Scout Notes

Ings and Murray proving excellent value for money as FPL forwards

The final match of Gameweek 5 delivered a better spectacle than was perhaps expected, with four goals shared between Southampton and Brighton at St. Mary’s on Monday evening.

Danny Ings (£5.7m) scored his third goal in four starts, while Glenn Murray (£6.5m) – owned by only 2.1% of Fantasy Premier League managers – notched his fourth league strike of the season.

Budget midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.4m) scored his second goal in as many matches, while Shane Duffy (£4.5m) – who had more shots last season than any other FPL defender who failed to score – delivered a goal and an assist as Brighton fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a point.

Our final Scout Notes article of Gameweek 5 rounds up the main Fantasy talking points from the south coast.

Southampton 2-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

  • Goals: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.4m), Danny Ings (£5.7m) | Shane Duffy (£4.5m), Glenn Murray (£6.5m)
  • Assists: Anthony Knockaert (£5.5m), Shane Duffy

Ineligible to face his parent club Liverpool next weekend, Danny Ings signed off from the Premier League for a fortnight with a goal and a bonus point to keep the 7.7% of FPL managers who own the Saints forward relatively happy.

It could easily have been more, though. Ings was denied by Brighton blocks twice in the space of a minute during the first half and could, perhaps should, have collected an assist when strike partner Shane Long (£4.8m) poked Ings’ glorious through-ball wide of the goal later in the match.

Ings had more penalty box touches, efforts in the box and big chances than any other player on show at St. Mary’s and now trails only Callum Wilson (£6.3m) among FPL forwards for shots in the opposition area this season.

As mentioned, Ings will now be unavailable in Gameweek 6 and his new employers sit bottom of our Season Ticker for the next six matches, with encounters against Chelsea and Manchester City to come not long after the trip to Anfield next weekend.

Ings is proving difficult to beat for value, however. Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.8m) are the only forwards who are returning more points per million spent (Ings is averaging 4.39 points per million) in FPL and he is one of only two strikers in the sub-£6.0m bracket – the other being Raul Jimenez (£5.5m) – who currently provides security of starts as well as a genuine goal threat.

The first half at St. Mary’s was an unremarkable affair lit up by a superb long-distance strike from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.4m), the budget midfielder scoring in his second successive league match and rewarding some of the 70,000+ FPL managers who drafted him in for Gameweek 5.

Brighton came into this fixture without a league win on the road in ten months and having lost both away matches this season to nil.

The Seagulls’ dismal showing in the first 45 minutes seemed to suggest that they were venturing down a well-worn path in submitting to a meek defeat, with Nathan Redmond (£5.4m) perhaps the stand-out player for the hosts in the opening exchanges: the former Norwich City winger created as many chances as the rest of his team-mates combined in this match.

Brighton came out of the traps quickest in the second 45 minutes though, with the match developing into an enjoyable end-to-end affair.

Ings’ spot-kick just after the hour-mark (a penalty the Saints’ striker won himself) seemed to have put the game to bed, but a Shane Duffy (£4.5m) header just two minutes later ensured a grandstand finish.

Duffy had 28 efforts on goal last season without scoring, and his erstwhile owners will have been left cursing their luck as the Irish centre-back registered his second strike of the season last night – those two goals having come from just three attempts.

Anthony Knockaert (£5.5m) provided the set-piece delivery for Duffy’s goal to record his third assist of the season: no FPL midfielder has more. Knockaert almost registered another assist when his low cross was turned onto the post by substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£6.8m).

While Knockaert has already trebled the number of assists he picked up last year, his underlying figures haven’t dramatically improved: the former Leicester winger is creating a chance only once every 70 minutes.

Knockaert is, however, the beneficiary at set plays in the absence of Pascal Gross (£6.8m), who missed out with an ankle knock.

Chris Hughton provided an update on the injured German in his post-match press conference:

He’s okay. He got a kick in the last game, which has ended up a little bit more troublesome than what we thought.

It’s certainly nothing that’s going to be longer term. We’ll look over the next week what progress he makes. Certainly, it’s not one that’s going to keep him out for a number of games.

Yves Bissouma (£4.9m) in for Gross was the only line-up change made by either manager for this encounter, with Hughton sending his troops out in a 4-3-3/4-5-1.

