Scout Notes

Pope returns from injury as Rodriguez pushes for a start

We take a closer look at six more pre-season friendlies that involved Premier League clubs on Saturday.

Our latest Scout Notes article rounds up the goalscorers, assist-makers and key Fantasy talking points from the matches involving Burnley, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Southampton and Watford, as well as documenting any injury updates from these half-dozen clubs.

Burnley 2-0 Parma

  • Goals: Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) x2
  • Assists: Aaron Lennon (£5.0m), Matthew Lowton (£4.5m)

Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) laid down another marker as the three-way tussle for Burnley’s two striking spots grows tougher to call.

Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood (£6.5m) are ever-presents for the Clarets in the Premier League this calendar year but the mid-price FPL forwards are now faced with a threat they didn’t really have in the first half of 2019: genuine competition up front.

Matej Vydra (£5.5m) and the now-retired Peter Crouch never really looked like posing a challenge to the duopoly in attack but, as Sam Vokes did in the first half of 2018/19, Rodriguez gives Sean Dyche a viable alternative to Barnes or Wood.

Wood has been the man in form in pre-season, scoring nine goals in seven appearances – although six of those strikes were against sides from the Football League.

Barnes, in contrast, didn’t find the back of the net once.

Rodriguez has himself scored on six occasions, with two of them coming in the second half of Saturday’s win over Parma.

The former West Brom striker nodded in Aaron Lennon‘s (£5.0m) deflected cross from point-blank range to give the hosts the lead before scoring a second headed goal when arriving at the back post to convert Matthew Lowton‘s (£4.5m) teasing delivery.

Rodriguez has more pre-season minutes to his name than any Burnley striker following his 73-minute run-out against the Italian side.

Wood – who volleyed over from another Lowton pass in the first half – and Barnes were each handed 45 minutes against Parma and it may well be that they resume their partnership in Gameweek 1, with Dyche having previously said that Saturday’s line-up isn’t necessarily the one that will take on Southampton next weekend:

I will be honest, most managers myself included, normally play what you think is the team in the last one, but I think it is tight this season. The last game of pre-season might not be the team that starts against Southampton.

Dyche added on Saturday:

We have had some minor injuries but nothing too major so we have adapted the team and with that team (against Parma) we looked at the minutes list and Barnesy was top with Westy next to him so that is why they played different amounts to let others catch up.

Dyche may have been discounting the behind-closed-doors friendlies against Fulham, Accrington and Tranmere when discussing the pre-season minutes of Barnes, given that the striker’s documented playing time on our spreadsheet was less than Wood and Rodriguez.

Burnley’s goalkeeper situation has been a complicated one this summer but Saturday may finally have given Fantasy managers some reassurance regarding the first-team prospects of Nick Pope (£4.5m).

The Burnley shotstopper returned on Saturday following a three-game absence through injury and played the full 90 minutes, with Joe Hart (£4.5m) watching on from the bench and new signing Bailey Peacock-Farrell not involved.

Tom Heaton (£4.5m), of course, has departed for Aston Villa.

Pope was the busier of the two goalkeepers as Parma posed much more of a threat than Nice did in midweek and indeed the Serie A side clipped the woodwork in the first half when Roberto Inglese headed against the bar from a corner.

While Pope and budget FPL defender Ben Gibson (£4.0m) returned from the treatment table, there were more injury woes for Dyche.

Robbie Brady‘s (£5.5m) comeback from a rib problem lasted just over half an hour as he suffered a recurrence of the issue, while Jack Cork (£5.0m) also limped off before half-time.

Centre-backs James Tarkowski (£5.0m) and Kevin Long (£4.5m) missed out altogether, which perhaps heightens the chances of Gibson featuring in Gameweek 1.

Dyche said after the match:

James had two points on a scan on his thigh that were really tight and we need to be careful with them. Kevin has a sore groin and it’s nothing too drastic.

Robbie got a knock on his ribs and had just come back from that, and Corky took a slip, but he’s fine.

Longy thinks he has got a really strong chance [of playing in GW1], he thinks it is settling down really well and so does Tarky.

Corky was a precaution but with Robbie we will have to wait and see. I don’t know how quickly that will settle down again.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Taylor (Pieters 67’), Mee, Gibson (Dunne 67’), Lowton (Bardsley 73’); Brady (McNeil 32’), Cork (Westwood 38’), Hendrick (Benson 73’), Lennon (Gudmundsson 67’); Wood (Barnes 46’), Rodriguez (Wells 73’).

