Scout Notes
25 November 2017 1106 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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A late Harry Kane goal spares Spurs blushes and more than a million captaincy calls as West Brom battle their way to a point at Wembley Stadium.

In a season where the unexpected has been all too common, Harry Kane’s Wembley travails have become increasingly predictable.

Home bankers against the likes of West Brom were meat and drink to the striker last term – he fired a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture at White Hart Lane. However, he’d been starved of goals when Burnley, Swansea City, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace visited earlier this season and came into today’s match scoreless in three Gameweeks.

What followed was standard fare for Spurs at their temporary home. They dominated possession and out-shot the Baggies 24-5, but mustered just two big chances and only found a way past Gary Megson’s well-drilled defence after 74 minutes of huffing and puffing.

That one of those gilt-edged opportunities was converted by Kane came as a huge relief to the 1.2 million (22.5%) of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who trusted him with the armband.

But it took changes in tactics, formation and personnel by Mauricio Pochettino to end West Brom’s resistance, with the 9.6%-owned Jan Vertonghen replaced on a point-busting 59 minutes by Fernando Llorente as Spurs swapped to a back four and went more direct for the final third of the match.

Kane will never be a shrinking violet up front and his eight shots today is the most of any player in Gameweek 13 thus far.

But just one goal in four matches is scant reward for managers used to more explosive returns – he hit eight in the six Gameweeks prior to his current slump.

Still, a goal’s a goal, and although Kane’s ownership dipped by 77,000 coming into the weekend, Romelu Lukaku’s blank for Man United is likely to distract from the Spurs talisman – particularly with two promising away fixtures, against Leicester City and Watford to come.

It should be noted that, with Morata also failing to find the net at Anfield, Kane was one of just three strikers to score a goal in Gameweek 13 so far.

Alli assist not enough

Dele Alli’s cross for Spurs’ equaliser was his first return in four matches and a modest boost for his remaining 16.2% ownership.

But that base is dwindling fast – he’s lost close to 300,000 managers in the last two Gameweeks. One goal and an assist from his last six starts just can’t justify his selection in the current landscape where other premium midfielders are delivering consistently.

Similarly, Christian Eriksen is faring no better. The Dane has been in scintillating form for his country, but abject domestically.

Today’s blank was his fifth in succession and even Spurs’ fixtures – after Leicester and Watford, they host Stoke City and Brighton – will not stem the flow of sales. He is already placed second only to Lukaku for sales ahead of Tuesday’s Gameweek 14 deadline.

Trippier claims the maximum

While Spurs’ struggles to break down spoiling visitors to Wembley is well-documented, they have at least kept things tight at the back, recording four clean sheets in six home matches before today.

A Salomon Rondon strike put paid to that, one of just five attempts West Brom mustered, which is the lowest total of the Gameweek to date.

But that failed to stop Kieran Trippier claiming the maximum bonus points on offer from a personal performance that ticked all the statistical boxes.

The wing-back played seven key passes and three open-play crosses and won four tackles.

Rotation with Serge Aurier, however, could remain an issue for the 8.8%-owned Trippier. But the situation could change on opposite flank, where Ben Davies made consecutive league starts for the first time since Gameweek 7. Danny Rose was again excluded from the matchday squad.

If that indicates some off-pitch issues surrounding Rose – and he has previous for such things – then Davies could yet become a more assured selection ahead of Spurs’ continued run of favourable home fixtures.

  1. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    anyone here still on 5 at the back? Hows it going?

  2. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Hazard rising in price tonight ?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      shouldnt think so

  3. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    3 feet of snow forecast for Huddersfield beginning at 9 tomorrow morning apparently

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      False news

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Call if off!

    3. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Seriously

      I knew this global warming thing was fake news

      #FNN

  4. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Please give me some advice guys. Considering the Xmas period will see rotation for many players, which should I be looking to sell from the below?

    Dea Gea, Lossl,
    Jones, Bertrand, Otamendi, Gomez, Daniels,
    Eriksen, TCarroll, Sane, Fabregas, SDavis,
    Jesus, Kane, Abraham,

    I'm thinking Eriksen, Jesus, Jones, Abraham and Fabregas. What do you think?

  5. RD
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    How likely is that Aguero plays the next two matches ..i mean Soton and westham home

    1. GertJan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      People seem to think Jesus plays in away matches and Aguero at home, but it's anybody's guess. I have both so just gonna sit back and enjoy the Man City games, lol.

  6. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    46k GW rank, the wildcard has turned out well!

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      nice i seem to be hovering around the 10k - 15k or that chelsea goal cost me a few points today

    2. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Unlucky mang. I WC'd last week and got 90 + 56 the past two GW's

  7. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Nice green after a -8. Yum.

  8. BRKFCTrueRover
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Big old green arrow for a change

  9. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    What mid-price forward is the one to have at the moment? Shocking but I can't think of any decent options.

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      They're aren't any

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Gray?

  10. Teror
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    I got Morata in on wildcard rather than Hazard and I can't say I regret it quite simply because I don't see any other viable strikers. I have Kane, Morata and Niasse and the only one I would consider changing is Niasse. There are plenty of reliable midfielders around right now (I have most of them) while strikers are all a bit errghhhhh. Lukaku is off form, Jesus and Aguero are expensive benching risks. The rest don't deserve consideration.

