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. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    I brought in Lacazette for a hit 🙁

    Season over. I'm leaving FPL.

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Triple Captain Trippier here 🙁

  2. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Iwobi worth putting in for game on Friday with .5 to change to Ritchie week 2 if necessary?

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Always a massive rotation risk

  3. Voice of the Mysterons
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    How much playing time do we think Batshuayi get?

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      eh

    2. thepeen555
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      First few games quite a bit

    3. QueefParkRangers
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      70mins

    4. Voice of the Mysterons
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Will get

      1. Voice of the Mysterons
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Just wondering if it's worth getting Morata?

  4. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Both of these sides haven't exactly looked particularly good during pre season..not that it means much.

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Arsenal have looked amazing

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

      Agreed. Quite tempted by Lacazette tbh

    3. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      I agree, not good enough with the other attacking options available.

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Attacking wise, they seem a way off City Spurs Pool.

  5. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Not watching the game....views on kolasenic?

    Will he likely start v Leicester and is he worth a starting berth in our squads?

    Thanks

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      got benched only on coz of per injury.

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        But Wenger isn't starting his strongest team today is he?

        When he does, on Friday will kola start?

        1. Sz21
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 hour ago

          Not 100% sure though can we be?

      2. HALFSPACE
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Lols

    2. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      He is a beast at LWB but Wenger being Wenger I would not trust him.

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Only after coming on.Looks powerful.Not sure if he's nailed though. Monreal looked good before he had to move to back 3

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        So who IS nailed on in the Arsenal defence??

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 hour ago

          Bellerin Monreal kos when back ,holding looks like he's in there

          1. Professor Abel X
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 hour ago

            Bellerin not nailed

    4. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Hazard essentially full power squad are struggling against a weak Arsenal.

      1. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Eh?

  6. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Anyone worth getting on first half showing?

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Nah.

    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      yeah, man city and utd players

  7. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Wheres Ozil?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Minor injury.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Where he usually is....out of the game and showing nothing.

  8. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Just go rid of all my Chelsea and Gooner players....

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      I brought in 6 defenders.

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Good move

  9. Supersonic
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    daniels or cedric?

    cheers

    1. Daniyal
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      daniels,better goal threat
      cedric,better fixtures

      1. Supersonic
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        correct so which one? currently on cedric

        cheers

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Why not both

      1. Supersonic
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        yeah was gonna do both but have recently looked at having firmino up front with luk and kane so lacking funds..

        currently have 5.0 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.0 at the back.. might have to get rid of firm and add better defenders?

        i see more value in having better attackers and hope that my average defenders can get a clean sheet .. going with cedric atm

  10. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    got

  11. HALFSPACE
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Glad that Laca strike didnt go in

  12. gunnerboy
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Iwobi looks great value at 5.5 but I don't think he will start. Sanchez plays in place of him vs Leicester I think.

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

      Even without Sanchez, have Ozilt to consider

  13. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Chelsea an essentially full power squad are struggling against a weaker Arsenal side.

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

      Hazard is a key player missing.

    2. Smoky Johnson
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      No Costa/Morata, Hazard is 40% of the team.

  14. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Oh my god. They have Clatterburg.

  15. hnmfm
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    How good will Ritchie fair do you reckon?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Hope he can become the newCastle Siggy

    2. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Fantastic on paper. Has pens, corners, free kicks and open play goal threat. Nailed in my team atm.

    3. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      shit

    4. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Pretty average imo. Was in an attacking Bournemouth side and did poorly, can't imagine he'll do any better

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        He was crap last time so....

  16. Pariße
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Lacazette and Willian are my favourites to have from these 2 teams. I'd be looking at an Arsenal wingback, but they're not nailed. Alonso has been pretty terrible and Alex Sandro would walk into that team if they manage to sign him.

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Not looking likely atm but maybe chelsea make one last attempt to sign him

      1. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Agreed, I imagine Conte can't be too happy with Alonso.

        1. Over Midwicket
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 hour ago

          Moses goal lol Cahill assist

    2. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      They will not sign Sandro. Allegri said so.

      1. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Probably not, but Chelsea are in the market for a LWB.

    3. I Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Juve won't sell Alex Sandro.

    4. Puncheon Guly
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Alonso still getting tonnes of touches in the penalty area. Essential

  17. Jimmy Boy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    A) Alonso, Willian, Benteke
    B) Walker, Zaha, Firmino

    I already have Salah from Liverpool but Firmino double-up is tempting

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      B

    2. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      B with Kompany

      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Danilo also worth a punt

        1. Jimmy Boy
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 hour ago

          With Sane now a threat at LWB though?

  18. Respect My Authoritah
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Everton score v Sevilla

    1. Whazza
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Sandro

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

      who scored?

      1. thepeen555
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Sandro

  19. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Second time lucky maybe..what's the code for Ea Sports Fifa 18 league?

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Thanks but that's the forum code

  20. dg
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Hows Fabregas looked? Good alternative to Willian?

    1. Waxys
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      good pass

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

      Better than W but that's not saying much

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      I think so. Been Chelsea's only decent attacker so far

    4. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Very creative, but doesn't track back, so Conte might have other ideas with him.

  21. Duffy Dunk
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Kolasinac came on the 32', no chance for clean sheet points

    1. FALCAO & MOU
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      He has, if match goes to 92 minutes and they keep a CS.

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

        Nope, only counts to 90th minute no matter how much stoppage time

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

        wrong

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      email FPL towers anyway to see if they change it

  22. Whazza
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Wow Sandro goal inside 30 sec

    1. FALCAO & MOU
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Assist?

      1. Whazza
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Can't seem to find one

  23. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    I need a midfielder for 5.5 or maximum 6.0, but apart from Ritchie can't find much value.

    This Mooy fella worth a shout for being the next Charlie Adam at Blackpool?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Ince

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Ince with his, what, sixth attempt at the PL? Not gonna make that mistake

        Know nothing about Fraser, who is he?

        1. FALCAO & MOU
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 hour ago

          Ince is 25 and never played a lot.
          Fraser from Bournemouth.

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

          Ince has only been with 1 PL club since he left blackpool

    2. FALCAO & MOU
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Inch.

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Fraser.

    4. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Ward-Prowse

    5. 1314
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Christian Atsu ?

    6. FlockofSeagulls
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      I've watched a lot of Mooy.

      He's a technically gifted player and has a very good football brain if that makes sense. The biggest caveat with him is that he has never even come close to being tested at this level so it's impossible to know if his skills will translate in a league where he'll get much less time to think, react, move and play.

      I wouldn't be starting with him.

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 hour ago

        Thanks for great answers!

    7. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      GroB, most key passes in the Bundesliga for the last two seasons, playing for a team who got relegated.

  24. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Willian or Zaha?

    1. arndff_
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      willian short-term, zaha long

    2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      zaha

  25. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    who assisted the sandro goal?

  26. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Sandro striker.. interesting

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Wasn't sure you'd be able to look past Wayne

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Later perhaps... But with those opening fixtures..?

  27. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    Def @ 5.5 anyone looking at PVA playing as a wing back? Or Otamendi?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      PVA, yes

  28. Waxys
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    I'm hungry.

    Any good restaurants in Australia?

    1. Whazza
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      Do you have to post every thought going through your mind?

  29. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    how many subs can each team use today?

  30. HALFSPACE
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 hour ago

    If Bats doesnt score today, its Morata v Burnley

    1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 hour ago

      is that so