Scout Notes

Southampton uninspiring in audition for Gameweek 38

West Ham 3-0 Southampton

Goals: Marko Arnautovic x2 (£6.7m), Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m)

Assists: Mark Noble (£4.8m), Arthur Masuaku (£4.2m), Jack Wilshere (£4.8m)

Bonus: Arnautovic x3, Fredericks x2, Issa Diop x1 (£4.2m)

Southampton assets endured a rotten audition for the final day of the season as they lost 3-0 at West Ham. The Saints have been targetted for investment in Gameweek 38 as they are the only side remaining yet to host Huddersfield Town in 2018/19. However, on the basis of this performance, their Fantasy options may find it hard to live up to their form of recent weeks – and let’s not forget the Terriers’ spirited display against Manchester United on Sunday.

Ralph Hasenhüttl followed through on his promises of rotation leaving Nathan Redmond (£5.4m) and James Ward-Prowse (£5.1m) on the bench to experiment with a traditional 4-4-2 formation that saw Stuart Armstrong (£5.1m) and forgotten man Mohamed Elyounoussi (£6.0m) on the flanks of midfield. Furthermore, Angus Gunn (£4.3m) watched from the sidelines as Fraser Forster (£4.2m) got his first start since the 5-2 defeat to Spurs on Boxing Day 2017, 494 days previously.

While Redmond failed to start the match, he did offer some hope for next week as he made an impact replacing Danny Ings (£5.4m) at half-time. Despite playing just 45 minutes, the Southampton midfielder finished the match joint-top for shots in the box and given how poor the Saints were without him, should come back into the starting line-up for Gameweek 38.

What will be of some concern for Fantasy managers invested in Southampton was Hasenhüttl’s comments about the manner of the defeat. The Saints were quiet in the opening period, the pairing of Ings with Shane Long (£4.7m) offering little, before a resurgence in the second half was cut short by two quick-fire goals in the 69th and 72nd minute. Their manager cited the exertions of recent weeks as the reason for their poor performance, and with little riding on Sunday’s visit of Huddersfield, there are fears that Southampton are now ‘on the beach’ so to speak.

“The last, very hard four or five months has cost us a lot of energy for this team and we didn’t have enough energy to fight back after a horrible mistake in the first half. We tried but the team has invested a lot in trying to stay in the league and the power was a little bit gone. We had a few good chances but it was [the case that] the last good decision in front of goal,t the power to score wasn’t here – I think the concentration wasn’t 100%. If you come here in a tough game after investing a lot in the last weeks and concede the first goal it takes a lot of energy to fight back. We didn’t have that today.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

However, the other way of looking at Hasenhüttl’s admission is that Southampton will now have a point to prove in their final game of the season, which will take place in front of their own fans. The Saints manager has already committed to putting on a better display in Gameweek 38.

“The target is to end in the best way possible, getting the energy back and mentally being ready to finish the season with a good win. It would be a good ending to this season if we can do that against Huddersfield.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

The shortfalls of Southampton’s defence were laid bare once again, with those invested in budget-man Yan Valery (£4.1m) still waiting for his first defensive returns since Gameweek 32. The Saints have now conceded three times in three of their last four matches, the two most recent featuring failed switches to a four-man defence. They have admittedly been enforced with injuries to Jannik Vestergaard (£4.6m) and Maya Yoshida (£4.1m), but it is clear that they fare better with a three-man back-line.

Southampton’s defensive issues allowed Marko Arnautovic (£6.7m) to score his first goals since January when he netted a brace against Brighton. Having started the last three matches in a row, the Austrian may be back to the form he demonstrated in the early part of the season. He assisted Michail Antonio‘s (£6.8m) winner against Spurs in Gameweek 36 and was the primary goal threat against Southampton. In fact, the Saints have become one of his favourite sides to face. He now has four strikes in two games at the London Stadium against them and has put more Premier League goals past them than any other club (five).

“We hope (Arnautovic is back to his best). With this team, with Marko, a complete season that is quiet, calm and just playing football I think it is a player who makes a difference. Last season, for different reasons, he started bad but after that he demonstrated what he can do. This season, exactly the same, when he was mentally involved he played the same and made the difference and I hope that next season, he will be involved in doing a complete season. I am sure this season for him will have been a good lesson, he learned some things and I am absolutely convinced next season we will see a great Marko.” – Manuel Pellegrini

Also of note, was the fact that West Ham kept a clean sheet and now have back-to-back shutouts in the Premier League for the first time this season. It also marked just the second time in 2018/19 that they kept out a side outside the top six at home. As already mentioned, Southampton’s slightly experimental line-up probably contributed to the clean sheet but West Ham are the only club so far in Gameweek 37 to have two players score 11 or higher for Clearances, Blocks and Interceptions (CBI), namely Issa Diop (£4.2m) and Fabian Balbuena (£4.2m).

