Scout Notes

Hat-tricks for FPL midfielders in latest pre-season friendlies

Fantasy Premier League midfielders Erik Lamela and Danny Ward both registered hat-tricks in the latest round of pre-season friendlies.

The former scored his in a behind closed doors match between Tottenham and Southend United while Cardiff’s Ward was part of the side that thrashed Cornish side Bodmin 11-1.

Elsewhere, Arsenal played a private match against Crawley with just the goalscorers known to us, while Huddersfield saw the return of captain Christopher Schindler and Oumar Niasse continued to threaten for Everton.

We’ve got all the goals, assists and Fantasy talking points from another set of friendly matches.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 6-0 SOUTHEND UNITED

  • Goals: Erik Lamela x3 (£6.5m), Fernando Llorente (£6.0m), Lucas Moura (£7.0m), Tashan Oakley-Boothe
  • Assists: Moura, Serge Aurier (£6.0m), Ben Davies (£6.0m), Lamela

Mid-price midfielder Erik Lamela (£6.5m) scored a hat-trick in a behind closed doors friendly for Spurs against Southend United on Wednesday afternoon.

With Dele Alli (£9.0m) and Christian Eriksen (£9.5m) expected to miss large portions of pre-season after their involvement in the World Cup, and Son Heung-min (£8.5m) competing in the Asian games with South Korea, Lamela could easily earn an extended run in the Spurs team and prove good value.

The Argentinian midfielder opened the scoring in the seventh minute after good link-up with Lucas Moura (£7.0m). He released the winger down the right and directed the cross that came back to him into the net.

Fernando Llorente (£6.0m) doubled Spurs’ lead four minutes later after Serge Aurier’s (£6.0m) cross took a slight deflection off a defender and fell to the Spanish striker to stroke home.

Lamela profited from a good interchange between Aurier and Moura in the 27th minute, turning in from close range for 3-0. As the match was played behind closed doors, we were unable to confirm which player should be credited with the assist for this goal.

Ben Davies (£6.0m) was the next to supply an assist from wide areas, playing a one-two with Lamela, his ball into the middle converted by Moura.

Lamela completed his hat-trick before half-time after more good link-up on the right flank again. This was another goal for which the assist is unclear.

The Argentinian midfielder continued to show threat in the second-half, his 78th minute pass across goal stabbed home by youngster Tashan Oakley-Boothe.

Tottenham did not reveal the full line-up for this particular match, either on their website or social media. We do know that Michel Vorm (£5.0m) started in goal with Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) still on leave having recently won the World Cup with France.

ARSENAL 9-0 CRAWLEY TOWN

  • Goals: Lucas Perez x2, Alexandre Lacazette x2 (£9.5m), Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Pierre-Emerick Aubmameyang (£11.0m), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.0m), Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah
  • Assists: Unknown

Arsenal also played a pre-season match behind closed doors with the information even less clear than was the case with Spurs.

Lucas Perez (not yet on FPL) found the net twice, as did Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m), in a 9-0 win over League Two Crawley Town.

Pierre-Emerick Aubmameyang (£11.0m), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.0m), Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah also scored in the game.

We do not know the exact line-up, other than there being two different ones for each half, but we can confirm the following players were involved in the match in some form:

  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m)
  • Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m)
  • Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.0m)
  • Aaron Ramsey (£7.5m)
  • Bernd Leno (£5.0m)
  • Petr Cech (£5.0m)
  • Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.5m)
  • Matteo Guendouzi (£4.5m)
  • Lucas Perez
  • Jeff Reine-Adelaide
  • Emile Smith-Rowe
  • Jordi Osei-Tutu
  • Eddie Nketiah

DYNAMO DRESDEN 0-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None

Huddersfield went a second pre-season match in a row without finding the net, although they dominated possession in Germany.

On a more positive note, captain Christopher Schindler (£4.5m) returned to action after being withdrawn with a suspected dead leg against Bury. He featured as a second-half substitute.

Forward Elias Kachunga (£5.0m) made his first start since returning from a long-term injury, deployed as the central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Chris Lowë (£4.5m) was impressive from left-back once again, overlapping nicely with Rajiv van La Parra (£5.0m) in the first-half.

Second-half replacement Laurent Depoitre (£5.5m) had the ball in the net late-on after Alex Pritchard (£5.0m) had played him through, but it was ruled out for offside.

