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. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    so is having hazard worth ditching sane? I don’t feel it at the moment.
    I could ditch Azpilicueta but would have to take a punt on chritsensen for Chelsea defence or avoid altogether

    1. Giles G
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      keep Sane for sure

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Decide 2moz

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I’d keep Sané

    4. RED PILL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I'm not ditching Sane for Hazard. Not had a great turn when ive owned Hazard in past seasons. Only brought Dave (Azpilicueta) in last week, think he's going to stay in my team until the end.

  2. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    and to add to my best OR ever, I’m top of my main ML for the first time ever...

    scenes

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      nice one!

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks 😀

    2. acidicleo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      cool...

  3. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Fabianski, Elliot
    Jones, Daniels, Moreno, Mee, Mariappa
    Salah, Sterling, Zaha, Richarlison, Carroll
    Lukaku, Kane, Morata

    Jones, Carroll, Lukaku > Otamendi, Hazard, Niasse -4 ?

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      yes I would - Ota and haz should cover the hit easily

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        or Alonso, Sane, Niasse?

        1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          lol see my post top of page, similar problem. big Chelsea def and sane or otamendi/similar and hazard.

          have a feeling that hazard may be the better long term, having said that if sane has great fixtures in next few weeks so i’m waiting at the moment

          1. Lone Wolf FPL
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 5 months ago

            heh..great minds.. but you own sane so probz stick

    2. acidicleo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      definitely..

  4. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard -8 points
    or Jesus

    Who gets more points next month?

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      haz, Jesus may not start next 2, but who knows

    2. Giles G
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      probably Hazard

  5. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Mistake last time
    Do Lukaku + Choupo to Morata + Pogba(-4)?

    1. Giles G
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      i like it

    2. acidicleo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      yes

  6. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Who is your C next GW atm?

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Hazard

    2. McEwan
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Alexis

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

    4. Giles G
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Salah

    5. nicecat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      ^^^ VOTE NOW ^^^

    6. Jay_
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Worried about rest/rotation. All the good options could easily be benched.

      • Chris_White
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Aguero

      • acidicleo
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        salah or morata

    7. Puyol Pants Up
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Bad idea to get Richarlison with (MUN, TOT, bur) coming up?

      Or is he fixture proof?

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        I'm switching to gross

      2. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        I think Man Utd and Spurs have a big problem coming up playing against Watford right now.

      3. Giles G
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        he could get attacking returns in those games, but not bonus obviously

    8. Darth_Krid
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      58 points with Silva to play, and a jump from 149k to 49k. First time in 5 figures this season and over the moon. Thanks to the awesome community here for the advice/articles! 😀

      1. McEwan
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Easy to make big gains and losses in a short space of time as my past 4 gws have shown. Stick with the process and it will pay off over the season. Good work and keep going!

        1. Darth_Krid
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks mate. Started off well then my rank crashed when I decided to go without Kane for a few weeks. Slowly built it back up after deciding to focus on my own game rather than look at ML rivals and the points and rank followed accordingly!

          1. McEwan
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 5 months ago

            It can do that with massive ownerships like Kane/Lukaku/Salah. Such big swings if they haul.

            Everyone plays it differently, suppose it depends on what the goal is ie ML/rank. I find rank priority as ML will usually follow with that. Only final 5/10 gws would I consider what rivals are doing and even then, it would only be if I was chasing. Think your history tells it’s story that if you do the same things, you’ll be alright.

      2. Jay_
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Nice, I haven't even been in 6 figures yet!

        • johnnys balloons
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Decent week for most people here i guess...

      3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Kevin the Carrot.

        Who the hell are they employing in the Aldi's advertising department.?!

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Paula the Parsnip

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 5 months ago

            🙂

      4. DD
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Has OR updated?

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Yes

          1. DD
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 5 months ago

            Ahh cheers I just saw. A lovely green arrow!

      5. Snooze ya lose
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Best cheap striker?

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Calum Wilson

        2. Snooze ya lose
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Gonna have to be I think. Would have gone niasse if he wasn’t suspended

      6. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Sad news about Simon Thomas's wife....shocking...

        1. Jay_
            8 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah, terrible. Really made me choked.

          • Syd.
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 5 months ago

            Indeed very sobering that it was only diagnosed 3 days ago.

            1. Dr Dream
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              Leaves behind an eight year old son....life can be just sh*t sometimes...

