Scout Notes
14 September 2017 1867 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Harry Kane blows hot at Wembley, Manchester City hit four at Feyenoord, and the goals continue to follow Liverpool, but they have to settle for a draw with Sevilla.

Here are the notes from a stirring night of Champions League action.

Spurs look right at home

A Harry Kane double and an opening goal from Son Heung-min earned Spurs a thrilling 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund that should, finally, curtail the tiresome talk of a ‘Wembley hoodoo’.

It should also spark a huge wave of interest in Kane ahead of the visit of Swansea City for Saturday’s late kick-off.

So far, the majority of the Fantasy Premier League money has been spent on team-mates Ben Davies and Christian Eriksen, making them Gameweek 5’s top two transfers-in.

But Kane’s form is surely now irresistible.

He’s now scored twice as many goals (four) in five days than Swansea have managed all season – great news for those backing Spurs’ assets at both ends of the pitch.

As a result, the transfer take-up of Kane seems to be gathering momentum, with more than 106,000 managers finding the 12.4 required to secure his services.

For now, rotation is not an issue for such a key player at Spurs, but Mauricio Pochettino could break a few hearts elsewhere.

The form of Son, who has started just one league match this season, caught the eye last night.

For those wishing to read into a manager’s substitutions, both Kane and Son were taken off by Pochettino. That could suggest that the latter will figure in Saturday’s clash.

With Dele Alli surely assured of a start against Swansea as he serves a three-match European ban, the Spurs boss may conceivably manage the minutes of the 25.4%-owned Eriksen. Certainly, while we don’t think his start is under threat, a withdrawal around the 70-minute mark – like he did in the Gameweek 4 clash with Everton – could be on the cards.

The full debut of Serge Aurier, playing at right wing-back, also puts pressure on Kieran Trippier, who has started the last three league matches. He will be expected to retain his start for the Swans’ visit but will clearly be under threat from then on.

Pochettino was certainly pleased with Aurier’s showing.

“He was fantastic. I’m very happy with his performance, he showed real quality.”

But the 8.1% of managers who own Jan Vertonghen should have few worries about their man’s forthcoming domestic involvement – the Belgian was sent off for two yellow card offences last night, meaning he’ll miss Spurs’ September 26 trip to Apoel Nicosia.

That match is bookended by Premier League fixtures at West Ham and Huddersfield Town.

A changing of the Guardiola?

Man City saw off Feyenoord 4-0 with almost embarrassing ease – and with 10 of the team that started against Liverpool on Saturday.

John Stones joined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the top of the Champions League scoring charts with two of the goals in Holland, and while that will be a temporary issue, some of Pep Guardiola’s players are currently permanent fixtures in the side.

Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, who provided two assists last night, Rotterdam goalscorer Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi have started every match thus far this season.

Kyle Walker provided the assist for Sergio Aguero’s excellent second goal in Holland and has started all but the one match he was banned for following his dismissal against Everton, while the Argentinian striker has still managed 286 minutes despite dropping to the bench at Bournemouth.

The perceived wisdom is that Man City assets can’t be trusted to produce for their premium prices because of Pep’s lust for tinkering.

As a result, only four of them are currently owned by 10% or more of FPL managers, whereas Man United, Spurs and Chelsea all have six players in that category.

But there seems to be a core group of players for whom pitch-time is perhaps less of an issue than we might have bargained for.

Rotation, for the top sides, is a matter of course – particularly when the triple whammy of domestic duties, a busy European programme and international call-ups is in play during the early months of the season.

Based on the evidence so far, Man City players are no more, or less, susceptible to this as stars from any other major team.

And Guardiola’s men are increasingly in the richest of form. Unbeaten in five straight matches in all competitions, they’ve dropped points in only one fixture (when reduced to ten men), kept three clean sheets and scored nine goals, without reply, in the last five days alone.

Their next six fixtures include a Gameweek 7 trip to Chelsea. Other than that, it’s wat CRY STO BUR wba – the sort of run likely to increase momentum, not stall it.

Guardiola has already shown a capacity for compromise this campaign, starting both Jesus and Aguero in four of the five matches to date.

The pair have responded with 23 and 21 points respectively, and both were on the scoresheet again in Holland last night.

Not entirely merry across the Mersey

There seem to be two things we can rely on when watching Liverpool so far – Jurgen Klopp will go ballistic on the sidelines every now and then and there will be goals.

Aside from the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, every other match has produced at least four, with the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Sevilla last night another case in point.

Whether the three-match domestic ban for Sadio Mane changes all that remains to be seen.

He played the majority of the match against the Spaniards and the two obvious contenders for his Premier League place, Philippe Coutinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, were given little time to make their respective cases as a result.