New signings Ramadan Sobhi (£5.0m) and Erik Durm (£4.5m) were declared in need of fitness before featuring in pre-season matches.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN XI (4-2-3-1): Hamer; Lowë (O’Brien 55’), Hefele (Schindler 45’), Kongolo (Stankovic 75’), Smith (Edmonds-Green 81’); Billing (Sabiri 45’), Hogg (Hadergjonaj 75’); Quaner (Malone 45’), Kachunga (Pritchard 45’), Van La Parra (Williams 81’); Mounié (Depoitre 75’).

BODMIN TOWN 1-11 CARDIFF CITY

  • Goals: Bobby Reid (£5.5m), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (£5.0m), Kadeem Harris x3, Josh Murphy x2 (£5.0m), Danny Ward x3 (£4.5m), Gary Madine (£4.5m)
  • Assists: Sol Bamba (£4.5m), Joe Bennett (£4.5m), Jazz Richards (£4.0m), Mendez-Laing, Reid, Harris, Ward.

It is now four goals in two pre-season matches for Cardiff City midfielder Danny Ward (£4.5m), who netted a hat-trick against Cornish side Bodmin Town and registered an assist too, playing in advanced position.

Forward Bobby Reid (£5.5m) was deployed in midfield once again but still made it two pre-season goals in as many games since joining the Bluebirds from Bristol City, while Kadeem Harris also recorded a hat-trick and Josh Murphy (£5.0m) got a brace.

Reid opened the scoring by getting the final touch on Sol Bamba’s (£4.5m) header from a Murphy corner.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (£5.0m) netted the second following a decent overlapping run from left-back Joe Bennett (£4.5m).

Harris got his first goal from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box.

Murphy scored his first goal since joining Cardiff from Norwich a few minutes later. Bamba’s interception released right-back Jazz Richards (£4.0m) who crossed for Murphy to cut inside and find the net.

Harris got his second of the night after a cross from Mendez-Laing. He took the ball into his stride and fired a right-footed strike into the net.

In the 29th minute, Bodmin managed to get themselves a goal agains the run of play. Max Gilbert beat the offside trap following a long-ball and he was able to smuggle the ball underneath an onrushing Alex Smithies (£4.5m).

Midfielder Ward then scored quick fire brace to make it 7-1, heading home a Reid cross and then adding another two minutes later.

Harris completed his hat-trick in the second-half after he was fouled in the area again. He converted the penalty for 8-1. Minutes later, he was brought down in the box for a third time although it was Ward who took the spot-kick, completing his hat-trick too.

Murphy scored the tenth before substitute Gary Madine (£4.5m) added his third pre-season goal by heading in Ward’s cross for 11-1.

CARDIFF CITY XI (4-4-2): Smithies; Bennett (Cunningham 60’), Bamba, Connolly (Peltier 60’), Richards; Harris, Reid (Manga 60’), Damour, Mendez-Laing; D Ward, J Murphy (Madine 60’).

BURY 1-1 EVERTON

  • Goals: Oumar Niasse (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Matty Pennington

Oumar Niasse (£5.5m) scored for the second pre-season match in a row, although once again, Cenk Tosun (£7.0m) started the match ahead of him, alongside Sandro Ramirez.

Niasse could have netted more than his one goal but hit the post three-times in the second-half.

There were starts on the wings for Kevin Mirallas, scorer of five goals against ATV Irdning, and youngster Kieran Dowell.

Maarten Stekelenburg (£4.0m) was the man in goal again with Jordan Pickford (£5.0m) still on extended leave after the World Cup, while Phil Jagielka was the £4.5m centre-back who partnered Michael Keane (£5.0m).

Leighton Baines (£5.5m) was a threat down the left-flank while Keane came close to scoring from an early corner. Mirallas and Tom Davies (£5.5m) also had decent chances too with Tosun linking up attacking play.

Against the run of play, Bury took the lead just before half-time. Jagielka’s clearance only went as far as Adam Thompson, who crossed in for Neil Danns to find space and score.

It was after nine changes at the interval that Everton struck the woodwork four times in total. Niasse found the post on three occasions before finally converting Matty Pennington’s long-ball.

Cuco Martina (£4.5m) hit it again, this time with a header 13 minutes from time, before Niasse nearly found a winner, forcing a low save from the goalkeeper.

