Scout Notes

Arnautovic scores again as Pochettino faces midfield headache

Marko Arnautovic was on the scoresheet for the fourth match in a row as he continued as the spearhead in the West Ham attack, while Diogo Jota demonstrated his eye for goal with a strike in Wolves’ 2-1 defeat at Derby County.

Christian Eriksen was given another start in Tottenham Hotspur’s encounter with Barcelona in Los Angeles, while Southampton kept their first clean sheet of pre-season in a 2-0 win over Dijon.

Newcastle United produced a backs-to-the-wall performance to draw 0-0 with Porto, meanwhile.

Our latest instalment of Scout Notes rounds up the goals, assists, team news, injuries and tactical talking points from the five remaining pre-season friendlies contested over the weekend.

Ipswich Town 1-2 West Ham United

  • Goals: Felipe Anderson (£7.0m), Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m)
  • Assists: Ryan Fredericks (£5.0m), Sead Haksabanovic

It’s five goals in four pre-season friendlies for Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m), who already features in over a quarter of Fantasy Premier League squads despite his positional reclassification.

Unlike Wilfried Zaha, another midfield star of 2017/18 who has been listed as an FPL forward for the coming season, Arnautovic has featured as an out-and-out striker in all of his appearances over the summer and led the line again at Portman Road over the weekend.

Manuel Pellegrini’s starting XI looked near to full-strength, with Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko (both £7.0m) flanking Arnautovic in attack and Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) once again playing in the central midfield trio.

Anderson opened his West Ham account after just three minutes of the match in Suffolk, the Brazilian bundling home a teasing Ryan Fredericks (£5.0m) cross.

Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena (both £4.5m) looked shaky at the heart of the West Ham defence and were dissected far too easily for Ellis Harrison’s equaliser.

The two centre-backs were bystanders again shortly afterwards when an unmarked Harrison headed against the post.

Arnautovic’s winner was all of his own making, the Austrian collecting a Sead Haksabanovic pass in midfield and surging through the Ipswich defence to prod the ball past home goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m) made his debut for the Hammers between the sticks.

Declan Rice (£4.5m), listed as a defender in FPL, once again impressed in central midfield after replacing the mediocre Pedro Obiang (£4.5m) in the second half and is an “out of position” asset to monitor in the Hammers’ two remaining pre-season friendlies – albeit not one who would likely offer much by the way of attacking threat.

Yarmolenko was switched to a “number 10” role after the introduction of Robert Snodgrass at half-time.

WEST HAM UNITED (4-3-3): Fabianski; Fredericks, Ogbonna, Balbuena (Diop 71′), Masuaku (Zabaleta 71′); Obiang (Rice 71′), Kouyate (Snodgrass 46′), Wilshere (Noble 46′); Yarmolenko (Martinez 60′), Anderson (Haksabanovic 60′), Arnautovic (Cullen 81′)

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Barcelona (3-5 penalties)

  • Goals: Son Heung-min (£8.5m), Georges Kevin-N’Koudou
  • Assists: Christian Eriksen (£9.5m), Anthony Georgiou

Mauricio Pochettino assuaged fears of an injury crisis in his midfield after the International Champions Cup match with Barcelona at the weekend.

Already without Dele Alli (£9.0m), Eric Dier (£5.0m) and Mousa Dembele (£5.0m) after their participation in the World Cup, Pochettino was devoid of the services of Erik Lamela (£6.5m) and Victor Wanyama (£5.0m) for Sunday’s match in Los Angeles and lost Moussa Sissoko (£5.0m) to a hamstring injury midway through the first half.

Speaking of Sissoko’s early withdrawal, Pochettino told the club’s own media channel:

Yes, I think it’s minor. Maybe he was a little bit tired, but I think it’s not a big issue. We will wait… the next few days to see what happened.

Erik (Lamela) was, after the game against Roma, a minor muscle injury, that’s why he’s here with us and we hope he can play against AC Milan.

Victor (Wanyama) has gone back with Tashan (Oakley-Boothe) to London to see the doctor. I think it was the same problem as last season in his knee. We will assess him in the next few days and see what happens.

Sissoko had originally lined up in central midfield with youngster Luke Amos, with Christian Eriksen (£9.5m) starting in front of the pair in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.

The withdrawal of Sissoko on 35 minutes forced winger Lucas Moura (£7.0m) inside, with substitute Georges Kevin-N’Koudou being stationed on the flank. The versatile Moura was to play as Spurs’ central striker in the second half after the exit of Fernando Llorente (£6.0m) at half-time.

