Scout Notes
6 August 2017 2986 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Spurs win at Wembley, only for a Kieran Trippier injury to ring the Fantasy alarm bells, while Crystal Palace conclude a solid summer with a draw.

Elsewhere, Watford’s uninspiring pre-season finishes with another goalless affair and an equally lacklustre West Brom lose in Spain.

Here’s the second instalment of notes from Saturday’s action.

Spurs 2 Juventus 0

Fantasy ups and downs were in abundance at Wembley as Spurs completed their pre-season with a fine win over European A-listers Juventus.

The ups were many: Harry Kane delighted his 35.3% Fantasy Premier League ownership base with a goal; Christian Eriksen (13.8%) also scored and Spurs won at their new home to begin the long campaign to convince us all that Wembley won’t be a graveyard for their ambitions.

But the downside was an injury to right-back Kieran Trippier that has the potential to throw the defensive plans of 19.4% of FPL managers – he’s the most popular Spurs backline asset in the game – into some disarray.

Speaking post-match, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino didn’t offer many clues as to the extent of Trippier’s issue.

“Kieran twisted his ankle, and we need to wait until Monday to assess him…Until we assess him and do a scan, we need to wait. You never know. The feeling now is better than at half-time. But still we need to wait and we cannot saying anything today and wait until Monday.”

Kyle Walker-Peters replaced Trippier. If the ex-Burnley man’s injury rules him out for a spell, then Walker-Peters – yet to be added to the FPL game – could emerge as a bargain route. However, quotes post-match from the Spurs boss suggested that the 20-year-old would not be considered for starts as yet.

He’s [Walkers-Peters] very young. It’s true that to think and to give the big responsibility like Kieran; it’s too much today for him. He’s a player that needs to work with us and maybe start to play in different games, but we cannot think that, in the case of Kieran’s weeks away from the team, only he can replace him.

Instead, Pochettino is likely to field a back four at Newcastle United in Gameweek 1 and turn to Eric Dier at right-back.

A four-man defence was used against Juventus, with Kane a lone striker supported by Eriksen, Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko.

Kane headed home from a Trippier cross to open the scoring. Eriksen’s second-half goal was set up by Alli.

Spurs’ first four matches of the campaign are a mix of the good – Newcastle away, Burnley at home – and the tricky – a visit from Chelsea and a trip to Everton.

In fact, the first 12 Gameweeks are a combination of sweet and potentially sour, but that hasn’t stopped FPL managers including plenty of Spurs players in their squads.

No fewer than six of them have double-digit ownership figures, with Jan Vertonghen (9.7%) close to being a seventh. Trippier’s potential loss could have an impact on that, of course, but worries over Wembley might just be beginning to subside.

Pochettino was certainly happy with their new home, and more besides.

“It was good to play at Wembley before the start of the season, good to believe in the way we play and recover the feeling in the way we play and for me, that’s most important, not the result. Okay, the result gives you more belief, but it was about the performance, not the result.”

With Dier poised to replace Trippier at right-back should he be sidelined, Sissoko could be retained in midfield against his former club.

However, Pochettino also indicated that Heung-Min Son has not been ruled out of contention for the Tyneside trip.

“He [Son] is working hard. It’s true that he’s still recovering from his problem. Then next week we need to assess him if he’s available to be selected for next week.”

Spurs XI: Lloris; Trippier (Walker-Peters 41), Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele (Wimmer 90); Sissoko (Georgiou 65), Alli (Winks 65), Eriksen (Oakley-Boothe 90); Kane (Janssen 78).

Crystal Palace 1 Schalke 04 1

Palace boss Frank de Boer seems to have settled on a back three as his side again went with wing-backs and made it three straight matches without defeat.

Julian Speroni – a 4.0 option in FPL – started in goal behind a defence that once more included midfielder Luka Milivojevic as a centre-back.

That continues to blunt his Fantasy appeal, although he is the side’s dead ball specialist, but does mean Ruben Loftus-Cheek – a 4.5-priced 14.2%-owned budget enabler – continues to be handed a starting role in the Eagles midfield.

Andros Townsend now seems nailed-on as a wing-back, which doesn’t do his Fantasy prospects much good, but Patrick van Aanholt’s second consecutive start on the opposite flank certainly boosts his stock.

A modest 4.0% of managers agree although that makes him the team’s most popular defensive pick.

Christian Benteke got his first goal of the summer against the Germans, with Wilfried Zaha providing the assist. The pair are owned by 10.0% and 22.9% respectively – testament to their genuine attacking threat in a side with a relatively favourable first five fixtures.

The one joker in the pack could be striker Jason Lokilo. The youngster also started against FC Metz over the summer – de Boer clearly sees something in the 18-year-old – although he is yet to be added into the FPL game.

De Boer had this to say on Lokilo in his post-match comments…

“I didn’t know him when I came in as he was an under-23 player but Mark Bright mentioned that he is one of the talented players in that group. We were a man or two short in training so we picked him to participate in them and he made a great impression of his qualities, and that’s why he deserved to play today.”