EVERTON XI (4-4-2): Stekelenburg; Baines (Robinson 45’), Keane (Pennington 45’), Jagielka (Williams 45’), Coleman (Kenny 45’); Dowell (Connolly 45’), Davies (Besic 45’), Schneiderlin (Klaassen 45’), Mirallas (Vlasic 45’); Sandro (Martina 75’), Tosun (Niasse 45’.

FENERBAHCE 3-0 FULHAM

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None

Fenerbahce ran out 3-0 winners over a youthful Fulham side, with more first-team players joining the match in the 65th minute.

One of those substitutes was Ryan Sessegnon (£6.5m) who has captured the attention of Fantasy managers already; he came on to play on the left-flank of a front-three for the second time in pre-season.

His younger brother Steven had the first chance after bombing forward from full-back but could only find the side-netting.

Brazilian midfielder Guiliano opened the scoring in the 28th minute connecting with Mauricio Isla’s cross and directing over Marek Rodak in the Fulham net.

Hassan Ali made it 2-0 just before half-time latching onto Aatif Chahechouhe’s cross.

The Turkish side scored their third after manager Slavisa Jokanovic had introduced more senior players to the match, when Ozan Tufan’s cross crept under the crossbar.

Fulham struggled to threaten the Fenerbahce goal in the second-half with shot stopper Carlos Kameni putting in a strong performance.

FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Rodak (Bettinelli 65’); S Sessegnon (Christie 65’), Jenz (Le Marchand 76’), Djalo (Odoi 65’), Fossey; de la Torre (Johansen 76’), O’Riley (Francois 76’), Cisse (Cairney 65’); Thorsteinsson (R Sessegnon 65’), Kait (Fonte 65’), Kebano (Kamara 65’).

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

1,032 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Am I the only one who is not sold on any southampton player?
    I mean it is 'Mark Hughes' he is nearly guaranteed to make them worse they already struggle to score goals.
    They sold tadic and were very leaky last season.
    Hughes sacked by October and will get a championship job in January?

    1. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Only going Cedric as he's cheap. Not expecting too much. Haven't really heard any other Southampton names being bandied about much...

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I remember at the start of last season there was all talk about doubling up on southampton defence and getting Redmond etc.
        I was one of those who fell for it!

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Reasonably convinced Hughes will do better than Pellegrino.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Did well with Stoke for many seasons and kept Soton up .... alternative view 😉

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah but he spent big at stoke and just threaded water really all these big ideas he had about making them a footballing team never really worked - bit patchy considering the outlay etc.
        I dunno I just don't rate him at all and the fixtures look ok, but the back of my mind says.... it's Mark Hughes...oh no!

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Doesn’t Hughes usually do quite well for a bit? I think they’ll be alright, £4.5m is a lovely price for Cedric as a wing back.

    4. Mayor of Flair
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Their new Norwegian lad might be decent.

      That said I've no intention of getting him.

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

      Agree. Why no one is talking about a burnley double up is mad.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I was talking about a burnley double up at one stage.... 😀 (in the maybe pile now)
        I would rate Dyche ahead of the likes of Hughes anyway makes use of what he has got spends wisely.

    6. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah I'm not going near the lot of them. Not even Cedric

    7. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm avoiding. They were really bad last year, and I'm not seeing enough improvements, particularly in attack.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah thier strikers have really deteriorated.
        Makes it almost impossible for them if they concede early.

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

      THEY SOLD TADIC?!?!
      How did I miss this?

    9. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Cedric is on my bench, that is it.

      I see some are punting on Chaz Adams - madness or genius ? .... only time will tell

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Same. Cedric is pencilled in chiefly for price as a 5th defender. Austin is on the fringes of 3rd striker again chiefly on price. I don't have much confidence that they'll defend or attack much better than last season.

  2. England23
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A. Bellerin/Bailly, Lamela, Kamara

    B. Cedric, Kennedy, Tosun

  3. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pick 2 please lads?

    a. Mahrez
    or
    b. D Silva

    c. Zaha
    or
    d. Tosun

    Cheers

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Dave and Cenk.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Dave would nailed right with Mahrez joining them?

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          One to watch but would have thought so, I presume Mahrez will compete with the wide players.

