Mahrez OR Deulo+Eriksen???

    1. KanyeWest
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      lamela and mahrez

    2. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A by quite a bit

      1. superhoofy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        lamela + mahrez - no brainer

  4. BoomXhakaLaca1
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Big Risk being taken here:

    Mandanda

    Baines Morgan Fernandez

    Payet Bolasie Willian Bojan

    Agueroooo Zlatan Vardy

    Bench: Jakupovic McCauley Paredes Fletcher

    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      makes for an ugly midfield....

      1. BoomXhakaLaca1
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        i wouldnt say ugly now Payet and Willian are decent picks i think, Bolasie is Palaces main man and Bojan is a very good player

        1. Rock Papiss Cissès
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Ugly without a doubt

    2. GunnerWin
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Redmond is better choice than Bojan

  5. MoeZe3bi
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    who will be arsenal's cb alongside koscielny after he recovers?

    1. Kante Be Bothered
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Prolly Gabriel

    2. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Gabs if they don't sign anyone

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    lol gueye

  7. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    4' Penalty to Espanyol after a trip by Gana which looked to be outside or on the edge of the box.

    Good debut.

  8. fiveyears
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Really not convinced about these players who played at the Euros who are being 'rested' and not playing in pre-season.

    Has put me off for GW1 as it will inevitably end in tears.

  9. England's Number 1
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I had Mandanda for Palace defensive coverage but now Hennessey is starting it's back to Souare one.

  10. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Ward prowse is nailed this season?

    Set pieces and maybe penalties. Do you think a good bet??

    1. Kroosin'
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      There are quite a few better 5.5 options.

      Ward Prowse will most likely start btw.

    2. Sillet Bang
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      decent player maybe his breakthrough season

  11. smix
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Cech- Jaku
    Shaw - Azpi- Friend - Souare- Pieters
    Sanchez - Hazard- Alli- Feghouli - Capoue
    Aguero- Long - Gray

    RMT Pls

    1. MoeZe3bi
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I suggest delaying Sanchez's pick

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Very good imo

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Feghoulu is a quastion mark with Ayew coming

    3. superhoofy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yes delay sanchez
      improve feghouli
      improve souare and pieters
      will long be rotated or replaced by austin ?
      how about wilson and gray as long term 6.5 value ?
      also think de gea will outscore cech this season - more starts and expect mourinhio to improve defence if not attack

      1. superhoofy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        like your team though- similar to mine

  12. Manani
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    who to get for chelsea??

    I am thinking willian or fabregas.
    also, what are the general consensus on lamela? his low price seems too good to be true

    1. MoeZe3bi
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Im really considering Willian, but Im worried that Conte could go for Cuadrado for RW/RM.

  13. FCElviston
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this tentative lineup appreciated:

    Cech-Mannone
    Alderweireld-Shaw-Dann-Friend-Pieters
    Mahrez-Hazard-Siggy-Redmond-Leko
    Aguero-Negredo-Long

    1. Pau
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      too heavy on defence

    2. Koolswan
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Is Friend nailed on?

    3. superhoofy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      alderweireld is old news ?
      as is dann ? - other defenders will shine this season
      not sure leko starts
      or what will happen with redmond ?
      mids struggle to score - how about gray ?
      will long play - or will he share a berth with austin ?

      1. FCElviston
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the thoughts, kids. This XI has changed many times today. Many more to go.

  14. HenkieBoy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Off topic :

    Piece of advice: Dont count too much on fixtures in the opening matches. There have been more away wins than home wins in the PL the last 3 seasons, in GW 1-3.

    According to soccerstats.com

    1. Chardee McDennis
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Thats a bit of a relief. Have a lot of (A) after my starting XI GW1!

    2. superhoofy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yes takes time for the form to settle down in first few weeks - bit chaotic - best to go with sure starters and be ready for change - take expensive and cheaper players

  15. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please

    Forster
    Shaw Terry Baines
    Hazard William Redmond Bolasie Martial
    Aguero Rondon

    bench: Foster Carroll Kone Souare

  16. Tomm
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Care to rate my Start team if you've got a minute gents?
    De Gea
    Alderweireld / Morgan / Azpilicueta
    Drinkwater / Kanté / Mahrez / Firmino
    Agüero (C) / Kane / Gray
    Subs; Jakupovic / Fletcher / Stones / Paredes

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Solid first team although your subs are quite weak. Personally I think there's better options than Drinkwater as well for that price.

    2. MSOD
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      2 things:

      1) Kante is a complete no go for me. He provides very little in the way of FPL and for the same price, there's players such as Ibe who offer differential and bring more to the table imo.

      2) Secondly, worth downgrading defence a little to free up funds to upgrade your bench/upgrade Drinkwater or Kante?

