Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Salah On The Spot

Liverpool make short work of Huddersfield on a night that comes good for most Fantasy managers…eventually.

Some 17.6% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, including 33 of the top 100, hoped to hit the Gameweek 25 ground running by handing Mohamed Salah the captaincy on Tuesday night.

It wasn’t the riskiest of propositions.

The Egyptian, after all, had produced a goal or assist in 13 of his previous 15 appearances and was facing a Terriers side that had lost three straight league matches and managed just one clean sheet in eight.

What followed was a sustained bout of unease for more than a million managers as Huddersfield sat deep and Salah laboured.

Liverpool began to exorcise the demons of last week’s losses to Swansea and West Brom as soon as Emre Can’s deflected shot put them ahead, and the match was as good as won when Roberto Firmino doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.

The Brazilian finished smartly at the near post after Sadio Mane’s flick sent him clear in the penalty area, punishing the 107,000+ managers who sold him for the Gameweek with a sixth goal in seven starts.

But Salah’s night wasn’t going nearly so smoothly.

Denied the space to run in behind the Huddersfield back five, he was restricted to just three goal attempts all night – indeed, his total of two efforts in the box was doubled by Mane on the opposite flank.

It took a foul in the area on Can, who was awarded maximum bonus on the night, and a decidedly public squabble as to who should take the resultant penalty, for Salah to finally make his mark in the 78th minute.

Firmino’s miss from the spot in the FA Cup loss to West Brom had clearly led to a change in Liverpool’s designated penalty taker.

Once Salah had stroked home the spot-kick, he immediately turned to thank James Milner, which rather gave the game away as to who should have been the man to make it 3-0 on the night.

Speaking post-match, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was in laissez-faire mode, presumably because Salah managed not to miss – his last penalty, ironically also against Huddersfield, was saved by Jonas Lossl in Gameweek 10.

“I love when players discuss on the pitch! My fault, I thought it was clear but obviously I left a little bit of space for interpretation. It was not 100 per cent clear obviously, but in the end the most important thing is that the ball went in – and we didn’t have that too often, to be honest! But yippee, now Mo has probably qualified for the next penalty.”

Yippee indeed for Salah owners if a man with 19 league goals is also back on spot kicks.

Milner’s generosity, or Salah’s persuasiveness, meant the latter ended up with eight points on the night; a tally once again not boosted by any bonus.

Despite producing six goals and four assists in his last seven league appearances, Salah has managed to accrue just three bonus points in that period – by comparison, he’d managed 15 bonus in the opening 17 Gameweeks. While his relentless scoring continues to lend itself to the captaincy, that recent propensity to miss out on extra points has somewhat hindered the ceiling he can achieve.

Firmino, with two, and Dejan Lovren were the others to take home bonus points last night as the defender returned to partner Joel Matip at centre-half at the expense of Virgil van Dijk.

That was a blow for the Dutchman’s 42,000+ new owners who missed out on a rare Liverpool clean sheet away from home – they’ve managed just three in 13 trips to date.

Klopp justified his decision on a couple of grounds.

“It’s completely normal. They have played longer together than Virgil has played. Plus, the fitness thing. It’s clear that in half a year Virgil will be a completely different player to last week or next week. This for today was simply a physical thing.”

Van Dijk’s 5.3% ownership will now hope that yesterday’s rest strengthens the likelihood of his return for Gameweek 26’s visit from Spurs.

That’s one of four home matches in the next six, with clean sheets far more likely against their other visitors – West Ham, Newcastle and Watford. Yet Klopp’s decision to rotate in the heart of defence may now persuade many to steer clear.

As for Huddersfield, they were hopelessly stifled by their own chronic lack of ambition.

Coach David Wagner’s back five included Terence Kongolo, who impressed on his full debut, while Laurent Depoitre and Steve Mounie played up front as a pair for the first time and promptly received little or no service.

