Scout Notes

Goals for Sterling and Jota as Wan-Bissaka exhibits attacking threat

There were five Premier League teams in action early on Wednesday afternoon, with Manchester City, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers all taking part in the Premier League Asia Trophy and Manchester United facing Leeds United in Australia.

We’ll round up the main Fantasy talking points in the Scout Notes article below, while the updated pre-season minutes spreadsheet can be viewed here.

West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City

  • Goals: Mark Noble (£5.0m) | David Silva (£7.5m), Lukas Nmecha, Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) x2
  • Assists: Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) | Adrian Bernabe, Leroy Sane (£9.5m), Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m)

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) took less than half an hour of his first appearance of pre-season to remind Fantasy managers of his goalscoring credentials.

With Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) on an extended break following their participation in the Copa America, Sterling led the line for City in the second half of their meeting with West Ham and recorded a brace as Pep Guardiola’s side emerged as 4-1 winners.

Introduced off the bench at the interval, the England international raced on to a Leroy Sane (£9.5m) pass to slot in his first goal and was then teed up by fellow substitute Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m) to cap off City’s victory.

Pep Guardiola gave youth a chance in the first half, with David Silva (£7.5m), Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) and debutant Rodri (£5.5m) effectively the only first-team regulars on show – although Claudio Bravo (£5.0m), Danilo (£5.0m) and new signing Angelino (£5.0m) were also handed run-outs.

The left-back position is perhaps the most difficult to call in Guardiola’s squad but Angelino didn’t get his second spell at City off to the best of starts, struggling against Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) down the West Ham right and conceding the penalty from which Mark Noble (£5.0m) converted.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) replaced the Brazilian full-back in the second half, with the absent Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) reportedly still receiving treatment for a knee injury.

David Silva, in his final year at City, pulled his side level with a superbly taken goal from an equally excellent pass by winger Adrian Bernabe before Lukas Nmencha won and converted a spot-kick to put Guardiola’s side in front.

The cavalry arrived at half-time with Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane and Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) all thrown on and there was no surprise that City looked more potent as a result, with Sane, in particular, catching the eye down the left flank.

The German winger has been linked with a move away from Eastlands this summer but Guardiola – as one would expect – was full of praise for his mercurial midfielder:

He’s a great player with incredible quality. I want people to want to stay here – the club is there so the desire to have him is always there. The club made him an offer for the past year. I have said many times that we want people to be happy here and we want to help him to reach his potential.

Rodri won’t appeal to many Fantasy managers but he had a decent enough debut in the ‘Fernandinho (£5.5m) role’, earning praise from his manager after the game:

He is a young, typical defensive midfielder who thinks very quickly. I hope he is here for a long time. Rodrigo is tall, which for a short side like ours is very good. He is great at set-pieces but we didn’t buy him for that. Ever since we arrived here we have tried to buy players who are 21, 22 or 23 years old. [Rodri] is a Spain national team player and there they call him ‘the next Busquets’. I think he is a very good player.

With De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) on the field either side of Rodri, Bernardo was again pushed forward into a front three alongside Sterling and Sane – food for thought, perhaps, for any FPL managers considering the Portuguese midfielder as a cut-price route into the City midfield.

The summer signings of Sebastian Heller (£7.5m) and Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) have given cause for optimism at West Ham and there are a number of their Fantasy assets who appeal early in the season, with the Hammers top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 2 to 12.

This was perhaps a reminder of the work still to be done in east London but there were positives to take away from this defeat, with Anderson, in particular, impressing in attack.

The busy Michail Antonio (£7.0m) was again ‘out of position’ as a central striker before being replaced by Javier Hernandez (£6.0m) at the break although the midfielder’s run up front is surely coming to an end following the capture of Haller.

Manuel Pellegrini still namechecked Antonio, however, when discussing his new signing and his striking options this season:

So we needed to find a new one [a striker], we have different options now. He is not only a box player, he will play well outside of the box. It will be his first season in England and I know he will be a good striker for our team. We also have Michail Antonio, Javier Hernandez too.

Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) also caught the eye cutting in off the left flank, with Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) perhaps the placeholder for when Fornals is match-fit following his exertions at the European Under-21 Championship.

The strength of Pellegrini’s first-half XI was arguably an early indication of who he might favour for Gameweek 1, although the likes of Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), Fornals and Heller, of course, are still to be integrated into the team.

The Hammers were unsurprisingly not as much of a threat after the break as their second-string players were given a run-out and Pellegrini highlighted the contrast between the two halves after full-time:

I think that was a clear game of two different matches of 45 minutes. In the first half, we played well and created chances in their box but then we conceded two goals in two minutes and, of course, when you are playing against Manchester City you cannot afford to concede those goals. In the second half, they improved a lot when they changed some players, while we wanted to give some minutes to some players and we had some players who have just returned from long injures, so they made a difference. Also, I thought we made some mistakes in our defending and they capitalised. I was happy with the offensive system and the way we played in our attacking, yes, because we created more chances than Manchester City, but we must be more concentrated in our defending.

Defending was an issue last season, with only relegated Fulham and Huddersfield recording fewer clean sheets than the Hammers.

 
On this evidence, there is still much to be addressed and it’s stating the obvious to say West Ham’s attacking assets appeal more than their defence.
 
Pellegrini added:

We are working on our technical side and it’s important that we have Wilshere, Lanzini and Yarmolenko this season as we didn’t have them for long periods last season due to injury. With them, we will have more balance in midfield and I think we are going to be a good attacking team. We are going to create chances, but we need to improve our defending.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Bravo, Danilo (Walker 63′), Harwood-Bellis, Laporte (Stones 63′), Angelino (Zinchenko 63′), Rodri (Aleix Garcia 71′), David Silva (De Bruyne 46′), Doyle (Gundogan 63′), Bernabe (Sane 46′), Poveda-Ocampo (Bernardo Silva 46′), Nmecha (Sterling 46′).

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Roberto, Fredericks (Zabaleta 62′), Diop, Ogbonna (Reid 68′), Johnson (Cresswell 62′), Rice (Sanchez 46′), Noble (Obiang 62′), Lanzini (Diangana 62′), Wilshere (Snodgrass 46′), Felipe Anderson (Yarmolenko 46′), Antonio (Chicharito 46′).

Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Diogo Jota (£6.5m) x2, Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.0m), Tom Allan own-goal
  • Assists: Jonny (£5.5m) x2, Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m)

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) hit a first-half brace as Wolves demolished a dismal Newcastle United in their Premier League Asia Trophy semi-final on Wednesday.

Jota produced a smart finish from the edge of the box after collecting a Jonny (£5.5m) pass to open the scoring, later capitalising on an error from Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) to score his second and Wolves’ third.

The Portugal under-21 international, carrying on where he left off at the end of 2018/19, looked sharp in a 65-minute showing and was again deployed as a striker in Nuno Espirito Santo’s now-familiar 3-5-2.

Speaking after the match, the Portuguese attacker said:

Scoring goals always gives you an extra boost in terms of confidence and you have to take advantage of that and keep working hard to be 100 per cent for the first match. For the second goal, I tried to react fast to the loss of the ball. Fortunately, I scored and it was good for me and the team that we were able to make it 3-0 very soon.

In the absence of Raul Jimenez (£7.5m), who was handed a breather following his exertions in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, Jota was paired up front by an ‘out of position’ Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.0m).

Wolves will surely recruit a backup striking option this summer but it was interesting that Santo turned to Gibbs-White as a makeshift forward with Jimenez unavailable.

That said, had Matt Doherty (£6.0m) not been injured and Adama Traore‘s (£5.0m) services not been needed at wing-back, then the speedy Wolves utility man may have been given the nod alongside Jota instead.

Gibbs-White found the back of the net in between Jota’s two strikes, with Jonny collecting another assist.