West Ham United 2-2 Athletic Bilbao (2-4 penalties)

  • Goals: Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m), Jack Wilshere (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Pablo Fornals (£6.5m), Sebastien Haller (£7.5m)

There were goals at either end of the pitch as West Ham United rounded off their pre-season on Saturday.

In many ways, the Betway Cup match against Athletic Bilbao told us much what we already knew about the Hammers from a Fantasy perspective: promising up top but decidedly unconvincing at the back.

There have been 12 goals in total in West Ham’s most-recent two friendlies, with five arriving at the wrong end of the field.

The Hammers have conceded two or more goals in four of their six pre-season friendlies, which will further the appeal of Manchester City assets in Gameweek 1.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side were 2-0 down after just 15 minutes on Saturday, with Sebastien Haller (£7.5m) slicing into his own goal before the visitors cut the Hammers apart to double their lead on the quarter-hour mark.

Roberto (£4.5m) continues to look shaky between the sticks as he deputises for the injured Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), with the Polish shotstopper having again missed out with a groin strain.

Mark Noble (£5.0m) was also missing with a dead leg and Pellegrini said of the pair:

Most of them are progressing. Lukasz did an MRI today. He has a small injury, so we will see what happens with him during this week. Mark will start running probably in the middle of the week so we will see what will happen with him.

I think that for Mark, it is going to be difficult for him to play, but with Lukasz, it depends how he works on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On the flip side, West Ham’s front four continue to impress.

Haller, Felipe Anderson (£7.0m), Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) and Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) started their third pre-season game in a row and look to be Pellegrini’s attacking quartet of choice going into the opening-weekend encounter with City.

Haller was involved in both of the hosts’ goals, ‘assisting the assister’ for Lanzini’s tap-in – Fornals claiming the actual assist with a bicycle kick – and then showing great persistence and nimble footwork to tee up Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) for the Hammers’ equaliser on 23 minutes.

Pellegrini is blessed with an array of talent in the attacking midfield options and discussed his options after the game:

I think we have different options. You saw in this game we played with Wilshere, Anderson, Lanzini and Fornals, but in the second half it was Antonio, Yarmolenko, Diangana and Snodgrass, or we could play with two strikers.

With Fornals, Lanzini and Anderson, the three of them can play in all the positions behind the striker so we have different options, not only with those three players, but with others. For the moment, we have a complete squad.

As a manager you want options and you can play in a different way. You can want more muscle or more technique, but for me you want players who always want the ball.

Fornals was again the central figure either linking up with Haller in attack or dropping deep and indeed the gangly striker looked less of a threat when the Spaniard was withdrawn at the interval.

Wilshere, meanwhile, flitted between supporting Declan Rice (£5.0m) at the base of the midfield and joining up with the front four in possession.

Pellegrini’s only change to his starting XI saw Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) return at right-back in place of budget FPL option Ben Johnson (£4.0m) but West Ham’s defence looked particularly exposed on the flanks, with Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) struggling.

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Roberto; Cresswell (Masuaku 74’), Diop, Balbuena (Ogbonna 65’), Fredericks (Zabaleta 81’); Wilshere (Snodgrass 65’), Rice (C Sánchez 74’); Fornals (Antonio 46’), Lanzini (Diangana 74’), Anderson (Yarmolenko 65’); Haller (Chicharito 74’).

Crystal Palace 0-4 Hertha Berlin

Crystal Palace’s pre-season finished in dismal fashion as they drew a blank against a side that conceded five goals against West Ham United just three days earlier.

At the other end of the pitch, an under-strength Eagles defence were left worryingly exposed – positive news for those Fantasy managers considering Everton’s under-performing attacking assets in Gameweek 1.

Roy Hodgson’s side were again without their talismanic winger, Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m), who has been handed an extended period of rest following his involvement with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cheikhou Kouyate (£5.0m) was also absent having represented Senegal in that same tournament, while Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) – substituted at half-time of the 5-0 win over Bristol City a week earlier – was missing from Saturday’s matchday squad at Selhurst Park.

Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) replaced Schlupp alongside Christian Benteke (£6.0m) in Hodgson’s only change to his side from the win at Ashton Gate, so it may well be a very similar-looking starting XI that takes on Everton next weekend – barring further recruitment and the return to availability of those aforementioned players.

