Scout Notes

The Vertonghen latest as Spurs struggle for goals ahead of Gameweek 37

Tottenham Hotspur have it all to do in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final after falling to a 1-0 home defeat to Ajax on Tuesday evening.

What impact Spurs’ European exertions have on Mauricio Pochettino’s team selection in Gameweek 37 remains to be seen: the Lilywhites take on Bournemouth this weekend, with their two Champions League matches falling four days either side of their trip to the Vitality Stadium.

There is still much to play for in the Premier League, of course, and a win over the Cherries on Saturday lunchtime would guarantee a top-four place.

Pochettino demonstrated against West Ham last weekend that he had neither the inclination nor the available bodies to make wholesale changes to his starting XI in the league and rest players ahead of last night’s game, emphasising the importance of the match against the Hammers in his pre-match press conference.

The Spurs head coach’s comments about his players suffering from “stress and fatigue” after the West Ham loss were a concern, though.

We examine the north London club’s latest 1-0 home defeat in our Scout Notes article below.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Ajax

Jan Vertonghen (£5.9m) added to Spurs’ injury woes on Tuesday evening after picking up a head injury in the loss to Ajax.

Already without the services of Harry Kane (£12.6m), Harry Winks (£5.5m), Erik Lamela (£5.9m) and Serge Aurier (£5.7m), the Lilywhites were forced into replacing Vertonghen before the break following their centre-half’s clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld (£6.0m).

Owned by 7.6% of the top 10k at the point of the Gameweek 36 deadline, Vertonghen had missed Saturday’s match against West Ham with “fatigue” but recovered to line up against his former employers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A groggy-looking Vertonghen played on for a few minutes after sustaining his head wound but soon had to be helped from the field and looked unsteady on his feet.

Subsequent reports suggest Vertonghen passed initial concussion tests and Mauricio Pochettino was fairly upbeat about the player in his post-match press conference, saying:

Now is okay, now is good. He was walking away, was more relaxed. Hope it is not a big issue. He has walked out of the stadium now. Hope that he is well, you need to keep eyes watching him and monitor him because it was a big knock but at the moment, he is okay.

Asked about the decision to allow Vertonghen back onto the field after he had sustained a head injury, the Spurs boss added:

Wasn’t my decision. For me, first of all your life, we must protect the player integrity and of course, I wasn’t out of the conversation. Our medical staff follow the protocol and they decide that was possible to restart the game and possible to play again but of course, it was Jan in that moment, when the following action, he start to feel unwell and we need to change him and to put out.

Even if Vertonghen passes the next round of concussion tests on Wednesday, there has to be some doubt over his involvement at the Vitality Stadium this weekend.

Vertonghen’s injury inadvertently helped Spurs get back into the match on Tuesday, with substitute Moussa Sissoko (£4.9m) providing the drive and urgency from midfield that was sorely lacking in the first half an hour.

Ajax dominated in the first 30 minutes, registering six shots to Spurs’ one in the first third of the game.

Donny van de Beek was allowed plenty of time to finish past Hugo Lloris (£5.4m) after a quarter of an hour and the Ajax goalscorer should have slipped in David Neres for a tap-in ten minutes later instead of going for glory himself.

Neres also hit the post later in the match with Lloris rooted to the spot.

The 5-3-2/3-5-2 that Pochettino had initially deployed was swiftly abandoned in favour of a 4-4-2 diamond, with Victor Wanyama (£4.9m) playing as the anchor, Sissoko and Christian Eriksen (£9.3m) either side of him, and Dele Alli (£8.8m) as the tip of the midfield four.

Alli’s Fantasy appeal has been dented in recent months but this was the second successive match that the former MK Dons midfielder was used as the most advanced player in a 4-4-2 diamond, with Eriksen forced into a more deeper role.

Alli had more efforts on goal (three) than any of his teammates and registered Spurs’ only shot on target, which was comfortably dealt with by visiting goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Alli had another effort blocked and nodded a Kieran Trippier (£6.0m) cross over but to say he was an attacking menace would be a gross exaggeration – both Alli and Eriksen disappointed on the big stage, with Eriksen letting the game pass him by and failing with a third of his passes.