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Cheers Gregor

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A, c

    3. Captain Fozzy
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Mahrez and Tosun... only because that is what I currently have

    4. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      a
      d

  4. davies
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else feeling uncomfortable relying on Pickford every week?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn't want to. Rather have Leno for that price.

      1. kinghenry14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        this

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Why would you have him?

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I think he could do alright save points wise even.
      Silva teams are very attacking.

  5. Pillson
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What do you think of this team? I think I can get away with this strike force as the mids seem to offer better value for money and Sanchez provides captain coverage for Salah

    Ederson, 4m
    Robertson, Coleman, Bailly, Daniels, Wan-Bissaka
    Salah, Sanchez, Mahrez, Gross, Mkhi
    Tosun, Zaha, 4.5

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Personally I don't get the Sanchez love. How is he a better pick and captain choice than Aguero or Aubameyang?

      1. Pillson
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        He is my money bank for the first couple of weeks. Aguero not nailed and Auba hard first fixtures. Sanchez will most probably get 90 minutes. If he doesnt get out of the blocks in the first few games downgrading to eriksen and having money to spare is the plan.

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Fair enough.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        He isnt.

        1. Pillson
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          When he costs less he doesn't have to be to be fair

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            0.5 less.

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      It’s certainly different. Why do you have Sanchez though?

      1. Pillson
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        He is an easily replaceable punt. If he bags in the first couple and sky rockets great. if he plays awfully I would just as happily have eriksen when he gets back from the WC so I wont have lost out

  6. okan58
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So I've just looked in and my previous team like this. Would like to know your opinions.

    Pickford - Fabianski
    Trippier, Ward, Daniels, Bednarek and Tomkins.
    Eriksen, Sane, Ramsey, Willian and Neves.
    Lukaku, Firmino and Zaha.

    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      There is a big lack of a reliable captaincy option.

      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I.e. Salah, Kane, Aguero.

    2. MJFainty
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A few in there that may not feature for the first couple of GWs, might be worth bringing in players with less question marks over them.

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Few players in there that might not start the season due to World Cup involvement - Pickford, Trippier, Eriksen, Willian, Lukaku

      1. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Eriksen was eliminated from the World Cup on 1 July. Why would he not be ready for the start of the season on 11 August?

    4. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      0/10 needs Salah

  7. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Help me choose one please:

    1) DDG/ Mendy/ Tomkins
    2) Ederson/ Bailly/ PVA

    Thanks a lot!

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      2

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Comfortably the second one, for me.

    3. Cofinho
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      1

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      2

    5. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      3. Ederson, Smalling, Wan-Bissaka and bank the 1.0.

    6. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ederson Mendy Shaw

      1. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Shaw?! Lo

        1. Fantastisk
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          L

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is Wood to good for the bench in a 5-4-1?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yep.

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Would like to see which defenders you’re playing over him.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Foster (Fabianski)
        Robertson Mendy PVA Coleman Douglas
        Salah Mahrez Martial Jota (Cairney)
        Aguero (Wood) (Kamara)

    3. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No. If you own him he should start every game. Otherwise just own Zohore/Kamara/Sorloth/Reid/Quaner

    4. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      6m is too much to spend on a bench player. That money buys you an elite defender.

    5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah that fella is liable to score against anyone.
      Great value pick

  9. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    How is this for a Salah-less team?

    Patricio - (Hamer)
    Mendy - Smalling - Robertson - Davies - (Wan Bissaka)
    Mahrez - Martial - Ramsey - Lamela - Hughes
    Auba - Kun - Austin

    1. Cofinho
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wow no Lfc attack 🙂

    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Far too risky imo. Martial, Ramsey, Lamela, Hughes makes me feel very uneasy. How many of them were in the top 20 midfield scorers last year? Just Ramsey and he was 18th.
      Not convinced Smalling is a sure starter. And I don't like Austin.

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Ramsey is a great option. 6th highest ppg mid after Salah and city mids.

        1. SW6
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          His ppm is worse than Bernardo Silva.. would you say he's a great pick? There are doubts over where/if/how much Ramsey will play so in my eyes he's a risk to own GW1.
          i'm not saying he won't end up a good pick but I'd rather start the season with someone like Gross, or even Milivojevic

          1. DantheManinaPan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Absolute quality pick. Only issue is injuries, which is quite a big issue but one we will know about if it happens

    3. Jafoole_88
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No, too much uncertainty over too many players. Ramsey might not even stay.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        For me the matter is waiting to see Sarri's formation and where Rambo will fit in. Could be deeper than we'd like.

