Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Listless Kane Suffers Defeat

Harry Kane fails to convince as Spurs slip to a 2-1 FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United, with their big names stepping up to turn the tie on its head.

A week is a long time in politics, six days a lifetime ago for United.

Last Sunday, there were capitulating at home to West Brom as the combined talents of Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku seemed hell-bent on personally wrecking Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers’ Double Gameweek 34 plans.

There was a least some form of redemption in midweek, as Pogba impressed with an assist, setting up a Lukaku goal as he delivered in a 30-minute cameo from the bench. But Sanchez was a no-show.

It was that trio who combined to mastermind Saturday’s comeback victory.

Pogba was back to his best in the second period at Wembley, setting up Sanchez for United’s equaliser and firing in three shots himself.

Lukaku also had three attempts and provided the assist, albeit fortuitously, for Ander Herrera’s winner when he miscontrolled a pass into the path of the Spaniard who swept first-time into the net.

But it was Sanchez who stole the show, producing an energetic and committed performance, both in defence and attack, that was reminiscent of his finest hours at Arsenal.

The three players have had a markedly different impact on our FPL season to this point.

Lukaku (27.5%) is easily the most popular, with Pogba (12.8%) the side’s most owned midfielder and Sanchez (3.3%) currently reduced to the role of a luxury differential on account of his patchy form and hefty 11.5 price tag.

Should they maintain the performance levels shown on Saturday, they could yet have a say over the run-in, with United facing a Double Gameweek 37 away at Brighton and West Ham and a final-day visit from Watford.

Before that, they’ll host Arsenal next weekend, a match that falls between the two legs of the Gunners’ Europa League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid.

Rotation, you would suspect, is likely to be more of an issue with Arsene Wenger’s side than Mourinho’s in that clash.

The Portuguese coach has made no secret of his desire for United to finish second in the Premier League and although he might wish to give squad members the chance to play their way into the cup final side, he seems unlikely to stray too far from the line-up that won Saturday’s match.

However, the Gameweek 38 fixture with the Hornets could involve rotation, coming as it does just six days before the Wembley showpiece that rounds off the domestic season and is now the remaining opportunity for silverware.

Kane struggles cause concern

Harry Kane won the Double Gameweek 34 battle of the big-ticket strikers, outscoring Lukaku 10-8.

But there was little doubt who was the more effective performer in Saturday’s semi-final.

Lukaku’s assist might have involved more luck than judgement, but he outshot his rival 3-2, had one attempt on target to Kane’s zero and won six aerial challenges to the Spurs forward’s one.

Kane was starved of service and looked listless throughout, which is rapidly becoming a worrying trend.

His close-range finish at Brighton on Tuesday should not disguise from the fact that the striker has looked short of fitness and form since his rapid return from an ankle problem.

Despite these concerns, some 11,000+ managers have already elevated Kane as the early front-runner in Gameweek 36’s transfers-in table. Lukaku, by contrast, is the fourth most sold asset.

Spurs’ schedule is inspiring Kane’s current surge in the market.

They now have three home matches in four, with a Double Gameweek 37 (wba NEW) which has the promise of big returns for Kane and his attacking team-mates.

But West Brom, as shown by recent results under Darren Moore, are no longer pushovers.

Mauricio Pochettino could also face a massive job to lift his team following Saturday’s defeat, though their mission will surely be to finally secure fourth place and see off the recent charge from Chelsea. The gap is currently just five points, making the Gameweek 36 home meeting with Watford all the more vital.

Kane’s quest for the Golden Boot should also keep him fully motivated, but he now trails Mohamed Salah by five goals, which could well prove an insurmountable tally given his current level of performance.

And with Man City’s Gabriel Jesus all but assured of consistent starts with Sergio Aguero sidelined, FPL managers now face some crucial decisions with their frontlines and the captaincy for the remaining Gameweeks.

Jesus would seem poised to start both home matches against Huddersfield and Brighton over Double Gameweek 37 – two teams who may even have sealed safety by that point. He is rapidly gaining ground on Kane as a candidate for the captaincy and remaining Triple Captain chips.

Gameweek 36’s fixtures could prove decisive in this respect. Kane will host Watford at Wembley, while Jesus will visit West Ham. That gives the Spurs striker ample opportunity to throw off his malaise and reinstate himself as the rightful Double Gameweek frontrunner.

