Scout Notes

Which Spurs assets looked the best in Kane’s absence?

It was Lucas Moura (£6.7m) who proved to be the chief beneficiary of Harry Kane‘s (£12.6m) injury on Saturday afternoon.

Fantasy Premier League managers have spent the last few days trying to work out which of the crocked forward’s colleagues would take his place as the main goal threat, especially considering Spurs’ favourable fixtures.

A hat-trick for Moura in Spurs’ 4-0 win over Huddersfield has now thrown him into the Fantasy conversation for the coming weeks.

However, it was a result that only exacerbated the frustration of managers whose key options were rotated out of the side by Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs 4-0 Huddersfield

Goals: Victor Wanyama (£4.9m), Lucas Moura x 3 (£6.7m)

Assists: Fernando Llorente (£5.1m), Moussa Sissoko (£4.9m), Christian Eriksen (£9.3m), Heung-Min Son (£8.8m)

With a Double Gameweek coming up against Manchester City (away) and Brighton (home) next week, Moura has played his way into our thoughts with an impressive display against Huddersfield. Owned by just 5.8% of managers, he has the potential to be a cheap and powerful differential in Kane’s absence between now and the end of the season.

Only Fernando Llorente (£5.1m) had more touches in the penalty area than the Brazilian on Saturday lunch-time, while no player had more shots on target than him in the whole match. Crucially, Moura was deployed as a centre-forward next to Llorente, a position that could get the best out of him if he can hold onto it. Pochettino was full of praise for the player so his chances of heavy involvement in the coming weeks look good at the moment.

“He was so important even before people start to recognise his value. We are happy because people can see how good he is now. He’s doing a fantastic job, he’s a great professional and a great guy.” – Maurizio Pochettino

“It’s a special day for me, a good moment, it’s my first hat-trick in Europe so I’m so happy and I don’t have words to express this moment. I just have to say thank you to God, my teammates, I’m so happy here and we’ll keep going strong to make history here.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Llorente huffed and puffed up front and did everything but score in a very good performance. He registered six shots in the box, more than any other player on the pitch, but did not hit the target with any of them. The Spaniard went very close at the start of the second half, showing great control to bring down a Juan Foyth (£5.0m) pass in the box, only to rattle the crossbar.

Llorente also flashed two headers wide, one in each half. His 0.8% ownership can rightly feel disappointed with just an assist. He also picked up a knock towards the end of the game which is why Son Heung-min (£8.8m) had to come on. Pochettino had the following to say when he was asked about the current injuries ahead of the return leg against City, including Llorente’s:

“We need to assess Fernando (Llorente). We hope we can recover Dele Alli and Harry Winks. We’ll see because yesterday he felt his groin in training. Dele, we’ll see. It’s not clear and we’ll see what happens.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Son captainers would have been pulling their hair out after he came on for a brief cameo to replace the exhausted Llorente in the 86th minute. However, he did at least manage to get an assist when he teed up Moura to complete an impressive hat trick.

The South Korean was one of many key Spurs assets to fall foul of the rotation that Pochettino had promised us. Influenced by Champions League matches before and after Double Gameweek 34, the Spurs boss rang the changes on Saturday lunch-time, making seven changes in total.

The leader of the captaincy poll Son found himself on the bench alongside Kieran Trippier (£6.0m), Danny Rose (£5.8m) and Toby Alderweireld (£6.0m). Not surprisingly, Dele Alli (£8.8m) and Kane missed out completely due to their respective injuries.

“We’ll see (on Alli’s hopes of playing midweek). He’s doing some training sessions with the protection. He needs to feel comfortable. It all depends on the time.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.2m) came in for just his first start in 2019 at right wing-back in place of Trippier with Ben Davies (£5.6m) on the left in place of Rose.

Davinson Sanchez (£5.8m) was flanked by Jan Vertonghen (£5.9m) and youngster Foyth who made his first appearance since Gameweek 27 in a back three.

Walker-Peters and Davies got forward at every opportunity and were always a threat but neither are viable FPL options with Trippier and Rose likely to be Pochettino’s first-choice wing-backs for the final few weeks of the season. These rotation-prone players are probably best avoided.

As mentioned, Moura and Llorente were tasked with leading the attack for Spurs and they did so to great effect, linking up well throughout. They earned praise from their manager for how they performed together, with Pochettino especially pleased to get a positive result with so much rotation.

“The football is moving so quickly. I think today Fernando was very good and an unbelievable afternoon for Lucas Moura. When you have 24/25 players they need to play. I thought the performance was very professional. The hat-trick will help build his confidence.”

Spurs dominated possession throughout and opened the scoring midway through the first half through Victor Wanyama (£4.9m) who broke from midfield to get on the end of a Davies pass which was intended for Llorente. The Spaniard was deemed to have got a slight touch on the ball before it ran through to the Kenyan who coolly rounded Ben Hamer (£3.9m) to slot home his first goal for over a year.

