Scout Notes
6 August 2016 2058 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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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. Slartibartfast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one, please!

    a) Firmino

    2) Alli/Eriksen

    γ) Siggy first two + 1.0 ITB

    1. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Eriksen for me

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

        Cheers. Spurs' fixtures don't look too bad and Eriksen does rack up the points over the course of a season. Really like Swansea's first two, though... Midfield is tricky this season.

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

      I think Eriksen to start then Firmino. Siggy very tempting for Hull at home too if you can fit in an 8.5 and a 7.5.

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

        Thanks.

        Nope, I can do 8.5 + 6.5 or two 7.5s.

        Thinking of starting with Siggy for his first two and leaving funds in the bank to upgrade if needed. He's always served me well before in FPL.

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

          Yep not a bad move

  2. King H
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    West Ham agree £20m deal with Swansea for Andre Ayew. Medical this weekend. Swansea in talks with Atletico Madrid striker Borja Baston

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

      Wow, I felt sorry for Swansea losing him, but 20mil is a great price for them.

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        But they have to invest that money. Can't do a Villa or Newcastle by selling your best players and not replacing them

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

          Hopefully they do, I don't want to see them relegated.

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

      Interesting. I have Ayew and Feghouli.

      I'm assuming Ayew will play on the wing for West Ham and Feghouli will mosty likely be on the bench now?

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

        Hadn't thought about this.

        He's being brought in as a striker isn't he? Or are West Ham still after Bacca etc.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Good for Siggy prospects?

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

        I would hold off until further signings

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

      Interesting, on both accounts.
      I'll keep Ayew and will monitor Borja(as I've mostly seen him in Zara)

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

    A ) lamela + lukaku + lloris
    B ) redmond + kane + foster ??
    which ?

    1. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B.

    2. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'd imagine you'd ditch Lamela within a month. Lukaku, if he gets his £135K a week at Everton, under Koeman, is FF gold though.

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

        your bio link is not found dude

        1. jayzico
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Ah, cheers for pointing that out bro, how do I fix it?

    3. Energetics
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

        thanks my friend

  4. Zikry
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    As long as I can keep my itchy trigger finger away from the transfer button I think I'd rather keep Kane + the 0.5 than have Ibra. Hopefully Ibra's impending brace and Kane's blank in GW 1 doesn't make me think bad thoughts haha

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

      Perfectly reasonable to go with Kane, although beware the curse of Dembele.

  5. Park_The_Bus
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone have a draft league that I could join? Or anyone interested in making one? Missed the boat on the FFS ones

    Cheers

  6. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Does Ayew leaving mean that Barrow is nailed?

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

      Would Montero compete with him, or do they play different positions?

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        They play on opposite wings

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

          Gotcha

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

      Chadli says hello!

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Is Chadli moving to Swansea?

    3. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Llorente?

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Barrow can play on the wing

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No Barrow is not nailed at all.

      Swansea have brought in Llorente & Oliviera with the free scoring Borja hopefully on his way too. One of these will be the main single striker

      FG only picks one wide man so Montero, Routledge, Barrow all fighting for one spot, and if Ayew stays it is going to be even more complicated.

      Expect Barrow to be decent bench fodder

  7. Gunners for Lyfe
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    giroud, kosc, ozil out for gameweek 1?

    good time for alexis sanchez to run riot, how many of us are prepared to make space for him in our midfields without using a wildcard or taking hits?

    waiting for the the friendly with Man City tomorrow

  8. makaveli123
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    If you are considering three rotating budget defenders for the long run, the best combination is CPL / MID / SWA (as alot of you already know).
    Fernandez, Souare and Friend are all good picks at a total of £13.5.

    Source:
    https://mathematicallysafe.wordpress.com/2016/07/15/fpl-strategy-three-rotating-budget-defenders/

    1. SuperMario
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Interesting.. Who are the two big hitters of choice then from Azpill, Shaw and others?

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

        Azpil and Shaw would be THE two, imo.

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

        If nailed Valencia > Shaw

      3. makaveli123
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Obviously, you have Azpi and Shaw - who both are popular picks among managers on this site. The two best defenders from last season (Bellerin and Alderweireld) both cost £6.5 - which is too expensive for me. Walker/Vertonghen at £5.5 and Gabriel at £5.0 are cheaper and wise picks if you are interested in Tottenham or Arsenal cover.

        Big hitters to consider:
        - van Dijk (5.5)
        - Ivanovic (6.0)
        - van Aanholt (5.0)
        - Coleman (5.5)
        - Baines (5.5)

  9. JIM BOB
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    If Lukaku goes to Chelsea, who would be your top Chelsea pick?

    A.) Lukaku
    B.) Hazard

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      a

    2. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. A.T
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Probably lukaku under the expectation he'll try hard for the first few games.

    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

  10. JAC THE CAT
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Made a team without Aguero but have Zlatan and Kane up top.

    Looks amazing but I know deep down I won't have the bottle to keep it.

    1. El Patron
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Kun is a must ffs.

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        He's not a must, he's just a very high risk absentee.

        1. JAC THE CAT
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I'm trying to think if Kane and Zlatan more than cover that risk together.