The newly reclassified FPL forward said of his partnership with Gibbs-White:

It was different, Raul plays in a different style, Morgan isn’t as strong as Raul is, but we linked together very well and tried to do the best we can.

Santo added on Gibbs-White:

He did well. It’s not his natural position but he gives certain things and this is the versatile players that we have and that we must have because we are a short squad, we want to maintain, so players must do more than one position on the pitch.

Except for the missing Jimenez and Doherty, Wolves were pretty much at full strength and their extra week of pre-season – their Europa League campaign begins next week – was telling as they swatted aside the rudderless Magpies.

The regular back three of Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Ryan Bennett (all £5.0m) were handed 90 minutes each, while the now first-choice midfield three of Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Ruben Neves (£5.5m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) played the bulk of the game.

Dendoncker caught the eye and it was from his run and cross that Jota scored his second, while the all-action Jonny excelled from wing-back.

Traore hasn’t always convinced (from a defensive perspective, anyway) when asked to deputise for Doherty on the opposite flank but he was another to impress in Nanjing on Wednesday.

Bennett said of his teammate:

Adama’s done brilliantly, I think he’s been spot on and you can’t fault him at all. You talk to him, the manager speaks to him and everything that everyone says, he really wants to learn. He just takes it on board. Tracking back is a bit unusual for him but he’s got stuck in. Then when he gets the ball he’s devastating, so we need to try and give it to him as much as we can. His attacking threat is unbelievable.

As for Newcastle, who appointed Steve Bruce as manager shortly before the game, this was an entirely predictable defeat ahead of what potentially could be a very difficult season.

While Wolves had the advantage of being further down the line with their training regime and United named several second-string players in their starting XI, there was no mitigating the gulf in class between the two clubs.

Stand-in manager Ben Dawson couldn’t call on the Magpies’ potent front three of last season for various reasons – Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) is on a break after international duty, while Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) and Salomon Rondon are no longer on the books – and Newcastle were limp in attack, barely mustering a shot of note.

Having been reclassified as an FPL defender this summer, Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) was stationed on the left wing but, with Newcastle in disarray, there’ll likely be few Fantasy managers interested in the first few Gameweeks of the season (and beyond) despite the ‘out of position’ tag and set-piece responsibilities.

Having posed little threat in attack, the Magpies were also wobbly at the back and Wolves’ fourth strike, a comical own-goal from youngster Tom Allan from a Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) corner, summed up their afternoon.

Newcastle United XI (4-5-1): Darlow (Woodman 46′), Sterry (Manquillo 46′), Clark (Watts 59′), Lascelles (Fernández 46′), Lazaar (Bailey 63′), Murphy (Allan 63′), Hayden, Colback (M. Longstaff 63′), Shelvey (Ki Sung-yueng 59′), Ritchie (Aarons 55′), Muto (Sorensen 63′).

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Rui Patricio (Ruddy 46′), Adama (Perry 65′), Bennett, Coady, Boly, Jonny (Vinagre 65′), Neves (Taylor 81′), Moutinho (Cundle 81′), Dendoncker (Hong Wan 81′), Gibbs-White (Sanderson 65′), Jota (Ennis 65′).

Manchester United 4-0 Leeds United

  • Goals: Mason Greenwood (£4.5m), Marcus Rashford (£8.5m), Phil Jones (£5.0m), Anthony Martial (£7.5m)
  • Assists: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m), Scott McTominay (£5.0m), Andreas Pereira (£5.0m), Tahith Chong (£4.5m)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has teased the prospect of budget FPL forward Mason Greenwood (£4.5m) being involved in the Gameweek 1 clash with Chelsea.

Speaking after the 4-0 win over Leeds United in Perth, the Norwegian said:

He’s got a chance to start that one, definitely. He’s more than capable. He’ll always be there in and around the box, creating chances, and I won’t say that’s not a possibility. No, it’s a good possibility if he keeps going as he does. It’s difficult to keep players out who perform well.

