Scout Notes

Latest on Neto as injury forces Wolves into back-three at Fulham

Fulham 0-1 Wolves

  • Goals: Adama Traoré (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Fábio Silva (£5.2m)
  • Bonus points: Nélson Semedo x3 (£5.2m), Rui Patrício x2 (£5.3m), Rayan Aït-Nouri x1 (£5.0m)

FEED THE PACK

Fantasy Premier League managers prepared to back Wolves’ appealing run of fixtures were rewarded by Friday night’s 1-0 win at Fulham.

A switch to a three-man defence played an important role in the clean sheet although it took an injury to Pedro Neto (£5.7m) to bring it about.

So, yet again, Fantasy managers may need to pay attention to Nuno Espirito Santo’s next press conference if they want to predict Wolves’ defensive shape for Double Gameweek 32.

“Let’s see how he is. Let’s assess. It’s been tough moments not able to settle down the team. Always players with knocks going out. Let’s see how he is then let’s try to recover him.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

The Molineux side has been at the heart of transfer and Wildcard squads for some time with Monday’s 3-2 defeat against West Ham causing potential suitors for Conor Coady (£4.8m) to look elsewhere.

Without Jonny (£5.4m) and Willy Boly (£5.4m), the Hammers created serious problems for Wolves’ back-four but even before an enforced formational change, they went largely untested at Craven Cottage.

Such an outcome will certainly chalk one up for the fixture-over-form school of thought and is one that suggests Wolves defenders can still offer some value between now and the end of the season, possibly even regardless of shape.

THREE’S A CROWD

Despite Monday’s poor defensive showing, Nuno opted to go with the exact same back-four against Fulham, rather than revert to his side’s tried-and-tested three-man defence.

That meant back-to-back starts for Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m) at left-back, while Nélson Semedo (£5.2m) operated on the other side of Romain Saïss (£4.9m) and Coady.

However, when Wolves gained greater control of their defensive third came in the 32nd minute when Neto, operating on the right-hand side of attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, was forced off with an injury.

Central midfielder João Moutinho (£5.2m) replaced his compatriot, triggering a reshuffling of Nuno’s pack. 

Leander Dendoncker (£4.6m) dropped out of midfield to join Coady and Saïss in a back-three, pushing Aït-Nouri and Semedo forward as wing-backs.

“Fulham were very organised and intense. Both teams were very compact.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Further up the pitch, Daniel Podence (£5.3m) held onto his number 10 role while Adama Traoré (£6.0m) tucked in from his left-winger role to join Willian José (£6.8m) in a two-man front-line.

As mentioned above, whether or not Nuno deploys a similar set-up against Sheffield United, could be dependent on what happens with Neto.

Meanwhile, Boly is expected back in training on Tuesday following his positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test and period of self-isolation. He has operated both in a two-man centre-back pairing and three-man defence this season.

CRY WOLF

Despite coming away from Fulham with all three points, Wolves’ Friday-night win did little to inspire investment in their attacking assets.

Neto is comfortably their best performer in that department this season with five goals and eight assists in the Premier League, so losing him for any length of time is sure to damage their goal-scoring potential, regardless of how appealing their fixtures look.

After Neto left the Craven Cottage field, Saïss’ league tally for the season (three) was equal to that of Wolves’ front-three (Podence, Traoré and José) and he even came close to finding an opener in the 68th minute when he shrugged off competition from Ruben Neves (£5.1m) for a wayward direct free-kick.

That rather damning statistic admittedly nearly changed in the first half when José nodded home a Podence cross, the effort ruled out only after the latest token contentious VAR call.

And Traoré finally dispelled the aforementioned statistical nugget with his impressive stoppage-time strike, assisted by Fábio Silva (£5.2m).

Still, despite appealing upcoming fixtures, the fact that it was his first goal since December 2019 shows just how unreliable an asset Traoré remains.

“I’ve been working hard on aspects with the manager, working on my feet and my runs in behind. If I can grow like a player it will help the team. I know the moment will come. I had one chance with my left in the first half and another chance in the second half. The final chance come and I take it.” – Adama Traoré

“Very pleased, very pleased. Adama is unique. He played in different positions. He started on the left and he go to striker. He worked very hard and with his speed and his talent he can really punish teams.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Fulham XI (3-4-2-1): Areola; Kongolo, Andersen, Aina (Cavaleiro 84′); A Robinson, Lemina, Reed (Maja 74′), Tete; Loftus-Cheek (Zambo Anguissa 63′), De Cordova-Reid; Mitrovic.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (4-2-3-1): Patrício; Aït-Nouri, Saïss, Coady, Semedo; Neves, Dendoncker; Neto (Moutinho 32′), Podence (Gibbs-White 74′), A Traoré; Willian J (F Silva 78′).

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602 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Well well well ... hopefully Dias stays on the bench and Coady and his 6 points come in ...

    I have a bad feeling Stones might score today though ....

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This is Cancelo's time to shine.

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Similar situation with Saiss on the bench. Although he’s second so I need someone else to not play and Cresswell who’s first on the bench to get something. Clutching at straws a wee bit.