Coutinho’s 15-minute cameo merely served to show how rusty spending the summer attempting to move to Barcelona can make you, while Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 89th minute introduction was good for the appearance bonus alone.

Goalscorers Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah again impressed, although the former blotted his copybook by missing a penalty that could put his spot-kick duties in jeopardy.

With skipper Jordan Henderson potentially in the mix to assume that role, it remains to be seen if Firmino surrenders responsibility following Wednesday’s failure. As the second most owned forward in FPL, it would come as a major blow to his Fantasy stock should that be the case.

In defence, Liverpool were the wrong side of generous once again.

Statistically strong but dreadfully prone to individual error, Dejan Lovren made a horrible mess of a regulation clearance to gift Sevilla the lead. Meanwhile, Joe Gomez’s late dismissal for a second yellow card could have a major impact on the Fantasy charms of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The two young right-backs have alternated starts in the league thus far, with Alexander-Arnold rested last night presumably in preparation for Saturday’s visit by Burnley.

His 4.5 price tag, 2.2% ownership and share of set-piece duties all make the defender an attractive, if risky, proposition for the Reds’ relatively kindly short-term schedule of BUR, lei, new.

But with Gomez now suspended for Liverpool’s second Champions League group match – a long and arduous trip to Spartak Moscow on September 26 – the chances of Alexander-Arnold starting the domestic matches either side of that European encounter now look decidedly slim.

Alberto Moreno, on the opposite flank, had a superb match going forward against Sevilla, capping it with an assist for Firmino’s leveler.

He, too, costs 4.5 and is minimally owned. But having started four of the Reds’ last five matches, he will also struggle to feature in all three of the Leicester/Spartak Moscow/Newcastle matches that precede October’s second international break.

Andrew Robertson could be another to get the nod against Burnley in Gameweek 5.

1,867 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Luca Toni
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do lukaku to kane for free, if you have Davies and Alli and no United cover

    1. trinzoo
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, look at the fixtures.

      1. Luca Toni
        9 years, 1 month ago

        What about the risk if kane blanks and United fire .. THeir fixtures aren't bad either ..

    2. FFSbet.com
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  2. MAVER!CK
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why is everyone so keen on Kola all of a sudden? Did I miss something?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's more secured now

    2. Cruz88
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Got an assist last game I think, also his spot is more secure now that Ox has moved on and there's some ok fixtures coming up

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Very attacking in wing back role. Arsenal's Alonso.

    3. Ramboros
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Did you miss pre-season?

      People's interest in Kolasinac cooled because of fixtures and Oxlade/Bellerín playing LWB. Ox is gone. The fixtures are turning.

      1. MAVER!CK
        9 years, 1 month ago

        is he nailed on at LWB role? haven't paid much attention to them this season

  3. Bulldogs FC
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WCT options:

    1. DDG, Elliot
    Davies, TAA, Mee, Naughton, D. Luiz*
    Salah, Choupo-Moting, Carroll, Silva, Ritchie*
    Kane, Lukaku, Vardy*(maybe Firmino)

    2. DDG, Elliot
    Davies, TAA, Mee, Naughton, Azpilicueta*
    Salah, Choupo-Moting, Carroll, Silva, Mikhitaryan*
    Kane, Lukaku, Joselu*

    Really need you suggestions on * players. Thanks!

    1. MikeRyko
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I prefer A

      You could have Kola instead of Luiz. Arsenals immediate fixture not great but he should score well after that.

      Personally I would downgrade DDG to at least a 4.5m GK & upgrade TAA to Jones if you want Man Utd defence

  4. TheBusDriver
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Elliot
    Bailly Davies Bertrand
    Alli Salah Mkhi CM
    Lukaku Jesus Mounie

    Foster, Carroll, Naughton, Long

    1 FT and 1.5m in the bank. HELP ME PLEASE!!

    1. Jersey
      9 years, 1 month ago

      fine as it is. (c) Lukaku or Alli.

      save FT.

  5. Cruz88
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'd have to take a -8 to swap Lukaku to Kane and Mooy to someone like Gross (don't know how to do that symbol) - not worth it at all right? I have Morata and Firmino as other strikers but still not sure who to captain, it's on Eriksen currently as my gut says he should do well if Spurs in general smack a few past Swansea

    1. Positive vibes
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not worth imo.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dont do that.

  6. Positive vibes
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hi, any thought for Joselu?
    Thinking to replace Chica with him to free funds for Bavies.

  7. Lone Wolf
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Fabianski, Elliot
    Alonso, Bavies, Lowe, Naughton, Mbameba
    Alli, Mane*, Pogba*, Atsu, Carroll
    Lukaku, Morata, Chicharito

    Almost sure to make Mane > Eriksen - 4 as no Kane but would you make some other move?