Greenwood had lined up on the right flank of a 4-2-3-1 for United’s latest pre-season friendly success, in what was unquestionably the stronger of the two teams that Solskjaer sent out in either half.

The teenage forward opened his United account with the game’s opening goal on seven minutes, tucking in Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s (£5.5m) low cross following fine work from Paul Pogba (£8.5m) in midfield.

Solskjaer said of Greenwood after full-time:

Of course, we’ve been delighted with the goal he scored. It’s important for scorers to get that goal, even though I’ve always said we know he’s capable of scoring goals. The first one is going to be a weight off his shoulders. I think with his movement and his cleverness, he’s going to be a very good player, the young boy. He can play all of the front-three positions, or across the front four, as he can play no. 10, no. 7, no. 11 and no. 9. He’s a natural footballer with his left foot, coming in, but he’s got two feet and can play anywhere along the front. He’s just a natural. When he takes a penalty with his right, then takes a penalty with his left, free-kicks with his left, free-kicks with his right. He is almost what you’d call 50-50, maybe 51-49 left-footed. You can see we’ve got a talented boy there and he’s every opportunity to make it as a Manchester United player. Of course, it’s also going to be about luck. He must stay clear of injuries, be professional and I’m sure he’s going to grab his chance. Everything is there for him.

Greenwood was part of a lively front four for United in the first half, with Daniel James‘ (£6.0m) searing pace causing problems on the opposite flank – although the summer signing from Swansea was still a mixed bag when it came to end product.

Juan Mata (£6.5m) looked better in what is clearly his best position in the hole but it was some Fantasy favourites of 2018/19 who perhaps warranted the most attention.

Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) made it two goals from two games when scoring United’s second, racing onto Scott McTominay‘s (£5.0m) pass and producing some nimble footwork before firing low past Kiko Casilla.

Rashford had earlier hit the post and looked sharp as the spearhead of the attack, with United’s speed on the break and ferocity of pressing a refreshing antidote to the one-pace team of 12 months ago.

The England striker said after full-time:

There’s a lot to improve on still but, for us, it’s about getting the pictures in our heads. It’s been a while since we’ve been a real pressing team and I feel that now, in this pre-season, we’ve laid down the fundamentals of how we’re actually going to press. The first game against Perth, the way we pressed in the first half was brilliant. It’s tough going for 90 minutes but we’ll improve and we’ll get better at it.

Wan-Bissaka impressed up and down the right flank, displaying more attacking threat than we have become accustomed to seeing at Palace.

We voiced concerns about Wan-Bissaka’s assist potential in our recent Moving Target article because of the fact that United funnelled most of their play down the left-hand side of the pitch last season: no coincidence given that Pogba, so heavily involved when the Red Devils have possession, was mostly stationed in that zone.

We have seen the Frenchman on the opposite side of central midfield in pre-season, though, which could boost Wan-Bissaka’s Fantasy appeal significantly.

The pair’s respective roles in Greenwood’s goal underscored the impact Pogba could have.

The supposedly wantaway France international was nearing something like top form in this encounter although the fact that he seems set to play as part of a deeper central midfield two in future will be off-putting to some Fantasy managers.

Still, Pogba got forward to have several cracks at goal from the edge of the Leeds box and whistled a free-kick narrowly wide too.

Solskjaer changed all 11 players at half-time, with Anthony Martial (£7.5m) leading the line in the second half and scoring from the spot after a foul on Tahith Chong (£4.5m).

Phil Jones (£5.0m) had added a third before Martial’s penalty, nodding in an Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) corner.

David de Gea (£5.5m), Luke Shaw (£5.5m) and Romelu Lukaku (£8.5m) all missed out with minor problems and Solskjaer didn’t seem unduly concerned after full-time, saying:

David just fell ill today so he didn’t feel right. We’ll wait until the Inter Milan game [on Saturday] for him. They’re not ready, the others, either [Lukaku, Shaw and Lee Grant]. Of course, it’s not ideal when you miss a training session and he [Lukaku] was missing towards the end of yesterday’s session. He missed the game again and it’s two chances to play 45 minutes at this stage of the pre-season. It’s important for everyone to get fit and hopefully, he’ll be available soon.

