Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Conte on Perisic and Doherty’s fitness

Roma beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday but Ivan Perisic (£5.5m) impressed in defeat, while Nottingham Forest handed Jesse Lingard (£6.0m) his first appearance in a 1-1 draw against Valencia.

We’ve got the goals, assists, line-ups and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from these matches in our Scout Notes.

Reports on the day’s other games are linked below, with more to follow.

FPL pre-season lessons:

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 ROMA

Match highlights

Spurs concluded their pre-season preparations with a narrow friendly defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Saturday.

However, Antonio Conte will take positives from the loss, with new signing Ivan Perisic impressing in his first start for the club.

The Croatian went close to scoring on three occasions and was a real threat in the final-third, although Conte did stress that he still needs further time to become “…the Ivan Perisic I know”.

“He’s an important player because he’s really good. He moves forward, good in one v ones, and then he can use both feet and he was before a winger which us why he’s good in one v one. But he has to continue to work because at this moment he’s not the Ivan Perisic I know. That is normal though, but I’m happy because he reduced the time to recover from his injury.” – Antonio Conte on Ivan Perisic

Fellow wing-back Matt Doherty (£5.0m) didn’t feature against Rangers last time out but started here and had a header tipped onto the woodwork before he was flagged for offside.

He also took up some encouraging attacking positions, but like Perisic, still needs to build up his fitness having only recently returned from a knee injury.

Doherty lasted 67 minutes before he was replaced by Emerson Royal (£5.0m), with new-signing Djed Spence (£4.5m) an unused substitute.

“It was the same (as Perisic) for Matthew (Doherty). I hope to see him like last season and now he’s working and he’s struggling. We need to have patience. We need to give time for these players to be really fit. In this moment we have two players, Perisic and Doherty, they have to continue to work and reach the peak of fitness because after a long injury they are struggling a lot. We need to have patience, but today it was positive to give them a lot of time to play again for Matthew and Ivan.

It will be very important for us (to get Perisic and Doherty fit), but then we have Sessegnon, that is a guarantee, also Emerson is good. There is the new player Spence. He is a guy who has to work a lot, because to go into Tottenham it’s different in the Premier League with Tottenham but in the end I’m happy.” – Antonio Conte on his options at wing-back

In a game of few clear-cut chances, a Roger Ibanez header proved the difference for Roma, but Harry Kane (£11.5m) was perhaps a little unfortunate not to return.

The England forward had the ball in the net just before the break only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, missed a late headed chance, while he also should have been awarded a penalty in the second half.

Elsewhere, Richarlison (£8.5m) also made an impact after replacing Son Heung-min (£12.0m), while Ben Davies (£5.0m) was back on the bench after injury.

“Richarlison I liked a lot the way he impacted the game. We need this type of player. Richarlison to start the game or go into the game, he can have a big impact. For us it’s very important. We need him behind Sonny, also Kane and Kulusevski. He is an important player because we have a lot of games to play.” – Antonio Conte on Richarlison

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-2-1): Lloris (Forster 67); Romero, Dier, Sanchez (Lenglet 46); Doherty (Royal 67), Bissouma (Bentancur 46), Hojbjerg, Perisic (Sessegnon 75); Kulusevski (Moura 67), Son (Richarlison 67); Kane


NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-1 VALENCIA

  • Goals: Johnson
  • Assists: Awoniyi

Match highlights

Nottingham Forest rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Valencia, with Jesse Lingard impressing on his debut.

The summer signing – deployed in a no. 10 role behind Brennan Johnson (£6.0m) and Sam Surridge (£5.0m) – showed glimpses of what he has to offer, taking on several shots whilst also being central to much of Forest’s attacking play.

“Thank you to the fans for a warm reception. I really, really appreciate it. I’m going to do my best for Nottingham Forest, don’t worry about that – 110% each game.” – Jesse Lingard

Brennan Johnson’s goal on 83 minutes ensured it finished even at 1-1, with substitute and record signing Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.0m) grabbing the assist.

And the pair almost combined again a few minutes later, only for Valencia’s ‘keeper to deny the Welsh forward getting a second.

Elsewhere, Neco Williams (£4.0m) looked lively in the final-third, while Jack Colback (£4.5m) started in central midfield alongside Lewis O’Brien (£5.0m).

That’s because Ryan Yates (£5.0m) has suffered another injury and is set to be out for a couple of weeks.

