Scout Notes

Norwich injury worries add to Liverpool’s Gameweek 1 appeal

Our pre-season coverage continues with a look at the four pre-season friendlies involving Premier League clubs that took place on Sunday.

There were first appearances of the summer for a number of key Fantasy assets while there were some key injury updates to note which could affect our thinking for Gameweek 1.

Arminia Bielefeld 2-2 Norwich City

Christoph Zimmermann is ruled out for four to six weeks after knee surgery
  • Goals: Josip Drmic (£5.5m), Dennis Srbeny (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Kenny McLean (£5.0m)

Fantasy managers who are backing Liverpool’s attacking assets in Gameweek 1 would have been further encouraged by events in Bielefeld on Sunday.

The Reds take on newly promoted Norwich City in the 2019/20 curtain-raiser and the Canaries are facing a selection headache at the back going into that encounter at Anfield.

With Christoph Zimmermann (£4.5m) already a major doubt for the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery, manager Daniel Farke lost another centre-half in Ben Godfrey (£4.5m) after less than 25 minutes of the Canaries’ first pre-season friendly.

Godfrey and Zimmermann were Norwich’s first-choice defensive pairing in the run-in last season.

Back-up midfielder Louis Thompson, playing at full-back on Sunday, had earlier limped from the pitch to add to Farke’s injury woes.

Speaking after the match, the Norwich boss said:

I’m a bit more concerned about Ben Godfrey because it was a contact injury and it was pretty painful. He had to leave the stadium on crutches.

We have to wait to see what the scan and what the doctor says. Hopefully, he’s available pretty soon but at the moment, I’m pretty concerned because it doesn’t look good.”

Christoph Zimmermann is out for a few weeks and I’m now concerned that Ben could miss a few weeks.

Timm Klose (£4.5m), Alex Tettey (£4.5m), Mario Vrancic (£6.5m) and Todd Cantwell (£4.5m) missed out on the 2-2 draw, meanwhile, although Farke is less concerned about this quartet of players:

The small injuries don’t concern me too much. Todd, for example, will join us during team training tomorrow, Timm probably on Tuesday. Mario will be back soon.

Alex has a small calf injury. We are awaiting the scan. He did it a couple of days ago,

Because of so many games, there are some injuries. The only big problem we have at the moments is the injuries we have in the centre-back position.

Left-back Jamal Lewis (£4.5m) moved across to centre-half alongside Grant Hanley (£4.0m) following Godfrey’s withdrawal, with substitute Philip Heise filling in for Lewis.

Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) got his first taste of pre-season football after replacing Josip Drmic (£5.5m) at half-time, with the Finland international striking the post in stoppage time as Norwich chased a winner against their ten-man opposition.

Drmic had gone one better in the first half and opened his Norwich account from the spot, with the visitors awarded a penalty when Kenny McLean (£5.0m) flicked Patrick Roberts‘ (£5.5m) corner onto a Bielefeld hand.

It remains to be seen where Drmic figures in the running order from 12 yards going forward: the Canaries had five different penalty takers in 2018/19, all of whom missed one effort each.

Norwich had lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 system, with Roberts and Emiliano Buendia (£6.0m) providing the width and Dennis Srbeny (£5.5m) supporting Drmic in attack.

Srbeny latched onto a loose throw to curl in Norwich’s second goal before making way for Marco Stiepermann (£5.5m) at the interval.

Tim Krul and Ralf Fahrmann (both £4.5m) each got a half to impress and were both beaten as Arminia salvaged a draw despite the first-half dismissal of Joan Simun Edmundsson.

Lewis was culpable for the German side’s opener after spraying a wayward pass across midfield, while the hosts’ equaliser came in the dying stages when Krul was beaten by a curling shot from the edge of the Norwich box.