Bissouma was sacrificed for Jurgen Locadia (£5.4m) in the final 15 minutes as Hughton switched to a 4-4-2 in a bid to rescue a point, and the pressure told in the final minute of normal time when Duffy was flattened by James Ward-Prowse (£5.3m) in the area.

With Gross sidelined, Murray resumed spot-kick duties and despatched the subsequent penalty for his fourth goal of the season: no FPL forward has scored more.

With Gross having missed from the spot a fortnight ago and Murray scoring from 12 yards in successive matches, the 35-year-old forward may well have wrestled penalty-taking duties back from the German schemer for the time being.

Speaking of Murray after the match, Hughton said:

We changed the penalty taker last season when Glenn missed a couple, and that’s the competition you want.

You’d like to think it’s not only two players that want to step up and take penalties. Being away from home and 2-1 down, you’re not going to get a cooler head than Glenn Murray.

We’re delighted he got us back in the game. It was the type of game where if Glenn gets the one good chance in front of goal, you’re confident he’ll put it away.

With Murray possibly back on penalties and Brighton sitting top of our Season Ticker from Gameweek 8 onwards, the veteran striker could come back into our thoughts as a mid-price forward option.

While he has only been presented with nine chances this season (half the number Ings has had), Murray’s goal conversion of 44.4% is the best among FPL forwards.

A small concern would be the imminent return to fitness of Florin Andone (£5.0m), who could eat into Murray’s minutes this season.

Hughton gave an update on Andone after the match:

He’s fit. It’s just managing him the best way we can. He’s done a fair bit of training of late, we just need to make sure he’s up to speed before he plays.

Hughton also revealed that Jose Izquierdo (£5.9m) was “close” to a return for the under-23’s this Thursday.

Neither defence looked particularly worthy of Fantasy investment last night: Southampton allowed Brighton three clear-cut opportunities, while the Seagulls conceded four big chances to their hosts – that’s as many as Wolves and Bournemouth, both of whom can offer defensive options in the £4.5m bracket, have conceded all season.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Soares, Vestergaard, Hoedt, Bertrand; Elyounoussi (Ward-Prowse 76′), Hojbjerg, Lemina, Redmond; Long (Gabbiadini 76′) Ings (Davis 84′)

Brighton XI (4-5-1): Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March (Jahanbakhsh 71′), Bissouma (Locadia 76′); Murray

READ MORE GAMEWEEK 5 SCOUT NOTES

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1,217 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rash
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    What do you prefer here? WC available

    A. Robbo Bilva > Bennett hazard
    B. Robbo Bilva ings > Doherty hazard Jimenez -4

    Will be priced out of B with any rises/fallers

    Foster fab
    Robbo* mendy Alonso tomkins AWB
    Salah Mané Bilva* Fraser Stephens
    Aguero Wilson ings*

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A - not sure its worth a hit to bring in a FWD for United away

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Jiminez would be benched this week but it's a way I can get a more nailed defender in Doherty.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Not sure i like losing Robbo this week either. Wait til the Mendy assessment comes out

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            I'm not a huge fan of losing Robbo but he's my most logical way of getting hazard without losing salah or Mané. Instead of Robbo I'll be playing a palace defender who has a good chance of covering what he does.

            If mendy out then I'll reassess.

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I would go
      Bilva > Maddison
      Ings > Mitro

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Ain't going near maddison but thanks for input.

  2. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Planning to WC in GW15. Crazy?

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A lot can happen in the next 3 gw's yet alone in the next 10 gw's. It's unpredictable.

  3. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a website where I can see all the fixtures on a single page/map with FDRs?

  4. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    UCL team

    First time playing the fantasy ucl any thoughts on team below?

    Areola
    Alba Godin Marcelo
    Milner Asensio Coutinho Niguez
    Messi Mbappe Kluivert

    Muslera cancelo nagatomo diawara

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Three of your subs are playing tonight so should be in your starting 11, they can be subbed out tomorrow if they under preform. Also keepers who play on different nights would be a good idea for the same reason.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        So it doesn’t work on a weekly score but a daily score??

  5. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Who to play?
    Patricio (MU away)
    or
    Fabianski (Che home)

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Pat

  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    For the first time in my fpl history, I got hope season goes well. I wish
    31k currently. Top 5k would be great

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Easily achievable

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Fingers crossed

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

    Last call for Champions league fantasy MoneyLeague. If anyone is interested, drop me an email; damjanrupnik@gmail.com

  8. BlisteringB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Would you consider this Rough/Smooth? GW5: 80pts (w Fraser, Tomkins, Wan-B on the bench)
    and whom should i get change Hoedt for? spend $ for Laporte or Smith/Cook?