Ben Davies (£6.0m) started his second successive match at centre-back and, with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen (both £6.0m) also yet to return from their post-Russia break, there is a strong chance the Welshman could line up at centre-half in the Gameweek 1 encounter with Newcastle United. Davinson Sanchez (£6.0m), at least, returned as a substitute in this match after his World Cup exertions.

With Davies’ FPL appeal rooted in his ability to couple an attacking threat with clean sheet returns (no defender created more chances than Davies last season), his deployment at centre-back would perhaps strengthen the case of right-back Serge Aurier (£6.0m) as an early-season route into the Spurs backline.

Eriksen went close with two free-kicks – striking the woodwork with one of them – as Spurs fought back from 2-0 down to take the match to penalties. Both of the Lilywhites’ goals came from blocked shots as Son Heung-min (£8.5m) and N’Koudou followed up efforts from Eriksen and youngster Anthony Georgiou.

Georgiou missed the decisive kick in the penalty shoot-out as Barcelona ran out 5-3 winners.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga (Vorm 62′); Aurier, Carter-Vickers, Davies, Walker-Peters (Sanchez 46′); Amos, Sissoko (N’Koudou 35′); Son, Eriksen, Moura (Georgiou 62′); Llorente (Skipp 46′)

Derby County 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goal: Diogo Jota (£6.5m)
  • Assist: Ruben Neves (£5.0m)

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) ended Wolves’ three-match run without a goal but couldn’t help his team to a first win in five, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Pride Park.

The match saw Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) make his Wolves debut alongside Ruben Neves (£5.0m) in central midfield and the new arrival seems set to share set-piece duties with his fellow Portugal international on the basis of what we saw at Derby over the weekend.

Barry Douglas was, of course, a prominent figure at dead-ball situations last season but his shock departure for Leeds United in midweek has had a ripple effect elsewhere in the squad; his replacement, versatile debutant Jonny, is no stranger to playing in Douglas’s position but is predominantly right-footed and doesn’t offer that same teasing delivery from the left flank in open play.

Moutinho’s deployment in the centre of midfield saw Romain Saiss (£4.5m) drop back to centre-half, where he has featured on umpteen occasions for Morocco.

Jota’s strike, sandwiched by goals for Derby’s David Nugent and Mason Mount, came after Neves had struck the bar with a trademark long-range shot. Neves – who had 90 attempts on goal from outside the box last season – had earlier whistled an effort from distance just past the post.

Leo Bonatini (£5.0m) and Raul Jimenez (£5.5m) both got 45 minutes as the spearhead of the Wolves attack, with Jota and Helder Costa (£5.0m) stationed either side.

Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.5m) was Wolves’ only notable absentee this weekend and was said to have missed out with a knock – although speculation remains rife of a possible move away from Molineux for the Portuguese winger.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (3-4-3): Patricio (Norris 61′); Saiss (Bennett 61­’), Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho (Gibbs-White 45′), Jonny (Giles, 61′); Costa, Bonatini (Jimenez 45′), Jota (Enobakhare 73′)

Dijon 0-2 Southampton

  • Goals: Shane Long (£5.0m), Manolo Gabbiadini (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m), Charlie Austin (£6.0m)

Angus Gunn (£4.5m) has been promised further pitch-time by manager Mark Hughes after the young goalkeeper made his Saints debut in the 2-0 win over Dijon FCO at the weekend.

Speaking to the club’s website after their week-long training camp in France came to an end, Hughes said:

He’s (Gunn) going to get more minutes in the next two games as well. I think that’s important. He’ll experience St Mary’s, and that will be a box ticked for him.

Southampton entertain Celta Vigo and Borussia Moenchengladbach this week in their final two pre-season fixtures, with Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) seemingly still in pole position to start 2018/19 as the Saints’ number one – although Fantasy eyes will be on the respective minutes the two goalkeepers are given in the two forthcoming matches at St Mary’s.

Cedric Soares and Maya Yoshida (both £4.5m) are yet to feature in pre-season following their World Cup exploits, although budget defender Jan Bednarek (£4.0m) did return to the Saints’ side after his own participation in Russia with Poland.

Sam McQueen, another £4.0m-rated defensive asset, began on the right flank in Cedric’s absence.

