Scout Notes

How Kane fared on return as Barnes’ form continues

Like a spanner in the works, Harry Kane (£12.4m) made an earlier than expected return for Spurs in Blank Gameweek 27.

Not only did he play the full game, but the England international also found the net, potentially changing the plans of Fantasy managers in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Ashley Barnes (£5.6m) continues to offer excellent value as he extended his scoring run on Saturday afternoon.

We will assess the impact these two players should have on our FPL squads in this latest Scout Notes article.

Burnley 2-1 Spurs

Goals: Chris Wood (£6.2m), Ashley Barnes (£5.6m) | Harry Kane (£12.4m)

Assists: Dwight McNeil (£4.4m), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) | Danny Rose (£5.8m)

No player had more shots on target at Turf Moor on Saturday than Kane, who scored immediately after returning from injury. He could have added to his tally with a spectacular swerving effort in the first half, which forced an equally impressive save from Tom Heaton (£4.8m). Either way, it was a display that could represent the beginnings of Kane shaking up the Fantasy landscape once again. His involvement against Burnley was his first start since picking up an ankle problem in Gameweek 22, making a mockery of his original estimated return date. Tottenham originally revealed that he would not be back in training until March, but Kane had been working with his team-mates in the last few days and clearly showed enough to get back into the starting XI.

Thankfully, Spurs’ fixtures in the next few Gameweeks are probably enough to put the masses off for now, with Chelsea (away) and Arsenal (home) the next two opponents. That gives Kane plenty of time to audition for a place in Fantasy squads perhaps from Gameweek 34 onwards. That’s when Spurs face Huddersfield (home), before West Ham (home), Bournemouth (away) and Everton (home) complete the campaign for them.

“Harry scored and I’m so happy that he’s back. He’s going to help the team, but nobody is more important than the team. In the day that we understand that maybe we are going to cross the line and improve like a club and team and maybe we are going to be a real contender. Until that it’s going to be really difficult.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Kane’s return looks to have all but ended Fernando Llorente‘s (£5.7m) time as a Fantasy asset. The Spaniard dropped to the bench but was used as a second-half substitute. He did come on for Harry Winks (£5.5m) in the 72nd minute when Spurs were chasing goals but he was unable to register a single effort on goal. With Kane and Son Heung-min (£9.0m) both on the pitch at the same time as Llorente may not have worked in the former Swansea man’s favour.

As had been hinted at in recent matches, Son’s scoring run did indeed come to an end against Burnley. Having been arguably fortunate to get attacking returns in Gameweeks 25 and 26, the South Korean was particularly anonymous at Turf Moor. It had been hoped that Kane’s return might help him find the energetic form from a few weeks ago but in the end, Son managed just one effort on goal. With those tougher fixtures coming up for Spurs and no fixture in Blank Gameweek 31, it will be interesting to see what happens to his ownership.

Pochettino opted for a three-man defence for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, handing a recall to Juan Foyth (£5.0m) for a first start since Gameweek 19. Jan Vertonghen (£5.9m) and Toby Alderweireld (£6.0m) joined him in the back-line, with Danny Rose (£5.8m) and Serge Aurier (£5.8m) as wing-backs. There was no involvement for Kieran Trippier (£6.2m) or Davinson Sánchez (£5.8m) but it is believed Pochettino was simply resting them rather than missing either player through injury.

The three-man defence was sacrificed once it became clear that Spurs needed to throw more men forward. Having been booked, Foyth was replaced by Erik Lamela (£6.0m) for his first minutes since Gameweek 25 after missing the Newcastle game with a minor problem.

Despite seeing less of the ball and shooting less often, Burnley found a way to win, in a performance reminiscent of last season. Against Spurs, the Clarets were more active in the right areas, with eight goal attempts to the visitors’ seven, as well as a superior shot accuracy (40%) and goal conversion rate (20%).

