Scout Notes
2 November 2017 444 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Glorious wins for Man City and Spurs guarantee their progress in the Champions League, as Harry Kane’s return provides a major boost for Fantasy managers.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also victorious though lose Georginio Wijnaldum to injury to add to Jurgen Klopp’s mounting midfield dilemmas.

Here are the notes from a record-breaking night of European action…

Alli at the double as Kane returns

Harry Kane’s return from a hamstring issue dominated the pre-match talk, but it was Dele Alli who had grabbed the headlines by the end of a glorious 3-1 win over Real Madrid.

The midfielder scored twice as Spurs qualified from a tough Champions League group with two matches still to play.

Alli poked home a Kieran Trippier cross to open the scoring before doubling the home side’s advantage with a deflected shot following a break instigated by Eric Dier’s pass.

Kane then set up Christian Eriksen for a fine third goal, his first strike in four matches in all competitions.

The England striker has been bought by close to 100,000 and sold by more than 61,000 this week; a confusing state of affairs brought on by doubts as to his fitness.

On the evidence of a muscular display last night, Kane could well be the first name on the teamsheet for Spurs’ home match with Crystal Palace on Sunday. That, in turn, would make him Gameweek 11’s most obvious captaincy pick, what with many of the other prime candidates involved in big-match clashes.

Alli’s form seems to be on the turn. After a five-match league run without a goal, the midfielder returned to the scoresheet in the Gameweek 9 win over Liverpool and he made the most of his role as Kane’s primary attacking support against a hesitant Real backline.

Palace’s defence might well be equally generous, particularly if Mamadou Sakho fails to recover from a calf injury.

Eriksen, meanwhile, has struggled for returns since being employed in a slightly deeper role by Mauricio Pochettino. He was allowed a touch more freedom last night, as Dier and Harry Winks took on the bulk of the holding responsibilities, and his goal rounded off a well-balanced individual performance.

But it wasn’t all wine and roses for Spurs.

Toby Alderweireld came off with a hamstring problem which required Dier to drop into the back three.

The Belgian’s post-match verdict on his issue was not positive.

“It doesn’t feel very good. We’ll have to see in the next couple of days how it feels. Something happened, there’s no chance I could have played on. In the next couple of days, I’ll have a scan and we’ll take it from there.”

His manager was equally downbeat, describing the defender’s likely presence on Sunday as ‘difficult’.

Ben Davies also had to run off a knock that, for a time, looked like Danny Rose might have to replace him, while Trippier’s start suggests Serge Aurier might well be given the nod at full-back/wing-back for the Palace match.

What seems beyond doubt is that Pochettino will have to shuffle his defensive pack at the weekend, with a back four perhaps the most likely solution should Alderweireld miss out as expected.

Further forward Mousa Dembele and Son Heung-min are also set to be factors against the Eagles, perhaps in a 4-2-3-1 with the South Korean deployed in front of Rose on the left.

Rotation will certainly be a factor as Spurs conclude their Champions League group stage matches, although, having qualified, we can perhaps expect the big guns – Kane, Alli and Eriksen – to step down.

A victory in Dortmund later this month would win them the group. That tie is sandwiched between the north London derby and a visit from West Brom, while early December’s final European fixture follows a trip to Watford and comes just three days before a home match with Stoke City.

Records and rotation risks for City

Sergio Aguero finally broke Man City’s all-time goal scoring record as Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to win 4-2 at Napoli.

The Argentinian striker finished off a fast break involving Leroy Sane to notch his 187th goal for the club on a night of breathtaking football from both sides.

But from a Fantasy perspective, the quality was just a pleasant distraction – it was all about minutes played and what that might tell us about the likely starters when Arsenal visit on Sunday.

Aguero got his goal and was replaced by Bernardo Silva with 14 minutes to go, while Sane played almost the full match before making way for Gabriel Jesus in time added on.

The German winger, who also set up John Stones’ goal that put City 2-1 up on the night, was outstanding in Naples.

Such rich form – he’s also produced four double-digit returns in his last five league starts – has prompted nearly 200,000 managers to make him Gameweek 11’s most popular acquisition.

But Sane has now started nine of City’s last 10 in all competitions. That either makes him near undroppable in Guardiola’s eyes or closer to a rest than his Fantasy owners would want.

Having sat out the Gameweek 10 win at West Brom, Aguero – whose last start was against Wolves in the Carabao Cup nine days ago – will have essentially played 76 minutes in 11 days by the time Sunday’s clash with the Gunners comes around.

Raheem Sterling, who finished the scoring from a Kevin De Bruyne pass, had played just 29 minutes across the last two league fixtures before putting in a full shift in Naples.

The 24.9% who own David Silva would have been rather more reassured to see their man benched last night, with the playmaker only introduced after 71 minutes.