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You could get away with it if you went burnley: wood and one or two defenders.
      But there are lots of players there who will lose thier place when the big guns come back.
      Austin is a southampton striker - this sentence means avoid him.

    5. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Might be good for three weeks. But Salah has good starting fixtures so I think it's a confused approach. For me, short term punts like Martial and Lamela work best in a Salah based team because if you see a drop off in Salah form before IB you can wildcard into a very strong side with all the big returning stars to choose from. But this side almost forces a wildcard whatever happens. If you are going Salah free, set up for the long haul.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I just tried to make a team to see how it looked, Salah is in my real team almost certainly.

        1. Jafoole_88
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          post your real team. happy to have a look.

  10. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    First time i've been on since last season. Why are so many RMT's Kaneless?

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Suspected he will miss opening fixtures because of World Cup fatigue

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Looked knackered towards the end of the World Cup, doesn't score in August and Salah perma-captain lessens his appeal

    3. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Fatigue due to world cup & August goalless vodoo

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      1) World Cup fattigue
      2) August
      3) His Grandfather is from Galway

  11. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Wards save percentage in the championship was worse than average. Leicester downgrading significantly

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Very odd, he surely can’t be first choice

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Schmeichel might get a move off the back of his world cup performances. A few big teams might need keepers

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Jakupovic better?

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Back up for Schmeichel is what they say.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        For a whole 24 hours maybe

      2. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        12mil is pretty expensive for a back up isnt it? Or maybe not

      3. davies
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yep

        Someone will have to pay over-the-odds for Kasper it they want him. Ward is good enough to make Leicester not panic buy come deadline day if it happens.

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          What price would Leicester city sell?

          1. davies
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Not sure exactly but I wouldn’t suspect it’d be less than 30m

            1. internal error
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              if Ward is going for 12mil then Kasper prob goes for 40mil minimum

  12. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    2-3 questions I have...if anybody can help it's appreciated.

    1) how nailed is Luke Shaw for 1st few weeks or should go Bailly??

    2) the sane & mahrez conundrum?.. currently on sane .

    3) ederson+4.0 or Begovic/foster+ Fabianski.

    4) what are opinions about Tosun & Martial??

    Thanks and sorry for long post

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      1) 90%
      2) Sane if any
      3) Go for one good GK
      4) Martial is nailed for first 3/4 games

  13. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Shaw or bailly?

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Bailly but both should start the season.

  14. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Austin

    Total apps: 24
    Starts: 10
    Subbed off: 7
    Subbed on: 14

    He only managed 90 minutes twice under Hughes. One to avoid until we see more minutes imo.

    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      They guy is a liability. More interested in horses than football and a good stone or two overweight.

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        And an absolutely brilliant goalscorer

  15. Cowboy John
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Wolves 0-1 Ajax at half-time.

    Wolves looking the better team but Ajax scored right on half-time.

    Best chance for Wolves fell to Jota, put clean through by Neves, but he was indecisive as the keeper came out to meet him.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers for the update

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        This. Chrers!

  16. Jay_
      5 years, 9 months ago

      TAA could start the season.

      "With Trent, I have a special agreement," Klopp told reporters. "He wanted to be in earlier as well. As he's very young, I said 'OK, have two weeks' holiday and then we'll speak and see'.

      "If you asked Trent, he would be good to join us in Evian (for their training camp). But I'm not sure I will do that. I want to have them desperately but the season is really long."

      https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/7/19/17589874/jurgen-klopp-concern-international-burnout-uefa-nations-league-too-much-football-injuries

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        klopp loves him, but even so he'll share the spot with clyne/gomez over the season. its a shame as I'd really like him in my team but this seasons resolution is to choose nailed players. will be keeping an eye on him for now

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I read that as the opposite ? Politely saying no to the lad ... without upsetting him

        Basically all these players returning from the WC are worried that they won’t get in to the team if their replacements (Clyne) do well.

      3. Jay_
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I should have added more of the quote. It's more promising what he says before that. Basically ruling Henderson and Lovren out but not TAA

      4. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        what are the % chances of RLC playing first few GW's?

        1. Boris Bodega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Played a fair bit at the World Cup, must be a doubt surely?

