Scout Notes

Bournemouth make mockery of Brighton defensive assets

It was absolute carnage in the Fantasy Premier League community on Saturday afternoon as Brighton were thrashed 5-0 at home by Bournemouth.

It was their heaviest ever defeat at the Amex Stadium, which came at just the wrong time for Fantasy managers.

Not only were the Seagulls’ heavily backed for their Double Gameweek, but the Cherries had also been widely declared as ‘on the beach’ already.

What impact this shocking result will have on our plans is the focus of this latest Scout Notes article.

Brighton 0-5 Bournemouth

Goals: Dan Gosling (£4.7m), Ryan Fraser (£6.3m), David Brooks (£5.1m), Callum Wilson (£6.6m), Junior Stanislas (£6.0m)

Assists: Wilson x2, Fraser x2, Brooks

Bournemouth’s attacking assets made a mockery of the popular decision to back the Brighton defence in Double Gameweek 34. 46.17% of managers ranked 10,000 or higher currently own both Mat Ryan (£4.4m) and Shane Duffy (£4.8m) this weekend, with 22.72% handing the captain’s armband to the centre-back – and all of those are already one clean sheet down on the deal.

It was Bournemouth who started Saturday afternoon’s meeting at the Amex Stadium the better side. An achievement made all the more damning on Brighton’s defence considering how poor the Cherries have been on their travels this season. This was only the second time since Gameweek 11 that Bournemouth scored more than once on the road. The last time they did that in the selected period was at Huddersfield Town in Gameweek 30, who are now relegated from the Premier League.

Dan Gosling (£4.7m) found himself in far too much space in the first-half to slot past Ryan after being fed the ball by Callum Wilson (£6.6m). It was an impressive finish from Ryan Fraser (£6.2m) in the second-half that unlocked the Seagulls’ floodgates, but again, he was given far too much time to take his shot after picking the ball up from a poor pass at the back.

At that point, Bournemouth could smell the blood in the water and they swarmed around Brighton’s poorly defended goal like sharks. Next up it was David Brooks (£5.0m) who slotted home unchallenged before Wilson got his goal with minimal effort. Substitute Junior Stanislas (£6.0m), again in far too much space, completed the rout late on.

“We came up against a very dynamic Bournemouth side and couldn’t handle them. We started okay but didn’t create much and then from our possession they scored four goals on the counter. We changed the shape but then went down to ten men (Anthony Knockaert red card) which makes it even harder. We found it very difficult to cope with them. It’s certainly not something we have experienced before. Anything like that would have been against one of the top teams (Liverpool 1-5, Chelsea 0-4).” – Chris Hughton

This result has put significant pressure on the Brighton defence to secure Fantasy returns at home to Cardiff on Tuesday night. Those who have captained Duffy will especially be carrying that weight over the next few days. The fact that the Bluebirds will be in more of a desperate need for points than their hosts midweek, after losing at Burnley on Saturday, it does not bode well.

“We have to take it on the chin, our worst defeat and worst overall performance. There is no doubt they (players) know how poor a performance it was today. Everybody will be looking, mostly me, to see the type of reaction from the team.” – Chris Hughton

Brighton have generally been better defensively at home this season compared to what they are capable of away. For that reason, interest in options such as Ryan, Duffy and the like for Double Gameweek 35 will have plummeted after Saturday’s heavy defeat. They must travel to Spurs and Wolves in that round of fixtures and, unless a positive result can be secured against Cardiff, they will do so with confidence at rock-bottom.

Not surprisingly, Brighton’s attacking assets barely troubled Bournemouth. The Seagulls came into this match joint-bottom for big chances in their four previous outings, and that trend continued. They managed just one shot on target

Those who had turned to Glenn Murray (£6.4m) were left disappointed as Chris Hughton’s tendency to rotate him in busy periods also continued. He was named on the bench with Florin Andone (£5.0m) handed the centre-forward berth. The veteran forward will probably start against Cardiff, but like most of his colleagues, has it all to do to make investing in him a worthwhile move.

