Scout Notes

Is Ings worth bringing back into FPL squads after 11-point haul at Norwich?

Norwich 0-3 Southampton

  • Goals: Danny Ings (£7.1m), Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m), Nathan Redmond (£6.2m)
  • Assists: Armstrong, Ings, Michael Obafemi (£4.9m)
  • Bonus Points: Ings x3, Armstrong x2, Redmond x1

Danny Ings (£7.1m) was in a punishing mood as Southampton ran out 3-0 winners at Norwich on Friday night.

He registered a goal and an assist at Carrow Road, even managing to secure maximum bonus despite picking up a yellow card.

The mid-priced forward was sold in droves during lockdown, dropped by 552,825 managers ahead of the Double Gameweek 30+, more than any other player but he had the last laugh with his 11-point haul.

In some respects, shipping Ings did make some sense. Before March’s coronavirus suspension, the former Liverpool man had registered just one attacking return in seven matches, and there was a demand for premium forwards with two matches in Double Gameweek 30+.

However, Ings took full advantage of a poor Norwich defence on Friday night, registering his 16th goal of the season and second assists.

Given the overall impressive campaign he has enjoyed thus far, some Fantasy managers may be considering whether or not they should bring Ings back into their squad, especially if, like many, they are on a Wildcard for Gameweek 31+.

The upcoming fixtures do look good for Southampton in the short-term with Arsenal’s injury and suspension-hit defence up next, before a trip to Watford.

However, beyond that, it might take a brave Fantasy manager to remain invested in the Saints’ attack. Between Gameweeks 33+ and 35+ they host both Manchester clubs, not forgetting they the worst home record this season.

Furthermore, it would be reasonable to say that Ings’ 11-point haul in Double Gameweek 30+ was as much a result of Norwich’s poor defending as it was Southampton’s excellence.

Despite a stronger start to proceedings than their visitors, Norwich were soon exposed to their season-defining defensive problems, not helped by losing Grant Hanley (£4.1m) and Christoph Zimmermann (£4.4m) to long-term injuries before the game either.

On the night, the Canaries found themselves caught in possession all too often, with Emi Buendía (£6.2m), as has happened on more than one occasion in 2019/20, persistently losing the ball in dangerous areas.

As a result, Ings, teed up by Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m), found himself in too much space on the edge of the area in the 49th minute to curl an effort beyond the goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, he exchanged the assist favour with Armstrong, using the overload on Norwich’s defence from another sloppy loss of possession to square to the Scottish international.

Finally, Nathan Redmond (£6.2m) was afforded far too much space after Michael Obafemi (£4.9m) got in behind the defence in the 79th minute, the former Norwich man firing into the bottom corner.

“With so many offensive players on the pitch our defensive behaviour was not good enough. The first goal we had five against two in our box and a player like Danny Ings will always be dangerous. Then the second is a counter. Redmond slips in Armstrong, who has four players around him, and we are not able to stop him. We were not solid enough.” – Daniel Farke

Crucially, Norwich’s loose control of the midfield arguably could have led to considerably more goals for Southampton.

In the eighth minute, Southampton were able to put together a sweeping counter-attacking move, Armstrong’s cross producing a low diving header from Ings, well-saved by Tim Krul (£4.6m).

Ben Godfrey (£4.4m) was also guilty of giving up possession on occasion, pick-pocketed by Ings on the half-way line in the 18th minute, and nearly losing the sprint battle too. Thankfully for Norwich, Godfrey just about got back in time, hurling his body at Ings’ shot.

Then, in the 33rd minute, another loose ball in the midfield allowed centre-back Jack Stephens (£4.4m) to win possession on the half-way line and drive through the heart of the Canaries’ defence. He squared it to Ings whose fierce shot grazed the top of the bar when he arguably should have scored.

While Ings’ performance may have to be tempered by Norwich’s defence reverting to pre-January form, it is probably good news for Fantasy assets set to meet Daniel Farke’s men in the next few weeks.

Gameweek 31+ pits Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.5m) and Richarlison (£8.3m), who were in excellent form pre-lockdown, against the Canaries before they face Arsenal, who many are invested in already, in Gameweek 32+.

For all Norwich’s defensive issues, we should still take note of Armstrong’s contribution to the win, his goal, assist and two bonus combining for a 13-point haul – all for just £5.2m. The budget midfielder could easily have added to that too, denied by Krul in the first-half as he made a sweet first-time connection with a low out-swinging James Ward-Prowse (£5.7m) corner.