“They didn’t have control in the way they often do, with their style, and that was part of our thinking, to make it feel different, and I thought we did that well, we set up from the keeper to press, and behind that, we asked so many questions of their back five and then back four, that eventually you think you’re going to find something, and we did. It’s hard for us, we’ve not made bold statements about rolling it around the back, 600 passes – you’ve got to find a way to win and that’s what it’s like in the Premier League when you’re Burnley. We’re finding ways to win once again and there’s a lot to be really pleased about. There’s some really good stuff and the little in between things that we’re doing really well, that we weren’t doing as well early season.” – Sean Dyche

Crucial to Burnley’s recent success has been striker Barnes, whose goal against Spurs was his fourth in as many Premier League matches. That should have been no surprise considering that only Sergio Aguero (£11.5m) had managed more shots on target than Barnes in the four Gameweeks prior to this one. At Turf Moor, no player registered as many efforts in the penalty area as him as he continues to prove he cannot be ignored. Now with goals against Manchester United and Spurs in recent weeks, Barnes is very much an advocate for the ‘form over fixture’ argument. Upcoming matches against Newcastle (away), Crystal Palace (home) and Leicester (home) offer the potential for more returns, the latter of those their Blank Gameweek 31 opponents.

Dwight McNeil (£4.4m) still offers great value as a fifth midfielder as he registered a third assist of the campaign. It was a second in as many matches for the young midfielder, who created more chances than any of his team-mates against Spurs. He has recently been keeping Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) and Robbie Brady (£5.4m) out of the team while they slowly recover from injury but both of them did appear in the second half in Gameweek 27. In fact, it was the Icelandic international who played the ball in for Barnes to stab home an 82nd-minute winner.

Burnley continue to go from strength-to-strength defensively too. That was demonstrated by how difficult Spurs found it to break the Clarets down on Saturday. Before Gameweek 27, Pochettino’s men averaged 2.3 goals per away game this season but managed just the one at Turf Moor, thanks to some excellent organisation.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton; Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Bardsley; McNeil (Gudmundsson 80′), Cork, Westwood, Hendrick (Brady 80′); Wood, Barnes.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-1-2): Lloris; Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Foyth (Lamela 76′); Rose, Winks (Llorente 62′), Sissoko, Aurier; Eriksen; Son (Moura 88′), Kane.

1,006 Comments Post a Comment
  1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Cheeky VVD Bets!

    28/1 first or last Goalscorer.

    15/2 Anytime. 🙂

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd take the anytime scorer bet only

  2. El-Kloppico
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I dont care about Auba.. a cameo will be great. But plz Ars, bring a CS plz. Just got Kola in.

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Kola will be as usual on for 11/12 points until a late goal from Redmond sets him off and he is booked and ends up on 2/3 points

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

        no own goal?

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Own goal first, then rc imo.

      2. hsakrujd
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Let's hope he'll be injured in 85th 😉

      3. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Perfectly summed up unfortunately.

  3. fedolefan
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Was pondering a Robbo to TAA move next week. Think I'm going to shelve that.

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

      i think hes played every league game bar 2 when fit

      1. fedolefan
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, but no point in taking a risk now with 11 GWs left. He'll probably miss 1 or 2 more and so may Robbo but at least I'll save the transfer. Could have done with the extra 1.5m though.

  4. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    The clubs don't tweet their lineup anymore?

  5. FPLGeezer
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lacazette captain please repay for owning you over Xmas and your benchings

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

      Same here mate, fingers crossed

  6. MGD
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    No TAA? -_-

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bench

  7. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Still feel auba will outscore laca this gw loll

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

      😉

  8. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Glad I held off Kun>Auba(c), and Digne>Yedlin -4 would have only yielded a point. Pogba(c) and on to GW28.

  9. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Wishes for Arsenal game: Laca off on 58 minutes to be replaced by Auba. Bedinak comes off with a slight niggle after the 60 minute mark and Auba then fires a brace. 😎

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty sure it will happen except the bednarek one

  10. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hi, please help, which is better options?
    A. Sterling, Anderson
    B. Mane, Son
    Ta.

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      First one.

  11. Dakers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Don’t know how some people are having the restraint/will to keep Auba for another week?

    Screw him and screw Emery. Dunno what to do

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

      What if we do Auba to kun & kun is benched ??
      😀

      1. Not again Shirley
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Exactly. It would be Sod’s law that if swap Auba for Kun that the former bangs in a Hattie!

  12. Numb
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Son captainers having the last laugh

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      *salah

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        True

    2. fedolefan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Arnie cappers had the first laugh.

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hmm.. but Jinenez was my VC. And Salah will surwly haul today.