Manchester United first-half XI (4-2-3-1): Romero, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Lindelof, Rojo, McTominay, Pogba, Greenwood, Mata, James, Rashford.

Manchester United second-half XI (4-2-3-1): J. Pereira, Dalot, Smalling, Jones, Young, Matic (Garner 78), A. Pereira, Chong, Gomes, Lingard, Martial.

2,114 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Current starting defense - VVD, Robertson, Laporte, Digne - best 4.5 to sit on the bench?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think i might go Diop , still thinking , currently on Chartcart

    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Guilbert when he gets added

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

      Dunk is a good shout for a consistent starter with attacking potential

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      O’Connell why not if it’s to sit on the bench.

      SU look the most defensively sound of the newbies and he has the attacking potential to be an early bolter.

  2. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson,
    Taa,VVD,Laporte,Digne
    Salah(c),Sterling,Perez
    Jota,King,Deu

    Button Dendonker,Chartcart,Kelly

    Finalised the team , appreciate on the comment.

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

      Good team. Balance not quite to my liking. Front 3 not doing it, for me.

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        All the three cheap striker will perform this season mate

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

      Laporte to Zinchenko
      Jota to Fraser

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        why jota?

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

          Either Jota or Deu

          1. Chelsea91
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I think Jota and Deu are nailed?

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

              Deu is clearly not nailed...

              1. Chelsea91
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Ederson,
                Taa,VVD,Laporte,Digne
                Salah(c),Sterling,Perez,Fraser
                Jota,King

                Good?

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

    So. Down to just two teams, now. Salah, and non-Salah. Decided that I can't manage without Sterling in there. 🙂

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

      Non-Salah, triple Liverpool defence. You know you want to 😉

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

        Tbf, I have now added Alexander-Arnold. 2 is more than enough!!!

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

      did you start with both of them last season?

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

        Yes. Had a terrible start! 😀

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

          yes, Salah had a bad start
          And Sterling got rested in 2 of the first 9 games

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

            But Sterling is now rested. 😉

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

              yeah...I guess last season was due to World Cup of course. But still, always painful if your 10+m player gets rested, or worse...a 15 min cameo

    3. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Have you managed to create balanced team with Salah, Sterling and Kane?

  4. oi no professionals
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would you rather:
    A. Ederson, Robbo, Greenwood
    B. Heaton, VVD, Jota

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson,VVD/Robbo,Jota

      1. oi no professionals
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        If I could afford that I wouldn’t be asking

        1. Chelsea91
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          B mate

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

  5. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would we be thinking about Salah(TC) at home to Norwich or Newcastle (GW5) if it wasn't so early in the season?

    1. oi no professionals
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’d love to TC Salah GW1

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

      How many braces did he manage, last Season. Anybody know?

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Last night I dreamt he scored a hattie against Norwich and I was kicking myself for not captaining him. It’s a sign, I tell youz!

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

          😆

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

        Salah scored a hatrick against BOU, braces against CRY and HUD.

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

          Good man. Are you sure? 😀

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

            Yes, just checked the fantrax site.

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

              Cheers, mate.

    3. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      So early, keep the TC

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Oh yeah, I most likely am, just a shame to be missing those prime fixtures later in the season.

      2. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ha! I TC’d Sané last season and Kane the year before. Both DGWs, each returned sweet FA.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Perhaps I should stick it on Mané this year?

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

      I'd be waiting for that Liverpool DGW this season

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah WHM+1 seems likely, middle of season, probably after winter break... seems like no brainer if trying to plan now

  6. nelluckram
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone considering Richarlison over Siggy?

    Generally starts the season on fire...

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy or get Digne

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy or Diggy!