Norwich City XI (4-2-3-1): Fährmann (Krul 46′), Thompson (Aarons 19′), Godfrey (Heise 24′), Hanley, Lewis, Leitner (Trybull 46′), McLean, Buendia (Idah 75′), Roberts (Hernandez 46′), Srbeny (Stiepermann 46′), Drmic (Pukki 46′).

Bradford City 1-3 Liverpool

James Milner scored twice in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Bradford
  • Goals: James Milner (£5.5m) x2, Rhian Brewster
  • Assists: Ryan Kent x2, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.5m)

Jurgen Klopp provided reassuring news on Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) ahead of Sunday’s win over Bradford City.

The Scottish left-back, who also suffered a hamstring injury when playing for Scotland in early June, recently underwent hand surgery to deal with an infection.

Klopp said:

It’s unlucky, he got bitten by something not so good – not a dog, I think it was a spider or a mosquito – and it got infected. It’s not a massive problem apart from throw-ins!

He should be back in training in a couple of days. The rest is good, he could do all of the programme he had to do.

The Reds were again without the likes of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), Alisson (£6.0m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5m), all of whom were handed post-tournament rests following their contributions at the Africa Cup of Nations and Copa America.

Sadio Mane‘s (£11.5m) Senegal, meanwhile, reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after Sunday’s win over Tunisia.

That final will take place on Friday, exactly three weeks before Liverpool’s Gameweek 1 fixture.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m), Jordan Henderson (£5.5m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) weren’t present at Valley Parade either but returned to training on Saturday and will be involved in Liverpool’s forthcoming trip to the United States.

Klopp said on Saturday, ahead of the Bradford game:

It’s good to see them back, absolutely brilliant. They are all in good shape and good spirits, I would say. I am happy, they are happy to be back as well. They had the holiday they needed and wanted, so now we can start. Very good.

Training [is the plan]. How pre-season will be now, individual programmes for different players and groups.

We will play the game tomorrow without them because they have to train twice. Today they did their lactate test, tomorrow they will train twice.

On Monday, the rest of the squad who are playing now will have a day off before we fly to America. They will train with them again and the group who came late.

From America onwards, they are pretty much in a normal rhythm, but we will use these three or four days to do some different things with them. Then, after landing in America, they are fully available.

Liverpool’s squad at Bradford was much the same as it was against Tranmere but Dejan Lovren (£5.5m) returned to play the first 45 minutes at centre-back.

James Milner (£5.5m) scored twice for the visitors, his first a deflected effort following a short corner and his second a penalty after impressive young winger Ryan Kent had been felled.

Rhian Brewster tapped in Liverpool’s third after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain‘s (£6.5m) deflected shot had been parried away.

Bradford pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Eoin Doyle in what was the hosts’ only shot on target.

The first half saw Adam Lallana (£6.0m) feature in a deep central midfield role and Klopp discussed this unusual tactical approach after full-time:

Adam is this kind of player, he can play that no problem. He enjoys it obviously a lot! It’s about getting Adam the rhythm, bringing the things he is naturally good in: small spaces, keeping the ball, passing the ball and all that stuff, and then from time to time offering the runs in behind as well – especially together with Millie that’s possible.

For us, it’s another option to use. He just needs a bit of luck now, that’s true. We have to come through [pre-season] without injuries, that would be cool, and we have a couple of ‘new’ players I would say, this season.

Liverpool first-half XI (4-3-3): Mignolet, Clyne, Phillips, Lovren, Larouci, Milner, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilson, Kent, Brewster.

Liverpool second-half XI (4-3-3): Mignolet (Atherton 81′), Hoever, Matip, Gomez, Lewis, Fabinho, Woodburn, Jones, Duncan, Origi, Millar.

FC Sion 0-0 Everton

Lucas Digne made his first pre-season appearance after an extended summer break

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£8.0m), Seamus Coleman (£5.5m), Lucas Digne (£6.0m) and Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) all got their first taste of pre-season football as Everton drew a blank in Switzerland.

All four players were named among the substitutes with a view to being introduced after the break but Coleman was thrown into the fray earlier than expected when youngster Joe Williams limped off after half an hour.