The Terriers’ defensive game plan went out of the window once Liverpool had scored, and their response was feeble.

They mustered just five shots all night, and most of those came when the score was already 3-0 – indeed, substitute Tom Ince fired three of those attempts in just 11 minutes of pitch-time.

With trips to Man United and Spurs to come over the next four Gameweeks, ownership in their most popular assets Lossl (7.4%), Zanka (6.8%), Depoitre (6.3%) and Aaron Mooy (6.2%) is likely to mirror the downward trajectory of the side as a whole.

Instead, Fantasy managers will be prioritising some investment in the United attack with the Gameweek 26 Old Trafford clash in mind.

467 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tazah
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Michy to play tonight

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Doubt it, Hazard false 9 written all over it and we all know what that means.....

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He's in Germany

    3. LC1
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Masuaka > Stones?

      Or what else is the best option for 6.9?

      Cant afford Azpi or Alonso 🙁

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        No Stones,go for Maguire

      2. Tazah
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Masuaku to michy

      3. LC1
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Oops.

        Nah I don't think he'll start

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Erm no? Hazard as a false 9, Michy in a plane to Germany.

  2. diesel001
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Why do clubs like Watford sign players who have been tried in the PL and not been good enough? Deulofeu and N'Dong - not really improving their squad

    1. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      N'Dong was too good for Sunderland.

  3. white heart pain
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Fab
    Ota Robertson Chilwell
    Salah Sterling Lingard Shaqiri
    Kane Kun Firmino

    Speroni Kenny RLC Hune

    A) Roberston > Jones
    B) Firmino, RLC, Robertson > Ayew, Pogba, Jones
    C) Firmino, Lingard > Ayew, Hazard

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn't be losing Firmino.

      1. white heart pain
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        So Jones in then?

    2. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jones is a good pick, I have him and he's a set and forget type player barring injuries.

      1. white heart pain
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Do you know why everyone on here is dumping Ota?

        1. Home Late From Age
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          3 games without clean sheet and factor Laporte

    3. Home Late From Age
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A, but wait for now

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

      City defense isn't great, Laporte just signed etc

      1. white heart pain
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        23 y/o def for £57m! KDB was £55m. Crazy, did all the premier league clubs invest in bitcoin?

  4. Frank Koscielny
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    In the event Mahrez signs for City. How does Mahrez owners feel about keeping him while playing for city. Do you reckon he'll rack up the goals and assists like he did for Leicester?

    1. Srv210
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Don't think so,he won't be the central man for city as he is for Leicester

    2. Maddi Son
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think I'd be more worried if he doesn't get the transfer. I could be wrong but he seems like the sort that would sulk and his form will conveniently dip.

    3. Jasoooooooo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm keeping him. Hard to know how he'll go but it's definitely not worth a transfer out. Guy could go ballistic, he's got the ability and he'll be in a more attacking team.

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Same here. Will give him at least 2 or 3 games to prove himself before I start thinking of selling him.

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    We’re told Newcastle have agreed a deal with Leicester to take Islam Slimani on loan. A source close to the player has told us a deal has been agreed between the two clubs, but we’ve had nothing official from either club as yet.

    https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/958655008769282049

    1. Srv210
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Good budget forward

    2. Jasoooooooo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Interesting if that's true. Upcoming fixtures look a bit sour however so it's a wait and see from me.

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        he's injured for 3 weeks anyway

    3. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      6.6 is a little high for third striker spot if we are playing with a 'power 5' in midfield though no? If only he was a bit cheaper

  6. diesel001
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I bet Giroud was wishing he moved to Everton in summer. Going to Chelsea to be behind Morata. Not exactly a significant upgrade in terms of playing time / pecking order in squad.

  7. LC1
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Masuaka > Stones?

    Or what else is the best option for 6.9?

    Unfortunately cant afford Azpi or Alonso 🙁

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Other defenders?

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Gomez, Jones, Kenny & Dunk.