Palace had their chances, with Benteke having an effort chalked off for offside, Ayew and James McArthur (£5.5m) missing excellent opportunities and Scott Dann (£4.5m) underscoring his aerial prowess by heading against the bar.

A lack of dynamism highlighted both Zaha’s absence and Palace’s ongoing struggles in south London, however: only relegated Huddersfield scored fewer home goals than the Eagles in 2018/19.

Assistant manager Ray Lewington acknowledged that the Eagles’ counter-attacking style was not ideally suited to home games in which opponents sit back:

One thing could be that we’re a little bit more of a counter-attacking team than most, which means that we like teams coming onto us and when you’re at home, you’re going onto them. It’s not for the want of the supporters giving us great support every game and playing in a ground that has got a great atmosphere about it. We just hope we can put it right.

It could be argued that Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m), himself not renowned for his defensive credentials, was the only first-choice member of the Palace backline on show at Selhurst Park.

Joel Ward (£4.5m) continued at right-back as the Eagles seek to replace the departed Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m), while the absence of Mamadou Sakho and the injured James Tomkins (both £5.0m) saw Dann and budget FPL defender Martin Kelly (£4.0m) again deployed together at centre-half.

Sakho had returned from a lengthy lay-off against Bristol City and Wimbledon but it seems likely that he will be struggling for fitness in Gameweek 1.

Vicente Guaita (£4.5m) wasn’t overly tested for much of the first half but Palace conceded their first goal just before the interval and capitulated after half-time, with Hodgson’s experimentation with a diamond formation looking like a misstep.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita (Hennessey 45’); van Aanholt, Dann, Kelly, Ward; Meyer (Pierrick 83’), Milivojevic, McArthur, Townsend (Dreher 83’); Ayew (Wickham 75’), Benteke.

Newcastle 2-1 Saint-Etienne

  • Goals: Joelinton (£6.0m), Matthew Longstaff
  • Assists: Fabian Schar (£5.0m), Sean Longstaff (£5.0m)

Newcastle United assets are hardly the flavour of the month following Rafael Benitez’s departure and with the Magpies having the trickiest run of fixtures (according to our Season Ticker) in the opening ten Gameweeks of the 2019/20 season.

The acquisition of Joelinton (£6.0m), Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems and some decent pre-season showings (bar the 4-0 hammering by Wolves) have made the overall picture seem not quite so bleak on Tyneside, however, and they may not quite be the pushovers many are expecting in the upcoming campaign.

Saturday’s victory over Saint-Etienne was, indeed, more convincing than the scoreline suggested.

Joelinton scored his second goal in as many games when converting Fabian Schar‘s (£5.0m) long ball over the top of the French side’s defence, with youngster Matthew Longstaff rifling in off the crossbar following a pass from brother Sean (£5.0m).

Joelinton, budget FPL midfielder Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) and substitute Yoshinori Muto (£5.0m) had efforts blocked, while the influential Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) and Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) struck the woodwork.

Almiron was again a lively presence playing as an ‘out of position’ striker up front, although his finishing continues to leave a lot to be desired and his ongoing goal drought (he hasn’t scored a single goal for the Magpies) drags on.

Matthieu Debuchy scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Reflecting on the game, Bruce said:

Second half I enjoyed. First half was a typical pre-season friendly where everyone was asleep, but second half we played with energy and intensity. We could have been worthy winners by a few more. Overall I was very, very pleased.

Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) sat Saturday’s game out with a hamstring problem, meaning that Rolando Aarons again lined up as a wing-back on the left flank.

Willems replaced Aarons in the second half and is expected to provide the stiffer competition for Ritchie in the medium term.

Bruce said of Ritchie’s injury:

It’s his hamstring and, as I said at the time, if he’s going off, there is something wrong. Whether he’ll be right for Arsenal remains to be seen.

Attacking midfielder Saint-Maximin also made his debut and looked fairly promising but was seen limping off towards at the end of the game, while Christian Atsu (£5.5m) was among the substitutes for the first time this summer.

£4.5m-rated asset Hayden has played more pre-season minutes than any of Newcastle’s midfielders and looks set to stay on Tyneside, having been heavily linked with a move away for much of 2019.

Bruce said:

He’s up for staying. We want to give him a new contract.