Three minutes later, the game was all but over, this time Wanyama’s midfield partner Moussa Sissoko (£4.9m) burst forward and played in Moura who finished in style, giving Hamer no chance. Spurs were able to take their foot off the gas after half an hour. Moura wrapped the game up late on with two great goals, one a fine finish from a great cross from Christian Eriksen (£9.3m), the other provided by Son.

Eriksen made his owners sweat, leaving it late to register his assist for Moura’s second. Otherwise, it was a quiet display from the Dane. He spent a lot of the game playing deep, receiving the ball from the centre backs and spraying it around the pitch. In fact, Wanyama and Sissoko were often more advanced than the Dane. Eriksen got forward a bit more in the second half and had a decent shot deflected onto the post. Despite playing deeper at times, he still managed five shots at goal, more than Moura, but none of them landed on target.

Eriksen also created more chances than anyone else on the pitch (six) although his set pieces were below his usual standards. He hit the wall from a good position in the first half. That continued a run of over three years in which he has no goals from direct free-kicks for Spurs.

Huddersfield posed little threat to Hugo Lloris (£5.4m) in the Spurs goal. Their best chances fell to Jon Stankovic (£3.9m) who should have done better when he got on the end of a corner slicing his effort wide and Steve Mounie (£5.8m) who headed wide from a good chance not long after coming on. The clean sheet never looked in too much danger of being wiped out. The French goalkeeper was a popular pick for those playing their second Wildcard this week and they’ve got off to a good start with him. Aside from the City fixture, Spurs have a nice run-in which should yield more shutouts.

Jan Siewert made three changes to his side with Juninho Bacuna (£4.2m), Florent Hadergjonaj (£4.3m) and Elias Kachunga (£4.8m) coming into the starting XI to replace Tommy Smith (£4.4m), Aaron Mooy (£5.0m) and Alex Pritchard (£4.8m) who were all named on the Terriers’ bench. Jonas Lossl (£4.4m) and Philip Billing (£4.5m) were once again omitted from the matchday squad.

“I’m disappointed because the result doesn’t reflect the way we played today. We wanted to be the first team to score here and we know it’s not easy to play Spurs because they’ll run you ragged.” – Jan Siewert

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-5-2): Lloris, Walker-Peters, Sanchez, Vertonghen (Rose 83’), Foyth, Davies, Sissoko (Skipp 73’), Wanyama, Eriksen, Moura, Llorente (Son 86’)

Huddersfield Town XI (4-4-1-1): Hamer, Durm (Mounie 68’), Kongolo, Schindler, Hadergjonaj, Lowe, Stankovic (Mooy 81’), Hogg, Bacuna (Williams 90’), Kachunga, Ahearne-Grant.

1,282 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ben Dinnery claims that Valery only had 'cramp'.

    How accurate is he usually? I know he has got the blue verified flag but how would he know this information?

    1. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      they're "friends"

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He just reads the interviews.

  2. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Can anyone see how many players is the average left to play for top 10k?

    I can see on FPL Discovery that so far we've had 6.6 starting players average, 7.4 including captains, but I don't know how many had multiple Brighton assets, so not sure what people have left.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Livefpl

      1. Earn your Spurs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks for that 🙂

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update (76 teams)

    Current safety score = 18
    Top score = 36
    LMS average = 18.47 (-0.21) = 18.26

    Average Players Played: 4.93 out of 12.0
    Captains Played: 53.95%

    4 games + autosubs to go.

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Wow just 76 teams
      Wish I hadn't been knocked out
      72(-12) points and fraser on bench 🙁

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        In it to win it

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Is there any prize?

          1. Pras (FPL)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Same what you get for getting in top 1k

            1. Emiliano Sala
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Didn't know there is a top 1k prize

      2. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        What did you do to get 72?

  4. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Southampton seem to keep winning but never get any further from relegation?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      True, but it is probably between Cardiff and Brighton now. Big match on Tuesday night.

  5. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I just need haz salah taa or Robbo to get a knock in morning training so I can get Wilson’s points or to for all to match him

  6. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How is 26 with Ryan KDB Laporte and Sterling left

    1. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      You will survive

  7. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    My hilarious luck this GW...

    Could get Kane in vs HUD if I did transfer just before 0.1 rise, so for first time this season did the early transfer as it looked too good a prospect to have a team with Salah, Hazard, Aguero & Kane. Did Pogba > JWP so I had the funds to do Higuain > Kane. Picked JWP over Redmond after advice on here, won't name the culprits haha.

    Ends up Kane gets injured, Moura steps in and cleans up and Redmond and Pogba hit a brace. Can't make this stuff up!