        Pretty poor..

    2. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'd avoid city for now with Laporte coming in. Pep has wanted him for ages and I think he will become 1st choice. Probably with Stones but who knows

  8. Bring back ole
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    44/1 for sanchez and aguero to both score 2 or more the nyt, sanchez as a good record against spurs, and aguero il be disappointed if he didnt get at least 2!

  9. Siva Mohan
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Newcastle have agreed a deal with Leicester to take Islam Slimani on loan. (Source: SkySports)

  10. UCL Fantasy
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    The happiness of seeing Sanchez (c) v Huddersfield on paper is maybe enough for me to make the move.

    The sadness after a blank is something Saturday Andy will have to worry about 🙂

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If you think that Sanchez is good option for money long term then go for it

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not sure he is but might do it anyway. United and all that

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Could be nice rank booster,I don't won't to butcher my team so will go for Pogba
          GL

    2. DAZZ
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Who do you replace to bring him in though, And how much ITB? Im desperate to bring him in but cant without a -8 🙁

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I have 0.1 itb.

        Will cost me -4 (3 transfers)

        Otamendi, Son and Arnie out.

        1. UCL Fantasy
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Although if Son does well tonight there's every reason to just keep him until he starts seeing his minutes limited. Maybe even if he doesn't do well...

        2. JasonG123
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I can also get Sanchez for a hit at the expense of either Son+Lingard OR Son+Otamendi, but it doesn't seem worth it. Salah or Kane will still probably score well enough to captain. Will see what happens tonight though.

        3. JasonG123
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I should add - I think one form of bias in FPL is simply liking the aesthetics of how a player will look in your team rather than actually trading to get the most points. Another is trading in players because they play for your team. These biases create inefficiencies, don't become susceptible to them!

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He will be the highest scorer next GW.

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        What about the following gameweeks? 🙂

        1. barracuda
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          He will destroy Newcastle. I will assess after that game.

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

        Are you a United fan?

    4. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      With Kane and Salah playing each other and Aguero playing Burnley, this about the only week I would captain Sanchez over one of those 3

    5. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      i'm going to wait and see how he fits in.
      Also keeping an eye on whether he actually revitalizes Lukaku as an option.
      Couple of things have plagued Lukaku - some of Utd's mids/forwards playing for themselves too much and crosses & set-pieces into the box have been a weakness for Utd.
      Utd only 25 attempts in box (5 for lukaku) last 6 GWs. Utd are a big side but headed attempts are right down. How can Lukaku ony have 3 headed attempts on goal in this period?
      May be not a coincidence Lukaku's stats fall off when Valencia is absent - possibly Utd's best/most prolific crosser of a ball.

  11. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Bardsley nailed or should I just get Simpson?

    Don't need them for gw26, will need them for gw27 and going forward

  12. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Slimani to Newcastle being reported

  13. shearer9
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Best Arnie replacement for 6.9?

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Arnie after next GW

      1. shearer9
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        So hold and play Naughton? Or is there a good Naughton replacement for 4.5?

        1. barracuda
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Sorry, for some reason I thought he will be available after next GW..Ramsey?

          1. shearer9
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah could do, although would prefer a guaranteed starter.

          2. shearer9
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Shaqiri could be the one.

      2. shearer9
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Or I could do Kabasele to Duffy.

  14. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    L.Moura to Spurs - Think he'll be a star. Shame as probably Son will get dropped right?

    1. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Wouldn't they stop playing Sissoko first?

    2. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Very little chance of Son getting dropped, because he's been one of their most important players. Moura offers squad depth for now. Imo there is a high risk of epic fail in this transfer.

    3. MTPockets
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Biased owner, but can't see the sense in that given his form.

      • FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        it sounds like they'll play both as wingers, probably see Eriksen dropped back into the midfield 2

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

      I feel like the situation with Mahrez is a lose/lose for his FPL prospects.
      Will be subject to rotation or shunted out of focus to accommodate Sterling or Sane if he moves to City, while he may become sulky and drop in form if he stays at Leicester (ie. like how he played last season)

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        with regards to him at city this is sterlings first good , consistent season since Liverpool. he was pretty awful until this moment and that could easily happen again. Mahrez offers something very different to both him and sane and Pep wont hesitate is putting him ahead of one of them if his form warrants it....also people have this image of a sulky mahrez that many players like VVD, Sanchez, Cout and Hazard have already show they are all capable of and its a bit unfair. (Hazard packed it in for pretty much an entire season until he thought Spurs might win the league)

        1. tisza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Sterling a different type of player this season.
          Less unproductive dribbles, much improved movement & awareness.
          Mahrez is going to modify his game into a far more passing based system.

    5. Siva Mohan
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Michy Batshuayi is currently undergoing a medical at Borussia Dortmund ahead of his loan move. (Source: @BorussenEdition)

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Is it a transfer or just a loan?

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          loan

    6. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Points predictions for the differentials in my ML?

      a. alli
      b. vardy
      c. shaqiri

      1. Dannyb
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        2-3-2

    7. Siva Mohan
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      DEAL DONE: Dortmund have confirmed the sale of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal for €63.75m. (Source: @BvB)

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        If he hits the ground running, a better replacement thank Kane (if price close to moderate)?

        1. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          no.

      2. Holmes
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        If Batshuayi fails medical... 😛

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Giroud will be on plane to Germany (with Arsene holding the gun)

    8. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hello

      Some early transfer considerations for the next gameweek.

      DDG
      Alonso Azpi Schindler Ogbonna
      Salah Sterling Son Shaqiri
      Kane Firmino

      Speroni Kenny RLC DCL

      1 FT 1.3 ITB

      All of my bench needs fixing obviously. Where to start?

      A) RLC > mid up to 5.8 perhaps Albrighton
      B) DCL > fwd up to 6.5 potentially Wilson
      C) Kenny > def up to 5.7 maybe Jones or Monreal (but this would probably change the team structure to be too heavy at the back).

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        C B A .. in this order

        get Jones

    9. Arteta
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      AUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        CLUCASSSSSSSS

        1. Arteta
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Essential fpl buy before he plays against Arsenal next season

    10. Monkey Hanger
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Dortmand reporting Aboomerang is now a Gooner.

    11. Visionaries
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      What's the thinking, is Aguero going to beat my average Salah captaincy score of 16?

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        yes

      2. Holmes
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        easy-peasy

    12. Bald Eagle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Confirmed yep. 😉

    13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Aubameyang done

    14. wulfrunian
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Has anyone seen KINGNIDGE recently?

    15. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      How would you expect Auba to do at Arsenal?
      I've watched him a lot while he was playing for Dortmund. He has great positioning sense for goals, but he misses a lot of sitters

    16. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Welcome to the Premier League, Aubamayeng!

    17. Monkey Hanger
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Arsenal confirmed Aboomerang is ours.

    18. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Has Aubergine been added to FPL yet? Need to get him in Draft asap.

      1. FPLMatt
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not yet Dingo... eagerly awaiting his price

        1. RED PILL
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Aboomerang price will surely be between 11.5 to 12.5, Me thinks
          Wont be a bargain thats for sure.

      2. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        This, straight swap for Batman for me (epic fail this GW)

    19. FPLMatt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Repost

      Well Next week not looking too great for me got 6 players playing in 1 game :')

      Any thoughts what to do with this lot...

      Pope
      Alonso Otamendi Vertonghen
      Salah Sterling Son Lingard AOC
      Kane Firmino

      Adrian Ayew Kenny Zanka

      My thoughts are to just go Vertonghen > Jones in all honesty but trying to think if anything is hit worthy

      1 FT 1.4 ITB

      Any suggestions very welcome please