    3. superhoofy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yes bit early to squeeze the subs down in value - do that after xmas once the form book is solid and transparent

      kante is a no go for ff

      alder and azil are expensive - how about shaw and baines - would be suprised if they dont score over 110 points and prove value

      drinkwater not worth it

      aguero is worth it for captaincy - but kane will not score 220 points this season

  17. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    wickham 2 goals. What a player!

    6.0...is gold!

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Red Card is on hold.

  18. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    with cresswell injured...who will play?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No one knows. Nordtveit is considered as an option at LB atm

      1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        No he isn't, he's CB. Byram LB in the euro game. Played well too.

    2. Pau
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      byram

  19. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Not seen much of Mikhtarian. Where will he play? Just behind the striker? Could he get set pieces?

  20. StoneMountain
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    RMT:

    Butland (Jaku)
    Shaw Souare Stones (Friend, Parades)
    Mkhi Firmino Siggy Lamela (Capoue)
    Aguero Kane Long

    Thanks!

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      7

  21. Cristi@no R7
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A) Mkhitaryan &Kane
    OR
    B) Eriksen & Ibrahimovic

    1. HenkieBoy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hm... this is impossible to answer. But maybe B for gw1

  22. P_Bennett
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Please RMT...

    Cech Fabianski
    Alderweireld Williams van Aanholt Pieters McCauley
    Ward-Prowse Lamela Kouyate Deulofeu William
    Kane Gray Aquero

    $1.5 in the bank

  23. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Souare injury messing up my defensive plans..

    Pieters, Friend, Shaw, Souare**, Terry

    Change Terry and Souare- 10.0m to who?
    Or just find a new 4.5m player..
    Not many options about at 4.5m I think

  24. Pop
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Rate it please.

    Foster/ Adrian
    VVD/ Shaw/ Dawson/ Byram/ F. Mori
    Hazard/ Alli/ Redmond/ Siggs/ Firmino
    Long/ Ibra/ Gray

    I have couple of ideas:
    1) Change Ibra, Redmond and Firmino for Lukaku, Tadic and Martial.
    2) Change Ibra for Kane
    3) Change Ibra for Vardy and upgrade Redmond to Tadic

    What you think?

  25. alslam
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Heaton-Foster
    Wimmer-William-VanDijk-Sagna-Morgan
    Mikh-Nolito-Ayew-Alli-Redmond
    Ibra-Gray-Long

    any improvements to be made?

  26. ZaZaZu
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    My starting 11, I would like some opinions please. Not following the norm of an exciting strike force

    De Gea

    Bellerin Otamendi Alderwield Azpilicueta

    Firmino Alli De Bryune Hazard Eriksen

    Gray

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      If U had sanchez that would be great

  27. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I'd appreciate it if you could RMT please:

    De Gea Jakupovic

    Van Dijk Williams Friend McAuley Paredes
    Mkhitaryan Ayew Tadic Lamela Fletcher
    Aguero Ibrahimovic Gray

    1. superhoofy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      swansea are selling the family jewels - johnston may be the 5.0 alternative to williams and his scores should improve with butland and shawcross back

      mcauley is old news and west brom a terrible side - beaten by torquay in preseason ? - try kone ? if you want a player who may outshine his price

      mkhitarayan big mistake ? - new manager new club new league - too many obstacles

      Ayew is being sold ?

      Tadi - yes manager loves him - and Lamela yes - he is the value into the spurs attack

      Ibrahimovic will under achieve ? too old too slow - wrong style and fit for premiership - he's a rich man's jonjo shelvey

      1. The Mighty Hippo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        thanks for your comments....I'm really struggling to finalise my team this year.

        That's a good call about Kone for McAulay and although I had picked Ayew with a view to him transferring to West Ham, I hadn't settled on him and have been considering Willian as an alternative. I know what you mean about Ibra being a risk, what about the following:

        De Gea Jakupovic
        Morgan Friend Van Dijk Kone Paredes
        Mikhitaryan Lamela Willian Tadic Fletcher
        Aguero Kane Gray

        Final other option is swap Kane for Lukaku and Willian for Hazard?? I intend playing a 3-4-3 when players are available.

        1. superhoofy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          i was finalised until arno got a back injury !

          keep kane - lukaku is an unknown now he is heading to chelsea

          mikh and william seem the weak links left to me -

          i may go

          ali firminho tadic mahrez to start with - but i just have wilson and gray around aguero up front - so money is not too tight for me elsewhere

          it's aguero or ibra for me as neither is particulary good value so having two poor value players soaking up such cash is too much for me - i will start with aguero - i dont think ibra will flop as much as flounder and occasionally flatter - aguero will either simmer and get injured or explode and get injured - he is a rich man's andy carroll

          1. superhoofy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            I think there will be better value at chelsea than hazard and it may be willian or oscar or who knows - but until we get a handle on conti i would steer clear

  28. Koolswan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Hey,
    Pls suggest a good forward for 5m.
    Also who is a better option between Mane and Firmino?

  29. Koolswan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Hello guys,
    Is Payet a doubt for the first couple of games?