He and Gabriel Jesus are in the top three for transfers-out this week. Based on the evidence of their limited involvement against Napoli, those sales could be premature.

Silva replaced Ilkay Gundogan, who set up Nicolas Otamendi for City’s equalising goal.

That was the second strike in three matches for the centre-half who, with 20.8% ownership, is City’s most popular Fantasy Premier League defender.

His closest rival for that particular crown, Kyle Walker (14.6%), was given the night off in Italy, with Danilo handed a rare start at right-back, which suggests that the Englishman will return at the weekend.

City’s victory means that they’ve now qualified for next year’s knockout stages with two matches to spare.

Those European ties fall between trips to Leicester City and Huddersfield in November and early December matches at home to West Ham and then away for Gameweek 16’s Manchester derby.

Guardiola will undoubtedly mix and match his squad for the European nights still to come. But then again, he always does. Like Spurs, we could see the big names – De Bruyne and Silva in particular – relieved of European duty.

Penalty plot thickens for victorious Liverpool

Liverpool had to wait for their win over a stubborn NK Maribor, with second-half goals sealing a 3-0 result that edged them closer to the knockout stages.

Mohamed Salah continued his fine recent run with the opening goal – he has either scored or assisted in his last three matches in all competitions – from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.

Emre Can then doubled the advantage following a neat one-two with James Milner before substitute Daniel Sturridge fired home from an Alberto Moreno cross late on.

The Reds could even afford to miss a penalty, awarded when Roberto Firmino was fouled in the area.

Salah missed a spot-kick in Gameweek 10’s win over Huddersfield, so last season’s taker Milner was handed the chance against the Slovenians, only for his effort to be tipped onto the post.

That could well mean Firmino is on penalty-taking duties next, adding another string to the Brazilian’s bow after he broke a six-match goal drought in the league with a strike against the Terriers last weekend.

Liverpool sit top of their Champions League group, but qualification is still far from assured. And an ankle injury to Georginio Wijnaldum, who limped off in the first half last night, has complicated midfield matters for coach Jurgen Klopp.

The German was already without Philippe Coutinho (groin) for the Maribor fixture and spoke post-match about both issues as he prepares for Saturday’s trip to West Ham.

“At half-time I asked immediately, and the ankle was already swollen. It’s probably not a good sign. Gini is out, so maybe there will be a wonder or something like this and Phil (Coutinho) is in. But I don’t think in the moment that he can play.”

Should both miss the Hammers trip as expected, FPL defender Milner (2.6%) may well be handed his fourth straight start in midfield, with Sturridge a strong possibility to join Firmino and Salah in Liverpool’s front three.

At the back, the rested pair of Simon Mignolet and Joe Gomez would be expected to return at the weekend, with Jordan Henderson, who replaced Wijnaldum last night, another in the frame for a start.

Liverpool still have crucial matches with Sevilla and Spartak Moscow to secure Champions League football into the New Year.

They travel to Spain next, the tie bookended by visits from Southampton and Chelsea, and finish the group stages at home to the Russians, with a trip to Brighton and a Merseyside derby at Anfield either side of that encounter.

444 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. lfcserg
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone captaining someone other than Kane?

    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 1 day ago

      thinking salah

    2. nkhoughton
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Nah great fixture is great fixture

    3. Dele
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Kane or Alli

    4. Cok3y5murf
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Yeah, especially since 70% of the teams don't own him.

    5. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Richarlison

  2. HaffNanner
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Sanchez and Morata > Salah and Captain Kane worth a -4?

    Alternative is Captain Vardy which feels a bit wrong.

    1. Jayv807
      9 years, 1 day ago

      I'd do Sanchez and Vardy to Kane and best you can afford. Chelsea have great fixtures coming soon

      1. Ask Yourself
        9 years, 1 day ago

        ^

      2. HaffNanner
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Hmm interesting. I have Jesus too so he's an option for turning into Kane. Solves the rotation headache too I guess.

  3. Seamy
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Will this issue with Google Chrome auto scrolling you to the bottom of the age ever be dealt with?
    It is beginning to really deter me from visiting this site

    1. Seamy
      9 years, 1 day ago

      *page

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Have you tried switching it off then on again?

  4. Rash
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Which looks better?

    A. Morata tcarroll (bench) 433
    B. Tammy salah 343

    Current team

    DDG
    Davies Jones ward naughton
    Eriksen sané richarlison
    Kane kun morata*

    Elliot Tcarroll* RLC mbemba

    Move would be made over IB with 2ft

    Thanks

    1. Ask Yourself
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Very close call. Maybe B just

    2. Ask Yourself
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Would say Davies is more of a priority looking at your team again however

      1. cheese XL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 1 day ago

        B

    3. Rash
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Thanks maybe look at a hit over the break

      Morata Davies tcarroll to Tammy salah and not thought of defender yet

  5. Ask Yourself
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Mini wildcard over int break worth -4?
    Silva, Foster, K Long > Zaha, Courtois, Stones (only city)
    Long > Stones can wait a week to make it a free

    1. Rash
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Wouldn't have stones as only city. Also woildnt ditch Silva without having sané or sterling

      1. Ask Yourself
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Thinking is to avoid city attacking players as all are about to be rotated over Christmas, also with a mid of haz, Salah, silva, Richarlison wouldn’t know where to get sterling/sane in

  6. Salarrivederci
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Any Burnley fans out there? What's up with Ch. Wood?