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I bought kane before his rise too. But sold for a hit and brought in Moura and captained him and hope it pays off those hits

  8. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which two players should I transfer out for double players?

    a) Dunk

    b) Vardy

    c) Murray

    1. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      AB

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A
      C

  9. ragonian
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    16 from 8 inc (C) on wildcard. Sold Wilson & Fraser too.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Pretty standard tbh.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Plenty sold those 2 this week.

  10. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Can't wait for Rough and Smooth this gameweek - there should be really good ones.

    Personally, i've WC away Pogba (12), Brooks (11) and Fraser (14) pre bonus. Gw points so far, 13 amazing pts.

    Fml, lol...

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bournemouth players are firmly on my list of enemies after they stunk up my team in 31 and 33.

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      lol

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      On the other hand I hope someone signs Babel in the PL. He's fantasy gold.

  11. Gabriel Agbonlahor
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Have Pogba Moura Mcneil but Son(C) and Wilson 1st bench. Any chances of Auba not playing tomorrow?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      2.7% chance, Gabo.

  12. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Do we think Murray will actually start the next game?

    Surely the Knockeart red frees up another space upfront?

    1. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He should do really after they've been turned over today

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'd say so

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I don't think Hughton will be playing two up front like he did today (Andone and Locadia). Expect Murray and Gross to come back in with March taking Knockaert's place.

  13. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Jesus wept. Sold Fraser and Pogba.

    1. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      So did everybody

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Casuals win again

  14. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Points prediction for next gw please:

    Ederson: Spurs(H), manutd(A)
    Alisson: cardiff(A)

    1. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      6
      6

    2. CaTriEm
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      7
      6

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      8
      6

  15. fiveyears
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Don't know about you lot but I would have tripled up on Brighton defenders in a SGW regardless...

  16. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    GW 35 (C) Double

    A) Deeney
    B) Jiminez

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      The one who you think will start both

      1. CaTriEm
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Just seen your reply on the last page, comiserations, we can always hope someone comes down with the flu or feels a niggle in the warm-up I suppose.

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          I hope that happens.

    2. CaTriEm
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Jimenez, but see below.

  17. Iggypop
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Dont panic, plenty games left, and we should all be set up nicely for next week!

  18. CaTriEm
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I have no BB, how does TC Jimenez sound for next GW? Had planned on doing it but now second guessing myself.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I've planned it too so i think i'm going for it

  19. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A) Duffy,Camarasa to Bednarek,Redmond(-4)

    B) same as A but with JWP (-4)

    C) Vardy,Camarasa to Jiminez,Jota (-4)

    D) Camarasa to Hojberg (and play Duffy,Vardy in BB)

  20. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    next week
    A) Triple captain Son
    B) bench boost: Yedlin, Awb, Grant, Boruc (maybe drop Boruc for Lloris or Foster)

    1. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      wait for CL replay if you want A, otherwise B and drop Boruc

  21. Merlinsnose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Would you get in Lucas Moura now for Jota?

    Or too knee jerkey and we should wait to see if he starts next match?

    Is there anyone else who could take Mouras place?

    Thanking you

  22. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Top 10K chips:
    Chip played (%of Top 10k) average score

    Wildcard (62.56%) 19.21
    No Chip (36.09%) 22.60
    Triple Captain (0.65%) 21.68
    Bench Boost (0.61%) 26.05
    Free Hit (0.09%) 22.44

    No chip players currently beating WCers

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Wc will pay off mate

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      2 of the 3 non chip players in LMS are currently safe.
      The one who take a -12 is just 2 from safety.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Wildcard 96.05% 18.05
        No Chip 3.95% 23.25

  23. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Still Viking 0-0 Brann

    Hoiland offside goal.

  24. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ya I'm never going to own a Brighton player again, if they even manage to stay up.
    Ryan (c), dunk, Knockaert for a grand total of -1. Not to mention Knockaert will now be suspended for the second game and both of the following double gameweek. Why do we even plan.

  25. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    So what heartache do we have coming tomorrow?

    Aguero/Sterling benching is a given, anything else?

    1. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Robertson OG and Mane red card

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Salah hattrick.

  26. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Oh wow.

    My last min WC change of...

    Redmond, Pogba, Laporte -> JWP, Eriksen and Doherty

    ...is hurting a bit currently.....

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Would prob have benched Redmond but Pogba kills me. I’ve had him since November or something

  27. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Pogba just casually puts up 42 attacking returns in his last 56 starts - with 3 missed pens into the bargain.

    If he's still at utd next year there's no way he's anything below 10.0

    1. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Especially with the VAR tax added on

  28. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Thorstvedt 1-0.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Keep us updated

  29. GE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Did Pogba -> De Bruyne last second 🙁