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

    Four green arrows out of four. Any idea what the longest run of green arrows is? Surely not 37?

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure. I had a good start gw1 with 16k so getting green arrows has been harder than say if I was 1.6m gw1 (2 reds 2 greens so far)

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Had a run of about 10 consecutive on 2 occasions last season

    3. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Well, last time I played my first OR was something like 1.5m, and my final OR was 3rd. So I got a fair few greens that season! Not sure how many consecutive ones I got, but the last 10 weeks or so were pretty nice to me.

    4. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I only remember the red ones.14 consecutive!!!!!

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Ouch. Depends on the size of the arrows too

        1. Azathoth
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          It was 3 or 4 years back.From OR 89 i felt to 25k.......

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            See relatively speaking that’s not so bad. Still a very respectable rank

    5. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      10 in row for me was the best in the last few years, or 15 out of 17 in the same run

    6. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Had 17 greens in a row on my second season. Doubt that’ll happen again!

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

      Had 13 two seasons ago, from GW26-38, went from 660k to 65k, good times

      1. Ludde
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        1090 is my rank now. 3 green arrows and 1 red. The red arrow was from 4614 to 4618. Best start ever for me.

  10. tjostolv
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Schurrle or Richarlison? I am lagging and rich is a consensus pick and more expensive. Thoughts?

  11. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Can’t believe I’m the only manager in my mini league in the top 5 who owns Salah. Bizarre. Big haul this weekend from the Egyptian messiah

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Good opportunity to get one over on them.

  12. Peps Pups
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Would you make any transfers for this team in GW6 :-

    Hennessey(NEW)
    Mendy(car) | Alonso(whu) | Robertson(SOU) | Chilwell(HUD) | Wan-Bissaka(NEW)
    Hazard(whu) | Mane(SOU) | Gray(HUD)
    Aubameyang(EVE) | Aguero(car)

    Bench : Hamer | Walcott | Kamara | Masuaku

    1. Sparkys Barmy Army
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Monitor Mendy and Kun injuries. Ditch Walcott?

      1. Peps Pups
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Want to make the Walcott -> Richarlison move but not sure whether i should do that now or after the Arsenal game..

  13. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Hypothetical question as will wait for Kun/ Mendy injury news

    Is this too maverick/ reckless? It gives a nice looking team!

    Robbo, Wally, Pedro > Boly, Hazard, Hojbjerg (-8)

    Would give me this:
    Foster
    Alonso, Mendy, PVA, AWB
    Salah, Mané, Hazard, Hughes
    Aguero, Wilson
    (Fab) (Hojbjerg, Boly, Kamara)

    Thoughts?

    Cheers!

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I should add this isn’t just points chasing as all three incoming I see as decent long term squad picks who will either score or rotate nicely.

      The only one outgoing who could hurt me properly is Robbo but after this GW I’m not as fussed as tough fixtures mean the cash is better spread. Pedro likely to rotate with Willian

    2. Mr.K
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Wouldn't do this for -8 myself. Without the hits it looks nice for sure but -8 is -8 still.

  14. Afghanistanislas
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Would you rather have Maddison or Richarlison for the next 3-4 GWs? Would get the other around GW 10-11.

    1. bhunasallround
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Leicesters fixtures look green

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

      I went with Maddison.

  15. Mr.K
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Which two to play this week?
    A) Holebas
    B) Wan-Bissaka
    C) Richarlison

  16. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Your ideal front 3 based on 11m, 9m, and 7m forwards?

    1. Reckoner.
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero, Zaha (changing to Arnautovic when fixture change)

      The 9m one is the tough one, I'd maybe be punting on Giroud

    2. Afghanistanislas
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero, Zaha, Mitrovic - use the 2m elsewhere

      1. Afghanistanislas
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe Vardy actually if you really wanted a 9m foward

  17. Patty
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    How many points does 1st place usually get?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Dream big bro!

      1. Patty
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Ranking at 1.5k without the use of any chips, but i'm definitely shooting for the stars regardless haha

    2. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      In the region of 2500 off memory

  18. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Any ideas on this team?
    2ft 0.1itb

    Fabianski - Patricio
    Awb-Mendy-Robbo-Pereira-Bednarek
    Salah-Eriksen-Maddison-B.Silva-Costa
    Aguero-Zaha-King

    1. romer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Just missing haz. Who would you downgrade to switch Ericksen?