Everton lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 for their second pre-season fixture but there was nothing familiar about the sight of Kevin Mirallas at right-back, with the Belgium international – who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina – struggling with his defensive duties early on.

Coleman’s introduction meant that Mirallas could be pushed forward into his more recognised wide-midfield role but the Belgian was one of six players hooked at half-time.

Marco Silva’s starting XI would have been of little interest to many Fantasy managers, with the Toffees’ most-popular FPL assets either watching on from the bench or, in the case of Richarlison (£8.0m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and Yerry Mina (£5.5m), still on a post-international duty breather.

Idrissa Gana Gueye (£5.0m) must now surely be a doubt for Gameweek 1, meanwhile, after Senegal made it through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, which takes place three weeks before the start of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

Michael Keane and Andre Gomes (both £5.5m) were the only regular first-team players to start Sunday’s match in Switzerland, although there were also run-outs for the likes of Leighton Baines (£5.0m), Morgan Schneiderlin (£4.5m) and Tom Davies (£5.5m).

Oumar Niasse, back from his loan spell at Cardiff, toiled up front to no great effect, while new signing Jonas Lossl began the match between the posts.

It was no surprise that Everton looked more threatening after the introduction of their heavy hitters, with Sigurdsson striking the woodwork on two occasions in the second half.

Bernard (£6.5m) also forced a save from the home goalkeeper with a low shot.

Centre-back Mason Holgate and youngster Nathan Broadhead were the only two players to last the full game, with Broadhead impressing on either flank.

Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) and Cenk Tosun (£6.0m) weren’t involved as they fight their way back from injury although were part of the travelling squad.

Everton first-half XI (4-2-3-1): Lossl, Mirallas, Keane, Holgate, Baines, Schneiderlin, Gomes, Williams (Coleman, 31), Davies, Broadhead, Niasse.

Everton second-half XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford, Coleman (Connolly 80′), Holgate, Gibson, Digne, McCarthy, Gomes (Adeniran ’61), Broadhead, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Niasse (Hornby ’54).

SCR Altach 1-1 Southampton

Ralph Hasenhuttl ditched the wing-back system in Southampton’s first pre-season game
  • Goal: Che Adams (£6.0m)
  • Assist: Shane Long (£5.0m)

Che Adams (£6.0m) took less than two minutes of his first Southampton appearance to open his account.

The summer signing from Birmingham City finished smartly after turning his marker on the edge of the box, with Shane Long (£5.0m) claiming the assist having rolled a low ball across from the left flank.

The dangerous Adams also struck the post when clean through on goal and then saw an effort hacked off the line after rounding home goalkeeper Martin Kobras.

Ralph Hasenhuttl said of his new striker:

Che could have scored three times, I think. He was a little bit unlucky, but he made the first goal, which was important for him.

He showed from the first moment on that he can help us next season, and I’m happy that he is with us.

Adams himself said:

I definitely could’ve had more – as a striker you get greedy, but it’s the first game. I just try to cause a threat to the defence and create chances.

I feel perfect. I’ve had a hard pre-season, but the lads have dug in well and we’ve got more games to come.

I’ve learned a lot about the team and how the gaffer wants us to play.

Adams lined up in a front two alongside Long as Hasenhuttl rolled out his favoured 4-2-2-2 formation, with Josh Sims and Mohamed Elyounoussi (£5.5m) providing support behind them.

There were chances at both ends and the Saints’ narrow system sometimes left them looking exposed, with Manfred Fischer equalising with a spectacular strike midway through the first half.

Hasenhuttl changed all 11 players at the break and there were 45-minute run-outs for Nathan Redmond (£6.5m), James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) and Danny Ings (£6.0m) in the second half.

Ings couldn’t prod the ball past Kobras when played through on goal while Redmond, playing in the attacking midfield two behind strike pair Ings and Dan N’Lundulu, also dragged a shot wide.