Unlike Ings, Armstrong’s display was very much a continuation of some encouraging pre-lockdown form. While Southampton’s talismanic striker had just one goal in seven before Gameweek 29, Armstrong had registered three in his last six when the coronavirus pandemic struck the Premier League.

In fact, he has proved to be particularly potent on the road since January. Including the goal and assist at Carrow Road on Friday night, four of his last five attacking returns have been registered on Southampton’s travels. Watford and Everton are the next two sides to host the Saints.

Meanwhile, the Norwich attack, despite an encouraging opening 10 minutes, sank back into their pre-lockdown slumber against Southampton.

While the visitors strung together 22 shots on goal, Norwich mustered just nine, equal to the number the Saints managed to get on target.

Daniel Farke took the opportunity to try a different shape for this game, ditching the favoured 4-2-3-1 system for a 4-1-3-2, featuring Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) alongside Josip Drmic (£5.3m).

It was Ondrej Duda (£4.7m), arguably one of Norwich’s best players pre-lockdown, who lost his place, featuring only as a second-half substitute when the game had gone.

The new attacking shape did display some promise early-on, largely when Norwich were able to get Pukki on the ball. In the seventh minute, the Finnish international executed an excellent dummy to unleash Jamal Lewis (£4.4m) on the overlap, who found Pukki in space once again. With an overload against the Southampton defence, the centre-forward pushed it along to an approaching Drmic on the right, but he stuttered as he took on possession, squandering the space afforded to him.

In the end, Pukki managed just one shot on goal all game, isolated by Norwich’s inability to control or retain possession in any meaningful way in the second half. If that were to continue for the Canaries’ upcoming games, interest in the defences of Everton, Arsenal and Brighton.

It was also a disappointing evening for Todd Cantwell (£4.7m), who has been without form or Fantasy appeal for some time.

He was largely anonymous against Southampton and has now gone nine Premier League matches without an attacking return. While he was able to get another start, Cantwell continues to be one of the first players Farke turns to when he needs to make changes. He was replaced by Onel Hernandez (£5.3m) in the 62nd minute, meaning the youngster has completed 90 minutes just once since Gameweek 25.

Krul remains the only remotely viable option in the Norwich defence, mainly on account of how obliging they are.

Against Southampton, he produced a total of six saves for a four-point FPL score and, before the Canaries conceded, he was top of the bonus points chart at half-time. Krul’s total stops for the season has now reached 101, the fourth-best in the league, behind only Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m), Bernd Leno (£5.0m) and Martin Dubravka (£5.1m). With those largely tough fixtures on the horizon for Norwich, Krul may have his sights set on topping the save charts by the end of the campaign.

Norwich City XI (4-1-3-2): Krul; Lewis, Klose, Godfrey, Aarons; Trybull (Vrancic 62′); Cantwell (O Hernandez 62′), McLean, Buendía (Idah 80′); Drmic (J Martin 89′), Pukki (Duda 80′).

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Valery (Walker-Peters 90′); Redmond (Boufal 89′), Højbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Smallbone 82′); Ings (Tella 88′), Obafemi (Adams 82′).

Members Analysis

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Double Gameweek 30+ FPL Lessons Learned

367 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thought Ings was looking pretty lean. Perhaps the break allowed his body to recover properly from all those niggles.

    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Feel a bit silly getting rid of Ings and Stephens before Norwich but then look at the season ticker, worst next 5 games, didn't want to need to book transfers in when I already have 2 x SHU to get rid of.

  2. jaybradlights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    It remains to be seen how motivated Southampton will be between now and the end of the season. With games coming thick and fast I don't see myself choosing Ings, would much rather have a less injury-prone forward playing more minutes with more to play for.

  3. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A. Aguero Traore Robertson
    B. Jimenez Salah Aurier

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  4. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Definitely

  5. KingRichud
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, lascelles, Taylor
    KDB; salah, Bruno, H Barnes,
    Kane, jiminez

    Nothing on bench. How to improve?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Downgrade Kane

      1. KingRichud
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A)Kane and H Barnes
        B)DCL and Son

        1. FreddyP3
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          B

        2. MAVER!CK
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          B all day..Kane was por last night

        3. Peteski29
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          B

    2. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kane looked way off the pace last night. I think it will take him a few weeks to regain his sharpness.

  6. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    It was Norwich, I bet that even Morata or Benteke would be able to score against them.