However, an impressive performance from Jesus today against Swansea may well have a marked impact on our thinking and the FPL market. Jesus is already the fourth most purchased player ahead of next weekend’s deadline, with another price rise to 10.3 looking imminent.

United Resilience Restored

They might not have kept a clean sheet yesterday, but United’s backline was impressive nonetheless, restricting Spurs to just two attempts on target.

That followed only a second clean sheet in eight Gameweeks at Bournemouth, which coincided with the return of Phil Jones at centre-half.

His partnership with Chris Smalling, who has been an ever-present in the league since Gameweek 23, was a major factor in United shutting down their opponents once Herrera had put the Red Devils ahead.

And their schedule offers the strong possibility of excellent defensive returns – even from the Arsenal encounter, should their opponents be more concerned with their European quest.

Smalling is currently the only defender in the top five, and the single United player in the top 15, for Gameweek 36 transfers-in, as his 8.4% ownership continues to grow.

But it is Jones, at 5.5 just 0.1 cheaper than his team-mate, who offers differential potential as he is currently owned by just 5.4%.

Mixed messages from midfield

Christian Eriksen (16.5%) is Spurs’ most popular midfielder in FPL, and he was typically influential yesterday, one of three players (Pogba and Lukaku were the others) who led the way for goal attempts (three).

He also set up the opener for Dele Alli (13.1%), who made it four goals and two assists from his last five starts in all competitions.

Eriksen is in equally strong form, with four goals and an assist from his last five Gameweek starts.

The pair could offer more of the same from the run-in if Spurs can bounce back from yet another semi-final disappointment. The Dane is currently second only to Kane for transfers in ahead of Gameweek 36.

Confidence in Son Heung-min appears to be fading, however.

The 14.6%-owned midfielder has now failed to find the net in five straight matches in all competitions and faces increasing competition for his starting place from both Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela, who featured from the bench against United.

The fact that Spurs play three of their last four matches at home might save him – he’s scored nine of his 12 league goals this season at Wembley.

But he’s managed only two goals in his last four home fixtures, and they both came in Gameweek 29’s win over Huddersfield.

With a cast of midfield options from other Double Gameweek 37 sides demanding our attention and a sudden drive to find funds to acquire Jesus, Son’s status remains a dilemma.

The Spurs defence is also struggling to convince. They have now kept just one clean sheet – in the quarter-final win over Swansea City – in the last seven matches across all competitions.

732 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys, any thoughts on which three transfers I should do over GW36-37? 0.7 ITB

    Would like to get Kane & Eriksen ahead of the double but can't decide who to lose. Bailly, Wilian, GroB, Mahrez spring to mind but then I'm struggling to get both Kane and Eriksen.

    DDG - Hennessey
    Bailly - Alonso - Lowton - Long - Morgan
    Salah - Willian - Son - Mahrez - GroB
    Lukaku - Vardy - Barnes.

  2. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Wenger out

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Lolbeyang

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Wenger out.

    1. Bragazeti
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He's on his way

  5. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No Cech

  6. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ospina starting will allow many jammy Hennesy points too 🙁

  7. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    TARKOWSKI STARTS

  8. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ozil nowhere to be seen, well, that's no surprise

    bad luck those who drafted in Ozil

  9. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FH Winning 🙂 ?

  10. Volley127
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No Cech... Hello Hennessy!

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

      Soooo jammy!!!

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

      This!! 😀

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I hope Ospina pulls up with an injury in the 31st minute

      1. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Not on the bench either 😉

  11. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No Mesut? Crouch off the bench then, ffs…

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Crouch against a big ball team could scorr points still have faith

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        A big ask for goals, though!

        1. Lecky Legs FC
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Scored last GW Vs WHU away BUR at home suits him

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Can only hope! Mini league depending on the tall man!

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No surprises with the Arsenal team news!

  13. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I’ll take it, got Laca and no Auba. No Özil so Pérez it’s time to step up

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Same here!

  14. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    T1ts out

  15. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Auba will still get 25 minutes off bench for brace

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      This 😉

  16. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No Chambers. Awful pick from me. Praying he doesn’t get a cameo now

  17. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Auba rested... great just great

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He's not being rested.