Having featured at centre-back in Southampton’s previous three July friendlies, Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m) returned to a more familiar left wing-back role and set up Shane Long (£5.0m) for the Saints’ opener.

Long was replaced by Charlie Austin (£6.0m) at the break and the former Queens Park Rangers striker collected a fortuitous assist for Southampton’s second after his sliced volley fell into the path of Manolo Gabbiadini (£6.0m), who prodded home from close range.

That Hughes seems keen on fielding two recognised forwards in this 3-5-2 set-up would seemingly bode well for Austin’s chances of a Gamweek 1 start, but it was the Saints’ first-half strike partnership that the Welshman reserved his praise for:

I thought it was important to get Shane back involved. He’s missed a little bit through injury, so it was good that he came back in. I thought Shane and Gabbi in the first half were really bright in their work and caused them a number of problems.

Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) began the match as the furthermost forward central midfielder, with Mohamed Elyounoussi (£6.5m) and Nathan Redmond (£5.5m) trialled in “the hole” in the second half.

SOUTHAMPTON (3-5-2): McCarthy (Gunn 46′); Hoedt, Vestergaard, Bednarek (Stephens 46′); Bertrand (Targett 75′), Romeu (Ward-Prowse 66′), Hojbjerg (Davis 46′), Armstrong (Elyounoussi 46′), McQueen (Reed 66′); Long (Austin 46′), Gabbiadini (Redmond 66′)

Porto 0-0 Newcastle

Florian Lejeune‘s (£4.5m) season could be over before it has even begun. The severity of the French centre-half’s knee injury was confirmed by manager Rafael Benitez after the 0-0 draw with Porto at the weekend:

The reality is we have lost Lejeune – he has a cruciate ligament injury, so we will lose him for a while. He will need an operation, and he will need some time. We needed a centre-back before [Lejeune’s injury] and still we need maybe another one. It’s bad news about Lejeune but to see Fabian Schar doing well is important; he will give us this extra option we didn’t have.

Schar (£4.5m) could be the main beneficiary of Lejeune’s prolonged absence, having joined the Magpies from Deportivo La Coruna last week. The Swiss defender made his debut as a 62nd-minute substitute for Ciaran Clark (£4.5m), who will also have designs on that second centre-back spot alongside Jamaal Lascelles (£5.0m).

Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) produced a heroic display between the sticks as the Newcastle goal led a charmed life, with Porto hitting the woodwork on two occasions.

Dwight Gayle (£6.0m) could be set for the exit at St James’ Park, meanwhile. Joselu (£5.0m) started his third successive friendly as the Magpies’ lone striker, with Gayle once again being completely overlooked – as he had been at Hull City last weekend – by Benitez.

United are only awaiting a work permit before a deal to bring Mainz striker Yoshinori Muto to the club can be finalised, while speculation is rife that West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon is bound for the north-east in a cash-plus-player swap with Gayle.

Paul Dummett (£4.5m) made his first start of pre-season in what was something approaching Benitez’s first-choice side, although Kenedy (£5.0m) was missing once again after the birth of his child.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Dubravka (Darlow 72′); Yedlin (Sterry 62′), Clark (Schar 62′), Lascelles, Dummett (Manquillo 46′); Diame (Hayden 72′), Shelvey (Ki 62′); Ritchie (Roberts 72′), Perez (Longstaff 72′), Murphy (Atsu 72′); Joselu (Armstrong 72′)

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1,993 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please

    Ederson 4m
    Robertson Azpi Lowton (Cedric AWB)
    Salah Sanchez Pedro Richarlison (Stephens)
    Firmino Zaha Arnie

    Planning a Sanchez downgrade to whichever city mid emerges as good value and will look to get in Arsenal players after the Chelsea game 🙂

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      nice, is pedro nailed though ? good idea for Sanchez too imo

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, I'm not sure about pedro to be honest, will see how its looking after community shield, he could easily become Ramsey or Bilva with a downgrade elsewhere

    2. President Giggs
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not a fan of Sanchez, wouldn't really touch any MUN players right now. Pedro in no way nailed on.

      I think you need to spend a little more up top, might be important to be able to move for one of the £11m strikers with one FT.

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not liking Aguero as we assume Pep will only play 1 up top, think I'd prefer an Arsenal mid to Auba to be honest as they could be better value. Kane is the only one I may struggle to move for, but he's a troll and I hate him!