Newcastle United XI (5-3-2): Dúbravka; R Aarons (Willems 59’), Fernández, Lascelles (Dummett 78’), Schär (Clark 78’), Manquillo (Murphy 83’); Shelvey (Ki 73’), S Longstaff, Hayden (M Longstaff 74’); Joelinton (Muto 59’), Almirón (Saint-Maximin 59’)

Southampton 2-0 FC Koln

  • Goals: Danny Ings (£6.0m), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Che Adams (£6.0m) x2

Southampton look set to start 2019/20 in a wing-back system after Ralph Hasenhuttl again plumped for three centre-halves in Saturday’s final pre-season friendly.

Nathan Redmond (£6.5m) and Che Adams (£6.0m) flanked central striker Danny Ings (£6.0m) in a three-man attack in the first half, with Adams moving centrally when Ings was withdrawn at the break.

Adams was one of the game’s stand-out players, with his work rate and harrying causing problems for the visitors.

The summer signing from Birmingham won an early penalty that Ings converted and teed up Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m) for the Saints’ second goal, having also supplied Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m) with a chance with a superb through-ball.

Ings missed a second penalty when Hojbjerg had been felled.

James Ward-Prowse‘s (£6.0m) Fantasy appeal is perhaps dented in this 3-4-3 system, although his role as the more defence-minded central midfielder is one that will likely change when Oriel Romeu (£4.5m) returns to the starting XI – the former Chelsea player having returned in Saturday’s game as a substitute following three games out through injury.

Of course, having all three of Romeu, Hojbjerg and Ward-Prowse fit presents Hasenhuttl with a selection dilemma if he proceeds with just two central midfielders.

Winger Moussa Djenepo (£5.5m) made his Southampton debut as a 79th-minute substitute, while Jack Stephens (£4.5m) returned from injury and was preferred to Maya Yoshida (£4.5m) at centre-back.

Angus Gunn (£4.5m) played the full game in goal and looks the favourite to get the nod in Gameweek 1, having racked up the most pre-season minutes of all of Southampton’s goalkeepers.

Gunn made a couple of smart stops as the Saints recorded their second clean sheet of the summer, although centre-back Jan Bednarek (£4.5m) highlighted that Southampton’s aggressive press sometimes led to chances being conceded at the wrong end of the pitch:

I think it’s just to find the balance between high press, deep pressing and midfield press because there were some moments of the game where we could not press but we tried to do, we are sometimes a little bit too brave. I think that’s positive and when we find the balance we will be a really nasty opponent.

Southampton XI (3-4-3): Gunn; Bednarek, Vestergaard (Armstrong 75’), Stephens (Yoshida 63’); Valery, Højbjerg, Ward-Prowse (Romeu 63’), Bertrand (Cedric 63’); Redmond (Boufal 63’), Adams (Long 63’), Ings (Obafemi 46’, Djenepo 79’).

Watford 2-1 Real Sociedad

  • Goals: Andre Gray (£6.0m) x2
  • Assists: Will Hughes (£5.5m), Etienne Capoue (£5.0m)

Javi Gracia “thinks” that Gerard Deulofeu (£6.5m) will be fit to face Brighton and Hove Albion in Gameweek 1 after the FPL forward missed Watford’s final pre-season friendly with a muscle problem.

Speaking after the win over Real Sociedad, the Hornets’ boss said:

We have some players out with little problems but I think all of them will be ready for the next game. Gerard is maybe training with the team on Tuesday. I think he will be ready.

Roberto Pereyra (£6.0m) was also absent following his involvement with Argentina at the Copa America but Gracia says the winger should be involved at Vicarage Road next Saturday.

The Watford head coach said:

Pereyra finished later than the rest of the team. After three weeks of rest, he started to train. Now he is training in a hard moment. He is training some days with the team, others alone. He will be ready for the game [against Brighton], not at his best level, but he will be ready to compete.

Looking at the Hornets’ starting XI and system in Saturday’s pre-season friendly suggests very little has changed from the back-end of 2018/19.

Craig Dawson (£5.0m) was the only squad member involved against Sociedad who wasn’t on the books last season and the rest of Watford’s back four looked very familiar, with Ben Foster (£5.0m) lining up between the sticks.

Ken Sema (£5.0m) and Andre Gray (£6.0m) were perhaps the placeholders for Pereyra and Deulofeu but Gray is doing his best to stake a claim for a first-team place ahead of Gameweek 1, scoring twice as Watford came from behind to win.