Lucas Moura (£6.8m) was arguably the pick of Spurs’ FPL midfield assets but his driving runs amounted to little and it was perhaps no surprise that Pochettino’s side posed such little attacking threat given that they were without the injured Kane and suspended Son Heung-min (£8.9m) up front.

Fernando Llorente (£5.1m) battled gamely in attack (one excellent piece of footwork leading to a chance for Alli) but his mistimed first-half header from a Trippier free-kick was his only attempt of the match and highlighted his own limitations as a striker.

Asked about Spurs’ lack of opportunities, Pochettino said:

We did not create many chances. We arrived in the last third but we did not find a way to create clear chances. Of course, there was the feeling that we can score but always we missed the last pass or shot.

In the second half, we took more risks and we tried to go forward and we allowed them a few chances.

You know very well that today was not our best game from the beginning. We are agreed that we cannot start the game like this. But they were fresh, they were more proactive than us.

Pochettino was also asked about his use of a five-man defence but highlighted the lack of fit options currently available to him, saying:

I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used but there were not too many options. I am not happy but you cannot guess what happens if we play in a different way.

It was not the shape that conceded the goal. Our approach to the game was not good. I am the manager so I have responsibility.

The dearth of attacking options available to Pochettino was underscored in the 80th minute when, with Spurs chasing the game, Trippier and Danny Rose (£5.8m) were replaced by Juan Foyth (£5.0m) and Ben Davies (£5.6m).

Trippier again failed to convince from a defensive perspective but did supply headed opportunities for Alli, Llorente and Alderweireld from either a set piece or open play.

Rose, meanwhile, very briefly reprised the “out of position” central midfield role that he operated in against West Ham on Saturday, before Sissoko’s introduction saw him switch to left-back.

Whether either full-back will be involved against Bournemouth on Saturday has to be questionable, with Foyth and Davies able to deputise.

Owners of Spurs’ midfield assets will be encouraged by the lack of available options that Pochettino can rotate with but the Spurs manager’s post-match comments about a lack of energy will again be a concern going into Gameweek 37.

Pochettino said:

The team didn’t show the energy that we wanted to show. I think they showed more energy than us.

I think the way that we conceded the goal was so painful. We were so poor in this action and it’s true, I agree with you, in the first half hour of the game we struggled because they showed more energy, they were more proactive than us. That was the key.

I think after 30 minutes, we start to equalise the game. Of course with Sissoko in, we started to play better, we started to show more energy. But of course we started to play better and the second half was much, much better. We pushed them to play deeper and we started to press in the way that we wanted to press.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-5-2): Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen (Sissoko 39′); Trippier (Foyth 78′), Eriksen, Wanyama, Alli, Rose (Davies 78′); Llorente, Lucas Moura.

595 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A) Eriksen Vardy to Sterling 7.4
    B) Eriksen Duffy to Hazard 3.9 (Kelly, CRY defender)
    C) Other?
    2FT, 0.9 ITB, kinda leaning towards B actually! Just means no sterling/salah.

    Lloris (speroni)
    Robertson Laporte Doherty (duffy bednarek)
    Mane Eriksen* Son Pogba (højbjerg)
    Aguero Vardy Jiménez

    Cheers! 🙂 ... tough one, trying to gather feedback either way

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A if Rashford is fit

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting. I was thinking that as the safer option for sure if Rashford is fit...

        Just wary of losing Vardy on this form, and Haz could be major differential in top10k :/

        If Rashford out would you do B?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah if Rashford is out then go B - hard to find an obvious FWD option at the 7m bracket.

          Rashford was pictured training today...

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah.. Zaha maybe as Zico mentions below but he's not the most explosive either

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Sterling Zaha?

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers for the reply! Any reason?

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Tough one.

      B if Rashford isn't fit.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        That's what I'm thinking. But you think Rashford Sterling over Vardy Hazard w/ my team if all are fit?