  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    who will play alongside vvd ? Gomez ? thanks 🙂

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Probably Klavan or Gomez to start with, Lovren long term

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        cheers

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Gw1? Klavan or Gomez. Not sure how long Matip is out for

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Klavan

    4. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      One of the best defenders in the world,Klavan..

  3. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How crazy/genius is this?

    Patricio
    Luiz Bailly Cook Tomkins Kabasele
    Salah Sanchez Eriksen Mane Richarlison
    Arnie Wood Quaner.

    I see two issues:
    1. Lack of big hitters up front but this can be fixed in two transfers by Gw3 after seeing which out of Kane/Auba/Kun/Lacazatte looks good.

    2. Lack of Man City, which can be added in place of Mane/Eeiksen after community shield.

    Appreciate feedback

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      too unbalanced imo. also Luiz not nailed.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I love the midfield, strikers would be fine but I really don't like that defence to be honest

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Defence is a wait and see for me till community shield when things should hopefully get more clear.

        What changes would you suggest in defence?

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          More players that are either nailed or don't play for Bournemouth or Watford really! :')

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd stay away from United and Bou defences

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cook is only there as I couldn't find any better 4.5 defender.

        Think United will be fine defensively

        1. LosBlancos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Tomkins?
          Utd is on a highway to collapse

          1. King Kohli
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Have Tomkins already

    4. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade Sanchez for a better striker instead of Quaner.

  4. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hey lads, my 1st draft this season, template-ish? 🙂

    Foster - Fab
    Trippier - Robertson - Ward - Tomkins/Cedric - AWB
    Salah - Mane - Pedro - Richarlison - Kenedy
    Agüero - Arnie - Zaha

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      nice

      however

      trippier / pedro : nailed ?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        also there are better options than kenedy at 5. newcastle have awful opening fixtures

        1. Bleach †
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Anyone particular in mind? Not keen on Cairney and Jorginho personally..

          1. DivocksHighSocks
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            I like Kenedy but I'm waiting for the fixtures to open up.

            Cairney is definitely the best 5.0 option atm, most likely on set pieces and the fulcrum of Fulham's side the last couple of seasons

      2. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pedro is not, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. As for Trippier, he might not start GW1 as I've just read below..

    2. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Replace Trippier, as he is unlikely to start GW1. Teams looks solid enough aside from that

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Didn't know that, thanks.

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      That would be a solid team

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, might make a few tweaks still..

    4. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It’s really good apart from Trippier who won’t start the season

  5. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lol so imagine this liverpool start the season and salah be's woefull and everybody as built there team around him :/

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's just not very likely that happens, the man is a machine

      1. Where dahoud at
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Abit like leciester do you not thank teams wont gave him the space and time like last season?

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          He's just too good and Liverpool will always create space on the counter attack or counter press, we struggle when teams sit deep but not many teams did that effectively against us last year, United and Chelsea seem to have our number but we don't play them early on.

    2. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Way easier to do Salah -> Hazard/KDB and use the rest to upgrade attack than to find the funds to get Salah in when he is 13.1 😉

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      So funny I forgot to laugh

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

      Salah -> Hazard, Ramsey -> KDB. Problem solved.

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

    Rp
    Ederson
    Robbo Lowton Tomkins
    Salah mane Dilva Jota Richarlison
    Auba Arnie

    4.0mil Dunk WB Kamara

    Who should I downgrade to get Mahrez in for Dilva? Thinking Richarlison but not sure to whi

    1. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Robbo to TAA?

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

        Too risky for me

    2. President Giggs
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Would downgrade Jota before Richarlison.

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

      I think D.Silva is actually a good pick. He's back in training and with KDB out, he's likely to start the first few GWs imo. Community Shield match will hopefully give us more info in that regard

    4. Holding Mee Bong
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lowton --> 4.5m def. I love Burnley defence, Europe didn't worry me, but no Heaton/Pope certainly does considering how many saves they make.

  7. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Higuain to AC on loan?!

    Does this suddenly elevate Morata....?

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yup, some of us got Morata straight after Sarri praising him over Higuain

  8. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Michael Keane likely to play at all? Or Will Silva hate playing him?

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

    Is Mahrez nailed? Seeing him in an awful lot of teams.

    1. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not really, lots of WC players returned to training so now its a bit of a lottery

    2. President Giggs
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nope, don't see the appeal personally.

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not in the slightest. Nursing an injury too.