Jurgen Locadia (£5.3m) and Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m) were the two wide attackers flanking Murray and Brighton’s chances of getting a result against Bournemouth, and indeed against Cardiff, were damaged by the latter’s frustration in the second half. He was sent off for a reckless and needlessly forceful late tackle on Adam Smith (£4.3m) in the 68th minute. Because it was a dismissal for serious foul play, it means that he misses the next three matches, which are Cardiff (home), Wolves (away) and Spurs (away).

“I have no idea what Anthony Knockaert is thinking. He is a second-and-a-half late. It’s a disgusting challenge and it could have been a career-ending tackle.” – Dion Dublin, BBC

“I’ve seen far worse challenges. I would accept it’s a reckless, emotional challenge. He is aware that he has let the team down.” – Chris Hughton

It was telling that Brighton’s first shot on target came from left-back Bernardo (£4.2m) late in the second half. They really offered nothing going forward and none of their players managed a higher expected goal involvement (xGI) score of 0.12, shared by Yves Bissouma (£4.6m) and Locadia.

By contrast, Bournemouth not only laughed in the face of claims that Brighton were in decent defensive form but were also defiant against suggestions that they are now ‘on the beach’. Despite winning just one game in their last nine, the Cherries turned on the style at the Amex Stadium, especially in the second half.

Josh King (£6.6m) had more shots in the box than any other player, Brooks created the most chances, with Fraser just one behind him for key passes, and Wilson showed all-round appeal with his goal and two assists. As plenty of managers expected to look at players with two fixtures in Double Gameweek, it might not be a bad move to consider a Bournemouth attacker for their home match against Fulham.

“Our goals today were trademark us, which was the pleasing thing. The first goal was a great team goal and it was nice to see Dan [Gosling] score. In the second half, we gelled and linked up well around the box so I’ll enjoy watching the goals back later tonight.” – Eddie Howe

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Bernardo, Dunk, Duffy, Montoya; Pröpper (Izquierdo 63′), Stephens, Bissouma; Locadia, Andone (Murray 58′), Knockaert.

Bournemouth XI (3-4-1-2): Boruc; Aké, S Cook (Simpson 87′), Mepham; Fraser, Lerma, Gosling, A Smith; Brooks; Wilson (Stanislas 83′), King (Solanke 76′).

922 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    CRY: Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Dann, van Aanholt, Kelly, McArthur, Schlupp, Milivojevic, Benteke, Zaha, Townsend
    Subs: Hennessey, Ward, Meyer, Kouyaté, Sako, Batshuayi, Ayew

    MCI: Ederson, Mendy, Kompany, Walker, Laporte, De Bruyne, Gündogan, David Silva, Sané, Agüero, Sterling
    Subs: Muric, Danilo, Otamendi, Stones, Bernardo Silva, Jesus, Mahrez

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

      Tekkers!

    2. Party time
        4 years, 11 months ago

        What a center back pairing. Time for me to hide behind the walls

      • diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Mendy playing - City win guaranteed.

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

      Yiha

    4. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Finally Pep trolls nobody

      Mahrez owners crying

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

        What about us Bernardo 1 pointers 🙁

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Chin up, he’ll get both games in the double 🙂

      2. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Are there any?

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Excellent. Mendy, KDB and Agüero triple up going to plan so far. Now just to be massively disappointed in a few hours time.

    6. CarsonYeung
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero (C) do your thing and save me from this disaster WC

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        How is it a disaster WC already? We haven't even reached the DGW yet!

        1. CarsonYeung
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Well, I went triple brighton defence for starters, in general players that non WCers kept (Bourmenmouth, Pogba etc) smashed it

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Ouch 🙁 still, most DGWs are a bit of a trap.you'll make up the points

    7. Mike2795647
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      BOOM, oh yes, Laporte, DeBruyne and Kun start. Plus saves me from having Duffy as captain

    8. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      (C)

      OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

    9. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kompany leading the team out today. Pep obviously doesn't know the golden rule.

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

      Bilva, Kun and Sterling will play in CL, so expecting the latter two to come off early for Jesus and Mahrez.