The mid-price FPL forward scored his third and fourth goals of pre-season, first squeezing his shot inside the post following a fine run and through-ball from Will Hughes (£5.5m) and then racing onto a pass from Etienne Capoue (£5.0m) for the Hornets’ winner.

In truth, Watford were second-best for much of the game and didn’t create too many other clear opportunities.

At the other end, Foster had to make a handful of decent blocks, while Jose Holebas (£5.0m) cleared off the line and the visitors’ Mikel Merino hit the post.

The hosts had fallen behind to a first-half penalty after a foul by Sema.

Gracia said:

Real Sociedad played better than us. In the first half, they played much better. Maybe in the second we controlled the spaces better, we competed better but always it is good to compete against teams like Sociedad with a high level. It’s important to get good results for the confidence of our players. The best thing is we have the possibility to improve many things. I am sure we will do it.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster; Holebas (Janmaat 84’), Cathcart, Dawson, Femenía; Sema (Cleverley 76’), Doucouré, Capoue, Hughes; Deeney, A Gray.
1,286 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Shocking goal by Aubam... Not worth it, Kane the better option 🙂

  2. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Auba goal. Ozil assist. That puts a end to the mexican wave as the crowd chant for Messi to come on.

  3. JuulKrapuul
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez or Tielemans?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Coin flip

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What position will Perez play?

    3. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like Tielemans but Perez proved he's there during the friendlies

    4. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think they are both great value, I'm tempted to put them both in

      1. Chazz69
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        2 Leicester Mids is a bit of a bizarre move imo

  4. beric
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First post in a long time - hope everyone here has been loving life.
    First draft this year:

    Pope - Heaton

    VVD - Digne - Zinchenko - Dunk - Rico

    Salah - Sterling - Moura - Perez - Dendonker

    Wilson - Jiminez - Adams

    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes bud how's tricks?

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Could be better, could be worse. yourself? hows your team shaping up?

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Grand man, things are good with me.

          Team taking some shape this last week it seems to becoming more acceptable if that makes sense.

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      when Son gets back I think Moura will lose his place, AVL he will do well but then they have City.
      Like the Adams punt
      Jiminez likely to be fit but keep on eye on

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        cheers man, Adams is a top player, I have faith. Sad to see him and Redmond lining up together for someone else 🙁

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Moura seems like a week punt to me, gw 2 is at city. Gw3 son returns

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        perhaps you're right, he's a top player though...if he does well first 2 could he not keep his place?

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          This, Im starting him too

      2. Bagheri Arce
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

        A lot of people going Moira...unless he smashes it GW1 it's as waste of a FT down the line if you ask me

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Hardly, if he shows up well in first he stays. Why would Poch drop a firing player. Could well get 10 plus gw 1 anyway so no prob taking a hit .Well worth the punt imo

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Well he did for the Champions League final ....

      3. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I read earlier that Alli is injured with a re-occurring hamstring issue. Moura might be slightly more appealing if that's the case.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          More appealing regardless imo

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

    Definitely came off his shin 😀

  6. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First draft, weak bench.. Thought? Guess I need to downgrad and spread the money around?

    Ryan
    Diop VVD TAA Digne
    Sterling KBD Salah Perez
    Wilson Wesley

    Button Dendoncker Simpson Greenwood

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A West Ham defender?

    2. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Decent.

      Seeing a lot of teams with Welsey, what's the appeal ?fixtures are good for sure

      I just changed Ryan to Heaton for that reason and Brighton are pony. May trade in for Pope after GW5-6

  7. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How would you rate this team? Any obvious changes?

    Pope
    VVD Robbo Laporte
    Sterling KDB Moura Perez Townsend
    Aubameyang Ings

    Button Guilbert Lundstram Greenwood

    *I will monitor Laporte and downgrade if he is not fit for GW1

    Thanks

    1. Jaok
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Salah may hurt.

    2. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Personally, if I was going for two city midfielders I would go with Sterling and BSilva, especially after the potential Sane injury.

  8. Chrisirwin01
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good evening folks, RMT - Three big hitters

    Pope (McGovern)

    Coleman, Van Dijk, Kiko, Ake & (Lundstram)

    Sterling, Fraser, Salah, Perez & (Hayden)

    Auba, King & (Greenwood)

    £1.0mil itb

    What's the thoughts? Reinvest the £1.0mil in GK or defence. Or something else.