    A) Pogba > Miki for another -4 wort it?
    B) some other move with 0.6 itb

  8. More Tragic
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Alli's ownership is fecking scary this week wot with his rest in midweek 'n all.

    1. F4L
      9 years, 1 month ago

      get him then 😛

      1. More Tragic
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😛

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      9 years, 1 month ago

      not sure if the rest helps him so much. He seems to be someone who prefers to play every game and get in the rhythm. Didn't hurt him last season

    3. Tcheco
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The cure is to captain Kane

  9. Fernando Torres
    9 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT
    Krul Elliott
    Maguire Stones Bavies Naughton Gamez
    Mkhi Salah Eriksen RLC Carroll
    Jesus Kane Firmino

    Thoughts appreciated!

    1. MikeRyko
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not bad Fernando!

      Having both RLC & Carroll is not ideal but not sure where you could find enough cash to improve them. Maybe Maguire to one of the cheaper Leicester defenders? I assume you have nothing in the bank?

  10. St. Joseph
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Foster Elliot
    Cedric Maguire Jones Davies 3.9
    Salah Pedro Groß Choupo-Moting Carroll
    Jesus Kane(C) Lukaku

    Gtg?

    Or do
    Pedro >> Mkhi
    Moting >> Atsu
    0.0 itb
    (Pedro nailed on? More nailed than Willian?)

    1. DR0GBA
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Willian played the 90 midweek whilst Pedro was subbed...

      Pedro more likely to start

  11. F4L
    9 years, 1 month ago

    If Klopp indicates Coutinho starts this weekend, Mkhi ➡ Cout is tempting me for a hit....

    1. Tcheco
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Risky. Especially for -4

    2. Live Lad
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Why for a hit? Mkhi having problems? Coutinho needs more time to settle in the team I think.

    3. Surfeit of Lampteys
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Coutinho looked very off the pace when he came on yesterday.

  12. ROSSI_7
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Doucoure or Gross ?

    1. F4L
      9 years, 1 month ago

      GroB

    2. Tcheco
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Doucoure. Plays for a better team

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gross. Set pieces takes it.

  13. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Guys I'm currently on this;

    DeGea Myhill
    Bailly Bertrand Yoshida Bavies Gamez
    Eriksen Salah Ritchie RLC Carroll
    Lukaku Firmino Jesus

    Thinking of WC to this;

    Foster Myhill
    Otamendi Cedric Bavies Simpson Gamez
    Eriksen Mkhi D.Silva RLC Carroll
    Kane Jesus Firmino

    Yay or Nay?

    1. Fernando Torres
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yh nice team. I prefer Stones to Otamendi.

    2. Coaly
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nah

  14. Tcheco
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Elliot or Forster?

    1. F4L
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Elliot for me

      1. Tcheco
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. VFORVANDETA
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Elliot

  15. schmileyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Love how hard it is to get feedback, come on lads help a man out!

    Elliot

    TAA Davies Jones Stones

    Mhiki Erik Couthino

    Jesus Kane Firmino

    Subs

    Choupa/TC/ Gamez & JP

    Will be doing TAA - KN after this week!

    1. olidooley
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Too early for Cout IMO

    2. Deulofail
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Try formatting more pleasantly and asking a question. I don't know what you want from me. Is this a WC team?

  16. BananaMan
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Quick Poll -

    A: Ali & Lukaku
    B: D.Silva & Kane

    1. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I prefer B.

  17. Blame it on Traore
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys

    Current team:

    Foster, Elliot
    Bertrand, Daniels, Suttner, Mee, Lowe
    Mkhi, Salah, Willian, Mooy, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Firmino

    Would you do Bertrand to Ben Davies for free this week? Got 0.4 itb.

    Any input would be great. Thanks a lot.

    1. Kanga roo
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Soton not looking convincing one bit and Davies only one the way up.

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate

  18. olidooley
    9 years, 1 month ago

    1) Morata Kolasinac
    2) Lukaku Mee/Naughton etc

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      1 if Kola keeps the LWB role.

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      1

    3. FFSbet.com
      9 years, 1 month ago

      1

  19. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks for advice on the last page. Hit confirmed.

    Any thoughts on Vardy over Firmino?

    Scoutcast got me thinking.

    Great to see Granville back. Scoutcast felt like old days banter keep that up 😀

    1. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Could work out well. Depends on when you want to wildcard. I think they're both good options up until the international break.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah toss up really. Think Firm is still on pens?

        1. Blame it on Traore
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I think so. He's only missed 1 so I'd be more inclined to say yes. He's in my team.