      5. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Sané or Mané?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          both!

          1. Boris Bodega
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Can't really afford both, if I am having Sanchez which I have sold myself on.

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              given Mou's cryptic comment today, Martial might be a cheaper stand-in for Sanchez.

        2. DJDave1979
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Mane until he gets injured or banned.

        3. Boris Bodega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          One spanks the other on RMT comparison....

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            You actually take notice of that ?

            I believe the City mids are marked down due to rotation risk, but if they are starters they will blow their RMT points projection off the chart

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Yes, very much this. Any City or Pool forwards/attacking mids on the pitch are gold.

            2. Boris Bodega
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              No I mean on the players stats comparison of last season, in members section. I expected them to be sort of aligned, but not so.

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                I just compared them and they are very very similar - one edged the other slightly in a lot of categories to make it look like a ‘sea of green’ spanking, but if you look closer it is just by a small margin each time for each category

      6. davies
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Chalobah been playing pre season?

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Think someone said he's at some youth tournament with England atm.

          1. stat
              5 years, 9 months ago

              I think that's his brother Trevor

          2. stat
              5 years, 9 months ago

              No, he travelled with Watford to Austria but didn't take part in the friendly

              1. davies
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Any reason why not?

                1. stat
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Not sure, seems like he's training away from the rest of the squad with Rodwell (on trial):
                    https://twitter.com/BaitVic/status/1019287702771064832

                    1. davies
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Interesting cheers

                      Might be a no-go then

                      1. stat
                          5 years, 9 months ago

                          Still early days, Deulofeu and Doucoure didn't feature in the game either

              2. Kristobal
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Anyone considers Bobby Reid (5.5)?

                1. Andy_Social
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  Had a thought, but yesterday he was out wide with Madine down the middle. I will have one 4.5-5.5 striker, so I'm monitoring the options.

                  1. Kristobal
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Still has scored two goals in two games so far 🙂

                2. Fantastisk
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  Would rather have Bobby Shmurda leading the line tbh

                  1. Kristobal
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Really? Have you looked into his stats? 19 goals and 7 assists in Championship last season and 2 goals in 2 matches in pre-season. Only concern is him starting in midfield.

              3. okan58
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Eriksen, Hazard and Aguero or De Bruyne, Willian and Kane?

                1. MJFainty
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  For GW1? Both have problems with returning WC players... not to mention the potential of Willian leaving.

                  In the long term I'd probably lean slightly towards E, H and A

                2. I Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  Neither. Hazard, De Bruyne and Kane very unlikely to start the season.

                3. Andy_Social
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  I'd be waiting to see if Haz and Willian will be in the PL.

              4. sparty
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                OK here's my draft, would love some thoughts:

                Foster (Fabianski)

                Robertson Smalling Mendy (Femenia Malone)

                Martial Sessegnon Salah Sane (Ralls)

                Firmino Arnie Perez

                Really wanted Kun in there but I just know he's going to be rotated so much it's hard to justify 11.0.

                1. Daaf
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  GK are fine, but not a big fan of Foster.

                  Premium defs looks good, don't know Malone though and Femenia could benched. I don't rate Watford. Holebas is psycho and will get multiple reds, Janmaat injury probe and there CBs don't offer much besides age.

                  Mid looks okay. I would wait and see with Sessegnon but if your a fan or confident have fun. Downgrade Ralls.

                  That forward line is just bad. Where did your money go? Arnie has bad fixtures, not neccesarily a bad option. Perez also had bad fixtures, I would avoid him. Firmino is fine.

                  Overall, save some money where you can and invest in your attack.

                  1. sparty
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Thanks! I've swapped Perez out for Zaha upfront. Ralls I've swapped for Ward (also Cardiff) who's scoring nicely in their pre-seasons. Femenia is my dark horse, I had him last year and he was getting bags of assists before he got injured. Sess is the one I'm doubting the most, keep swapping between him and Walcott.

              5. davies
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                The lack of love for Burnley defenders/keeper is a bit of a shock imo

                1. stat
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    I guess Heaton will start the season, but he could always be replaced by Pope a couple of games down the line. Their defenders are a no-go unless they fail to qualify for the EL IMO.

                    1. davies
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Thoughts on starting with Heaton or Pope?