    4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Auba will do Arnie and get 4 to 5 points imo

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

        I'd take that happily now.
        11 points this gw.

    5. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Rondon (v)

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Lucky!

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I haven't even got him 🙁

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

            😀

    6. Amey
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't say that until last minute. Auba can come & score ( I'm a Auba © so hopeful 😛 )

      1. aborg
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I’m an Auba captainers but let’s hope that Arsenal don’t score much before the 60th mark or Amery might not have the need to get on Auba.

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

          He will come for sure. If he can score it'd be nice

          1. aborg
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Fingers crossed he will get something to get some advantage over people who captained Son or Anderson. There are still a few who captained Pogba though.

        2. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Nah, he'll come on anyway around 60-65 minutes.

          Actually he has only come off the bench twice this season (in the PL) and has scored twice each time - a 15-pointer against Fulham and a 12-pointer against Leicester.

          #ClutchingAtStraws

          Hard to see how Numb thinks Son captainers are having any kind of laugh at all, though. 2 points banked is hardly a cause for pleasure.

          1. aborg
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Lol true.

  13. diesel001
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Auba getting his rest in before a run of 5 big games (BOU, tot, rennes, MUN, RENNES).

    Then he gets a nice rest while the FA Cup plays out and with no fixture in BGW31.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bournemouth is no bigger a game than this one.

      1. diesel001
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Tougher game than Southampton at home.

        Bournemouth like playing counter-attacking football. They will be happy to give Arsenal the ball. Arsenal will need all their firepower for that game.

  14. jia you
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Spurs fans...what's the story with Trippier?

    1. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      dont know, dont care. selling him immediatly. had enough of both him and taa

      1. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Same

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Rotation

    3. drughi
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      not a spurs fan but quality crossing awful defending mostly

  15. socho
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Has Almiron impressed yesterday? cheers

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yeah looked like quality, should be a good boost for Newcastle attack

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Apparently

    3. jia you
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yup, very lively, some very clever movement and passes and almost scored a great goal when hitting the post.

    4. Sterling Malory
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Looked good.

      But ultimately was playing against the worst 10 players in the league.

      I reckon even I would look okay.

    5. socho
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      thank you!

  16. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why bother sometimes. 😐

    1. Dakers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mood right now

  17. Cubillas
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Of the 4 starting defenders for ManU today, would you please list them in order of how likely they are to play the next 6 GW's in which MU has a match? 1 would be likeliest to play all 6 and 4 would be the least likeliest to play all 6.

    1.) Shaw
    2.) Lindelöf
    3.) Smalling
    4.) Young

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      In that order...

      Cba with your number system sorry.

  18. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Without Auba and thinking of bringing him for Weds and slapping the armband on him..

    1. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same. Might get both Auba and Vardy.

  19. Party time
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Unite Mané cappers or am I alone 🙁

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

        Alone hasnt been a bad thing to be so far this gameweek.

        1. Party time
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Lol

        2. fedolefan
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Pretty sure you're alone there.

          1. Party time
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Hehehe. Glad 🙂

          2. jia you
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Nah, went for the much more reliable Rondon 😉

            1. Party time
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Spot on! buddy 🙂

                1. jia you
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  just watched the game, he could have had a hattie on another day, don't know how Newcastle only scored 2 in that game!

              • Amey
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                😀
                Believe me mate, you can brag about it for the rest of the season.
                Great decision to © him.
                I think I'm also going to take risks now.
                Auba © next gw locked in 😛

                1. jia you
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Haha, think City could score 4 or 5 v BOU so my armbands will be on Sterling & Aguero (if/when I buy him)

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

                    Gw 28 is for Higuain © against Fulham 🙂

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

                      29*

            2. 7rjngs lollygagger
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Smart choice.

              I was on him almost all week. Switched to Rondon Friday and then played safe with Son at very last minute

              1. Party time
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Thanks buddy. I am hoping Liverpool spank United today and he bags in those points

            3. diesel001
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Lacazette red card has cost Auba owners today. But will Laca rub more salt in the wound by hauling?

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

                That's the dream

              2. fedolefan
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                To find out all that and more, tune in to BT Sport in 25 minutes.