  7. jaybradlights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Current WC squad:
    Foster, Button
    TAA Boly C.Taylor Lascelles Robinson
    KDB Son Bruno Martial Mane
    Abraham Jimenez Nketiah

    Thoughts welcome, but comments on a few picks below:
    - I don't think a strong bench is actually going to be that useful with 5 subs a game for each team. If a top player gets benched, there is now more of a chance they come on for a few minutes at the end of a game. As for more injuries, I think PL teams have learned from other leagues how to manage players coming back.
    - Any news on O'Connell's injury? Will switch Robinson to a 3.9 if he's back soon.
    - I think everyone should be picking either Martial or Rashford to benefit from United's fixtures, now that Bruno is a given for every manager.
    - A lot of people are going for Pope - personally I think Foster is a better pick, much more to play for and better fixtures.
    - I don't want to have a Liverpool midfielder but the fear factor is too much for me. Anyone got a view on how they will play after the league is wrapped up? They haven't got another game outside of the league this season so I don't see them resting Salah/Mane much.

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I reckon it’s good to have 2 starters on the bench, there is cheap 4.3 defenders, you just never know - wee hammy pull on a warm up could happen

      3 x United is what I’m going for

      Pope is awesome, one hard game away to pool now

      I think the same, pool will wrap up league and will just want to get as many points as they can plus with no pressure they might just play a wee bit more expressive and open teams up more

  8. Thomas M.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martial or Rashford for the double with Bruno?

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Tough one. Maybe martial cos he's OOP and cheaper?

  9. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Taylor
    Salah Mane KdB Bruno Son
    Jiminez DCL

    Subs: Martin, Nketiah, Lascelles, Simpson

    Thoughts on this team for WC?

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah / Mane double up could work wonders for you, looks good

  10. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    To be honest spurs are now 1 or 2 defeats from ‘nothing to play for’ territory

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      But are still only 4 points off 5th place...

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      SHU away the key game really

  11. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you BB with these lot -

    D. Henderson vs. Spurs
    G. Cahill vs. Burnley
    C. Taylor vs. Crystal Palace
    B. Saka vs. Norwich

  12. shaunyjames
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I tried to be clever and went Martial over Bruno - although Tony could have had 2 goals last night is the switch to Bruno the right move?

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes.

  13. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is it clever or daft to go Bergwijn instead of Son?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thinking the same.

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

      yes

  14. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on the following trade-off's

    1) DCL or Tammy?
    2) Rashford/Awb (A) vs. Jimmy/Doherty (B)...already have Jota
    3) Son or Sarr (+3.3m) to upgrade Jota >> Rashford and perhaps DCL>Tammy

  15. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Saints fan here. Danny looked as sharp as ever, a bit rusty with that one shot in the 1s half that hit the crossbar, but other than that looked good. You'll get goals when you have him

    Question is, are you willing to ride a good number of benching and early subs to manage his fitness? Games are coming in thick and fast.I expect rotation among Ings, Long, Adams and Mikey.

    Motivation, don't worry about it. Ralph has said he won't allow the squad to relax. If they cant be bothered on the pitch, they can f*** off. Targetting a top half finish.

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No chance on ings. He will be benched too many times

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What do you think about Armstrong?

  16. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC team:

    0.0M ITB

    Pope - Martin
    TAA - Doherty - Maguire - Lascelles - Robinson
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Martial - Guendouzi
    Vardy - Jimenez - DCL

    Any feedback appreciated.
    Cheers.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty solid. I imagine triple Utd will be quite popular.

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Go rashford instead of martial?

  17. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rate my FH team

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Lascelles
    Salah KDB Son Bruno Barnes
    Jimenez DCL

    1.1 left in the bank - DCL can become Ings or Lascelles can become AWB/Maguire

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Use the rest of your money!

  18. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    After last nights showing. I’m fairly happy with this WC team

    Pope. (Button)
    TAA. Lascelles. Boly. (Egan. J.Robinson)
    Son. KDB. Mane. Bruno. (Hayden)
    Vardy. Rashford. Jiminez

  19. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Aside the penalty how did Bruno look last night

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Decent.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Really good

  20. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Wc 0.2 itb
    Patricio Martin
    TAA Doherty Alonso Aurier J.Robinson
    Salah KDB Son Bruno Saka
    Jimmy Rash Nketiah

    Opinions? A bit worried about Salah after league is wrapped.

  21. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The price of Aub really makes the rest of the WC tricky. But it's pretty hard to ignore those next 3 fixtures...

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      There are plenty of forwards that can match his score over those games. However Auba is a great captaincy option vs. Norwich...

