Scout Notes
26 March 2017 1078 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Romelu Lukaku continues his prolific form as Belgium struggle to save a point from their latest World Cup qualifier without the inspiration of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne. There are also further goals for France’s Olivier Giroud and more woe for the Dutch on another busy night of international action. Here’s how it played out…

Belgium 1 Greece 1

Fantasy Premier League’s man of the moment Romelu Lukaku grabbed a late equaliser for Belgium against a Greek side that finished the match with just nine men.

Shackled for much of Saturday’s encounter, the Everton striker eventually made his mark, chesting down a Dries Mertens centre before blasting a volley into the bottom corner – a goal which epitomised his current form and confidence.

Lukaku seems to be developing a liking for late shows – he scored twice at the end of the 4-0 win over Hull City last weekend – but his 46.8% ownership base will now be hoping that their man is preserved for Belgium’s Tuesday night friendly in Russia.

Coach Roberto Martinez certainly has plenty of options up front – Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi were all unused substitutes against the Greeks.

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was a key absentee. The calf injury that kept him out of the Gameweek 29 victory at Stoke City has lead to him missing Belgium’s two internationals, with the playmaker remaining a doubt to resume Premier League action against Crystal Palace this weekend. Recent reports sound optimistic on his prognosis, however.

The 7.0% of Fantasy Premier League managers still holding Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne will also face an anxious wait ahead of his visit to Arsenal on Sunday. Suffering from a groin problem, he is said to be returning to Manchester for treatment having watched from the stands in Brussels on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini all started for Belgium, with Mousa Dembele replacing the Manchester United midfielder just after the hour mark and Kevin Mirallas coming on for a late cameo.

Luxembourg 1 France 3

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored twice as France made relatively hard work of their trip across the border.

The forward has started seven of the Gunners’ last ten league matches, scoring five times, and his double for Les Bleus won’t have hindered his cause ahead of a huge home match with Manchester City next Sunday.

With two double Gameweeks and a relatively kindly run-in, Arsenal players offer the potential for good returns as the season reaches its climax.

If Giroud can somehow offer us a degree of security in the face of strong competition from the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, the 2.7%-owned forward could yet prove differential of note.

Giroud was one of four Premier League players to start and finish the Luxembourg match, the others being Hugo Lloris, Laurent Koscielny and N’Golo Kante.

FPL managers will be hoping all four are spared when France face Spain in a Tuesday night friendly.

Elsewhere, the decline of Holland continued with a 2-0 defeat in Bulgaria.

Bruno Martins Indi, Daley Blind and Georginio Wijnaldum – with the latter pair recovering from recent head injuries. They all started for the Dutch, with Wijnaldum replaced at half-time.

Spurs keeper Michel Vorm was an unused sub for the Netherlands, who are in danger of failing to qualify for their second successive major tournament just three years after finishing third at the 2014 World Cup.

The Dutch have a friendly with Italy on Tuesday.

Switzerland beat Latvia 1-0, with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka starting and finishing the match and even managing to avoid a booking. Stoke City midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri calmed recent fitness concerns by playing 78 minutes for the Swiss.

Defensive duo Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte lasted the full 90 minutes as Portugal eased past Hungary 3-0, while Liverpool centre-half helped Estonia keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 stalemate in Cyprus.

Portugal host Sweden in a friendly on Tuesday, with Estonia also in action against Croatia that night.

Sunderland midfielder Seb Larsson didn’t make it off the bench in Sweden’s 4-0 win over Belarus, while Chelsea reserver goalkeeper Asmir Begovic enjoyed a rare start as Bosnia Herzegovina swept Gibraltar aside 5-0.

1,078 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Has anyone here ever been......ah only kidding 😉

    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Invited out for tea? Why yes, and it was lovely.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly.....glad you enjoyed it EJ....have a wonderful day 🙂

  2. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Beautiful weather today.

    1. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Fantastic in God's own county.

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Depends where you are?

    3. Uncle Gamst
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Oh, to be in England now that April's (nearly) there 🙂

  3. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Verto or alder?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Vert for solid 6 pointers, Toby for the odd goal. Toby imo if you have the funds

    2. Sotamendi84
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      verto has same chances of scoring. this is not 15/16 season

  4. PvA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    What is the ban list?

    Was I on it?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      It's short for banter list.

      And no. Soz.

  5. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Do we know if Rose's return is close? i.e. in time for GW31?

    1. MTPockets
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

  6. Totti
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    need your help guys
    who is the best replacement for coleman?
    will gabbiadini be fit for the next week??

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Alonso, unlikely.

  7. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone thinking of getting Allen, Dawson or Noble - be aware, they're all on 9 x YC's.

    Who says I don't contribute positively to this site.

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Should have listed players on 8YCs as well 😉

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You can find them over here ---------------------------------->

        Are you new here?

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, long time lurker, first time poster... Trying to qualify for frequent posters 😛

          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Get a grav.....

            1. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              .....and have a wonderful day 🙂

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Who could possibly think such a thing ?