Michael Obafemi and Jannik Vestergaard (both £5.0m) made returns from injury after missing the closing weeks of the 2018/19 campaign, meanwhile.

Angus Gunn was an unused substitute as Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster (all £4.5m) shared game-time between the posts.

Moussa Djenepo (£5.5m) didn’t feature as he has been given time off following his exertions for Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Southampton first-half XI (4-2-2-2): McCarthy, Valery, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Sims, Elyounoussi, Long, Adams.

Southampton second-half XI (4-2-2-2): Forster, Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Vokins, Ward-Prowse, Smallbone, Redmond, Obafemi, Ings, N’Lundulu.

823 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A. Siggy, Vardy, Jota/Deulofeu
    B. DCL, Perez, Auba/Kane

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      100% A.

    2. Legohair
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      100% B

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm 50-50 on this one.

    3. boomshakeboom
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A for me

    4. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Depends what other captaincy options you have.

      If you already have Sterling + Salah, then A is a complete no brainer, but if not, then it's 50/50

      1. Wılly
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No Sterling

  2. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this bunch? First draft publicized:

    Ryan
    TAA, VVD, Laporte, A.Smith
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Perez
    King, Deeney

    Button, Dunk, 4.5m, 4.5m

    Still have reservations on the Deeney/King & A.Smith/Dunk pairings, otherwise I'm pretty settled in.

    1. UnluckyXI
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I've got a very similar team.

      Personally I think if you've got Kdb I'd rather have a premium forward instead of sterling so would go Kane + Fraser or Zaha

  3. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    a) Fraser/Wilson/(subs:Stephens/Kelly)
    b) Tielemans/Wilson/(subs:Noble/El Mohamady)

    Is the double BOU worth the weaker bench?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      imo yes...especially with those fixtures compared to Leicester's

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        thanks

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, don’t think those players you’ve mentioned are worth much more then their cheaper replacements.

  4. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who's the most likely nailed liverpool midfield 3?
    I'm starting to think its Wijnaldum, Fabinho and the Ox?

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fab 100%, after that it’s a bit of a minefield.

      Expect Ox and Keita in some format to be key this year.

    2. Bada Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wijnaldum, Fab and Hendo. I wouldn't waste a pool player FPL slot for any of them, though.

      1. Bada Bing
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        And there's going to be a lot of rotation with Keita, Ox and even Millie and Lallana in the mix as well.

    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would say that Wijnaldum is a way ahead of Fabinho, then the others.

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

        I disagree. Fabinho was great for us in the 2nd half of the season. He started most games in that time

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Same, Wijnaldum offers a nice consistent player in the midfield, but no one does the shielding job like Fab

    4. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wijnaldum played the most PL last season, so I imagine him, then probably Fabinho and Henderson.

    5. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think we see a lot more from Keita this season.

  5. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Partial FPL question, but who do you think is an fpl asset, that is/has been badly used out of position, and isn’t an option because of this for this season?

    Max Meyer (mentioned above) was a nice playmaker at number 10, but doesn’t play in that position.

    Mata has been shunted out to the wing and has to deal with Pogba deciding when he wants to turn up.

    Wijnaldum was previously renowned for his Lampard esq runs and goals, but now provides a different (but effective role) for the team.

    Any others?

    1. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      previously dembele of spurs. Played as a second striker during early days at Fulham. Transitioned to CM with great success

      1. asquishypotato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Very good example, remember him being good for Fulham. Played the deeper role so well you forget he every played that high.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      could make a case for Sanchez at United

      1. asquishypotato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Only 0.5 more then a Brighton midfielder is a shocking turn of events.

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          and still less than 5% ownership

  6. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hmmm... which one to choose?