          Also get to invest an important extra 2 million into the team

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            I wouldn't risk it, but it's not the worst idea in the world. Potentially terrible, but it can work. And if it does work, it would be a massive differential boost.

        2. El Patron
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          blablabla unless he´s not in your squad that´s just bu ll sh it.

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            How so? IF someone has the likes of Zlatan, Kane and whoever, and they all score well, but Kun doesn't... Who is more likely to make early moves up the rankings?

            1. El Patron
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 8 months ago

              Do you have Kun or not in your squad?

              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 8 months ago

                He will be in mine.

                1. El Patron
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 8 months ago

                  I rest my case.

              2. JAC THE CAT
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 8 months ago

                I don't 🙂

          2. JAC THE CAT
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Without him I have Kane, Zlatan, Hazard, KDB and Mahrez

            1. El Patron
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 8 months ago

              Zlatan- Flop
              Hazard- question marks
              KDB- missing first few games
              Mahrez- one season wonder

              1. JAC THE CAT
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 8 months ago

                Ha ha

                Ok mate

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

                Ahhh you're one of those people. I bid you good day, sir. 😎

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

      I am going through the same trouble. Kane + Lukaku or Kane + Zlatan give you so many options and I think objectively it's the better option, but it's just so f**** in risky. drives me crazy.

      1. JAC THE CAT
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Good options that should always be considered

  11. mranonymous
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    If you could only have 1 premium defender would you pick United or Chelsea?

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea

      1. El Patron
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        ^^This

    2. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea, West Ham aren't that good defensively

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

      I think you need both Utd and Chelsea cover.

  12. seaside
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    good morning lads,

    I have one conservative and one interesting IMO, but risky draft:

    (A) Conservative:

    Foster - Mandanda
    Shaw - Pieters - Square - Taylor - Friend
    Hazard - Ayew - Tadic - Lamela - Fletcher
    Gray - Zlatan - Aguero

    (B) Risky:

    Foster - Mandanda
    Shaw - Walker - Square - Taylor - Friend
    Hazard - Ayew - Martial - Firmino - Capoue
    Gray - Lukaku - Kane

    What do you make of the drafts out of 10? Wich one would you pick? and do you have any suggestions for either draft?

    Cheers

    1. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

      Ayew -> Sigg/Arnie/Barkley

    2. Jøssy ⭐
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A) 7/10. Not 100% sure on Lamela, and Ayew's attraction may wane if he completes his move to West Ham.

      B) 5/10. No Aguero. Same issue with Ayew. I prefer Capoue to Fletcher.

      A is the better of the two for me

  13. El Patron
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    No Koscielny or Mertesacker,

    firmINo 😀

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Mane time!

  14. Jamie_GAWA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Finished tinkering a while ago. Best team I've made so far.

    Foster/Jaku
    Valencia/Terry/Coleman/Friend/4.0
    Hazard/Siggy/Tadic/Ramirez/4.5
    Aguero/Ibra/Gray

    WC-ing pre gw4.. Just lacking some Leicester

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

      Thoughts on this team? Got .5ITB

  15. Icyrx8
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone here picking up a City defender?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Possibly Fuchs.

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

        HahahAa nice one

        Sagna is my only possibility but I'd stay clear til stones is in and we even see who Pep goes with back there.

        Defensively not convinced yet

        1. Icyrx8
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I'm on Sagna atm. Handy with good opening fixtures and at 5.5, but still worried about rotation with Zab. Stones will probably be 6.0 if he comes.

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

            He is 5.0 mate

            His price won't change whether he plays on the Moon or not

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

              Stones that is.

            2. Icyrx8
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 8 months ago

              Silly me. Been playing this game for four years now and that completely slipped my mind. Good advice.

    2. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, Sagna or Stones if he goes

    3. El Patron
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Williams

    4. Oooof
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Not until Kompany is back.

      Horrible defence and keeper in FPL terms.

  16. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What does this mean for Ayew as a FPL prospect? Will he even start at West Ham? Is he being brought in as a striker or winger?

    1. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Kaput. Also what does it mean for Carroll

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

        Makes Siggy even more desirable surely though

    2. El Patron
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Rather have Payet than Ayew.

    3. Boydinho
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Too much rotation in the Hammers midfield for my taste. Would he play striker -> straight in my team

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

        This! If he goes up top I'm game!!

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

      For me, he's a bit too similar to Payet. I guess Ayew on the wing and Payet central could be pretty deadly, but points-wise I think Ayew would get less in a Hammers side than with Swansea where he'd score a higher percentage.

  17. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    RMT chaps - be brutal!

    De Gea

    Azpilicueta Shaw Otamendi

    Fábregas Eriksen Allen Delofeu

    Rondón Agüero Kane

    Heaton - Peiters - Evans - Kouyate

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

      Lacking Ibra, I have my doubts about him awesome but with those fixtures and ownership he is a must have.

      Allen+Kouyate aren't good fantasy options IMO either.
      Otamendi mightn't be nailed it Stones signs.

      1. El Patron
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Ibra is not a must, overrated over here.

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

      Way too much at the back and not even guaranteed starters all across board.