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly Slouch......shocking....have a wonderful day 🙂

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          You are the best ☺

    3. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers, was thinking of Noble(c)

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You're welcome Midwicket.......have a wonderful day 🙂

        1. Over Midwicket
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          You too Mr Positivity

    4. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Good point. While we're at it, anyone thinking of getting Rondon, be aware, he is poo poo.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😆

      2. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        He's captaincy material

    5. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ban

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You too EF.....have a wonderful day 🙂

  8. Over Midwicket
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Afternoon all. Can I get a bit of help with my team? Trailing ML leader by 70ish.. Thanks all.

    Pickford.
    Baines. Brunt. Mawson.
    Hazard. Mane. Coutinho. Siggy. King.
    Costa. Lukaku.

    Subs: Heaton. Barnes. Coleman*. Ake*. 1FT. 4mil ITB.

    Thinking Coleman -> Valencia/Bertie/Fuchs and Coutinho -> Alli/Tadic for a hit, but may just do the former.

    Would a hit pay off? Should I be ditching Couts ASAP as he's been awful for club and country.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Any chips left? Rival have chips?

      1. Over Midwicket
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        We both have our WCs intact. He has his TC. I used it on Kun, for some reason.

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          The moves don't seem too bad, but you're gonna want something different to your rival to stand any chance.

          1. Over Midwicket
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            He doesn't have any MUN cover, and has Eriksen so Valencia and Alli would be 'differentials'..

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm thinking of giving one more chance to Coutinho since Coleman will be out but in your case, bringing Alli would be better. Alternatively, you can do Coutinho to Sanchez this week and Mane to Alli after couple of weeks.

      Coleman to Valencia/Bertrand also sounds good.

    3. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure where this Couts has been awful theory has come from? He might have been poor in his last match for Pool but was very unlucky prior to that regarding fpl points.

      1. MTPockets
        9 years, 3 months ago

        And replaced early with 17 year old Ben Woodburn in game before that.
        But agree that otherwise (pre injury) a very good player. Just not atm in fpl.

      2. Scratch
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        If you watch the games you'd see he's been dreadful since he came back from injury and the one game where he did score (leicester) he was quite possibly the worst player on the pitch.

        1. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          This. I bought him as soon as he came back, but he's been nowhere near his pre-injury form.

  9. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Under-cover mod alert....take cover, watch your arcs 😮

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Titans are coming 😀

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Mod gone, free to stand down 🙂

    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Don't make me dish one of these out..

      http://tinyurl.com/nb8ggxk

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😮 😛

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

    @UEFAcomJohannS 59m59 minutes ago
    Arnor Traustason, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Emil Hallfredsson all withdrew from the Iceland squad due to minor injuries.

    Their next game is a friendly, let's hope Siggy is ok

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      If Siggy is out, I'm WC'ing

    2. Scratch
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      It's only a phantom Friendly injury.... hopefully

  11. Jonny Sutt
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    A) jak and Pedro
    B) valdes and tadic

    Pickford is my other gk

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B has a nice DGW feel about it, doesn't it?

      1. Speédy
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        this

  12. Gruu
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Suggestions on this team?

    Grant (Jaku)
    Valencia Baines Brunt (Robertson Chambers)
    Sanchez Alli Siggy King (Zaha)
    Costa Lukaku Llorente

    1 FT 3.7m ITB

    1. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      It looks like a good time to replace Brunt, and you can afford Walker, but wait for the Int Break fall-out.

  13. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Siggy > who for a hit after the injury news?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Probably wait for news, could just be a typical pre-friendly knock TC.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Alli/Eriksen

    3. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      better do a -12

    4. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Siggy injured as well now?

  14. Jonny Sutt
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Is chambers a starter for boro?

    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      if fit, yes

  15. Hochoki
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    since now jones is now out... do u guys think rojo is now more nailed on ??

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yes.

  16. cheekumz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    If this ridiculous Neymar => Chelsea thing actually happened, what price is he coming into FPL at? Significantly more than Aguero was this season?

    1. Scratch
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Probably £13m

    2. Speédy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      wont happen imo,would be around 14 mil if it does

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      12 is enough for any player

    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Probably less. He's a big name, but not prolific like Suarez.

    5. itwaswritten
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez's current price. But Neymar picking Chelshit is unrealistic. He is already at the best football team in the world. Why leave?

  17. Uncle Gamst
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    It seems that Valencia played for United after his last two series of WCQ games so any reason why he shouldn't play next Sat?

    1. MTPockets
      9 years, 3 months ago

      The 9 games in April?

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, with who would United replace him?

        1. MTPockets
          9 years, 3 months ago

          No idea. Darmian?

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He has not been rotated in PL this season. Barring injury v Colombia on Tuesday night he should be fine to start.

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, more reassuring 🙂

  18. KING KOUNDER
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    IPL is around just 10 days away.
    Will we have a thread for that ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Hopefully a dedicated post so it doesn't have to be seen on the normal post.