  10. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mane or Mahrez, and why?

    1. Holding Mee Bong
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mane - Nailed on.

  11. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Luke Shaw's yellow flag should be removed by now and Bailly should be yellow flagged.

    https://twitter.com/RobDawsonESPN/status/1023960885574942721

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      5 senior player omg

  12. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Not seeing a lot of Azi love? What gives?

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

      Who is Azi?

      1. RomeluStormzy
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Azpi?

    2. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Uncertainty regarding Chelsea's adjustment to Sarri's system and other defenders being seen as better value

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

        Got Azp, Robbo and PVA as my premiums at the moment. If I was to replace Azp it’d be mendy but i’m unsure of a GWK1 start, so how else should I go for?

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Alonso or David Luiz

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He will be playing very deep at a high price. Alonso far better even David Luiz if nailed have more attacking threat

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Expensive.

  13. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Quite like this setup. It's really exciting and you have tons of captaincy options each week:

    Patricio.
    Robertson. Coleman. PVA.
    Salah. Eriksen. Cairney. Neves.
    Kun. Aubameyang. Wood.

    Subs: 4.0. Kenedy. Cedric. Wazza. 0.0 ITB. 0FTs. WC in tact.

    Rotating the three 5.0 mids each week.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Love that except Coleman. Good value in this 5m miss, why Neves over Costa?

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

        Neves is a much better player, more integral to the team, more nailed, on set pieces and pens, more chance of baps. He's basically Mili 2.0.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Could be a solid shout, nice rotation

    2. President Giggs
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Rotating attackers never seems to work like you'd hope. You need to spend more on your 3rd and 4th mids imo.

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

        I dunno, rotating mids who are the focal points of their respective clubs to take advantage of good fixtures seems viable. Defensively it's silly but for attacking returns it could work.

    3. Holding Mee Bong
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Quite like it, personally I would

      PVA --> Tompkins (still got goal threat)

      Coleman --> Bertrand (playing wingback, appreciate he doesn't score much but assist potential + saints should be better at the back this year)

      Wood --> King (just a personal preference for me)

      I don't like Neves as a pick and you can have 1.5m here to upgrade to either Pedro/Rich and just rotate two 5m mids. Worth monitoring for sure.

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

        PVA is so fun to own. Could be an Alonso-esque year. Tomkins is a good pic though.

        Not sure why anyone would have Bertrand over Cedric. Just save yourself the .5

        King is a good pic but not as nailed as Wood

        Decent point. Neves is more of a punt.

  14. Alexb123
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the best 5m defender.
    Also what is better Daniels and Tomkins or WB and the 5m defender.

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What about SCook and Tompkins?

      I’d be delighted if someone pointed me to a ‘jewel’ 5.0m defender... just not seeing them!

      1. aspilcueta
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think Kolasinac will turn out to be just that.

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

      Bertrand or Evans could both turn out to bee decent one 5.0 defenders

  15. MrFootieIsHere
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    BEG/GUA (H rotation)
    AZPI / TAA / TOMKINS / DANIELS / CEDRIC
    SALAH / SANE / NEVES / SESSEGNON / RICHARLISON
    FIRMINO / AGUERO / ARNA

    I'm £2m over but not sure where to pull from (I'm thinking mid as I would play 4 in mid, 3 up front)

    Thoughts?

    1. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I would downgrade Azpi and Sessegnon

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed

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

      Sessegnon > 4.5?

      Personally wouldn't touch Bournemouth defence (and Daniels will replaced after 3 games). Wouldn't say TAA is nailed.

  16. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mendy nailed ?

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      85% nailed

  17. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mitrovic 6.5 confirmed

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

      🙁

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        was hoping for 6.0. makes the decision of arnie vs mitro more complicated

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Easier surely way too expensive

          1. Bambi
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            that 0.5 can come in handy

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ouch really?

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        yeah, added 5 mins ago

    3. Malinwa
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      wow, didn't expect that !

    4. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      FPL fancy Fulham lol, honestly ridiculous him and Sess at 6.5.

      1. aspilcueta
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I don't think that Mitrovic is overpriced considering that he was pretty much the reason Fulham got where they got at the second half of last season. He works well in the team. If you compare him to Wood, King, Austin, Gabbiadini, Welbeck and Murray at 6.0-6.5, he is good value.