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely tempting but last two seasons been with a new club so not sure the impact will be the same

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Atm i have Richarlison in my team

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

      I have Richarlisom right now, but his place in my team is in doubt.

    6. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      nope

    7. James H
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, definitely a possibility for me.

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

      Richarlison isn't back in training until very late in July, could be a bit of a gamble for GW1, especially if Everton sign another forward/winger

    9. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Will he start the season after the Copa America?

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

    RE Sanchez discussion on last page, OGS said he thinks he can get 20 goals this season and that's not happening unless he starts him.

    *Its probably not happening regardless but clearly OGS hasn't written him off like everyone here has

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

      Mason Greenwood is the one to go to there.

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

      He did add the caveat of something like "if he can dediscover his form". Writing him off would be silly though, especially if you were his manager.

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

        True, with all the wages they are paying him, they would want some goals to repay their faith in him. He definitely needs a few games under his belt even if he doesn't perform well, he looks like he lacks belief nowadays but getting more games may help him rediscover his form.

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Can't possibly play him when he's been as bad as he has, complete detriment, could barely control a ball or make a 5 yard pass.

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

            I remember when Arsenal first bought him, he had no teamwork. Wenger kept on playing him, he slowly but surely became a top player. Players like him need games. You don't have amazing replacements anyway, Martial and James are still a work in progress.

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Have you watched much of him playing for us? For whatever reason, I don't think he's that same player that he was at Arsenal anymore. It's been a year and a half over two different managers, this can't still be a settling in issue.

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Last year it was so clear that the players didn't wanted to pass the ball to him.

    3. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I was keen on him due to his form for Chile. Sad that he got injured, but once back, definitely one to monitor

    4. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Dressing him up for sale

  8. The Wise Owl
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Saliba to be bought and then loaned back for a season? This is terrible business.

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

      Cheeky 20% sell on clause as well, forced in by Levy

  9. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Are we any closer to finding out who Burnley's starting keeper will be for this season?

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

      have to wait for more friendlies

  10. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pick holes in this please guys, Ake can be any other 5.0 defender.

    Ryan (4.0)
    VVD TAA Coleman Zinchenko Ake
    Salah Sterling Perez (Dendoncker, 4.5)
    King Kane (4.5)

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      not sure King will do the biz, but nice team

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

        thanks, I think it's ok to say I have Kane, Salah and Sterling

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

      The 'o' in Coleman's name has a hole in it 😉

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ryan and Ake. King to Wilson if you can afford.

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

        I'm maxed out on that team unfortunately, every team has weak links so can live with Ryan and Ake for now

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

          I think a Burnley keeper, or even Southampton, will do better than Ryan.

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

    Is there any private/public league with prize money for the winner? Can you give me any links for that?

  12. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    @ 'The 5% Team' ... Do you find that with your players' low ownership that they rarely lose value (price drops) and often increase in value, especially on the punts that pay off? This could be an interesting tactic to build total transfer budget.

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

      Definitely don’t want a high ownership non playing player

      Much better to go the other way for protection

      To build cash it’s all about jumping on the right bandwagons early but careful not to fall for the traps

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

        Bandwagons tend to snowball and increase rapidly. It's knowing when to jump off that is the skill required.

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

          In my case, I can't really build value quickly because I sell the player once he gets over 5% ownership 🙂

    2. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The players who are far more popular on FFS than they are with the casuals are the ones who are most likely to either gain or lose value rapidly.

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

      yeah, the ones that perform well increase quickly. Can't really remember about value drops, but I would imagine it didn't happen a lot. I definitely didn't have a team value that was bigger than most people.

      So don't know if it's a good tactic for budget building though

  13. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Slightly off template but I think this is sexy

    Henderson ( when he goes to Sheff U on loan)
    TAA , VVD , Digne , Zinchenko, Cathcart
    Salah , Sterling , Perez
    Aubameyang, Jota

    4 , Greenwood , 4.5 , 4.5
    Switch Auba to Kane GW3 then assess.