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That's different and I like it. Any better option that Kiko though ?

      1. Chrisirwin01
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, much appreciated. Other option than Kiko is tricky but possibly another Watford defender.

    2. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If Auba was nailed on at CF he would be one of the best picks in the game....maybe the best at that price. I'm just nervous about Emery and his penchance for tinkering and playing him LWF

      1. Chrisirwin01
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah I agree but Auba seems to dominate the front line no matter where he starts.

      2. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        that is his best position, especially when Laca is on the pitch

        1. Bagheri Arce
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          True...but still not ideal.

          Plus Arsenal's away form is awful. He's a wait and see asset for me but good luck to you as I like it as a pick

  9. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which doo you prefer?
    A) Moura in a 3-5-2 (Greenwood on the bench)
    B) Wood in a 3-4-3 (Dendoncker on the bench)

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  10. badgerboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Pepe in the Arsenal squad tonight?

    1. polis
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      no

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Neither is Laca.

    4. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers.

  11. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Auba v Newcastle, yep could work.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Shhhh

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      and then Burnley for C

  12. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else completely happy with their team and can’t wait for Friday to come quick enough...?? 🙂

    Pope
    Coleman / VVD / Montoya
    Salah / KDB / Martial / Perez
    Vardy / King / Kane

    4.0 Dendonk / Lundstram / Rico

    Looking forward to trying to help any fellow FFSers, who may need it the coming days.

    I’ll get my good luck to all post in now, before the mayhem ensues... 🙂

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely buzzing

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m feeling it too pal..

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You'll soon want Sterling

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I want him now, but you know the score...

    3. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Never heard of Montoya, i'll google him. Martial is French and like Pogba he's inconsistent. Good luck

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        They are my 2 punts.
        Montoya has been playing RWB and I think he’s worth try.
        Martial is going to have a good season imo. I could wait and see, but I’m happy to go with him. Ty

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

      Well I'm happy this isn't my team...

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I knew there would be one. 😆
        Not going to be liked by all...

        1. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I wouldn't trust Martial. good team otherwise and good luck

          1. The Wanton Trader
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks. GL too you...

  13. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leno is a world class keeper.
    Auba is a world class striker and winger
    Ozil could be a cheeky pick

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ozil is the laziest and most unreliable player ever

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        All I read is history I want the now

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      if they play 4231 and Ozil plays in away games too, he is a real nice pick

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Starting today over cheb makes me think he is ebery’s man

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          starting to think that too, he's so much better in that role, but Ebery is mental

    3. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pick Ozil

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        i am not going to i have auba i am just highlighting that a nailed ozil behind Auba Laca Pepe would be okay at 7.5 probably wouldn't it

  14. slamdunk
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    McGinn or Robinson for my 5th mid punt?

    Or any other 5.5 mid...

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Robinson, he will do well this year, McGinn will also but he got 14 yellows last year

  15. jimmyabs1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ok so have completely redrafted and only have 1 city for now but will change...

    Heaton
    TAA, VVD, KWP
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Moura, Robinson
    Ings, Vardy, Murray

    Button, Simpson, Kelly,

    I did have KDB and was going to play 3-5-2 but with Alli injury, Moura will get good game time and he is on form and allowed me to get more premium striker as only had King and Delu.

    KWP will start at least first few games and he looked v impressive for 5.0 against Inter today

    1. Ekip
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      3-5-3 formation allowed now?

      KWP 2 games only I think and 1 of those is City

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      regarding KWP, u want him to play vs City? and then Foyth will get those tricky games along with Aurier coming back.
      I thought of him, but you'll have sooooo many more fires to put i don't think he's worth the trouble 😉

      Nice team 😉
      Risky with ings and murray

  16. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How many leagues can you join this year?

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

      3 public, 15 private I believe

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        20.

  17. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do we think Pepe starts against Newcastle GW1?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I don’t

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wait for emery comments but not even in squad neither is Laca. I expect them both from bench in GW1

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

          Yeah - shame, would have been a great early differential.

  18. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Watching highlights of CS. Alisson trying his best this pre season to become the new DDG

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Must have got bored from all the clean sheets he kept 😉

      He's a elite GK, no doubt.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Oh yes indeed but something is going on :O he’ll have it sorted come season start I am sure x

    2. A team has no name
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Odd comment, He only played 1 pre season game before today (Lyon) and won the golden glove for brazil at the copa before that.