        1. Eden Wizard
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          He's awful value. Wasn't good enough for Newcastle in the prem, Arnie & Zaha are bargains compared to Mitro. Said it before and will say it again, Championship form doesn't even translate to 50% Premier League output.

          1. SW6
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            9 goals 4 assists in 2100mins of PL action for a relegated Newcastle when he was 20 years old. Not bad imo.

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

      Thanks. Simply 0.5 over-cooked, that.

  18. Nadoo
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT

    Fabianski Pickford
    Tarkowski Mendy Yeldin Robertson Wan Bissaka
    Jota Richarlison Mane Sanchez Masuaku
    Zaha Arni Aguero

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’m personally getting Salah so a lot riding on Sánchez and Mané delivering

  19. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    No love for Brighton GK double up? One of the very few 4.5+4.0 available. Only question is which one of the 4.0 is the first reserve.

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You shot yourself down in one sentence there 😆

    2. BigBarn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I thought Button was consensually agreed to be second-choice? Was I wrong to take that at face-value?

      (I quite fancy a bit of Ryan-Button if so)

  20. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) Morata (3-4-3)
    B) Mane (3-5-2)

    1. falafel
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If Morata nailed I mean

    3. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

  21. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    With D. Silva now returning for training we expecting him to start GW1?

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Very possible

    2. Walcoff life
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      wait and see

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

      In my team for sure. So much value. Pep's comments about him being rested a bit more this season seem very overblown on here.

  22. falafel
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas?
    Ederson, (Stekelenburg)
    TAA, David Luiz, Tomkins (Daniels, Cedric
    Richarlison, KDB, Mane, Costa (Cairney)
    Zaha, Aguero, Kane

    Any suggestions?

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nice!
      Daniels and Luiz are rotation risks. And going without Salah has been well documented with EO.

      1. aspilcueta
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Sarri doesn't rotate much. Luiz looks destined to be first choice CB to me.

    2. Walcoff life
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      KDB might not start GW1

      1. falafel
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Any ideas of how i can fit salah in there?

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

          Kane to Arnie/Tosun

  23. Oven Glover
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah’s ownership over 50%. Scared going without? You shouldn’t be. Just get Mané and invest the 3.5 mil difference elsewhere in your team.

    And while you’re at it; join the No Salah League. Only rule: No Salah. Not even on a Free Hit.

    51-141909 Good luck!

  24. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pedro is probably too much of a risk for my liking with Willian lurking. Theoretically he's been back from WC for longer than Hazard so should have been playing pre-season.

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If Willian goes, I would love him. But as it stands, I'd rather go without.
      Maybe Morata could be interesting...

  25. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mitrovic added at 6.5

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wish he 6

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

        Would be either 6 or 6.5

        This was expected

        1. JoeJitzu +42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I know, but was really hoping for ‘the bait’

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds about right - gonna be a "wait and see" then.

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

        Same. Not worth it for the moment. Im happy with Arnie and Reid

  26. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mitro 6.5

  27. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Changed Azpi to Luiz and now have 3.0 ITB

    Looking at this midfield and forward line, where would you put it?

    Salah / Mahrez / Rich / Hughes / Masuaku

    Aguero / Arnie / Wood

    1. Walcoff life
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Upgrade Hughes

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

        Who to though? That’s my struggle

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

          Ramsey?

          Or upgrade Rich to eriksen for ex.

  28. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Aguero - Arnie - Zaha
    B. Aguero - Arnie - Mirovic

    1. Walcoff life
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

  29. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Will Keita and Shaqiri play regularly in the #8 positions?

    Lallana, Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson backup.

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

      I reckon Keita is nailed. Shaqiri will rotate with Henderson for the remaining spot. Others are backup.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        When both play, who would you say has the best chance of goals/assists, Keita or Shaqiri?

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

          I think both are excellent picks if they play. Keita is box-to-box, very Yaya-esque (but more pace and plays more advanced) and will rack up the bonus with tackles, passing and chances created. Shaqiri has worldies in his pocket, set pieces, and great crossing.

          I'd probably go for Keita, but it may be a bit of personal bias.

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hmm, I always thought Shaqiri would be cover for the front 3. Do you think he can play in the mid 3?

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

        I can easily see him slotting into that Coutinho role that Pool were so successful with earlier on in the season. Not completely sure he fits into the Mane/Salah role but he's a good player and could easily adapt.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          If Ox can play there, Shaqiri sure can.

  30. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaqiri isn't that popular so far...