                1. Sterling Malory
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  And it's LIVEEE

              1. Ambrosiana Inter
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                His link doesn’t work, maybe he has him in his team

                • 11 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                He's run rings round everyone there

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

              Son > Sterling for the next 3 a smart move? Obviously wait to see Sterling's minutes later, but not sure if this is a good idea or if I'm just raging after Son (C) yesterday.

              1. JIMMY TUGGINS
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I have both, I think Son is the first mid I'm switching in prep for 31 out of Salah/Sterling/Pogba/Son/Jota. Wanna keep Sterling until the last minute.

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

                  So a good move?

                  Think it'd cost me -4 down the line, but would also allow me Mané & King instead of Firmino & Fraser.

                  1. JIMMY TUGGINS
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    I'd definitely rather have Sterling, no Aguero I assume?

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

                      Correct. I could afford Laca to Aguero (only bought laca this week) but that would mess up gw31 plans completely.

                      1. JIMMY TUGGINS
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        Yeah, I'm currently trying to resist rage transferring Auba to Aguero myself.

              2. 7rjngs lollygagger
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Not convinced by this one.

                I don’t mind the Son fixtures when you consider the state of Chelsea and Arsenal away form - and he plays all the matches

                And well the minutes today aren’t much of a guide for me. It was minutes that led to everyone bundling in on Sané

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

                  Before yesterday i was in the same mindset, but now thinking Sterling could score more in one game than Son could in three.

                  1. 7rjngs lollygagger
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    Yep.

                    Don’t deny it’s not tempting but I have the Kun safety net!

            5. JIMMY TUGGINS
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I'm just gonna captain someone that plays either Fulham or Hudds for the rest of the season.

              1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Yes

              2. jia you
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                not a bad approach I reckon!

              3. Eytexi
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Jiminez or Doherty next week then.

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

                Redmond hm to Fulham or Salah hm to Watford think I’m going for the latter haha

                1. JIMMY TUGGINS
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  Doherty (C)

            6. DA Minnion (Former great)
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Should have captained pogba.

              1. Wild Rover
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                😎

              2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                *docherty

            7. Big_Andy_GAWA
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Folks,

              Is Higuin a genuinely decent option? Chelsea strikers have been so unappealing for such a long time that I find it difficult to consider him presently...

              1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                As a Chelsea fan I have been very impressed by him by his movements and vs weaker will get goals.I think he is a very good option from gw29 through the blanks.Miles better than morata and giroud

                1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  *weaker teams

            8. Chenku╰☆╮
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Southampton to beat arsenal 5-0 common

            9. Simply Loveleh
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Was thinking of doing aubamiang and son to aguero and hazard, but then I thought a more sensible approach could be to keep aubamiang for Bournemouth game and do son to sterling for free, thoughts

              1. Ambrosiana Inter
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Yes

              2. Srv210
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Currently thinking of this...waiting for lineup against Chelsea
                Or I can do rashford+son to kun+almiron too

              3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Yeah keep auba.Son to sterling looks good

              4. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Simply simply loveleh

            10. Ambrosiana Inter
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Son and trippier out this week for vvd and a Man City mid depending on who plays today

              1. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Another day Son could have scored. Another day Trippier might have changed the result in both ends of the pitch. Aurier was absolute failure.

            11. Tower Bridge
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Good afternoon community, looking forward to the big Utd v Liverpool game.
              I like everyone else it seems has been thinking about when to play these wretched chips my conclusion is:
              Build team for GW31
              F/H GW 32
              W/C GW 34
              BB in GW35.

              My current team looks like
              Fab Button
              Robertson Doherty Digne Periera Bennet
              Salah Son Pogba Siggi Ward-Prowse
              Aguero Rashford Jiminez

              I have nothing in the bank and took a -4 this week with WAB injured for Periera
              This gives me 6 players for GW 31 already.
              So Son needs to go, Bennet, Doherty, with downgrade Aguero to get Hazard as we go into GW31.

              What do you all think and who should I target, Rondon looks good, possibly Lascelles, Vardy or Maddison now Puyols been sacked??

            12. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Who'd be better to get?

              A) Hayden
              B) McNeil

              1. 7rjngs lollygagger
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Tricky because neither is tied on with players coming back in from injury. I’m avoiding both - just not worth a transfer.