  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which one folks?
    A. Eriksen Firmino to Sterling Zaha
    B. Eriksen Firmino to Sterling Calvert-Lewin
    C. Eriksen Martial to Hazard Babel/Redmond, keep Firmino
    D. Eriksen Martial to Pogba B Silva, keep Firmino

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

  3. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Lloris Foster
    Robertson Laporte TAA Kolasinac Valery
    Sterling Mane Eriksen Son Jota
    Vardy Jimenez Gray

    0.6 itb
    I don't mind taking hits!

    Eriksen Son Gray Kolasinac to:

    A) Hazard Bilva Digne Quaner
    B) Hazard Pogba Digne Quaner
    C) Hazard Siggy Shaw Quaner

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Eriksen Kolasinac to Hazard AWB or Pogba Digne?

  4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Doucouré > Mili for free? Yay or nay?

    Would give me:

    Gunn
    Laporte Davies TAA
    Sterling Eriksen Mané Jota Mili
    Aguero Jimenez

    Bench: Perez Valery Duffy

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yay, Mili's next 2 look good

  5. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Anfield Express says Firmino is set to miss out tonight, big blow for Pool if that's the case.

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Potentially great news for owners though.

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

        Not if he is still injured at the weekend!

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

      Not wanting to wish injury on a real person, it would be convenient if I could sell him without risk as an injured player.

  6. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Better option out of these for the last 2 gameweeks?

    A) B.Silva & VVD
    B) Pogba & Shaw or PVA or TAA
    C) Eriksen & Shaw (Save one FT and keep Eriksen)

    Don't think I'll get TAA though if he starts tonight which is very likely.
    And I feel it might be too late to get on double Pool defs?

    Appreciate your thoughts! 🙂

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

      I think TAA starts every game now, the fullbacks are Liverpool's primary attacking outlets and they need to win all remaining games.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Still they have to play 3 games in 6-7 days and two of them are against Barcelona which will require legs there could be rotation. Also I'm not sure if they will keep a CS in both games.

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

      B. Yea no need double pool defence for last two games

  7. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who would you guys prefer for the last 2 games?

    a) Guaita (car / BOU)
    b) Gunn (whu / HUD)

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

      А

  8. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Barcelona barely odds on to win tonight? Pay me!

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

      £££££

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure how tonight will go. Their defence looked shaky at weekend against Levante and Liverpool should be a better team than them so can see Liverpool at least scoring. If they can keep Messi quiet they have good chance I reckon.

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

        One doesn’t simply keep Messi quiet though

        1. Not again Shirley
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Yep but never said it would be simple. He changed the whole dynamic of the game when he came on at HT at the weekend.

  9. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    United assets, what we thinking?

    Cons: Pogba & Rashford have ZERO form and that is reflected in recent FPL returns.

    Pros: HUD & CAR are the best fixtures you could hope for and Pogba has pens

    Are you going for 1 or more of them for 37&38?

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

      I'm probably going for Eriksen out and Pogba in.

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

        I hate Pogba as an FPL option but the fixtures are so good and he could easily get a pen.

        I just can’t decide.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Tough one. (My team and proposed moves are top post on this page)

      I own Pogba so won't sell him, but trying to decide on Vardy(keep) Hazard vs Sterling Rashford this gw

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm undecided atm. I could have anywhere between 0-3 from United come GW38.

      Mulling over keeper Eriksen or selling him for Pogba/B.Silva. Need a defender too so definitely eying up Shaw. Jimenez to Rashford for next week is a possibility as well.

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Might get Pogba, altough form over fixtures some say.

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

      Pogba and lukaku in I think unless rashford is fit. Then i would have a choice to make. Eriksen and firmino outgoing.

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

        Isn’t the rumour that Rashford trainer and Lukaku didn’t? I might be wrong

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

          I don’t know actually. I don’t really keep up with it during the week, just wait for pressers. Would prefer lukaku as it is a lot harder for most people to get him in but if rashford is fit it is easier to get him for sure. I will just let Neale tell me on Friday 🙂

  10. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best defenders for last 2 weeks?

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

      Shaw/ PVA/ Laporte for me

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Robbo just cos he's a beast.
      PVA could be in with a shout, tends to finish strong...

    3. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      forgot to add excluding Liverpool!