      Shocking mid

      Rondon really?

      4/10 sorry

      1. Icyrx8
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Well, he asked for brutal... lol

      2. Simon69
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I don't think Rondon is a poor pick at 6.5 at all.

    3. Simon69
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think it's worth investing so much in a City defender when they'll take time to adjust to Pep's system as well as rotation among CBs.

    4. Icyrx8
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade Shaw and one of Azpi/Otamendi, someone else apart from Rondon, and get rid of Fab, Allen and Deulofeu.

      1. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Now moved to

        Foster

        Shaw Koné Friend

        Gradel Mahrez Townsend Siggy Lamela

        Kun Kane

        Heaton - Pieters - Francis - Rondon

        1 mil in bank... Thoughts?!?

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

    So I'd never heard of Borja Baston, shame on me.

    However, his goal record in La Liga over the last two seasons is very impressive (40 goals in 75 games), especially given he played for Eibar and Zaragoza.

    Would he actually play for Swansea? Assumed Llorente would be up top on his own.

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

      Ah, just noticed Zaragoza were in the 2nd division when he scored 20+ for them!

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

      Reckon Llorente will start, but Baston is really good imo physical and good going behind, natural finisher. Impressed me last season i Spain.

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

        If they played two up top I'd be very tempted as I reckon he'll go under the radar. Support from a striker of Llorente's quality too.

        As it is I think you're right re: Llorente.

  19. stachman
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    And yet another changes... Care to rate it folks?

    Hart, Jaku
    Terry, Shaw, VVD, Friend, Lenihan
    Hazard, Mahrez, Siggy, Fisher, Fletcher
    Kun, Roo, Austin

    Austin is a risk, but I'm willing to have one risk in team and other palyers seem to be as nailed as possible... So if anything goes wrong I can easly Austin>Grey in GW2

    Comments?:)

  20. DantheManinaPan
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I'm suddenly worried about my team lacking Kane...

    Downside is, to get him in, I'd have to drop one if Sanchez, Hazard, Aguero, Mkhitaryan... Hmmmmm

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Which one you dropping?

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

      Given Inter's pre-season results, I'm not really getting the sudden kneejerk for Spurs players.

      A rested Eriksen has tempted me for a while, but very unsure about Kane over Ibra to start with.

  21. Simon69
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this lot would be much appreciated. Tempted to downgrade Eriksen > Lamela and upgrade Tadic.

    Courtois

    Shaw, Stones, Friend

    Hazard, Eriksen, Tadic, Fischer

    Agüero, Zlatan, Gray

    Subs: Jakupovic, Evans, Lenihan, Højbjerg

  22. mranonymous
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anybody contemplate a Jaku-Pickford GK rotation?

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

      Pickford won't play

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

        So you'd be conceding 6 goals every GW!

  23. TATTOOED_2
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Decided to downgrade Stones to Friend, Ayew to Bolasie and upgrade Rooney to Ibra. My thoughts are it'll be hard to shoehorn Ibra in if he brings in lots of points from the start plus his ownership is high and I don't want to miss out if he does. Im sure I will regret this decision which will lead to my inevitable panicked GW3 WC

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

      Just assume you will indoubtely WC after GW3 and problem is gone 😉

  24. A.T
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone getting Rashford in for his 20 min cameos and inevitable winning goals?

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

      I'd rather go with Iheanacho.

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

        Was about to say exactly same thing 😀

      2. Simon69
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Why?

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

        For now that is.

  25. Ohhhhh Gary Macca!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Opinions on this please?
    0.5ITB
    Courtious | Pickford
    Azpi | Morgan | Flannagan | Souare | Pieters
    Hazard | Mane | Rambo | Redmond | Ibe
    Kun | Musa | Gray

  26. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Long, Auston or Wilson? (have Gray)

    1. Dot Polka Dot
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Not confident of Shampton starting 11 - Negredo?

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

      Wilson as there's some debate over the gametime of the other two.

      Long looks more secure than Austin currently but Saints play today, so that should give us some indication.

  27. Bleach †
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    RMT?
    Sagna-Terry*-4.0-Taylor**-Fernandez**
    Ayew-Mahrez-Hazard-Redmond***-Ramirez
    Costa-Kun-Gray

    *Terry if Zouma doesn't come back sooner than thought at first
    **Two Swans defenders because possible CS in 2 opening GW's, after that one or both will go.
    ***Prefer him now as supposedly gonna play as ST, not sure about minutes though.

    Thoughts?

  28. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I've been on the wrong article for about 10 minutes

    #weneedtimestamps

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Quick guys, he's here now. Let's move on again.

      1. Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Can I come too 🙁

  29. Dot Polka Dot
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Pick you favourite defensive combo:

    A. Mannone + Lenihan + Souare
    B. Jaku + Gabriel + Paredes

    Other defs are Foster + Shaw + Coleman + Friend

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

    -----RMT----- In the Bank = 1m

    Valdés // Jakupovic
    Shaw Evans Sagna // Fernández Smith
    Mkhitaryan Mahrez Lamela tadic // capoue
    Aguero Lukaku Gray