    2. FFSbet.com
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah great scoutcast,think clean sheets and captain picks should be replaced with something more interesting.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I like captain picks, but going to PP or something and looking at CS odds makes hearing their picks a little meaningless

        1. FFSbet.com
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Maybe,we all know who is our captain and starting defenders.

  20. Atimis
    9 years, 1 month ago

    My team structure comes down to Slaha vs Firmino.
    Is there any hot topic regarding which one is better pick??

    1. MTPockets
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think so but I'd pick Salah as more good fwd alternatives.

    2. gawa11
      9 years, 1 month ago

      it all depends who your 2nd choice is each position is

  21. vova
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How does this team look? Played my WC last week.

    Foster Elliot
    Jones Cedric Dawson Naughton Dunk
    Alli Salah Mkhitaryan Brady Carroll
    Lukaku Morata Firmino

    1.0 ITD
    1 FT

    Any obvious moves that I should make? Tempted to get Kane back in for Lukaku.

  22. DR0GBA
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Salah start this weekend?

    1. gawa11
      9 years, 1 month ago

      yeah why not, mane is out

    2. vova
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Think so, with Mane out they don't really have much choice.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Of course.

  23. gawa11
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Foster / Elliot

    Jones / Davies / Kiko Femenía / Löwe / Long

    Groß / Eriksen / Mkhitaryan / Carroll / Salah

    Morata / Firmino / Kane

    How does this wildcard team look to you guys?

    1. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Long is a waste of a pick for me given that he isn't featuring

      1. gawa11
        9 years, 1 month ago

        yeah might change for a 3.9 def

        1. Blame it on Traore
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          9 years, 1 month ago

          If you can find one that plays, that would be great.

    2. St. Joseph
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I would rather have Lukaku than Miki

      1. gawa11
        9 years, 1 month ago

        that would mean changing miki for someone like doucoure, who is alot weaker than firmino

  24. JoeSoap
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A. Yoshiba/Willian>Bavies & CM/Jese
    B. Lukaku/Willian>Morata/Mikh
    C. Other (have 2fts & zero in bank)

    Foster
    Yoshida, Danilo, Bailly
    Willian, KDB, Atsu, Salah,
    Kane, Lukaku, Chicharito
    Elliott, Lowe, Mariappa, Loftus Cheek

  25. Hotdogs for Tea
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Morata, Kane and Lukaku - three big hitters up top - anyone one with me on this ?

    1. FFSbet.com
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No,Kaku out!

    2. gawa11
      9 years, 1 month ago

      unfortunately you have to fit 12 other players in there

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Mikhi, Eriksen & Alonso in there too

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not yet, but I like your style!

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah with Jesus over Morata for now

    5. Tcheco
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Can work in a 433 with one big hitter in midfield and 4 monsters at the back

    6. QPRUTD
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Tempted to, but the look of the rest of team pulls me back.

      Maverick strategy. Good Luck

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Foster 4.0
      Alonso Cedric Mee Naughton 4.0
      Mikhi Erik Doucoure Carroll RLC
      Morata Lukaku Kane

      Not too shabby

  26. Ostrich Baby
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How does this WC team look?

    Elliot / Woodman

    Davies / Wimmer / Lowe / Mee / Mbemba

    Salah / Hazard / Alli / Pogba(inj dependent) / Carroll

    Lukaku / Morata / Hemed

    1. DR0GBA
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba is out for month/s, may as well get rid now if you have the FT

      1. Ostrich Baby
        9 years, 1 month ago

        ah thanks, didn't know it had been confirmed. Frustrating as I don't think there are many similar priced mids offering as good value. Mikhi or Silva maybe?

  27. Fernando Torres
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Maguire or Jones?

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jones for me.

    2. VFORVANDETA
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Maguire

  28. TheTinman
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Elliott
    Davies Bertrand Dawson
    Eriksen Salah Ritchie Gross
    Lukaku Jesus Morata

    G2g ;)? Could see big numbers this week.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg

  29. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WC team taking shape. Nearly there

    Elliot
    Davies, Maguire, Jones
    Eriksen, Mkhi, Moting, Ritchie
    Kane, Lukaku, Jesus

    Mbemba, Femenia, Carroll

    1. TheBusDriver
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No pool might hurt

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah or Chelsea. Looking at gw 8 switches from Mkhi/Lukaku -> Pool mid/Morata

  30. Afghanistanislas
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which of these is better:
    A) Mane, Chicharito, Fernandez > Ritchie, Firmino, Mendy (-4)
    B) Mane, Chicharito > Ritchie, Firmino (free, get Kolasinac in GW 6)

    1. VFORVANDETA
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A