Nottingham Forest XI (3-4-1-2): Henderson; Worrall, Cook, McKenna; Williams, Colback, O’Brien, Toffolo; Lingard (Cafu 77); Johnson, Surridge (Awoniyi 62)


PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER

Haaland Foden


2,358 Comments Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Neto or Bailey?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Bailey or Almiron

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Bailey

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Bailey

    4. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Eze/Olise

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Cheers

  2. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Best 4.5 defender that is not Arsenal or Dalot? Decided I wanted Saka over Martinelli so I’m scraping the barrel a bit. TIA

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Justin or Botman

      1. It’s A Joke
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        This

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Castagne

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Rumours of him leaving I thought? I didn’t think he was first choice anymore either? I’ll monitor thanks

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Thanks folks.

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Jonny or RAN...

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Thank you. I’ve had RAN in this slot up until now and wanted some reassurance!

  3. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Most nailed EVE midfielder is?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Why? Does someone have incriminating photos of you?

  4. butt0n1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Which would you choose?

    A) Ramsdale, Robertson, Trippier, Mount
    B) Ederson, James, Perisic/Gabriel+0,5, Diaz

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      B

    2. dshv
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      A

  5. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Chelsea fans, Fofana/Dumfries - does that fill you with confidence?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I’m not a fan but it wouldn’t fill me with confidence. However, Fofana nailing a spot at 4.5 would be interesting

    2. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Believing that is hilarious

  6. It’s A Joke
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Is a bench of far less importance this season? With 5 subs, it’s highly unlikely a player from a top 6 club will be dropped and not come on at some point in the game, thus making the chance of a bench player ever being used extremely low.

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I agree with your logic

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      agree also, most seasons i dont need to rely on my bench anyway. Covid screwed that a bit, but normally its pretty easy to navigate having playing players

  7. GE
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Too light in the midfield?

    (0.0 itb)

    Ramsdale
    TAA/Robbie/Cancelo/James
    Salah/Rashford/Martinelli/Neto
    Haaland/Jesus

    Bench: 4.0, Neco, Pereira, Plange

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I think so - which is why I’m on Walker, Bailey, Mount instead of James, Neto, Rashford

      1. GE
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Interesting, worried about Bailey’s minutes?

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          I really like your team and it’s v similar to mine.

          Every player is locked for me but those 3 positions.

          I’d love James, but then I think Walker + an 8.0 mid is much stronger than James + 7.0 or less mid.

          Neto without Jiminez doesn’t excite me but he is nailed at least. Bailey should be fine for a few weeks but accept it’s a transfer waiting to happen.

          If only we had 1.0m more

          1. GE
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 9 months ago

            Thanks mate, good point about Walker and 8.0! Grealish at 7.0 maybe but only maybe!
            We should have 1.0 more 😉

          2. GE
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 9 months ago

            Ramsdale and Bailey -> 4.5 and Neto?

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              1 year, 9 months ago

              no

  8. Laalman
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    A: James and Diaz

    B: Robbo and Mount

    B feels a bit safer but A could be more explosive. What do you think?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Gold Monster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Easy B

  9. Sausage™️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Current draft, no City as I can see the 5 sub rule making them a fantasy nightmare..

    Meslier (Raya)
    Dalot, Robbo, Reece, Trippier (Zinchenko)
    Mount, Salah, Saka (Bailey, Neto)
    Martial, Jesus, Darwin...

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      3.0M on the bench. I think that's a bit too much.

      1. Sausage™️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Im maxed out on budget..

        1. AIRMILES
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          I don't know how to respond to that.

  10. Eightball
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Mendy (4.0m keeper)
    TAA Cancelo James Zinchenko N.Williams
    Salah Diaz Martinelli Baily Andreas
    Jesus Haaland Undav

    Thoughts?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Pretty good!!

  11. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Anyone else's team name on the FPL site "Pending Moderation"?

    1. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      It was nice knowing you Viperstripes

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Whoops! What’s your team name?

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Speculate Accumulate

        1. AIRMILES
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          Might be the use of "cum"

          1. ViperStripes
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 9 months ago

            It's been the same name for over 12 years!

            1. AIRMILES
              • 12 Years
              1 year, 9 months ago

              It's been a long time coming.

        2. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          I'd suggest contacting FPL Towers...

        3. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          I don't know why they'd take objection to that. It has 'cum' in it is all I can think

    3. Eightball
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Mine was when I tried to name my team Ayew Hwang King? It took them weeks to get around to my team and I had to end up changing it. They won't ban you unless you keep picking dodgy names. I reckon they manually check each name or something if they are flagged.

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Tempted to change my team name to "Pending Moderation"

        1. Eightball
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          I was tempted to do that but already had my account flagged for another dodgy name. Didn't fancy rolling the dice again and getting banned haha

  12. SEXY SON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Too much drama and playing about on here, we need the season to start asap

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      That’s when the drama really begins

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Indeed

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Wanted your take on the Spurs game yesterday.