  11. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    108 - 44k
    Please end this GW now

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I’d be ecstatic if I was sitting at 44k

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Lol, I'm saying end it now cause I have no city and will go back to 100k after tomorrow

        1. grumpyman
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Similar here - rose from 193k to 58k but just Silva left so expecting to finish back above 100k. Hopefully still a green though.

    2. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      56 for me. Climbed from 23K to 7K – YOWZA!

  12. mikess
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Sterling & Zaha > Hazard & RLC -4?

    Palace boys would be my 4th midfielder

    1. Ëð
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Looks good to me

  13. Ëð
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    A) Lukaku + Eriksen -> Morata + Hazard (-4)
    B) Kane + Eriksen -> Morata + Hazard (-4)
    C) Other

    Current front 8 of:

    Salah, Silva, Eriksen, Richarlison, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Abraham

    1. mikess
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

  14. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Rich + Cedric ---> Gross + Kola (for free)??

  15. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Here’s to hoping City don’t go crazy tomorrow.

    Up to 89k from 115k and only Otamendi to play.

  16. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Hazard on +90. Will he rise tonight ?!

  17. BRKFCTrueRover
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    How sad first time all season in top 1 million (650k)

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      It's my first time ever in the top 10K tonight (7026)

    2. lugs
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      good job , i'm hopeful of joining you there tomorrow 🙂

  18. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Sané, Silva and Jesus, got to be confident they all start tomorrrow?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      should be fine im on sane sterling and ota a little bit worried about sterling looking forward to 2 points from the bench

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      They will along with Sterling

    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      would imagine so. i've sterling and kun who could well me on for zero between them. at least i've dunk waiting to come on

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        I'd expect both to get game time even if not starting

        1. the axolotl
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          maybe 1 of them. but kun rarely gets a run out. unlikely to need him

          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            GL 🙂

          2. the axolotl
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            subbed on once this season

  19. Jolly Good
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Gross blanks yet gets 3bps???

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      to be fair i was working at old trafford today how united came away with any points was a total surprise brighton did not deserve that result

    2. GertJan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Taking his bonus points tally up to.... 14!

      And he is now ranked 3rd amongst midfielders. Wow!

    3. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      That’s just gross...

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Gross doesn't do blanks

  20. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Sane, Sterling, Otamendi, Mee, Calvert-Lewin to go. A decent day tomorrow I hope? Today hasn't gone well.

    1. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      had Otamendi for 3 weeks.. 1 point in that, he owes me

    2. George James
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Current score berb? Those boys should sort you out tomorrow

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        34. You?

        1. George James
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          42 with Cedric, Mee, Silva and Jesus to go

    3. GertJan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      If those three City players go crazy like Spurs did when visiting Huddersfield, you could be racking up big points tomorrow. 😉

    4. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      i have same except no calvert i would prefer sterling to haul over sane dont think many will have the (c) on sterling

  21. ewangri
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    For GW15:

    Lukaku + Surman -> Niasse + Hazard (-4)

    Rest of the team is:

    DDG / Elliot

    Azpi / Jones / Mee / Daniels / Gomez

    Salah / Sane / Mane / Surman / RLC

    Morata / Lukaku / Abraham

    Thoughts?

  22. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Lukaku + Choupo to Morata + Pogba(-4) this week?
    Will help get rid of Abraham quicker and bring Sane in..,

  23. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    red arrow 🙁
    38 with sane(c), silva, ward (and kun if pep would like to be surprising)
    can I turn in green?

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      It'll be green.

    2. GertJan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Ofcourse it can! Gotta have faith. 🙂

  24. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    15 goals in 14 for Icardi. 🙂

  25. GXNG
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Lukaku and Mahrez to Morata and Salah for free a no brainer right?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Yes.

    2. ewangri
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Absolutely yes

    3. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      i’ve never seen better moves for a free

  26. IRBOX ⚽
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Eriksen > Hazard for free. Any reason not to do it now?

    1. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Do it

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      one of your players playing tomorrow could get injured

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Hopefully Aguero to save me the headache and get rid 😉

    3. BRKFCTrueRover
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Nope

    4. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      None at all, unless you have players playing tomorrow, might have injuries

  27. T.Henry14
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    I didn't have Richarlison so far and I won't buy him for the next 3 games. United, Tottenham and Burnley away.

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Thanks for letting us know.

      1. T.Henry14
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        you're welcome buddy 😉

    2. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I dont have hazard and I won't either but I might 🙂

  28. Messsiaah
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Jones to Azpilicueta?

    1. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      yes

  29. cescpistols1
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    2 FT, 0.5 ITB. Thinking of changing Femenia. Thoughts?

    Fabianski Elliot
    Ward Azpi Daniels Femenia Mbemba
    Salah Hazard D.Silva Gross RLC
    Kane Lukaku Quaner

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Lukaku to Morata, Silva to Sane.

    2. ewangri
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Mbemba more pressing.

      Tarkowski?

  30. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Is lukaku to hazard the best way to get rid of lukaku (a formation change from 343 to 352)? Or are there good forwards to replace him other than Morata & kane