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        might get rested for that match

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It easy to ignore the next three. Just look at the tram he plays for

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Team

      2. Heiro
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Same team he got the most goals in league last season though

        1. Whats the Huth
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Worst team this season

  22. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) DCL+ Salah + McCarthy
    B) Vardy + Rashford + Pope

    Have Mane in both. One would be 3-5-2, one 3-4-3

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

    Is Ings a no brainer if it's just for free hit next week? Would basically be a straight choice between him & Harvey Barnes.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I want him on a FH, it's either him or DCL

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        DCL!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What’s your FH team?

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

        As it stands:

        Pope
        TAA Lascelles Saiss
        Salah Mane Bruno Son Barnes
        Vardy Jimenez

        Button Nketiah Robinson Simpson

  24. GOONER
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Missed the game yesterday.

    How did the below players perform?

    1) Bruno
    2) Martial
    3) Rashford
    4) Kane
    5) Son

    Thankss

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Was a weird game wasnt that many chances. Martial probably had the best. Rashford and Son looked sharp, Fernandes looked very good. Kane quiet.

    2. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1) Ok, fairly sharp
      2) poor
      3) unfit but involved
      4) very unfit
      5) not too bad

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Excellent, could have had an assist and another goal
      Quiet and missed a great chance
      Lovely, looked sharp
      Less said the better
      OK

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Lively, not lovely ha

        1. Mambino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          he's lovely as well though

    4. Mid budget coach
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rashford and Kane were off the pace, the rest looked sharp

  25. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) VVD, Doherty, Richarlison, Jimenez
    B) Aurier, Saiss, Mane, Jimenez
    C) Aurier, Doherty, Mane, Jota

    Already have Salah and DCL, thinking Liverpool CS and ropey Norwich defence so currently on A!

    Cheers!

    1. GOONER
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers

  26. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which category of players looks more promising for points for the run in?

    A) 6.5m FWD (Jota/DCL)
    B) 6.5m MID (Sarr/Mount/Barnes)

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

      A

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd say B, but it's close. Grealish too.

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. GOONER
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’d even skip the categories & just say DCL

      The Ancelotti factor plus fixtures - himself & Ings probably getting big price hikes next year

    6. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B) Sarr

  27. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best option:

    A) Rashford - Son - Cathcart

    B) Vardy - Martial - Maguire

    Thanks.

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

      b

    2. GOONER
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  28. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on my BB for this GW31+? Think I should possibly sell Alonso for someone more nailed and possibly release some fund...

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Maguire
    Salah KDB Bruno Richarlison
    Jimenez Ings DCL

    Krul Barnes Alonso Fernandez 0.1 ITB

    Options to lose Alonso for:

    A) Aurier
    B) Digne
    C) C.Taylor (covers Pope ownership somewhat)
    D) Anyone else up to 6.2

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Digne is a nice differential against Norwich.

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

        it's a lot of chips against Norwich but could be shrewd move

  29. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    FH with Ings?

    Dubravka
    TAA Robbo Doherty
    Mo Martial Rich Son
    Vardy Ings DCL

    The only 2 holdouts from my squad are Son and Vardy - it’d certainly look different.

    Could get Bruno over Martial. Pointless change?

    Also cash for Jim over Ings

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Prefer Jimenez to Ings and Bruno to Martial. Assuming you can only do one I would go Bruno

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Can do both losing Doherty - that’s how it’s set up now. Getting mighty tempted by the one week punt on Ings though.

        Need to check out Wolves carefully - does that record of not putting away bottom feeders still stand?

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Would defo keep Doherty he was on amazing form. Maybe Doherty, Bruno, Jota?

          No idea about that record to be honest

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Just a recollection - probably dates from last season. Put away the big boys but lost to Huddersfield sort of thing

  30. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any early thoughts for this team? Auba to Vardy is on my list but that could of course all change after the next games. Not too proud of buying Nyland either...Maybe just use the wild card now?

    Nyland
    TAA, Doherty, Lundstram
    KDB, Salah, Grealish, Fernandes
    Jiménez, Auba, Ings

    Button, Lascelles, Guendouzi, Simpson
    1 free transfer, 0.7 million in the bank, wildcard, free hit and bench boost chips

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Could look at downgrading one of the defenders and getting a spurs mid like berg instead of Grealish

      1. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Yes he is definitely an option - will have a look at his stats. It will be on a wildcard or for at hit though since I can't afford a direct change from Grealish to Bergwijn.