Scout Notes

Kane blanks again as Spurs struggle against stubborn Newcastle side

Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle

Goals: Joelinton (£5.9m)

Assists: Christian Atsu (£5.4m)

Bonus Points: Joelinton x3, Fabian Schär x2 (£5.0m), Paul Dummett x1 (£4.5m)

Harry Kane (£11.1m) blanked for the second match in a row as Spurs were stunned by a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle.

There was significant interest in the forward ahead of Gameweek 3, as he won the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll and was signed by over 300,000 managers.

However, Spurs were decidedly below par creating very few chances against a stubborn Newcastle outfit.

“We created some chances. Not too many, not enough to be honest. That is why we’re very disappointed with the performance and the result but we cannot justify our performance. We should be playing better, more desire, more capacity to be more aggressive in this type of game, because 80 per cent of possession is too much for only a few shots on target.” – Mauricio Pochettino

It is that element of Sunday’s defeat that will be of the greatest concern for Kane owners. His team looked devoid of ideas going forward and the striker himself barely had a sniff of action in front of goal.

His best chance of the match came late in the game when a ball flashed across the six-yard box that he could only snatch at and watch it trickle through his legs.

Some would also argue Kane was unfortunate not to win a penalty in the second half too as he fell to the ground in a potential coming-together with Jamaal Lascelles (£4.5m).

Kane and Spurs were denied by a penalty by VAR late in the game

After a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, it was adjudged he had not been fouled but the incident has caused plenty of debate in the football world since Sunday afternoon.

Concern over Kane’s potential for the match first arose when the team-sheet was revealed on Sunday afternoon.

Mauricio Pochettino lined Spurs up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the returning Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Lucas Moura (£7.5m) on the flanks of attacking midfield, Erik Lamela (£6.0m) at number 10 and Kane up-front.

The Spurs manager had, for the second home match in a row, decided to leave Christian Eriksen (£8.9m) on the bench, which, as expected, robbed Spurs of any creativity in midfield. Not surprisingly, he came in for severe criticism for that decision after the game.

“No, I cannot pick more than 11 players. A decision like that when you have plenty of players, but I understand a question like that. Should the result be 3-0 or 4-0 you’re not going to ask me that question but of course, I accept it. The players who are out are always good when you don’t win.” – Mauricio Pochettino

“Of course. I talk before that when you lose the game always the player that no play was the best. I accept that. With Christian, we win and without him, we lose. I accept that this situation is like this. If should be the result is 3-0 for us, we’d be talking about different things.” – Mauricio Pochettino

With Tanguy Ndombele (£6.1m) missing with injury, there was no drive in that area of the pitch either. The lack of creativity and energy in midfield appeared to be the reason why Kane had to drop deeper, and often to the left-flank.

Kane was forced to operate as the supplier of creativity for much of Spurs’ defeat to Newcastle

From these positions, he was supplying crosses to the more advanced Son and Moura, although he was unable to fulfil this role as well as Eriksen could have. Meanwhile, those two forward players lacked the ruthlessness to put any of their chances away.

Moura was especially wasteful, blazing a back-post chance wide from close range and spurning a chance to score a golden chance in the second half after an impressive Moussa Sissoko (£5.0m) cross.

Crucially, it also meant that Kane was hardly ever in the penalty box to get on the end of Spurs’ supply lines.

Kane’s first clearcut chance did not come until the second minute of the second half. He received the ball from a Moura knockdown but was ruled offside anyway.

It must also be said that Son did not pass the eye test either on his immediate return to the side from suspension.

That was bad news for the 85,000 managers who took a risk on bringing him straight into their sides for Gameweek 3.

It was not a memorable return to action for Son Heung-min

The South Korean international did not offer any of his trademark energy or guile that he displayed with such regularity last season.

In the 32nd minute, Son received a Kyle Walker-Peters (£5.0m) cross at the back-post, his fierce effort stinging Martin Dúbravka’s palms.

Other than that, it seemed clear that Son may have to take some time to settle back into the side, having not made a competitive appearance for Spurs since April.

New signing Giovani Lo Celso (£7.4m) did not add much when he came on either. The Argentinian replaced compatriot Lamela in 62nd minute but barely had a touch of the ball. At this point, Eriksen had taken to the field and all Spurs’ work was going through him, although still not producing any results.

In the 70th minute, Lo Celso had an opportunity to shoot but blasted well wide.

As for whether we should be concerned about Spurs attacking players ahead of the trip to Arsenal next week, it is probably worth holding on to them.

Spurs might have more to offer against Arsenal if Eriksen gets into the team

Spurs have now struggled to impress with Eriksen on the bench this season, labouring in the first hour of Gameweek 1 and against Newcastle.