                      1. stat
                          5 years, 9 months ago

                          I don't really see the point in spending 5m on a keeper uncertain to be nailed on

                        • Andy_Social
                          • 11 Years
                          5 years, 9 months ago

                          Yes, will be great value once we know which one it is!

                    2. Hotdogs for Tea
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Thursday night football means they will be half baked by the weekend

                    3. Ask Yourself
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Yeah will go with whoever the keeper is and a 4.0 once it becomes clear

                      1. davies
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 9 months ago

                        Your expect it to be clear before the season starts?

                        1. Ask Yourself
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 9 months ago

                          Oh now I don’t

                  • dezille
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    RMT!

                    Ederson (Pickford)
                    Smalling Robertson Van Aanholt (Cedric, Bennett)
                    Mane Mahrez Miki Mata (Lamela)
                    Aguero Tosun Zaha

                    - Like being able to rotate with 2 GKs (mainly for City vs top 4-5/some away games)
                    - May try to upgrade Mahrez to Sane
                    - Taking advantage of Man United attacking absentees (Mata). Same with Lamela for spurs.
                    - Lamela on bench primarily because he is ruining the name consistency in (M)idfield.

                    1. MJFainty
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Would you consider downgrading one of the mids to bolster the attack? Feels a little light at the moment to me and a player at Lamela's price is wasted on the bench.

                      1. dezille
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 9 months ago

                        Potentially, although downgrading a 6.5 to a 5 doesn't really free up enough funds to boost one of my forwards (imo much more value in strikers at 7m, unless going all the way up to 9.5 for Firmino. Nothing worthwhile in between, with the exception of perhaps Vardy, Morata.

                    2. kinghenry14
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      lamela mata and miki are just transfers waiting in the future, would only choose on of those or martial imo. also wouldn't play with 2 7.0 strikers. smalling nailed? rest looks good

                      1. kinghenry14
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 9 months ago

                        also would downgrade pickford and play ederson every week, too much money in gks imo

                      2. dezille
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 9 months ago

                        Cheers for feedback. Smalling seems nailed, but will keep an eye out on pre-season. Can always downgrade to Jones or Shaw if necessary. Do like Smalling's threat in the box though. Agreed on the transfers waiting to happen, although hoping they will start well.

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

                      Also not sure that those two keepers rotate that well based on how you want to play them. A fair few GWs where they'll both have tricky games.

                  • Ginga
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    RMT

                    Foster
                    Robertson,Boly,Mendy
                    Salah,Mahrez,Jota,Sanchez,Mkhitaryan
                    King, Lacazette

                    Think of getting Martial in aswell

                  • Fassy
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Wolves not that impressive in the first half versus Ajax.

                  • Z
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Thoughts on 1st draft?

                    Pickford (Fabinaski)

                    Colman- Cedric- Bailly (Tomkins, Bednarek)

                    Mahrez- Sane- Willian- Walcott (Stephens)

                    Kane- Firmino- Zaha

                    Schmeichel insted of Pikford, if he joins CFC.

                    + 0,5 in Bank when i will switch Everton players

                    1st i think Everton and CRY will have a great start so i am starting with 3 players from Everton .....smart or not?

                    What do you think about team without Salah in it?

                    And why is there so many teams with Abu and there is no Kane a lot?

                    1. Jebiga
                      • 12 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      aguero instead of kane untill september

                  • Cowboy John
                    • 11 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    One change for Wolves at half-time. Ruddy on for Norris.

                    Ruddy
                    Bennett, Coady, Boly
                    Doherty, Neves, Gibbs-White, Giles
                    Costa, Jota, Cavaleiro

                    1. Ask Yourself
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Interesting. Where on Earth is Douglas btw?

                      1. Now I'm Panicking
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 9 months ago

                        Isle of Man

                        1. Ask Yourself
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 9 months ago

                          Meh

                      2. Cowboy John
                        • 11 Years
                        5 years, 9 months ago

                        Picked up a knock in training a week or so ago.

                  • Jebiga
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    1. Tomkins and Lamela

                    or

                    2. Wan-Bisaka and Mkhytarian

                    ?

                  • kinghenry14
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    what do you guys think?

                    leno 4.0
                    robertson coleman cedric wan-bissaka schelotto
                    salah sane martial/willian jota 4.5
                    laca firmino tosun

                    cheers

                    1. Ask Yourself
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      Think city will make you cry