As for Speroni, we still feel that Wayne Hennessey will get the nod for the visit of Huddersfield Town in Gameweek 1, though this is far from certain.

Should the Palace veteran get the nod, he would join Newcastle United’s Rob Elliot as a second active 4.0 option to change the landscape of our keeper selection policy.

Crystal Palace XI: Speroni; Milivojevic, Dann, Reidewald (Tomkins 81); Townsend (Ward 70), Puncheon, Loftus-Cheek, Van Aanholt; Zaha, Lokilo (Lee 79), Benteke.

Watford 0 Real Sociedad 0

A second consecutive goalless stalemate drew the curtains on Watford’s rather drab summer.

Or, to put a more positive spin on it, that was the Hornets’ fourth clean sheet in six pre-season matches.

Either way, FPL interest in Watford assets remains appropriately underwhelming, with the side’s most popular player – the 8.0%-owned midfielder Etienne Capoue – only given a cameo role against Sociedad.

Boss Marco Silva, however, devoted some of his post-match comments to denying reports of a rift with the player.

“I don’t want to talk about what newspapers said. Normally I don’t have many problems with players in my career. The player worked hard. Today in his cameo he worked hard as well, and that’s what I want from my players.”

One of the few noteworthy aspects of yesterday’s match was new signing Nathaniel Chalobah featuring in the holding midfield role alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure, while Jerome Sinclair was preferred up front to Stefano Okaka as Troy Deeney continues to recover from injury.

Deeney is very unlikely to make the season opener with Liverpool, with Silva delivering his update on his fitness post-match…

“With Troy, he progressed well and we expect him to start to work with the team next week, with some precautions.”

Watford XI: Gomes; Janmaat (Femenia 70), Kaboul (Mariappa 79), Britos (Prodl 71), Holebas (Mason 79); Doucouré (Watson 72), Chalobah (Capoue 70); Amrabat, Cleverley (Hughes 71), Pereyra (Success 70); Sinclair (Okaka 46).

Deportivo La Coruna 2 West Brom 0

West Brom’s excellent set of opening fixtures has prompted many FPL managers to take the Baggies bait.

Bournemouth, Stoke City and West Ham at home and trips to Burnley and Brighton in the first five Gameweeks have rightly attracted attention.

But their summer form has been the wrong side of lacklustre, with five defeats and a draw in eight matches.

The latest setback arrived at the hands of Deportivo, with Jake Livermore receiving a straight red card.

Livermore had earlier taken on the armband after Jonny Evans was withdrawn late from the Baggies line-up. No explanation has been given for that decision, with the centre-back named in the original starting XI. Indeed, as of yet, there is absolutely no post-match reaction from the club in the local press, on social media or via their official site.

The pre-season is all about fitness rather than results, but a single clean sheet doesn’t bode well for a side that currently offers so little going forward.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster is, by some distance, the Baggies’ most popular FPL pick, with a 16.5% ownership base. In fact, no other West Brom player gets anywhere near double-digit ownership.

Their schedule remains inviting, their form anything but, and Fantasy apathy towards the rest of the side is entirely understandable.

West Brom XI: Foster (Myhill 46); Wilson, Dawson (O’Shea 46), Hegazi, Nyom (Roberts 67); Livermore, Yacob (Field 62), McClean, Rodriguez (Harper 46), Phillips (Leko 58); Rondon (Robson-Kanu 46).

Be sure to check out all the summer action in our Pre-Season Guide.

2,986 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Half tempted to get Courtois as Chelsea cover.

    1. Toked
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Alonso is probably the most nailed player on my team after watching this, he's going to dominate.

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Might get him for gw1, then switch. Bit pricey.

      2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Alonso looks a little slow today... not in form yet

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      pretty sure he will never be in the bonus points even if Chelsea keep a clean sheet

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        I haven't had a keeper penos save in years. He might get a few.

  2. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Cesc doesn't track back often, but when he does, he doesn't.

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Lol

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      😆

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Sounds like something out of the Kevin Keegan playbook

    4. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      So true 🙂

  3. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    10/10 shot welback sensational

  4. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    A or B, cheers!

    A Kompany & Kolasinac
    B Walker & Monreal

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      AAAAAAAAAAA

    2. arndff_
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      A

  5. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Score check?

    1. Sánchez
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      4

    2. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      0-0

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      0, don't own any ARS/CHE

  6. reason17
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    When will the scout picks be released?

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      lol

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Thursday or early Friday i guess

  7. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Kolasinac heading skills coming up

  8. QueefParkRangers
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Honestly wish Welbeck would just FO to another club

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      might fo to everton

    2. FALCAO & MOU
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Nobody would like to let him FI.

  9. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    this is my team going into a wk3 wildcard

    Foster/Elliot
    Bellerin Kolasinic Stephens (Hegazi, Rosenior)
    KDB Salah Willian JWP (Caroll)
    Lukaku Jesus Benteke

    Quite happy with the arsenal double up, that's 2 wingers playing in a defence that has hardly conceded since they moved to 3 at the back formation.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      A bit premature ?

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Will both play? Kolasinac playing CD now. Ox LWB

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      You don't want to chuck Lucozade in for Jezuz?