Surely, at this point, regardless of transfer speculation, it is clear to Pochettino that the Danish international is an integral part of his team, capable of getting the best out of his other attacking assets. Owners of Spurs assets will be hoping that whatever is stopping the manager starting Eriksen abates by Gameweek 4.

“(Asked if Eriksen has played his last game for Spurs) I don’t know. I don’t know. Why you ask me? Maybe you know something. It’s so difficult, the situation. We cannot blame one party or another. That is the situation, the circumstances. We arrive today with different players and different situations in the squad but I don’t want to justify our performance because of that. I want to make clear the point. When you play football and are on the pitch you don’t think about these situations.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Should Eriksen come back into the side for the north London derby, it is hard to predict that they will not score, especially given well-documented criticism of Arsenal’s defence.

Spurs were, of course, not helped in Gameweek 3 by the compact nature of Newcastle’s set-up. Steve Bruce went with the 5-4-1 formation, ensuring that there were ten men behind the ball at all times.

Bruce was praised for Newcastle’s display at full-time

There was particular praise for Paul Dummett (£4.5m) and Fabian Schär (£5.0m) as the Magpies defended for their lives at Spurs.

There was very little space in which to work in Newcastle’s penalty box, which is sure to be another factor that contributed to Spurs’ first blank of the season.

“The only way you can respond to (criticism) is by your team putting in a performance like that where the discipline, the shape, the organisation was there for everybody to see.” – Steve Bruce

It is unlikely that Arsenal will defend in quite the same way in Gameweek 4. As the home team, and one with a potent attack, they are likely to venture forward a lot more, and, therefore, leave a lot more space for Spurs to work in.

As much as Newcastle’s defensive players will take credit for this result, there were a number of impressive displays from their attacking assets.

Despite sitting deep for much of the game, the Magpies still managed seven shots in Spurs’ penalty area, just one fewer than their illustrious hosts managed. That may be of encouragement to those holding Arsenal attacking assets ahead of the north London derby. Spurs could also be without Walker-Peters for Gameweek 4 as he came off around the hour-mark with a suspected hamstring problem, Sissoko dropping into the full-back position.

Sean Longstaff (£5.0m) was the first to show real danger on the counter for Newcastle, firing a fierce effort at Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) in the 23rd minute and forcing an incredible save to tip it over the bar.

Newcastle celebrate Joelinton’s first-half goal against Spurs

Their only goal of the game was a well-worked one, although Spurs defenders’ probably should have done better.

Substitute Christian Atsu (£5.4m) picked up the ball in a central midfield area and curled a pass into Joelinton (£5.9m), just over the top of Davinson Sánchez‘s (£5.5m) head. With yards of space between him and Danny Rose (£5.5m), the Brazilian rattled home a powerful finish from inside the penalty area.

“(Joelinton) has only been here a month and I thought we could play to his strengths better. We can be pretty direct with him but he can use both feet. You want to get off the mark for big money as a centre forward. He missed vs Norwich but I’m delighted for him” – Steve Bruce

There were one or two injury worries for Bruce after the game as three players had to be substituted.

One of them was Joelinton, although the manager did not indicate there was any real problem other than fatigue after a long period of playing lone striker in a 5-4-1 system.

Joelinton was in pain at the end of the game but Bruce insisted there was no injury

There is more concern over midfielder Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) who came off after 17 minutes with a hamstring issue, and Jamaal Lascelles (£5.0m) who was forced off after a knock to his calf. Of the two, Bruce was less positive about Saint-Maximin.

“Saint-Maximin has had a recurrence of his hamstring problem, which is a nightmare for us but the others we don’t think are too serious. Joelinton ran himself into the ground and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his calf, but we’re hopeful on those.” – Steve Bruce

Members Analysis

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Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Rose (B Davies 88′), D Sánchez, Alderweireld, Walker-Peters (Eriksen 62′); Winks, Sissoko; Son, Lamela (Lo Celso 62′), Moura; Kane.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Ritchie, Dummett, Lascelles (Fernandez 82′), Schär, Krafth; Saint-Maximin (Atsu 17′), S Longstaff, Hayden, Almirón; Joelinton (Muto 88′).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 3

1,062 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it only me having ongoing problems with FFFix? Rarely seem to get price info working nowadays unless at home. Is there a good alternative? Thanks 🙂

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fpl stats

      1. Earn your Spurs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks:)

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just be here. The members section here is all you need really. Used FFFix last year and wasn't too happy with it.

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

      I only use it for live rank predictions and average

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do I have a decent set up here ? Price points and Balance etc.