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Benched not rested
      He will come on for 30-35 minutes

  18. fusen
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerín, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, El Sayed Elneny, Iwobi, Ramsey, Welbeck, Lacazette,
    Subs: Reiss Nelson (61), Calum Chambers (21), Per Mertesacker (4), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (14), Matt Macey (54), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (30), Rob Holding (16)

    West Ham United: Hart, Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Kouyaté, Noble, Masuaku, Fernandes, Naval Costa Eduardo, Arnautovic,
    Subs: Adrián (13), Patrice Evra (27), Manuel Lanzini (10), Chicharito (17), Andy Carroll (9), Jordan Hugill (12), Josh Cullen (33)

    Stoke City: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Bauer, Ndiaye, Allen, Shaqiri, Diouf, Crouch,
    Subs: Tyrese Campbell (40), Ramadan Sobhi (32), Stephen Ireland (7), Darren Fletcher (24), Geoff Cameron (20), Kurt Zouma (6), Jakob Haugaard (29)

    Burnley: Pope, Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward, Lennon, Cork, Westwood, Berg Gudmundsson, Wood, Barnes,
    Subs: Jeff Hendrick (13), Phil Bardsley (26), Jonathan Walters (19), Charlie Taylor (3), Tom Heaton (1), Dean Marney (8), Sam Vokes (9)

  19. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Why is that idiot resting Auba?

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You didn't read his quote?

      1. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Oops, the real idiot who didn't read his quote.

  20. magnet
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Go on Welbeck

  21. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Bib theory was right

  22. Darsh
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Cmon Laca and Bellerin!

  23. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Crouch from the bench for Nozil.
    Good thing he starts

  24. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ozil punt fail 🙁

  25. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    GW35 Current highest scoring manager:
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/5693176/event/35

    Joined: GW24
    Overall points: 104

    Hits taken:
    GW25: 12(-44)
    GW26: 20(-76)
    GW27: 12(-44)
    GW28: 16(-60)
    GW29: 25(-96)
    GW30: 10(-36)
    GW31: 24(-92)
    GW32: 31(-120)
    GW33: 13(-48)
    GW34: 9(-32)
    GW35: 14(-52)

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      seems to be a common thing with player(s) from Egypt.

      They consistantly try to get the top points in any individual gameweek with new accounts

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        That's ridiculous.

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Who cares

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        If you don't care, I have no problem with that. Just scroll down, that's it. 🙂

    3. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      What I don’t understand is why you’d make 31 transfers with a squad of 15

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Transfer in player X, then transfer out him to player Y. 😆

        Can't understand it too.

    4. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      There is a separate comp in Egypt to get the best GW team. loads of them play it

  26. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Lineup - Burnley starting line-up: Nick Pope, Matthew Lowton, Stephen Ward, Jack Cork, Kevin Long, James Tarkowski, Aaron Lennon, Ashley Westwood, Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood, Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
    Substitutes: Jeff Hendrick, Tom Heaton, Jonathan Walters, Charlie Taylor, Sam Vokes, Phil Bardsley, Dean Marney

    Lineup - Stoke starting line-up: Jack Butland, Glen Johnson, Erik Pieters, Badou Ndiaye, Ryan Shawcross, Bruno Martins Indi, Moritz Bauer, Joe Allen, Peter Crouch, Mame Biram Diouf, Xherdan Shaqiri.
    Substitutes: Geoff Cameron, Tyrese Campbell, Jakob Haugaard, Darren Fletcher, Ramadan Sobhi, Stephen Ireland, Kurt Zouma

    Lineup - West Ham starting line-up: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Arthur Masuaku, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Mark Noble, Marko Arnautovic, Edimilson Fernandes, João Mário.
    Substitutes: Jordan Hugill, Patrice Evra, Josh Cullen, Andy Carroll, Chicharito, Adrián, Manuel Lanzini

    Lineup - Arsenal starting line-up: David Ospina, Héctor Bellerín, Nacho Monreal, Mohamed Elneny, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Alex Iwobi, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck.
    Substitutes: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding, Reiss Nelson, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Calum Chambers, Matt Macey

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I wanted Bellerin but decided not to downgrade any other of my players. So in the end went with Mustafi.

      Hope I won't regret for that choice.

  27. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    RIP Auba owners

  28. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Mustafi,Tarko,Lennon and Barnes check
    Auba on Bench check

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Cech check

  29. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    West ham’s 541 going to put zero pressure on arsenal. Low scorer, but good prep for Europa vs Atletico