  10. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    What have the charity shield line ups taught us?

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      kolasinac not nailed nor is mortar nor is mustafa

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Arsenal need a new medical team.

    3. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Ignore kante at your own peril

    4. Reiko
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Maybe Chamberlain is a threat to both WB positions

    5. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Go with Spurs, MC, MU attacking assets

      1. walkman666
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        I'd add Liverpool to that list.

    6. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Is Iwobi now a good option as 5th mid in 3-5-2?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Depends if he's just a place-holder for Sanchez.

    7. Dacra
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Nothing. Another friendly.

    8. FlockofSeagulls
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Mertesacker will require nose surgery.

  11. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    What a Pile of Shit

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      +1

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      This.

      1. Syd.
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Common Theme going on 😎

      2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        😆

      1. Syd.
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        😆

  12. Reiko
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    A) Kane + Zaha
    or
    B) Lacazette + Eriksen?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      C) Jesus + Eriksen

      1. arndff_
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        It isn't that easy to pass on Kane, is it?

      2. Reiko
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Not going for Jesus. Would prefer if u can suggest b/w A or B

        1. arndff_
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 hours ago

          Better post your entire squad, mate

          1. Reiko
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 hours ago

            Foster Elliot
            Bavies Bailly Cedric Mee 4.0
            KDB Salah Willian Carroll _____?
            Lukaku 4.5 _____?

    2. MarvelouSuccess
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      a

    3. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      B

  13. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Can't wait till the season is over

    1. b✪mber
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      lol

  14. MarvelouSuccess
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    ls JWP nailed?

  15. adased
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    What do you guys think about these midfield options?
    A)KDB+Coutinho+Zaha
    B)KDB+some 7.0mid+Alli
    C)Coutinho+Bernado Silva or Sterling+Alli

  16. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    In the top tier and can't tell if Kolasinac has come on LWB or is left centre back? Looking a viable option?

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      CB

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Cheers, thought so but can't quite tell. Turns out Wembley is bloody massive.

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      lcb. Ox lwb

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      LCB, Ox still left wing back. Which doesn't help a finisher like lacca, think he'd prefer a left footer swinging the ball in first time whereas ox keeps cutting in

    4. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Looks like they have gone 4 at the back from TV

    5. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      He is playing left of a back 3 with the Ox as wing back where he started.

      Pity because Kolasinac is wayy more threatening as a wing back.

      Not sure they will start him left wing back next week now.
      He is still in my team though.

  17. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Diego Costa is some player.

  18. Baked baines
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Fair play, that Luiz header back was class!!

  19. Korhan
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Please rate these lads:

    Foster
    Cedric - Danilo - Lindelof - Trippier (or Van Aanholt)
    DeBruyne - Mkhitaryan - Fabregas
    Lukaku - Lacazette - Firmino

    Bench:
    Elliot - Ritchie - Carroll - Mariappa

  20. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Right, I have 17million to spend, and I need two playing defenders and a goalkeeper. Need one to be from Southampton and one from United - the other can come from wherever... What do you reckon is the best way of doing this? Would also be open to spending 16.5m as it'd allow me to do Salah -> Mane.

    1. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      De Gea
      Cedric
      Who ever else you want for 6.5

      1. MB10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        Kolasinac will allow you get Mane

    2. Z
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      DDG & Cedric/Yoshida are your cheapest options. That gives you 6-6.5 to spend on the last or invest elsewhere

    3. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      If you put 17 into 6+6+5, you'd get more replies, people don't botter with doing the maths for you. I'd say Valencia, Bertrand, Foster and you've got 0.5m left for Mane 🙂

    4. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      DDG, Cedric, Kolasinac

  21. MattB
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    The ox is one of the worst crossers of the balls ive ever seen from the left hand side, wenger surely cannot get away with playing him there again

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      He made a great cross from the left against Seville for the Lacazette goal.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Lol, harsh

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Have you see Milner play?

  22. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Arsenal missing Cazorla

    1. Chris_White
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Chelsea missing Ibiza

      1. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 hours ago

        XD

    2. MarvelouSuccess
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      chelsea missing matic

  23. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Ox or JWP?

  24. Please dont request or post streams

  25. unlethal
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Quite clear that the Ox is not suited to playing on the left side

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Indeed

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Or anywhere in defence... he should be sold to liverpool

  26. Respect My Authoritah
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Welbeck probably at the peak of his powers now. A shame really

  27. Z
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    10.5m to spend on 2 midfielders, already have Carroll.

    A. Ritchie & RLC
    B. Fraser & Milivojevic

    1. arndff_
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      B

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      A

  28. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    ' I'm so sorry Costa i made a huge mistake'
    -Conte if they lose this match.

  29. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Will Lacazette be replaced by LeCD?

  30. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 hours ago

    Delle Alli to make the first game of the season? Ive just seen him break a bone in his foot, kicking a cricket ball

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      ?

    2. Dacra
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Yeah magic fixed it.

    3. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      internal error?

    4. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      😆

    5. afcbbbb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 hours ago

      Ahhaaha