    Pope
    Digne VVD Zinchenko
    Salah Mount Ceballos Sterling
    Kane King Pukki

    Button Soyuncu Lundstram Dendoncker

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Base is good yes.

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

      Nice to see someone sticking with Kane

      He wasn't a one-GW punt anyway. I swore off him since last season, but have a feeling you could be rewarded with a cheeky haul as Arsenal never (successfully) parks the bus

  3. Stevig
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I can feel a big score coming this week.

    Maybe not for me..

    but i can feel it coming

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

      Just (C) Aguero

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

        That could be it.

  4. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wood --> Abraham -4 go / no go

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

      Go

  5. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this?

    Siggy, Jota to Mount, Haller -4pt hit

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

      Yes. Jota will come good but not sure when

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No point waiting for Jota when you will be falling behind. Form over wait and avoiding a player losing more value.

  6. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Barnes or Haller?

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

      Abraham

    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller

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

      Barnes and Haller

      But Barnes can wait a week, yes

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Both.

    5. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jump on the Barnes train with my pal.

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

    Currently on this with a 300k rank and a -8 hit already taken this week:

    Ryan, Button
    Laporte, TAA, Digne, Diop, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, Martial, Norwood
    Pukki, Haller, Greenwood

    Tempted to WC and do:

    Diop + Martial + Norwood + Greenwood > Soyuncu + Maddison + Cantwell + Barnes

    A) Stick with the -8
    B) WC

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

      Stick surely you can rely on the bench for wc likely if martial is injured surely Greenwood starts?

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

        Rely on bench for one week**

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

        Front 4 of Lingard, Rashford, Mata and DJ is still possible, with DJ as the LW

  8. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Your thoughts on Emerson? Great attacking stats but Chelsea not rock solid in defence. Do you think they will tighten up or is 5.5 right price to pay for a defender relying only on attacking returns and a clean sheet every now-and-then?

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

      I wouldn't touch a Chelsea defender with a 100ft barge poll at the moment they look really poor

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

        Agreed

      2. Greasy Grealish Gang
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        ^This. Don't get why people would actually bring him in. Talented player but a big no as an FPL asset. 3 games, 7 goals conceded, no goals or assists.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Your first point exactly. A 5m+ defender has to get clean sheets in the first instance; attacking returns are an occasional bonus. Right now he's not value.

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

      Remember Kolasinac last season?

      That's Emerson.

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

        Well except Emerson can defend. It's not really his problem that he's unviable.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Why is he unviable?

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

            A leaky central defence makes clean sheets a poor likelihood at the moment.

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Ah. OK, thanks.

  9. afsr
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WCed last week, now struggling with whether to save FT or ditch someone

    Pope,
    Digne, Zinchenko, Dunk
    Mane, Sterling, Martial, KdB, Cantwell
    Kane, Pukki

    Button, Lundstram, Greenwood, Hanlon

    A - Kane, Greenwood - Rashford, Haller (-4)
    B - Kane, Zinchenko - Kun, Soyuncu
    C - Save

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

      Could also ditch Kane for Son (instead of Martial if he is injured, or even Cantwell)

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C, but depends on news about Martial and how happy you are to use your bench if he is ruled out. 2FTs in the IB could be very useful.

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

      Definitely C. Taking a -4 straight after a WC is very wasteful.

    4. Alan Watts
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should have no problem with taking a 4 pt hit if the situation has changed re Aguero.....now starting and in form, potential to haul...

      If Martial injured possible swap to Mount, would give you the funds

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You knew what you were doing when you stretched the price points for Kane. Two moves I would not recommend are in A and B: A involves doubling up on Man U who haven't been playing like a top 6 side, while B involves stretching your price points to an even more obscene level

      I'd say save, then play around with 2 FTs and a clearer mind 🙂

      My suggestion for the 2 FTs: Kane, Greenwood to Barnes, Haller.

  10. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Where would you use £0.8m currently itb or would you save it - on wildcard

    DDG Button
    TAA Digne Zinchenko Lundstram Kelly
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Pukki Barnes Greenwood

  11. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah and Sterling top the ranks for midfielders scored.

    TAA and KDB top the ranks for assists.

    One can see where this is going.

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Imho TAA needs Liverppol to keep clean sheets to be good value... Maybe not at the rate as last year but even something slightly worse. At the moment he has 2 assists in 3 games, a rate he won't sustain and has only 11 points, 3.7 per game

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        3 GW's. Form is temp, class is permanent. You can have Laporte, AWB or Maguire if you want, cough cough.