    A) Vardy, Sterling, Yarmo
    or
    B) Kane, KDB, Perez

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      What’s the rest of your team like? Sounds like a nice team

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Apologies! I got distracted; this is it at the moment:

        Heaton/Pope Button
        TAA VVD Digne Targett Kelly
        Salah Sterling Siggy Yarmo Dendoncker
        Vardy King Andone

    3. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like A, bit I’m not sold on Kane at this point

  7. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Perez or Tielemans?

    1. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      coin toss now, wait for pre-season games to decide

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

      Perez as he will player further forward most certainly

  8. InterUranus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Alisson (Ryan)

    TAA Trippier Cathcart (Walker) (Dunk)
    Salah Fraser Moura Zaha (Fleck)
    King Vardy Wood

    Thoughts?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      10.5 stuck on your bench for the first week?

      1. InterUranus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm trying to plot out the first 5-6 weeks without having to make too many transfers. Not wise?

  9. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best 6.5 mid? Already have Perez.

    1. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      arguably brooks

    2. amit1964
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      i went with brooks

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yarmolenko @6 if he is starting. Or even Lanzini if he nails a starting berth. I quite like WHM fixtures after gw1.

    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Have you looked at Townsend, who is only 6.0?

  10. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    a) laporte+perez
    b) walker+medison

    thank you

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

  11. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is double pool attack too punty to begin with?

    Pope
    Walker, Gomez, Cathcart
    Salah, Sterling, Zaha, Perez
    Kane, Wilson, Origi

    Button, Dunk, Dendonker, Kelly

    Typical 343 spread of funds ?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      why not...if Origi doesn't play at all you still have Dunk right?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Well Dunk/Cathcart is my current 4.5m rotation. That still may change. Would be a punt to begin with but would have to change once Bobby was back.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      We're trying to do the same thing, exactly that midfield, with Kane.
      Problem is the rest of the team looks poor.

  12. Lucky_2010
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool 4-0 Norwich
    West Ham 1-3 Man City
    Bournemouth 2-1 Sheffield Utd
    Burnley 1-0 Southampton
    Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
    Watford 2-1 Brighton
    Spurs 3-1 Aston Villa
    Leicester 1-1 Wolves
    Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal
    Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think Arsenal are going to smack Newcastle around

  13. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    a) palmieri (could offer cheap way into Chelsea defense if he takes Alonso's place)
    b) coleman (Everton strong at the back and the popular option as Digne cover)
    c) chilwell (Good attacking potential)

    All 5.5m

    Which one to choose and why?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer Digne to Coleman so I’d lean to Emerson

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Coleman

    3. OLDHERMAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Emerson Palmieri. If there's just Alonso to overcome, consider that done, he's defensively stronger (Juve was after him too when we sold him to Chelsea). Frank has a needing of defenders-defenders to allow himself all that brilliant youth up front.

  14. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I’ve been on the same team since the first day but I finally got sick of seeing King as my only striker, so I’ve done this. Would love some thoughts. It’s a bit punty.

    Ryan (McGovern)
    TAA VVD Digne Zinchenko Kelly(BOU)
    Salah Sterling Yarmolenko (Dendoncker, Hayden)
    Kane King (Andone)

    1. InterUranus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Alisson (Ryan)

      TAA Trippier Cathcart (Walker) (Dunk)
      Salah Fraser Moura Zaha (Fleck)
      King Vardy Wood

      I don't really know where to go from here 🙁

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think that it is a bit light in midfield. 🙂

      VVD, Digne and Zinchenko is plenty at the back. Imo.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I’ve noticed you’re against the LIV defense double up Doos! I had them doubled last season and it borderline farmed points.

        I see your point though, downgrading TAA could upgrade Yarmolenko to Zaha or maybe even Siggy. I just think he’ll outscore both of them.

        You’re a West Ham fan, right? What do you think about Yarmolenko’s prospects?

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not a lot. He has to get in the team, first! 🙂 We are unsure of the shape, this Season, too.

          We will probably start 4-2-3-1, so that would be Antonio, unless we land a decent forward.

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I know that Pellegrini wants to migrate to a 4-3-3, but Rice will have to improve his positioning and passing first.