    11. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero And Sterling. Get in!

      Mendy next week anyone?

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        See if he gets through the week first. He could pop up in Vegas or anything between now and next week.

        1. good biashara
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah like a bar in Sydney or something 🙂

        2. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          More likely to either A) be rested for one of the DGW games as Pep has already said he can’t handle 2 games a week right now, or B) get injured again, most likely right at the start of the DGW.

          But other than that, yeah, he’s a great shout!

      2. Party time
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Mendy staying fit for next week depends on Zaha

      3. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Aguero starting is good news for owners

        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Really' thanks for that insight... Are you on the wind up?

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

            I don’t know what you mean

            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              🙄

              Logs back off this sh1t place...

              Unbelievable

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

          Unless he's blocking massive bench points!

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

            Yeah then not such good news!

      4. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Oh no, Mahrez TC fail 🙁

      5. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Aghhh this game! Jammy casual ML - captains Pogba and somehow has Fraser and Wilson, I'm on Duffy(c) and the point gap now is 90ish.

        Him : https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/3173353/event/34
        I : https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/166384/event/34

        Who actually is the casual though?

        1. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Duffy C is hilariously bad

        2. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Pogba is in the dream team. Fraser/Wilson not far from it. Duffy nowhere near. Are you sure he's the casual?

        3. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          All I’m reading is that he’s picked players that have returned points all game, and you’ve taken a punt on players that may play twice in one week.

        4. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          If he's 90 points ahead at this stage in the season, perhaps he's the better player?

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

        Ederson starts too

      7. Ould Onion Bagger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        My Mendy punt works in that he starts. But he's blocking Boly points so it still fails.

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

        What is Sterling and Aguero ownership top 10k?

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

          Aguero : 65.32%
          Sterling : 50.41%

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

            Kdb?

            1. Demel
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              13%

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

        Kdb - check
        Sterling - check
        Aguero - check

        Based on all the fuzz on here, I would have been pleased if only one of them started

        1. tokara
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          is easier if u just say u are a selfish bugger 🙂

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

            I am, gambled against the hype on here 🙂

      10. de quincey
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Imagine: Pogba saved my pathetic Saturday

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

        Benteke starts, congrats Laporte owners

      12. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Anyone considering Ings for DGW35 ?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Can’t risk him limping off after 20 mins of the first game

      13. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        You just know Aguero is going to haul with Bendy supplying the deadly crosses.

      14. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Aguero, Sterling, Laporte lets gooo!!

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

        Palace please have a good game. I’m off out. F@#k the sofa!

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

          If Aguero scores I might

      16. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Right bummer that the Masters golf is starting early due to the threat of bad weather and is clashing with the football. 🙁

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          This. Annoying

        2. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Golf? Isn't that for old retired blokes?

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

            Not really

        3. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          You’ll have to give one of them a miss 🙂

      17. Jay_
          4 years, 11 months ago

          My mate and rival can't get Fraser off bench (was relying on City no shows). Just sent him an old school MMS picture message screenshot of Fraser's 16 😀 50p well spent.

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

            You should use WhatsApp and you could send it free

            1. Jay_
                4 years, 11 months ago

                That, FB and Insta all down in the UK.

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

                  All working for me ??? Crazy

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

                    Except whatsapp now

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

              Mine has Moura 21pts welded in 15th place

          2. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            CL lineup going to have an interesting impact on the double in 35 ...

          3. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Laporte, Sterling and Aguero....Let the gameweek finally begin!

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

              Me too! I see Palace getting something here tho and being tight

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  being tight with Dann & Kelly?

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

              Palace - please make it a long tiring game for Aguero and Sterling (Spurs fan 🙂 )

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

                Spurs aren’t going to catch City now mate

                1. Uncle Gamst
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  Champions League?

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

              Get the game won early. Then sub off Silva, Aguero and Sterling to save them for the CL.

            4. Annie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Sterling and Aguero about to triple my score

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

                Same here, Im on 11 points atm.

              2. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                You only on 2 points at the moment, then?