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Ideally I would want Laporte, AWB AND TAA

          1. Sgt Frank Drebin
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Besides, 3GWs is not enough to judge TAA but one games is enough to judge AWB...?

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Wouldn't go anywhere near AWB. Wheels will come off Man U big style if they haven't started falling off already. Defensively they are still garbage.

  12. lelou881
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it time to get rid of Kane?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He is no longer essential.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Never was this season.

    2. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Did it yesterday

      1. lelou881
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Any suggestions for a Kane eplacement? I currently have Pukki and Jota as well.

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

          Aguero would be the obvious one.

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Aye just like salah

    4. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Feel like I've finally seen the light with Kane. Everybody was right about him. Don't care if he scores a hatty against Arsenal, I'm not bringing in a 11.0 player I can't trust with captaincy.

  13. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hoping Martial is fit but if not then I'll be upgrading to KDB.

    However £0.2m short - best way to fund the deficit?

    A) King to Wesley
    B) TAA to Laporte
    C) VVD to Zinc
    D) KWP to 4.8Def

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Upgrading KDB for Martial, you will not be sorry.

      I said start of this season that KDB might not make 200 points. I am being proven wrong.

  14. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not keen on taking both out for a hit. Which to go first?
    1) King(likely to Barnes, can only be Haller with move 2).
    2) Perez(likely to Mount, maybe Villa's Jota)

    Yes I do have Pukki and Cantwell.

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

      Barnes can wait out next week, so 2 for now

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

        Cheers, Andy.

        - It's-not-a-penalty crowd

  15. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not one to take hits BUT considering Trossard>KDB and TAA>Mings. Worth the -4 this week?

    Currently sit 73K overall. Current squad:
    Heaton, Pope
    Wan-Bissaka, Montoya, Lundstram, TAA, Kelly
    Martial, Salah, Sterling, Dendoncker, Trossard
    Pukki, Kane, Greenwood

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I would not be losing taa

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

        Agree. I'd rather lose Kane and Trossard or Martial.

  16. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    With 0.2 in the bank, I had to do a quickie Jota > Barnes transfer on Sunday before price falls and rises made it impossible despite not really expecting any points from Ashley next week. Now I'm sweating on Martial. If he's unfit to play I'll need to take a hit. Could be Mount if fit, maybe even McGinn, leaving me plenty of cash to contemplate future transfers. But I took a 4-point hit last week and missed winning my ML weekly cash prize by two points. Really really don't want to go through that pain twice in a row.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who is on your bench?

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

        Rico, Donkers, Greeny

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          You may get lucky with Donkey or Rico(Daniels injured).

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I mean, yeh, it would be hilarious if Greenwood started - could happen if Sanchez completes his loan move.
          Rico will play but I don't want him in my Starting line-up, and Donkers will have further Turismic exertions to recover from.

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

          Play Rico and hope for the best

  17. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Evening all. Kane + Dendo to Pukki and KDB for -8? Could wc also but might be best to leave for international break.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not for -8. I'd keep Kane one more week

  18. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Kane --> Kun
    B. Pereyra --> Mount
    C. Pereyra + Kane --> Sterling + Greenwood

    Best option?

  19. Party time
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone interested in Djenepo? He could be the new mané 🙂

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If only someone could look into the future...

        1. Party time
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Hahahaha... Oh man!

      2. l@sp0
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        9 million to spend on 2 defenders thinking long term (WC):
        A) AMN, Kelly
        B) Soyuncu, Mings
        C) other combo

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A is horrible.
          B. Like it
          C. Soy Sauce and maybe Montoya.

      3. Fantasyfootballdemon
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Kane(c) sent me into a rage and the wildcard button was duly activated.

        Pope
        Van d laporte digne
        Salah sterling kdb lanzini
        Pukki barnes wesly
        Button lund kelly cantwell

        Gone back to a 3-4-3 and feel so much better for it.... for now.

      4. dezille
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Perez and Jota fires to put out. My options are:
        A) Perez > Mount
        B) Perez > McGinn
        C) Jota > Barnes
        D) Jota > Haller
        E) Replace both for a -4

        Both have okay fixtures but perhaps wise to hold the FT, although not keen on even further price drops. If holding, Barnes has amazing fixtures from GW5. Gut says Haller for the short term (still have WC) as that Norwich fixture will surely have plenty of goals. His low ownership is also attractive to make up ground after a bad start. Mount's fixtures aren't ideal - could see Sheff Utd fixture being tricky to break down, for example. Thoughts?

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

        Would like people's thoughts on the following:

        Out: Kane, Trossard, R. Pereira (or Digne?)
        In: Pukki, Sterling, Hanley

        Thanks in advance!