  2. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If we all think about it hard enough, one of the City starters will pick up an injury during the warm up and KDB can start. Right? Right?!

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not Cancelo, please not Cancelo.

  3. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Feel a little silly for putting captaincy on KDB. I guess it was common knowledge on here that he was likely to be benched? Stupid one week punt.

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not if you’ve used your VC wisely, perfectly worth the C chance

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haha, see below

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It was common knowledge yes along with Gundo, but he might stay there and you'll get your VC

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Saka 😐

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mate you're tooting that horn but even typically decent predictors had Gundogan starting.

        Zinchenko is playing in midfield which is the spanner nobody saw coming.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don't worry I did the same with Gundogan.

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

      VC on Saka will make Arsenal game exciting, if KDB no show.

    5. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It was, yeah.

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Need to spend more time on fantasy football scout. I'm not dedicated enough.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Nah, just need to spend a minute looking at the predicted lineups collected from the City fan forums on Twitter.

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      KDB - Yes

      It was Ake & Zinchenko for Dias & Gundo that was the curveball

      Vintage Pep tbf

  4. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Guaranteed this is the week that Gundo gets a cameo with Coady on my bench

  5. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gundo, KDB and Foden 1 point cameo trio would be lovely.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like Bale & Son C for me last week 🙁

  6. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Score predictions?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2-1

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2-1

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2-0

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2-0

  7. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lovely start to life as a non-City owner.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Well done mate

      Who are you on this week?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        For what, captaincy? On Salah. Team is the same the you replied to on Thursday.

  8. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Another week with 9-10 players ... Gundogan and Mahrez. At least Cancelo is playing.

  9. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    - Stones headed goal
    - Bamford goal
    - Gundogan stays on bench.

    Make it happen.
    ... please.

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The dream

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stones is only going to score a worldie from outside the box, sorry

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Damn! Will just have to live with it...

    3. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why u want bamford goal as it wipes stones CS and Bonus

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Loads will have benched. Frankly either is fine. Just more to celebrate.

        Bamford goal = 4 + bonus
        Stones C = 4 + potential bonus

    4. Baby Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You missed off Cancelo hat trick?
      Presumably a mistake?

    5. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No Leeds goals better as you potentially get 4 to 7 for stones clean sheet inc bonus

  10. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Time to pick the sub roulette?

    Mendy looks the obvious one off - is it Foden who comes on or Gundo?

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yea with Zinchenko dropping back. Surely one of those two off.
      Shall see.

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Have a feeling gundo will come on last 20 or so, kdb and Foden won’t be risked

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

    Stupidly did KDB (c) & Gundo (vc) thinking no way the bald fraud would bench both. Time to ditch all City players.

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Well you've only got yourself to blame there pal

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Madness. Never vice from same game. One of them will come on and could still even haul though.

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That supposed rule is largely a fallacy and only meant to apply to most Covid of times when games might be summarily cancelled at very short notice.

        Doesn't apply here and doesn't affect this captain and vice captain choice

    3. Baby Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You could be laughing in a couple of hours

    4. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If there’s one team you don’t risk that with its city
      Unlucky but could been avoided

  12. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cancelo and Stones ditched on wildcard, feel so anxious now.

  13. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jesus on pens?

  14. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone tracked down the team in top 10K with KdB TC? Gundo VC possible?

  15. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So is everyone captaining Aguero last gameweek?
    only to learn he's not in the squad due to injury 🙂

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Him or Jim locked in

      Might go for the double up

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dont know about last week but i captained him this gw
      Nothing better than when you wait for all news and go for the transfer and your player is the one that fraud didnt want to mention as injured

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        out of curiosity why do folk refer to him as fraud?

        1. Bennerman
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          People probably have their own interpretations (eg letting them down with selection) but for me, because he only manages at ready-made and rich clubs. Never seen him have to work hard with a squad or not buy the players he wants.

          Does a bloody good job with great players, not denying that, play amazing football

          1. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            he's just protecting his legacy by managing teams with resources, cowardly behaviour.
            Is he really a great? I'm not so sure he is.

        2. JJO
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Well he is a bald fraud so probably thats where fraud ia coming from
          In reallity he just has biggest budget in the league,biggest roster so these rotation are normal really

          1. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            see above. As Bennerman states, the term has different interpretations when people use it.
            Strong argument to say he's not as good as many think he is.

  16. Baby Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Did anyone buy Dias this week?
    That would be so unlucky!

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Some did on WC for sure (for his surety of starts!!!)

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A fair few on WC I think

      Overall ownership up this week anyway.

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      yeah but coady first sub so I'm happy

  17. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ML rival brought in a captained Kun this week. Ballsy as fook!

    1. Bennerman
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I've just got the one ball. I brought him in, no captaincy

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Whats your name 🙂
      And What minileague is that 😀 ?

  18. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I sol Ederson and Gundo, I have no City players

  19. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I have this feeling that all these template wildcards are gonna be a spectacular fail this week!

  20. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Only 3 matches again on Saturday. Cant wait for next season and back to normality.

  21. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So I dispensed of 3 City and 2 Leeds players with my wildcard. Fully expect some of them to get points today!