              1. Syd.
                • 16 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Big time I was the same age when I lost my mother

        2. Jay_
            8 years, 5 months ago

            Elliot
            Alonso Otamendi Ward
            Hazard Salah Silva Choupo RLC
            Kane Morata
            (Speroni Jones Fernandez Niasse)

            1 FT, 0.0 ITB. Got 0 subs (if Jones & Fernandez still out) with likely rotation coming midweek.

            A) Save FT and just chance it that all the XI play
            B) Fernandez > Kiko (1 week earlier than planned and gives good cover for Jones most weeks)
            C) Jones > Kiko (leaves money for Silva > Sane)
            D) C with the Silva > Sane part now -4 (feels wrong losing Jones and Silva)

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              A or C maybe.
              See how tomorrow goes.

              1. Jay_
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  Cheers mate. Hope the new job is going well

              2. acidicleo
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                c with zeegelar will give another 0.1

            2. CelticBhoy1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              Hold Abraham or buy Wilson for free?

              1. Syd.
                • 16 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Get Wilson

                Swansea don't score goals

                1. CelticBhoy1
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  Good point, only 7 all season

            3. pakornk
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              Jesus or Aguero to start tomorrow?

            4. RESULT
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              A.Smalling lukaku to morata otamendi
              B.smalling lukaku to morata Christensen or zappacosta

              1. CelticBhoy1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                A

                1. RESULT
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 15 Years
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  Thanks mate

            5. ponsio22
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              Mustafi a replacement for jones?

              Arsenal have some good fixtures coming. I've also noticed that when he plays arsenal keep a cleanie. He has played 6 times, 5 have been clean sheets, and 2 of those against Spurs and Chelsea

              1. Jay_
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  Mustafi got 11 yellow cards in 28 games last year. Scored in the tough aways when benched. Was a nightmare to own

                  1. ponsio22
                    • 8 Years
                    8 years, 5 months ago

                    I've watched him play and he does go off his feet an awful lot. But, he only has one so far

              2. SheBangsTheDrums
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                How do these moves look?

                Out: Carroll, Lukaku and Abraham

                In: Gross, Morata and Niasse

                1. ponsio22
                  • 8 Years
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  Calvert Lewin rather than niasse as he Ian suspended

              3. Foozeball
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                repost:
                Jones -> Christensen?

                Any chance of a fall or rise respectively for either tonight?

              4. aleksios
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Jones and Andy King to Mustafi and RLC for free?

              5. ooooo
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Which one
                A) Pogba-4
                B) Choupo

              6. johnnys balloons
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Hope Aguero wont start tomorrow so he could drop for just one 0.1 more 🙂

              7. HD7
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Jesus / Lukaku / Tarroll >> Morata / Niasse / Hazard -8

                Do it tonight or no one is changing prices for now?

              8. acidicleo
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                DDG / Elliott
                Alonso / Ota / Daniels / Ward / Kiko
                Salah / Sane / Richarlison / RLC / Surman
                Kane / Morata / Vardy

                1 FT // 0.3 ITB

                Best moves for next GW?
                Happy with my defence..
                First priority is to get rid of Vardy > most probably to niasse...
                Had initial thoughts of upgrading either surman / RLC to pogba or zaha but those moves doesnt look appealing enough as the former 2 are doing reasonably okay.
                A possibly exciting transfer is rich to haz (due to next 3 fixtures of rich) but fall short of budget by 0.5!!

                Any advice on how I can make my team better??

              9. simon24601
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Best DEF + MID combo for 12.3m?

                Christensen + Zaha or maybe Alonso + RLC

              10. Sánchez
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Yass. Thought I had a red arrow. Was still looking at last nights ranks. Actually a green so far. Get in.

              11. BradyBetter
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Pick one?
                a) Hazard + RLC
                b) Sane + Zaha
                c) Silva + Zaha

              12. Boleyn Boy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Evening all. Please advise the best option. Thanks in advance:

                a) Dann, Richarlison & Lukaku to Kenny/Dunk, Hazard & Morata (-4)
                b) Sterling & Lukaku to Hazard & Morata

                1. johnnys balloons
                  • 8 Years
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  B, if you have at least one more City player

              13. Pieterke30
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Hazard to rise in price tonight we think?

                Or can we wait for an extra 24 hrs?

                1. Malkmus
                  • 14 Years
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  Jinx

                2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  8 years, 5 months ago

                  nah can wait by looks of fplstats

              14. Malkmus
                • 14 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                Pogba or haz rising tonight?