            1. ★Kuntheman★
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              So you think he doesn’t make the starting eleven over Antonio? Yikes, that’s an issue for me then haha

              I’ll probably have to make a downgrade on defense to upgrade him then. I figured he would be first choice with the number change and with the form he was in at the beginning

  15. Lucky_2010
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    it`s risk to take punt on pulisic (7.5) ?? or going for better choices i.e fraser, maddison, lucas etc ......

    guys, any comment and suggestion ?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd wait on Pulisic. Would rather be a week late than watch him be eased in, which could well happen.

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’d pick Fraser over Pulisic every day of the week

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Pulisic didn't even play 1 match in PL

      2. Lucky_2010
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        thanks ...

      3. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This.

  16. Community Article submissions
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    As many of you know, Community Articles are submitted by the community and are published on site; they can usually be found through a heading at the top of the page (replaced by 'pre-season' right now) or in the side widget beside Hot Topics.

    Community Articles can be about almost any FPL topic and can be thought of as extended Hot Topics. They are also a nice way to ensure a discussion happens about a specific topic without distraction, as mods remove off-topic comments.

    This season I'm looking to again increase the number of these. I recently had an Everton fan come forward and suggest he could do a monthly write up about Everton assets. There's scope to expand this as far as the community wants!

    So if you're a fan of a team and you want to do a monthly write up, a weekly write up, or even a one off piece about your team feel free to submit something or to talk to me further.

    If you're new to the site or to submitting I'm happy to walk you through the process. And I'm happy to have articles submitted about anything else people want to write about, whether that's prices, positions, strategy, or anything else related to Fantasy Football.

    Here is the submissions portal, for future reference: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/submit-your-article/

    1. FP Elephant
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers, Geoff. I've got a couple ideas up my sleeve for pre-season articles. Will email you and can submit through the portal.

      And if you are looking for monthly community articles on specific teams I could consider doing one as a West Ham fan (if you don't already have someone who wants to write about WHUFC). I supplose that may only really be fantasy relevant if we sign a quality striker (please, please, please) so that our good attacking mids have someone to assist!

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Good stuff 🙂

        Sounds like you've got one lined up! If it goes through you're going to have a very nice side.

        I'm not thinking of doing anything too structured, so I won't be seeking out people from specific teams until they put themselves forward. So I'd be happy with you doing an article or two on West Ham!

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Geoff, I have a two actually written and a few more on the drawing board. Both incorporate charts and graphs, but I cant figure out how to add those to the submission portal? Happy to email the word file if that’s easier.

      Also, is there a way to do members-only articles? I have a few ideas that make heavy use of RMT data.

      Cheers

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, submitting normally is the first step. Then, if you can email me the images that would be best 🙂

        There is - just submit them as normal and write Members Only in the title and I can make them Members Only!

  17. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson
    TAA Robbo Digne Dunk (Rico)
    Salah Sterling Siggy Perez (Dend)
    King Jota (Andone)

    Any idea of a good way to get Kane in? Thinking Jota up, Siggy, Robbo, Digne down?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Too many downgrades to upgrade one player.

    2. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Digne to Coleman, Edeson to Ryan (if you're up to it), Siggy to Maddison/Tielemans, Robbo to VVD.

      Those would be my downgrading ideas to bring him in.

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It's either Sterling or Kane in my opinion, not both.

    4. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You don't need three captain picks. I'd say just choose two from Salah, Sterling and Kane. They're north of 10m for a reason.

  18. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT:
    Pope
    TAA, Zinchenko, Ake, Coleman
    Salah, Perez, Brooks, Sigurdsson
    Kane, Auba

    1. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade either Auba or Kane, upgrade Zinchenko and Ake?

  19. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Lads, I'd appreciate some help here:

    Ryan
    TAA / VVD / Laporte / *
    Salah / Siggy / Madds / *
    King / *

    A. Coleman / Sterling / Jota
    B. Digne / Brooks / Kun

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd go A.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you very much indeed! A it is.