“It is an issue that we still must continue improving, we have conceded too many goals for me this season. As you said, we are able to do it two games in a row so it is a matter of concentration and intensity. Not just the defenders, for the whole team. When we don’t have the ball we must be in a position to recover, with a high pace and when we have the ball we need to play. That is why I think we have been a consistent team these last four games.” – Manuel Pellegrini

The fact that West Ham were able to comfortably cruise to a 3-0 win was made all the more impressive given who was absent. Declan Rice (£4.5m) and Felipe Anderson (£6.9m) were both missing through illness, while Robert Snodgrass (£5.0m) had to sit out through suspension.

“Well, I did that because we had two players sick with Declan Rice and Felipe Anderson who couldn’t play. The other rotation was for Robert Snodgrass who had a one-game ban so we were forced.” – Manuel Pellegrini

That allowed some fringe players and others coming back from injury to get involved. Jack Wilshere (£4.8m) came on for Grady Diangana (£4.5m) in the second half and got himself an assist for Ryan Fredericks‘ (£4.5m) first-ever Premier League goal. Carlos Sánchez (£4.3m) also got some game-time, 12 minutes in the place of Mark Noble (£4.8m) his first involvement since Gameweek 6.

“Today I thought Pedro Obiang had a good game, Carlos Sanchez came on after so long to play minutes, Jack Wilshere demonstrated how good he is as a player, he played well so I am happy with the squad.” – Manuel Pellegrini

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Masuaku, Diop, Balbuena, Fredericks; Noble (C Sánchez 78′), Obiang; Antonio, Lanzini (L Pérez 83′), Diangana (Wilshere 68′); Arnautovic.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): Forster; Bertrand, J Stephens, Bednarek, Valery; Elyounoussi, Højbjerg, Lemina (Romeu 75′), Armstrong (Ward-Prowse 67′); Ings (Redmond 45′), Long.

189 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    If Sterling and Aguero blank this will be my lowest GW score ever.

    *smiling through the pain*

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero penalty miss and red card please. Sterling 7 goals

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Despite Aguero being my captain, I would still be okay with this.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Ahh Ozil yeah been a tough old season. For us Arsenal supporters many more to come unfortunately. Always have maintained that Kronke is the problem.And no way Arsenal will reach any heights again with him around. When all were baying for Wegner out did they not fn realise how much his hands were tied.

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      The problem is emery. If you dont win europa league hes the one to blame.

  2. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Squashy bun time. Mini league lead down to 3 points. He's all out this week. I need Laporte and sterling to do something pleeese....

  3. Victor6359
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Would you do Son, Doherty and Valery to Fraser, Laporte and TAA for -4?

    Rival has those 2 defenders and trying to protect very small lead.

    Cheers

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      no minuses on last gw.

      1. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, you’re probably right. Might just bring in TAA, just trying to block opponent

    2. Fantasy Premington
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don't think Valery v HUD is a bad option but there's not much of a reason not to take a -4 this week as opposed to any other. If the player you bring in scores 5 points or more than the one you sell then it's worth it, just slightly risky

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      id replace son because he wont feature. There could be rotation

  4. kime67
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Is pogba an option anymore?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’m still considering him, however Man U looking terrible

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      me too but they are so bad and i worry rotation aswell.

      1. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, there’s that do, think I’ll give them a miss

        1. Victor6359
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          *too

    3. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I think he's gonna get benched

  5. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Firmino to who for a hit?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson?

      1. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        ...great away form

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy, Arnautovic, Wilson, Zaha all great options. My money's on the Arnienator.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He's not even ruled out yet

    4. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      no hits

    5. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      but zaha if you have to

  6. Pras (FPL)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Son + Jimenez -> Salah + Long sound good?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      i think long is on the bench

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Is this some cocktail pun I am missing?

  7. Victor6359
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Bilva or Fraser?

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      bilva

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Bilva out of those I think.

      1. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers fellas

  8. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    You think Delu will start next game?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I don’t think so

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      they coul rotate beacause of the final

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, need to get the relationship with Deeney going strong. Off at 75 likely though

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        After a goal and assist. Play him

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I will believe in you! Cheers

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers Madd we go down together

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              how did you get into Nirvana?