      1. konrad.sygula95
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Was thinking of Eriksen and B. Silva to Hazard & Fraser, however with aguero and mendy injured i've decided to wait for information about them.

  19. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you prioritise this week? Mitrovic or Richarlison.. or both for -4?

    Selling Jimenez and Walcott respectively

    1. Mr.K
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Mitrovic. Have both myself but am hesitant about starting Rich against Arsenal. That said, I haven't seen Arsenal play since GW1.....

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely not worth a hit either way.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah will most likely get Mitro and see how Richarlison slots back in for the Toffees

        1. romer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Why do you want to sell jimenez? Wolves playing well and he is nailed.

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            His finishing was abysmal v Burnley and Mitro is the better prospect both on stats and eye test.

  20. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    A) King/Wilson + Moura
    B) D.Silva + Jimanez

    Currently on B on a WC. Opinions please?

  21. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    On WC. Zaha or Mitrovic?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Both preferably. Then Zaha > Arnie from GW10

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro for me

  22. romer
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Who to cap in gw7?
    Ederson hamer
    Luiz robbo Bavies Pereira Obi-Wan
    Salah haz Walcott Bilva odoi
    Laca arnie jimenez
    2ft 0itb

    Looking to switch Walcott to richarlison and downgrade Bavies to Bennet. That would give me 1,8 itb to upgrade Bilva to Dilva. Is Dilva capping material?

    Should I go just for aguero and loose laca?

    See anyway to fit sterling here?

    Thanks

  23. Andy Unsocial
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Need a favour.
    I need you to pick this week's XI for me.
    Too many options,so I am confused.

    Hennessey(NEW,H)
    Mendy(CAR,A) Alonso(WHM,A) Trippier(BHA,A) Wan(NEW,H) TAA(SOU,H)
    Hazard(WHM,A) Mane(SOU,H) Walcott(ARS,A) Fraser(BUR,A) Moura(BHA,A)
    Aguero(CAR,A) Mitrovic(WAT,H) Wilson(BUR,A)

    Your help is highly appreciated.

    1. bhunasallround
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      jog on

  24. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Any tips on what i could do with this team for the weekend?

    Patricio
    Awb, mendy, alonso, pva
    D.silva, mane, hazard, Ghezzal
    Lukaku, lacazette

    Bemch, hamer, bennett, stephens, ings

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Any money in the bank?

      1. Where dahoud at
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Lol 0.3

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Save

  25. Neetan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Wasn't doing too well after Saturday games, but ending up on 61 points so slightly regretting my panic wildcard.

    But it's activated now...

    Ederson - Hamer
    Robbo - Alonso - Mendy - AWB - Doherty
    Mane - Hazard - Maddison - Fraser - Richarlison
    Aggy - Zaha - Wilson

    Can't help but think this will be a nightmare to pick an 11 every GW though, think I should downgrade a couple to upgrade some?

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

    Transfer advice required....
    2FT's 0.5ITB

    Fabianski Foster
    Mendy Robertson Schlupp Wan-Bissaka Bednarek
    Salah Hazard Mkhitaryan Walcott Fraser
    Aguero Arnautovic Ings

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Mkhi to Hoijberg bednarek to Alonso work?

    2. Peps Pups
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Walcott -> Richarlison
      Mkhitaryan -> Moura/Maddison

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

      Walcott to Maddison or Richarlison.

  27. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with the FT this week?

    Hennessey
    Alonso Mendy Pereira
    Salah Hazard Pedro Maddison
    Aguero Wilson Mitrovic

    Patricio WanB Doherty Billing

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Pedro > Richarlison

  28. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Is Areola the best 4.5m keeper option playing tonight, despite the tough group and fixture today ?

  29. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Resisting the urge to wildcard this week as I have 2FT's in the bank. thinking of:

    Mkhi > Hazard
    Walcott > Maddison

    and then finally Auba > either Mitrovic or Zaha. Which do you prefer bearing in mind I also have Foster as my only playing goalie

    cheers,

  30. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    No articles regarding fantasy UCL yet, doesn't this site normally cover it ?

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Ronaldo Messi Coutinho 2 Bayern 2 City Fellani + the rest
      Job done