  7. Ministerjones
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Don't have any Spurs except Davies and having shocking season
    Should I play free hit chip to get
    Elliot (plus non playing 3.9 GK)
    Naughton, Mee, Daniels, (Plus two Newcastle)
    Alli, Erikson, Salah, Sterling, Richarlison
    Kane, Jesus (plus cheap non player)

    1. Neevesy
      9 years, 1 day ago

      If you decide to free chip, I wouldn't have three Spurs. I would also not risk Sterling.

      1. Ministerjones
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Thanks,

        1. luke25
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Why would you not have three Spurs this week? Agree on the Sterling one though, wouldn't risk him

  8. Neevesy
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Bottomed

    How's this WC team:

    De Gea (Elliot)

    Jones - Stones - Naughton (Mee - Marriappa)

    Salah - GroB - Sane - Mahrez (T.Carrol)

    Kane - Kun - Tammy

    1. Ministerjones
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Mahrez?
      And most people are getting away from Man C due to rotation but then again my season is terrible so go with your gut

      1. Neevesy
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Mahrez is a bit of a punt. Sane and Kun will be top scorers even with rotation.

  9. Dele
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Can someone update me...

    How many minutes did S, S, S, Jesus, Aguero play last night?

    1. lfcserg
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Aguero, Sane and Sterling all started. Silva and Jesus came off the bench.

    2. Deano
      9 years, 1 day ago

      BBC Football site can.

    3. Salarrivederci
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Sterling 94'
      Sane 90'
      Silva 23'
      Aguero 76'
      Jesus 4'

      1. Dele
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Nice one, thank you sir.

    4. Krionos
      9 years, 1 day ago

      How bout google it...

      1. Dele
        9 years, 1 day ago

        I thought an open forum was about helping other contributors out.

        Sort your sarcastic attitude out.

    5. M00N
      9 years, 1 day ago

      19, 90, 2, 76, 92

      *please note that these times are estimates and not exactly in the correct order.

      1. Dele
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Thank you

  10. nkhoughton
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Play ward over luiz/Jones?

    1. Ask Yourself
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Maybe Luiz

  11. Deano
    9 years, 1 day ago

    % chance of Lukaku dropping again before the weekend anyone?

    1. nkhoughton
      9 years, 1 day ago

      40%

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      9 years, 1 day ago

      He could go from 50% ownership to 0% ownership and not drop.

      1. Deano
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Now now, that’s a bit catty from you of all people! 😉

  12. lfcserg
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Elliot
    Otamendi - Luiz - Moreno
    Salah - Sterling - Ri(c)harlison - Choupo
    Kane - Jesus - Vardy

    G2G lads and yes I'm captaining Richarlison

  13. Sims
    9 years, 1 day ago

    What's the consensus on here regarding the minutes this weekend for the following :

    A) aguero

    B) Kane

    C) sterling

    1. lfcserg
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Aguero and Kane are quiet likely to start. Sterling is a toss up.

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 1 day ago

      30, 70, 80

    3. Krionos
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Who knows, I am guessing:

      A. 60min.

      B. 80-90min.

      c. 75min.

  14. Water_Pink
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Thinking
    Courty out and morata
    To gross and Kane
    Worth it ?

  15. Jimjam
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Fabianski
    Otamendi, Monreal, Davies, Jones
    Hazard, Sterling, Richarlison
    Kane, Aguero, Vardy

    Elliot, Carroll, Romeu, Mbemba

    1FT, 0.0 in bank

    Save FT?

    1. lfcserg
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Possibly swap Davies to a guaranteed starter.

  16. Bring the Cavalry
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Who to start?

    A) Fabianski
    B) Elliot

    1) Jones (che)
    2) Simpson (stk)

    1. Ask Yourself
      9 years, 1 day ago

      A1

      1. Ask Yourself
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Meant B1

  17. raoulduke71
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Any suggestions?

    Elliot
    Ward Jones Van Dijk (Monreal)
    Sane Zaha Salah (VC) Richarlison Sterling
    Aguero Kane (C) (Calvert Lewin)

    0.1m in the bank

    1. Ask Yourself
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Looking very good

  18. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    9 years, 1 day ago

    eyeing up alli gw13 (arguably now if you have the luxury of nothing else to fix). not really knee-jerk, more proven player with some confidence surely back after last night and most importantly about as secure a starter as you will find over december

    1. M00N
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Currently got Eriksen, but I have my eye on a sideways move to Alli, but scared that I will then be priced out of going back if its a mistake. But he does look like he's about to hit a bit of form.

