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. HD7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    On a Wc:
    4-3-3

    Elliot
    BDavies Jones 4.8 Kola
    Eriksen Miki Ramsey
    Firmino Kaku Kane

    Subs: Foster, T Caroll, Chalobah, Mbemba

    1) Naughton
    2) Simpson
    3) Clark ( doubles with Elliot though)
    4) Foster to Krul and get Cedric

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      1

    2. The Cloud
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      1 and I would also suggest kiko femenia if passed fit and 4.4 for wimmer could be a very shrewd acquisition

      1. HD7
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        what about Simpson ...think Naughton can finish with negative points vs Spurs and Simpson has nice fixtures like Naughton too?

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      great news

  2. Afghanistanislas
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Which one of each would you go for:
    A) Mendy or Kolasinac
    B) Ritchie or Brady

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      kola Ritchie

    2. Dybala10
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Kolasinac & Brady

  3. Weasel51
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Appreciate any help, big decision...
    Team as it stands:

    Forster
    Jones Alonso Bavies
    Willian Eriksen Salah Chalobah T.Carroll
    Kane(c) Lukaku

    A) Should I wildcard to this:

    Foster
    Jones Bavies Maguire
    Mkhi Eriksen Salah Chalobah
    Kane (c) Jesus Firmino

    B) Do Willian to Mkhi -4?

    Cheers in advance

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      No wc team is fine.Just do the hit.

  4. payetisgod
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Hi,

    WC still to be used and I've currently got the below team which until now ive been pretty chuffed with.

    Elliot/foster
    Alonso, Stephens, Suttner, Naughton, 4m
    Mikky, Eriksen, Bradybunch, Silva, RLC
    Kak, Morata, Firminio,

    Like many i got stung with pogba injury and did the boring switch to mikky - now with Kane picking up I've my concerns.

    So do I

    A) hold and pray?
    B) Morata Eriksen to Kane Antonio/Ramsey
    C) Any other suggestions.

    Thanks!!!

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Wouldnt ditch Eriksen. On the other side i cant see many to be changed,you have a good team overall.

      1. payetisgod
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        Thanks Aleksios, its the risk of a Kane hatty that concerns me?
        Would Alonso Morata - to Kane and which ever the best defender in that price range be worth a 8 hit?

        1. aleksios
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 days ago

          No for -8. Too hard to justify it. If you really cant hold and pray then do it.But i wouldnt waste a wc for a player.

          1. payetisgod
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 6 days ago

            great thanks! A it is, surely the guy cant get a brace 3 times in a row

  5. Dele
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Mendy Ritchie

    1. Dele
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Post fail

  6. Delhidynamo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Son and Laca to

    A) Alli and Vardy

    B) Kane and Albrighton

    C) Kane and Richarlison

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      B and anyone else than Albrighton and Richa?

      1. Delhidynamo
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        Gross/Choupo/Jese

        Don't really like the options there. Might just go Atsu and bank the 1.0 M

        1. aleksios
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 days ago

          +1.

  7. ponsio22
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    What do Pogba owners do now?

    I had no plans to get rid of him initially and i am thinking of just sitting on him. Is that a mistake or should i start planning his exit route?

    1. DAZZ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      He's out for 4 weeks

      1. ponsio22
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        What would you do then? I'd want him back after 4 weeks so i may just sit on him

        1. MTPockets
          9 years, 6 days ago

          Currently expected back GW8ish, after internationals. Then faces the not-ideal liv, hud, TOT, che.

        2. COLLIN QUANER
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 days ago

          That's a silly idea. Swap to Mhki

    2. Ruth_NZ
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Last time he had a hamstring problem he missed 3 games. Time before he missed 12 games (out 7 weeks). This one sounds more like the more serious end. I think you have to let him go and buy him back cheaper later on, maybe even for under 8m.

      1. ponsio22
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        You make a good point. I don't have Miki so could just straight swap.

        I was planning on getting rid of Lukaku and doubling up on Miki and Pog.....I suppose those plans have been dashed 🙁

    3. HamezMace
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Had this same problem, don't want to have to buy him back at more than he originally cost...but I think 4 weeks is too long to have an 8m+ player sitting on the bench.

  8. dashdriver
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    RMWCT:

    Pickford / Elliot
    Davies / Mendy / Jones / Wimmer / Mbemba
    Eriksen / Mhkitaryan / Groẞ / Atsu / Carroll
    Kane / Lukaku / Firmino

    Thank you very much.

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      7,5/10.Solid.

  9. HamezMace
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    To bring in now;

    a. Hazard
    b. Sanchez

    Concerned about game time for both.

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      why the rush?

      1. HamezMace
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        Replacing Pogba

        1. aleksios
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 days ago

          Both uncertain. If i should, then A.

          1. HamezMace
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 days ago

            Many thanks

  10. rnrd
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    A: Antonio - Coutinho - Mkhytarian - Lukaku - Kane
    B: Alli - Coutinho - Mkytarian - Lukaku - Jesus

    ?

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      A

    2. InvertedWinger
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Why not remove players common to both options?

      B

  11. DAZZ
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Riyad Mahrez, make me proud.

  12. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    GTG?

    Hart
    Bertrand, Davies, Cedric, Mendy
    Mkhitaryan, Alli, De Bruyne
    Chicharito, Firmino, Kane

    Bench: Elliot, RLC, Carroll, Hunemeier

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      g2g good luck.

  13. ☈☾
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Pogba to Silva or Son?