    2. Speédy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      official fantasy not released yet

  19. aleksios
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    How does that -non Sanchez- team look?
    Jakup
    Walker-Alonso-Valencia-Bertrand
    Eriksen-Alli-Firmino-Sterling
    Costa-Lukaku
    --Hennessey--King--Ake--Llorente--

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      WC?

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch, benching headache ++ there, lol, great side though.

      1. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        No wc just thinking about this team with a couple of hits.Just no Alexis is problem.

      2. barracuda
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Definitely! Hate benching solid players

  20. Team Bobcat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Repost, made a mess of this earlier

    Which one??

    a) Valencia/Sanchez/King/Llorente

    or

    b) Brunt/Siggy/Alli/Giroud.

    After either a) or b) = 0ITB

    Either combo will team up with:

    Alonso Walker Fuchs
    Mane Firmino Pedro
    Luk Vardy

    Thanks

  21. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Would you save here or take a hit somewhere?

    Pickford.
    Alonso, Robertson, Walker.
    Mane, Cout, Alli, Siggy.
    Lukaku, Llorente, Costa.

    Heaton, Brunt, Funes Mori*, Whelan.
    2.3m, 0ft..

    1. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Save

    2. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Save solid team

    3. barracuda
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Defo save

  22. barracuda
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Nice pouring down the neck in Spain! Hope everybody has a good weather!

  23. Jonny Sutt
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    If I made a -4 transfer a few days ago and I use my wildcard now, will I keep those points?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yep.

  24. Kalou
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Choose one!

    A.Alli

    B.Eriksen

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Whoever you prefer more, not much to separate them.

      1. Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Alli grabbing penalty duties was a nice surprise (for me at least).

        1. Kalou
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers!

  25. Pep says
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Start Britos or Son next weekend?

    Leaning towards Britos for a few reasons. Son back from internationals, doesn't usually do so well after the IBs and may not start with Janssen. Also plays Burnley who sit deep.

    Playing Britos is cover for Defoe blanking, meaning that if Defoe doesn't score, Watford will probably keep a cleanie

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      You may as well dump Son in this case.

      1. Pep says
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        0ft. He'll play gw31 I'd suspect and that's against Swansea so it's not worth taking a hit to get out. Happy to bench this week.

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Based on last week, Britos is also more likely to score than Son.

  26. barracuda
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    You are walking next to your beautiful missus..Suddenly, another really stunning woman walks opposite..What do you do?

    A- You look quickly and then pretend you don't see her
    B- You keep checking on her constantly
    C- You say to your wife, "She had a lovely figure" 😀

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B + C

      1. barracuda
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Man, you have got some courage.. 🙂

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          We've got a mutual understanding. She wouldn't mind me saying C, just as I wouldn't mind her saying some guy on the street looks good or ripped.

          1. barracuda
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Absolutely!

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      D. You keep it in your trousers.

      1. barracuda
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Sure. but wouldn't you consider A instead of D? You wouldn't even look? I don't believe that..

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          No comment.

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Get the number.

      1. barracuda
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Hehehe, sorry..I forgot to mention important fact- she walks with her partner too..

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Wife swap.

    4. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A is nature, you can't fight nature.

      1. barracuda
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Discussing this with my missus now.. I chose A+C . It really happened today actually..

    5. Smoky Johnson
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Suggest 3some

  27. Egyptian Giza
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    coleman & coutinho for a hit to
    a. walker & alli
    b. coleman to walker only
    c. play pieters and save FT

  28. Shah G
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3136977/dusan-tadic-demands-respect-from-claude-puel-after-being-subbed-in-last-five-games-at-southampton/

    Do you guys think this will have effect on his game time?.. I have half a mind to bring him in and Capt. Him..

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He'd be dropped completely for the next game if I were manager.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      'Demands respect'

      That's exactly how you don't get more respect.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Publicly dissing (right word cool kids?) your manager isn't great. He's an inconsistent player at the best of times, no thanks.

    4. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Typical Tadic

    5. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I was all set to bring him in but this is a little off putting, cheers, might help me decide between him and JWP

  29. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Pickford
    Alonso Holebas Brunt
    Mane Siggy Son King
    Aguero Lukaku Llorente

    Jaku Barkley Amat Coleman

    Players who I want to change:
    Holebas, Brunt, Son, Siggy, Llorente, Barkley, Amat, Coleman

    Wildcard or just do Coleman to Valencia

    1. itwaswritten
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Coleman > Valencia
      Brunt > Someone else

      And then continue taking a -4 until you get rid of those players you mentioned tbh.

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      There's a bit of GW28 baggage, but Coleman (and possibly Amat) are the only problems needing immediate action. Still a bit early for the WC in my opinion but, once all the DGW fixtures are known, you will be better placed to plan for the run-in whilst still getting value from the doubles. Good luck.

  30. Totti
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    front 8
    sanchez mane alli siggy king
    costa lukaku crouch

    who is the best replacement for crouch? max 7.5

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Negredo. Sounds odd, but Boro need to start winning games and hopefully the new manager saw the impact of actually crossing the ball into the box against Utd.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Stats were good last match, definitely one to monitor with DGW coming up.