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. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Masina for watford cover? as he should be the replacement for holebas

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Holebas out for DGW35?

      1. Twisted Melon
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        looks like hes going to be out for a while

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

    Woohoo all 3 starting.... cmon Laporte sterling and Kun 😀

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

      Season NOT over 😉

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

        😀

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

          😉

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Same 3 here. Hopefully a 7-0 mauling lol

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      THIS

      LETS GO GO GO

  3. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Feeling bad to not pick Sterling on WC...

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

      Cant have them all.

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

    What are the chances of a Kun hattie with KDB getting the assists, Laporte being subbed on 61 minutes with a clean sheet and then Palace going on to win 4-3.

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

      4:1 on betfair

    2. ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      0.2% i’d say. I’d take that tho

  5. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    went for Sterling-less for my WC, this is going to be a painful game to watch

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

    No Fernandinho no party

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

    Son over Sterling will end in tears 🙁

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

      Same here
      Too scared of a cameo from Raz & Son gets a cameo
      😀

  8. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    OMG SCENES!!!!
    Danilo benched: :O

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

    Angry with myself for not captaining Aguero but on the bright side I'm about to have some delicious cookies and cream ice-cream so all is well in the world. 🙂

    Good luck you filthy animals. 😉

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

      Sounds good.

      Cheese on toast for me. Living the dream on a Sunday afternoon, here!

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

        Nice! 😉

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

      Soup for me made my Mrs Demel.

  10. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy an option now?

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

      He has been for a couple of weeks. I would have owned him if I played my wildcard last week.

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        No he hasn't. He was out of favour - he was fit in 25 but didn't play at all. He's only getting game time because of injuries.

  11. Party time
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck to all with City assets. Time for me to disappear

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

        😮
        No City ??
        Can't wish you luck bro, i need some points

        1. Party time
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Lol. Yes, however, good luck

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

              Ha ha
              Cheers bro

      2. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        pep starts

      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        @Numb. You are a bloody legend.

      4. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Good afternoon!

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

          Afternoon mate. Let’s hope for a better one today !

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Yep, sitting pretty on 21, let's go Raz and Kun!

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

              21 is a haul !

              Yes and Laporte too please 😉

              1. The Ejiptian King
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Wouldn't begrudge you a CS, I need that extra point for Raz anyway, lol. Lloris is the only player that I'm happy with so far this weekend.

            2. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Lol
              Exactly same score & players

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Afternoon mate 🙂
          We're United fans, but are going to cheer for City 😀
          FPL !!

          1. XabiAlonso
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Oh how things have changed

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

              FPL 😉

            2. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Also you know who is in chase with City 😛

          2. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I would be at this point even I was going city-less!

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

          Ello ello

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

        How many penalties Palace going to win today?

        1. i am jose mourinho
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          My mili is ready

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

          Hopefully at least 1 converted one.

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

        You think mendy will start most games or will get rotated? Zinchenko and delph :-/

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

          Zilchenko is almost fit. There will be some rotation but he is a good option.

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

          I think he starts all but 1 maybe 2

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

          Once he gets fully fit I think he’ll be pretty nailed (if the injuries haven’t ruined him).

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

        Benteke starts, well played City def owners, CS guaranteed, maybe even big baps.

        Did you have insider info Trekkers was playing?

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

          Naughty jaf...

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

            😉

        2. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          well we all like big baps

          FPL points are nice as well 🙂

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

        No Aguero will be a tough watch.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Poor Sutherns.
          No Kun.
          No Sterling.

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

            You win some. You lose some. He may still have the last laugh.

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              yep, next week probably.

          2. Richd
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Has a lovely cat tho

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

        AWB vs Sane and Mendy.

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Padding his tackle stats, not even fair.

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

          This question sounds like a rewind to the first few weeks of the season.

        3. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Macca vs Mendy

      10. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Score Predictions?
        Palace 1-2 Man City.
        Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea.

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

          1-0
          1-1

          I hope

        2. Party time
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Liverpool 3 -3 Chelsea

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

            0-3
            1-2

          • BIGREDDOG
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            0-1
            3-0

          • Peteski29
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            0-3
            2-0

          • Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            1-4
            1-0

          • TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            0-8. 8 goals Laporte

            0-8. 8 own goals Mane

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

              The reverse please

        3. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          And five quid on Sterlo & Kuno not scoring, that’s a win-win sorted 😎

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

            Nice

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

            I like that.
            Also, if they both just get lots of assists it's a double win.

        4. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Hoping Duffy picks up an injury before the second game so my C can move to KDB and Pogbas points can come off the benchm

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I make you mum happy two time

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

            So lame .... every double 🙂

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

            Duffy played 1st game so captain won’t change

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

            Yeah good luck with that????

          5. TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            errrrrr

            you do understand how this game works right?

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

          Kun blank chances ?

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

            0%

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

          If city haul we will soon forget about Brighton. 😀

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

            I certainly won't as it means a likely even bigger red arrow.

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

          Penba took me into the top 100k again. Come on sterlo and kev, let's get even higher!

        8. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Laporte just scored a thunderbolt in warm up.....owners licking lips, he looks well up for this.

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

            He's known for them jaf

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

          I can see a few big guns being hauled off at half time 😉

        10. R.C
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          So Mendy is an option now

          1. F_Ivanovic
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            No... first prem game since GW12 despite having been fit for at least 5 GW where he could have played.

        11. Kepa's at the wheel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          No Tomkins or Sakho. Title on the line. Non-city owners might want to turn away

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

          I have no idea what I am doing without Kun in my team. I don't like this feeling. He will be coming un for Vardy this week.

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

            Prem goat striker

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

              I am not sure Vardy is quite that good 🙂

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

                😀

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

            I have Lukaku I’m more dumb

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

              Ouch! How did you do that?