  9. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I have Pogba , am I lucky that no one wants him any more lol

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Could be at maledives already

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah that's the point really

      2. The Shoonchy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Unlikely, haven't seen him around here

  10. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Lloris
    Robbo - Shaw - Valery
    Sterling - Mane - Eriksen - Son!!
    Aguero - Ings - Jimenez

    (Ryan / Jota / Bednarek / Doherty)
    2FT & 0.2m

    A) Son & Jimenez to B.Silva & Zaha/Mitro/Rondon
    B) Son & Doherty to B.Silva & TAA (442)
    C) Son & Jimenez to Vardy & Fraser/6.7m

    Really like both B.Silva & Vardy but have to choose one of them.
    Thoughts on the above options?

    Cheers! 🙂

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B and play Jimenez

  11. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Dear Raheem

    Sort yourself out tonight, brace please.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        rman.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Brace of yellows

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Behave.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Sorry.

  12. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Am I likely to go up or down in OR today?

    I have Sterling (C) and Aguero....

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on your rank.

      But I reckon you’ll be moving up either way as I feel Sterlo hail inevitable with the way Lei is playing

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I differ, Kun haul maybe otherwise a low 1 0

      2. chaser123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        8k. Do most have Aguero (C) then?

        What's the best place to see effective ownership stats?

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      In top 10K, you will gain approx 1.1 points for every point Sterling makes and suffer 0.3 points for Aguero point, in relative terms to others around you ... then other impact from City defence and Vardy ownership ...

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        0.11*

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          He is captaining Sterling

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Or she ... sorry 😉

  13. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    All about chasing or holding. In a one off random the cheapest options can outscore the popular picks. Seen it many weeks when the dream team has a TV of 100 or less. Risk and reward give it a go

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      John Barnes World in Motion

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Wood also good

  14. New Post
  15. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Goal - STERLING
    Assist - LAPORTE

    Man city 1-0 Leicester (1 mins)

    #MANLEI #FPL

    This is exactly the way i want the evening to start 😉

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’ll take that

  16. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Best replacements for Son and Jimenez?

    A. Hazard and Long
    B. Fraser and Ayoze Pérez (punt?
    C. Fraser and Vardy
    D. You tell me.....

    Foster
    TAA Laporte Robertson
    Sterling Mane Deulofeu *****
    Kun Zaha *****

    Ryan Valery Martial Doherty

    Cheers all

    1. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      arnie and bilva

  17. LSK
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    what would you do here? 1 ft. 0.1 itb
    Lloris Hamer
    Robertson TAA Valery Laporte Shaw
    Salah Sterling Son Jota Redmond
    Jimenez Aguero Llorente

    Could play 5 atb as they all have decent fixtures but seems stupid on the last day. Could play Llorente as he will probably play with no Son or play a Wolves player. Son out is obvious but who for? And should I take a hit to reinvest the change and upgrade elsewhere?
    Any help will be appreciated

  18. 32chickens
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Trying to spot the smaller teams to be with next weekend
    A) WHU got to be a good thing away to a distracted WAT.
    B) SOT final home match against a pitiful HUD.
    C) Revived FUL final home game worth a punt against NEW
    D) BUR at home to show shattered ARS that it's tough up north.
    E) EVE away against a shattered TOT
    Have I got any of these wrong?

  19. how many hits?!!
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Apologies for the ramble below, but...
    Aubameyang - how is he only one point behind Aguero in FPL? I know, I know, 20 goals, 7 assists, but whenever I have owned him he didn't seem to do a lot (12 games owned, captain 5 times, 67 points). I am reading him wrong? He is obviously effective from an FPL point of view, so am I being unfair to him?

    Only one double figure haul since gameweek 19, but is he a season-keeper because of his consistency? Should we keep a 11m player who 'only' averages just over 5 points per match?

    Contemplating a strong midfield next season with Salah, Sterling, Fraser (assuming Hazard goes), Mane with 4.2m bench fodder with only big front player being Aguero and then 2 cheapies. Is there room for Aubameyang, Firmino, Vardy or Laca if they keep getting significantly less than the midfielders?

    I figure I am just a victim of bad-timing player-owning bias, makes me think I just have to be a bit more aware of when to jump on and jump off certain players. Anyone else have a view on Auba?

  20. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    TC Aguero here, but come on Leicester please play draw at least.