  19. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson v King

    Which one

    1. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      if only one Wilson
      I'm going King to double on Fraser

    2. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The cheapest

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wilson is way better than King, who is vastly overrated. Yes, he is on pens, but is terrible away from home.

  20. rjcv177
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If nothing big on next few days, i'm pretty settled.

    Auba to become Kane or Kun
    Fraser/Wilson to jump on Barkley/martial/Wesley/Haller/wood/Jimenez

    Ryan
    TAA, VVD, Digne
    Salah (C), KDB, Fraser, Ayoze
    Auba, King, Murray

    Button, Kelly, Lundstram, Dedoncker

    Any major issue here?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      V nice may do something similar. With a 442. Not keen on King, Ryan and Murray personally but rest is v nice

      1. rjcv177
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Murray was my last piece of puzzle because i want Auba instead of Laca.
        Murray on PKs on a team with diff off manager and only one game a week he should play.

        thkx and GL to you

        1. Ekip
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Brighton favourites to sign Maupay. Presumably he takes Murray’s place?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Or locadia's?

            1. Feyzi
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              which would be a shame but even the intention is telling...

    2. Kante FC
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You not worried about Brighton signing Maupay. Him and Murray are different types of striker so will be interesting to see who Potter selects as first choice.

  21. Randell
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    6.0 mid for the first 2 GW’s as a placeholder for Barkley

    Was thinking Doucoure / Pereyra / Townsend

    1. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ibe, Trossard, Norwood to add those up

    2. Ekip
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pererya not featured in pre season at all

  22. cheeky moses
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Too much compromise to fit the big guys in?

    Ryan
    VVD, Digne, Coleman
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Robinson, McGinn
    Auba, Wilson

    1. Ekip
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes- your MF is potentially weak, and wouldn’t double on Everton defenders

    3. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1 risk too much for me. Robinson and McGinn.

    4. cheeky moses
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      cheers all - time for a re:shuffle

  23. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Alli oops! Hammy.

  24. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    After today ive gone from taa matip stones to vvd walker kwp.....

    1. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      good there's no more friendlies lololol

    2. Ekip
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KWP only good for week 1. City in week 2 then Foyth takes over

      1. Bill Haverchuck
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Has Foyth played at right back?

        1. Ekip
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Been playing there pre season.

      2. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Who do you suggest? Ive got 5.5m matip or gomez is a lottery right now.

        1. Ekip
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          PVA
          Coleman
          Zinc

          1. Netters2018
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Might look at coleman, not keen on doubling up on city at the back. Ideally i wanted the liverpool dbl up but thats a mess now on who will partnee vvd

  25. Depldax
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Could Eriksen be a decent pick? Back on set pieces and if he doesn't deliver he's only 0.5 away from Son?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He was not all that great when came on today and hit a poor penalty kick

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wants away from Spurs. Really good player but wait on him to see if his head is right.

    3. Depldax
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks guys

  26. Chazz69
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kanté fit again, or close to
    At 5M he's surely a bargain ?
    Thoughts guys ?

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

      Not for FPL

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No thanks.

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No, but if he's playing where he should it certainly boosts Azpi's appeal for £6m.

  27. anish10
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Alderwerield or AWB

    1. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tough one.. awb due to attacking returns

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      AWB. One seems to be on the up-and-up and the other seems to be regressing.

  28. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Pope, Heaton

    Robertson, VVD, Zinchenko, Digne, (Dunk)

    Salah, KDB, Sterling, (Stephens, Hayden)

    King, Adams, Ings

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry to say that Adams and Ings look bizarre no ?

      1. Mr Q
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        +1

      2. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It is

    2. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You don't need pope and heaton - 1 to a 4.0 (save 0.5)
      KDB to Fraser or Perez (save 2 - 2.5)
      Use the funds to upgrade the forward line.

  29. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Stones and Lloris

    B)Laporte and 4.5 (Heaton)

    1. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  30. Mr Q
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) pepe+kdb
    B) sterling+fraser

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B - Sterline the best of the bunch plus Fraser good value imo - Pepe unproven

      1. Mr Q
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, im leaning that way as well.. have kdb + pepe right now though...