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

      Shaw and laporte. Maybe pva too.

  11. Not again Shirley
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy and Son to Kun and Jota worth it for minus 4?

    114 points clear in ML so don’t suppose it should matter but both chasing teams have these players and may captain one of them.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I think you will be okay with a 114 point lead

  12. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What are the T&C regarding YouTube links etc on this site?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      As long as it isn't illegal or porn it should be fine

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Noted hahaha

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

          Bit worried that you haven’t linked youtube after having been told no porn 😉

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            ...

  13. LordEllison
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1FT 2.1 ITB was thinking either thanks.
    1. Dunk > Laporte/Shaw
    2. Eriksen > Hazard

    Lloris - Foster
    Dunk - Robertson - Doherty - Bednarek - Valery
    BSilva - Mane - Eriksen - Son - Jota
    Jimenez - Aguero - Wilson

    1. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      2 makes sense

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Probably 2. Thinking of something similar myself

  14. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Deulefeu and Jiminez to Bilva and Long (-4)?

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

      Jiménez top of goals imminent table, I’m definitely keeping for this week.

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

    No Firmino tonight congratz Barca fans on easy win

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Ouch, big blow for Pool if that's true

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

        It s true.

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

      Source?

  16. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    If you owned (if that matters) Aguero(c) too, would you prioritise:

    A) Hazard in (ditch Eriksen Duffy-->3.9)
    B) Sterling in (ditch Eriksen Vardy-->Rashford/Zaha)

    this GW? Why?

    (Full team linked, and @ ToP)

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

      What’s your objective?

      Hazard if you want a differential, Sterling if you a) want to maximise points and b) you are high ranked and want to manage your risk

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Good point. Ranked just over 3k right now. Want to maintain that but ideally push as high (for which Hazard would be best IF he pops off) as I can.

        Wym maximise points? So you think Sterling scores more then?

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

          My view is that Sterling has higher expected points over the next 2 weeks than Hazard.

          Sterling was like 70% EO in top 10k last week and will likely be higher this week. If he goes big your rank will be in a works of pain.

          It’s not helpful but I think it really friends on risk vs reward and how happy you are with 3k....

          Sterling to consolidate rank and lock in a top 5k finish. Hazard to push for top 1k but risk missing out on top 5k

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Good view on it, thanks mate. Something to consider.

            If Rashford is fit he can be the Vardy replacement and hopefully do bits.

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    So 2 weeks left and 5 points in my ML. Any fine speciman care to recommend what I do via the link and look at Rival team also? Would be much appreciated

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

      Your team looks good. It’s tricky as the obvious one to lose is Moura but no easy 1 transfer and a -4 doesn’t seem a good idea.

      Your team looks better than your rival but obviously Hazard is a big differential that you cant really cover.

      What are your thoughts?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Agree on all points here.

      2. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers mate. Thinking same, initial thoughts were Lucas to possibly JWP and then gives me money to upgrade Jimenez and Jota in 38. But may just do that for a - 4 in 38.

        Worried slightly about his double pool defence and Vardy/Haz but Aguero and Jota hopefully make up for that. Will try ask him who he's going to capt this week, Hazard vs Aguero would be interesting.

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

    In the top 2k. Would love to stay there but I don’t have aguero (team linked). Two ft this week so I could plausibly get Aguero in by downgrading someone like eriksen really hard. Would you do this or is Sterling enough attacking city coverage? Ta.

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

      My personal view:

      You’ve got to get Aguero. He will likely be over 100% EO this week. If he goes big you are done (and we all know about his home form).

      Eriksen & Firminio -> Aguero & anyone you can afford for me.

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

        Thanks. Yeah, this is my worry. Played almost the whole season without Salah and there were weeks he absolutely destroyed me. If the season ended after one of those I would have been in trouble. I know Leicester are likely to play into city’s hands but city have been pretty low scoring in the league of late. That said, it seems like madness to consider a united striker over aguero.

  19. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    https://youtu.be/WbMcR3CP4eQ

    How do you non championship fans feel when watching this? Ive personally watched it so many times and wll continue to do so. What a club 🙂