      Any key takeaways for you?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        He's a Manchester United fan

        Brains

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          Kaptain Kane?

      2. SEXY SON
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        I don’t pay too much attention to pre season apart from who’s fit, starting etc.
        Yes they blanked but have been decent in the other games

  13. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Which set up looks best here please?

    Ramsdale
    Taa robbo cancelo xxx xxx
    Salah martinelli bailey xxx andreas
    Haaland jesus greenwood

    A.....trippier neco mount 442

    B....James perisic neto 532

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      C

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Funny

  14. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Is dalot and bailey nailed?

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I have bailey so it’s not haha

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Yes.

  15. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Did Barnes injury look bad? Draft in tatters if so lol - looking at about 4 changes to get Maddison in.

  16. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Which combo yields more points?

    A Robbo & Mount
    B Perisic & Darwin + 0.5 bank

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      A

  17. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Anyone tempted to start with Kane and bring in Haaland for GW2?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Lots

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Kane wont start firing before gw 20

  18. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Liverpool getting a kicking in.

    B team?

    1. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Very much so.

  19. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    A) Gabriel in 532
    B) Neto in 442

    which one plz

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Not keen on Neto so A

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Safe or different?

    Alisson,
    Trent, Cancelo, James, Tripps/Walker/Gabriel
    Salah, Mahrez, Bailey, Martinelli
    Jesus, Kane,

    4, Neco, Andreas, Taylor

    Mendy,
    Trent, Robbo, Walker, Saliba
    Salah, Son, Bowen, Martinelli
    Jesus, BrennanJ

    4, Bailey, Neco, Taylor

  21. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Anyone going with Bailey, Martinelli and Neto?

    Quite tempted, attack early and play wildcard when fixtures turn.

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I'm currently on a 532 with the 3 above plus salah

      Prob nench neto for bailey gw1

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Are they nailed? I am sure martinelli is. But other 2?

    3. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Add Salah and Andreas and you have the template

    4. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Don’t like Neto myself. Decided to change Martinelli to Saka in the end

  22. Sausage™️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    The 5 sub rule is going to kill a lot of cleanses this year, especially City's players..

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      The rule was in play for the Charity Sheild.

      Pep used 3

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I think the main difference for FPL will be plenty of 1-pointers and irrelevance of the bench.

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

      Might also save a few if you get defenders who get subbed around 65-70 mins.

    4. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Last season Pep averaged 1.8 subs per game so wasn’t even using the three available. No reason to think the increase will affect him at all barring injuries in game

  23. Mid budget coach
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Leeds and Aston Villa have some pretty good fixtures

  24. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Dalot and bailey nailed?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Sausage™️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      at the moment they are..

    3. trick9
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      For GW1? Yes.

      GW2 and forward? No.

  25. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    bottomed

    A) Gabriel in 532
    B) Neto in 442

    which one plz

    1. trick9
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      A

  26. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Mendys ownership is way too high, there must be a lot of Chelsea fans. Man U is the same, don't fall for the high ownership, that's mainly delusional fans. ManU is very abd for that, Chelsea and Arse too

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      *bad

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I don’t pick my team based on ownership

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        The ManU ownership is mad, we havent seen it yet, wait until a day or so before the deadline

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          Just checked it and Sancho/Rashford are the only two players above 10% ownership.

  27. xhaka-laca
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    A) KDB + Kane
    B) Son + Haaland

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      I went round and round with this and ended up with Kane and Haaland plus cash

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      B, they’re more fresh.

  28. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Can't decide

    A. Darwin + Perisic

    Or

    B. Wilson + Robertson

    Help 🙁

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Robbo + xyz

    3. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Similar boat..

      Perisic & Darwin 0.5 in bank
      or
      Robbo & Mount

      I think Perisic & Darwin has the higher ceiling but Robbo & Wilson or Mount in my case are the safer picks?

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        when will perisic n darwin get to start regularly?

        1. Fish up a tree
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 9 months ago

          There’s a risk with them but Perisic played 70 minutes & needs game time now to get match fit so I see him starting GW1. Darwin has looked great so I think he gets the nod over Firmino.

          What do you think?

    4. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      A

  29. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Alisson - 4.0
    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo - 4.0, 4.0
    Salah, KDB, Son, Diaz, Neto
    Kane, Jesus - 4.5

    Should I downgrade Neto to Bailey to upgrade Jesus to Haaland?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Can I have your cheat code?

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Sure

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 months ago

      Five Pool?

      1. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 9 months ago

        Got to remain optimistic in this game.

  30. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 9 months ago

    Ramos goal with a cheeky back heel