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I agree with the above, A. Good team

          1. sirmorbach
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            This is much appreciated!

  20. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Rondon off to join Rafa in China

    1. Party time
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A romantic affair between them is a possibility

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Chinese whisper

          1. Party time
              4 years, 8 months ago

              hehehe...

        2. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A team like West Ham should have tried to sign him

          1. FP Elephant
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            West Ham really should have signed him. With every passing day us WHUFC fans get more and more nervous about not having a quality striker. Lots of good attacking mids and no one to finish right now. Rondon would have been great (or Mitrovic). Still have a few bets from outside the PL but pickings are getting slim.

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

          Bit of a waste, lots of clubs - Wolves, WH, Newcastle and Everton could definitely benefit from him

      • Lucky_2010
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yeah is true pulisic still not playing in pre season so far, just wait and see ....

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

          Dont get the hype. His stats from last season are nothing special. Epl surely a step up for him ?

      • SH1M1
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A) Deulofeu & Dunk
        Or
        B) Coleman & Holebas

        Which of the two combos is better long term?

        1. sirmorbach
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'd say A because Deulofeu, but I'd do everything I could to upgrade Dunk.

      • Nutsmuts
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ederson
        VVD, TAA, Digne, Trippier
        Salah, Sterling, Siggy, Perez
        King, Deeney

        Button, Dendoncker, Kelly, Wickham

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Great team, just think your forward line maybe a little weak long term but I guess you cant have it all

      • Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        https://twitter.com/JoseluMato9/status/1150771695420092417

        Joselu off, not sure if posted. Newcastle with one recognised striker left?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Just seen this... I wonder how much Gayle will be - 5.5? Same price as Muto.

          1. Blue&White85
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I’d guess 6.0

        2. OLDHERMAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Er, was he a recognized striker? LOL

        3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Front three of Gayle, Muto and Almiron. Lol.

      • Party time
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Horrible home kit for southampton this season. Yueck!

          1. OLDHERMAN
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Did you dare to watch Man City's away kit for more than 1,5 seconds? It's a genial Carnival disguise: the BASKET OF APPLES.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 8 months ago

                haha... it looks rich in vitamins

          2. Willllsonnn!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            RMT

            Pope / Hart
            Robbo / TAA / Zinch / Digne / Kelly
            Salah / KDB / Siggy / Jorginho / Donker
            Wilson / King / Deulofeu

            Should I downgrade a pool def to upgrade either Jorg or a fwd?

            1. Willllsonnn!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Any love for Firmino?

              1. I Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Salah + double defence is the way to go.

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

            I'm fairly sure there are a bunch of tifo fans on here, but I'll link it

            Had no idea corners were quite such a declining route to goal and I will never again tut when a player takes one short...

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSZ14y3fQb0&feature=youtu.be

            1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Yeah that was a good watch. Short corners do make a lot of sense if done properly.

          4. CostaCoffee
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            A) 4.0, Jorginho, Kane, KDB
            B) Digne, Sterling, Dendoncker, Jota

            *one player would be on bench in both situations

            1. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B by a mile

            2. Sailboats
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B

          5. OLLY G
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Which do people prefer please?

            (A) TAA and Robbo with Kelly as 3rd sub fodder

            (B) TAA/Robbo and VVD with 4.5m defender for more rounded bench

            Thanks.

            1. whitepool
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B. Unless you plan to play four premiums st the back.

          6. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            1st draft of the season:

            Ryan (Button)
            TAA VVD Trippier Lacelles Kelly
            Salah Sterling Siggy Fraser Dendocker
            Jota Deulofeu King

            What do you think?

            1. nico05
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Lacelles good player but I expect Newcastle could be shipping goals this season

              1. nico05
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                other than that good balanced team

              2. Gooner97
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Sure mate, I just picked him cause I didn't know which 4.5m to choose tbh