    2. boc610
      9 years, 1 day ago

      there are other better and cheaper midfielder options in the league at the moment. yes he is secure for starts but even after last night still not convinced he is in the better form than say salah, sane, sterling, kdb, eriksen. see how he does against palace

    3. soup natsi
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Missed his run of braces last season, feels like another due

      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 1 day ago

        almost all of them on the last day of the gameweek too. single handedly turned red arrows green

    4. Deano
      9 years, 1 day ago

      I think not playing in CL has affected his confidence and after last night he will blossom. I’m getting him in this week on WC.

    5. Gideons Rolling Another One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Tempted to bring him in this GW. He does tend to go on little runs, and this could be part the way into one. 4 goals in the last 4 games.

  19. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Two questions:

    A. Who to ditch for captain Kane: Lukaku, Aguero or Morata?

    B. Play Mee (sou) or Jones (che)

    Thanks

    1. soup natsi
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Morata, Jones

  20. soup natsi
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Laca, Carroll >

    A. Abraham, Alli
    B. Firmino, Richarlison
    C. Vardy, Gross

    1. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 1 day ago

      B

  21. Liastro ⭐️
    9 years, 1 day ago

    What would you do with this shambles? 2FTs, 1.1m in the bank...

    Foster Elliot
    Otamendi Jones Cedric Naughton Mbemba
    Alli Salah Choupo-Moting Carroll RLC
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

    1. soup natsi
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Mbemba > Dann or Duffy

  22. boc610
    9 years, 1 day ago

    the top transfers in and out tables really do illustrate the utter confusion people facing this season

  23. kfreeman93
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Is Trippier worth dropping to the bench in favour of Gross (Swansea away) or Mee (Southampton away) if he's unlikely to start?

  24. Sims
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Hmm morata to kane is a tough decision

    Was going to do morata to lukaku and get kane after Arsenal game but not sure now.

    Anyone ignoring kane until after the arsenal game?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Arsenal is a favorable fixture

      1. Sims
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Not at emirates no

    2. soup natsi
      9 years, 1 day ago

      He loves his london teams tho

      1. Sims
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Kaku and kun have much better fixtures that week though. Already own kun so the decision for me is

        Kane (CPL ars)

        Or

        Morata (MUN) Lukaku (NEWC)

        1. soup natsi
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Will you captain kun though?

  25. Olee
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Thoughts on this bunch?

    Elliot
    Otamendi-Jones-Cedric
    Eriksen-Salah-Sterling-Richarlison
    Kane-Morata-Abraham

    Foster-RLC-Naughton-Long
    1FT, 1,4ITB

  26. Neevesy
    9 years, 1 day ago

    A) Ricarlason and Hazard
    B) Sane and Mahrez

  27. Deano
    9 years, 1 day ago

    On a WC and thinking of taking Vardy for this week with enough cash to use on my FT next week to buy Lukaku. Risk of course is I may need that transfer to fix an injury during the IB.

    A. Go for it.

    B. Just get the big fella in now.

  28. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    9 years, 1 day ago

    think it's fair to assume davies gets a breather after some very intense man utd and real madrid games back to back. he's normally 90 or 0 but i wonder i'd fear more than normal for an auto-sub blocking cameo with rose's legs having to deal with andros and/or zaha on the wembley pitch.

    1. Sims
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Is Toby being out going to help him?

      Could start at LCB

      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 1 day ago

        hadn't considered that. still feel dier into the 3 or a back 4 are more likely

    2. skodaole2
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Have Davies and consider taking a hit and get a nailed on defender although my defence is not extremely weak (Alonso, Maguire, Dunk if Davies wont play). However there is a IB after this game and 3 days between the 2 games so there is a chance Poch will start Davies again since when he wasnt used Spurs struggled to score. Could start him and if Spurs are 2 goals ahead, change him during the 2nd half.

  29. Klopp it
    9 years, 1 day ago

    So this is my situation, im sitting 14 in my mini league a 150 points behind 1st, so im in a bit off a mess tho not guna panic too much as i believe that can be pulled back esp as i have triple captain and bench boost still, my mini league was a 100 to enter and theres 20 in so as u can imagine i wana win it this is my team, please gave you'r advice on who to captain,

    Foster
    Ben Davies, naughton, Azpilicueta
    Atsu, de bruyne, alli, Choupo
    Jesus, firmino, kane

    Bench, elliot, simpson,

  30. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Which one would you play:

    A) Mee (sou)
    B) Dunk (swa)

    1. Olee
      9 years, 1 day ago

      A