    Have Alli but no City cover

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Silva

  14. dark91
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    27,640 #FPL managers replaced Mane with Pogba before his injury.

    (Source: Official FPL)

  15. K-win
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Could having Gamez and Mbemba work as 4.0 bench fodder? Looks like they rotate for Newcastle so 1 of the two will play.

  16. TheTinman
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    I think I'll be going for a gw8 wildcard. Spurs defence looks a must.

    1. TheTinman
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      I can only afford Trippier. Think I'm going to have to drop Morata to Vardy to find Davies?

  17. Fantasyfootballer
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Foster Eliot
    Kolasinac Jones Stephens (Mee Hunemeier)
    Phillips Mhiki Ramsey Willian (Carroll)
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

    1FT 1.8ITB

    Am I okay to go without wildcarding?

    I can either do

    A) Stephens to Davies for free.
    B) Phillips/Willian (or Ramsey) to 5.1m & Eriksen.

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      a for sure.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Aaaaaaa

  18. Kizza_10
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Which team is better ?

    A)
    De Gea
    Davies Hegazi Cedric
    Alli Salah Eriksen Silva Mhiki
    Lukaku Hernandez

    B)
    Courtios
    P.Jones Davies Mee
    Alli Salah Mhiki Eriksen
    Wood Morata Jesus

    1. MAVER!CK
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      B

  19. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Yoshida (have Bertrand) >> Bavies -4 worth it right?

    1. ninja101
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Yes, for me at least

    2. MTPockets
      9 years, 6 days ago

      I don't think so, but popular move.

      1. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        Hmm why? Don't fancy Spurs defense?

        1. MTPockets
          9 years, 6 days ago

          Just think there's possibility he gets a rest. Could well be wrong though.

          1. ENZO SZN™
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 6 days ago

            A rest for who? He's the only playing LB right now.

  20. ninja101
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    DDG - Elliot
    Yoshi - Davies - Mee - Hegazi - Lowe
    Salah - Pogba* - Willian - Atsu - Carroll
    Kane - Lukaku - Firmino

    Realised that I can't do a straight switch Pog - Mikhi, so:

    a) Pog + Willian -> Eriksen + Gross (or Doucoure) (-4, leaves $ to upgrade Hegazi next week)

    b) Pog + Willian -> KDB + Gross (-4, as above)

    c) Downgrade Pog (any suggestions?)

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      A solid moves

      1. ninja101
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        Thanks! Any idea on Doucore? One-off or good value?

        1. aleksios
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 days ago

          Too soon to find out.Monitor.

  21. shortymak
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    RMWCT

    Elliot krul

    Maguire stones jonea ward 3.9

    Ali eriksen richie antionio caroll

    Kane vardy firmino

  22. ☈☾
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Pogba to Sane or Silva or Son?

    Have no City cover

    1. DAZZ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Mahrez!

    2. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Silva

    3. HurriKane
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Silva

  23. MAVER!CK
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    A. Ritchie + Firmino
    B. Joselu + Salah ??

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      A

    2. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      B for me

    3. HurriKane
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      A

    4. MAVER!CK
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Was leaning towards A myself but skeptical coz ritchie apparently is a card magnet,but hey set piece+pen>>Yellow card

  24. DAZZ
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Would love to hear some thoughts from people without Kane this weekend? What are you expecting?

    1. TheTinman
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Shi t scared. But can't get him in without butchering my team

      1. payetisgod
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        ^ this

        had a post earlier contemplating switching Morata/Eriksen for Kane Antonio but got talked out of it!

    2. HurriKane
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      an explosion his stats deserve

    3. Dybala10
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Alli hat-trick and Kane injury...

  25. ponsio22
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Which 2 players to go for?

    Silva
    Mahrez
    Siggy
    Miki

    1. DAZZ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Top 2

    2. HurriKane
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Silva
      Mikhi

  26. Whats the Mata?
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Stephens to Bavies done with the FT. GTG this week?

    DDG
    Bavies Suttner Francis
    Salah Mkhi Eriksen Fraser
    Lukaku (K)ane Mounie

    Elliot-Mee-Carrol-4m

    1. HurriKane
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      looks good but Mounie is becoming a problem.. not planning to get rid ?

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        I am. But another priority always pops up xD
        And Im plannin to use my WC gw8 thus Im not comfortable taking a hit too.

  27. aleksios
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    G2G lads?

    --Eliott--
    -Alonso-Davies-Jones-Hegazi
    -Eriksen-Ritchie-Mooy
    -Kane(c)-Luka-Firmino

    (Foster-Richarlison-Zanka-Chalobah)

    1.0itb.Thanks all.

    1. shortymak
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      Hegazi to stones maby

      1. aleksios
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 days ago

        It would be for a hit though..

        1. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 days ago

          probably still worth it

  28. ponsio22
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Is son now a good route into that Spurs Midfield now he is fit and scoring?

    He was awesome for me back end of last season.

    1. HurriKane
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      I think he will start against easy teams and get benched for harder matches in pl in 3-4-3 system

      This could be spurs attack against swans

      Kane
      Alli Eriksen Son
      Dier Dembele

  29. Pirlø's Pen
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 days ago

    Views on my WC team, anything wrong with it?

    Gomes
    Mendy Davies Maguire
    Alli Mkhitaryan Choupo-Moting GroB
    Kane Jesus Morata

    Elliot Wimmer Chalobah Hunemeir.

    1. shortymak
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 days ago

      No salah firmino??