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

      nice team, very similar to mine above, I'm toying between Kane and Auba to start with

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yes just noticed yours . If starting with Auba the Kane switch is easy and both get a crack at a shocking Newcastle side.

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

          I know but I fancy Kane to get a few against Villa, for me it's Coleman and 5.0 or Digne and 4.5 like you have.

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Also the obvious bonus if Greenwood shows up to be a starter which looks a possibility.

  14. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    Pope
    Zin Robbo TAA Digne
    Fraser Salah Sterling Perez
    Wilson Delu

    4m - 4.5m 4.5m 4m

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

      Excellent and fairly template

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

      It's ok.

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Went with siggy over Fraser myself but haven’t deviated for some time now - nice balance

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly the same as one of my two options but I have Jota instead of Delu.

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

      Cheers lads

  15. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone looked at rotating 4.5 defenders?

    With Ederson and two rotating defenders instead of Pope, Laporte and fodder it perhaps give you a few more options.

    Having Greenwood, Kelly and Dendoncker makes me nervous if there is one absentee.

    Something I'm trailing but the clear issue is the lack of options. Taylor and Targett?

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

      This was my thinking, but the Mendy news has changed things now. Zinchenko in.

      1. Robin Cook
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I feel Angelino may surprise many.

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

          Maybe - it's early days. Wasn't impressed defensively with what I saw v West Ham, though.

          But you do need two proper playing subs if you go for Zinchenko, so probably Dendoncker and one other depending on formation.

  16. MrM
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts on draft 245?

    Alisson
    Zin Taa Digne Taylor (Burn)
    Kante Salah Tielemans Sterling
    King Kane

    Button Den Greenwood Fredericks

    Quite happy save Kante any other suggestions or thoughts as to replace?

    1. AriseSirGiggsy
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      3 big hitters really affects the rest of the squad..... Kane out to Vardy / Wilson and Kante out to Maddison / Siggy would be my suggestion

  17. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is it worth starting season with Moura home to Villa and switch to Richarlison or Siggy week 2 for home game to Watford?

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

      personally wouldn't set my team up for a transfer after GW1, things can happen and bandwagons start to appear, saving a transfer could be useful

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This just clicked my mind

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Im thinking this. Its very flexible way to start. You dont even have to go Siggy or Rich.. options open for midfielders from all teams, whoever look good

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

    Tempted on a triple BOU attack for the first couple of fixtures - am I mad?

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

      Not mad but you will miss on other team's similar priced players points. 😛

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

        Like who?

        Current team is:
        Pope
        TAA VVD Digne Zinch
        Salah Sterling Fraser Perez
        Wilson Jota(/King)

        Not much on the bench

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

          Everton mids, prefer Siggy, King to Deu with those early fixtures.

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

            Fraser is a better pick than Siggy though, so its not like you are missing anything

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

          Btw almost same draft as mine.

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

    I notice no one seems to be considering Lucas Moura who seems great value at 7.5..am I missing something or do people not think he will start enough

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Will start the first 2

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

      Could be gold if he plays, Son suspended for 1st two games so should play those

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

      he is in some teams who are planning to use WC in GW3/4

  20. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best midfielder at 8M ATM? Who are you looking at and why?

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

      Richarlison as good early fixtures and started last 2 seasons in good form- can see a few goals

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd be on Rich if I was going 8m.

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fraser, Siggy, Silvas, maybe Martial or one of Chelsea midfielders.

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

        Add Richarlison as mentioned above.

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers everybody.

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fraser

  21. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please:

    Ryan
    VVD Digne Zinc 4.0
    Salah Sterling Siggy Perez
    Kane King

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Will end up a 352 with Dendocker playing if no starting 4.0 emerges.

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

      Very nice team. Having Kane Salah and Sterling gives you great captain options every week

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

      Think a starting 4m def each week is too risky. Would swap Siggy for Fraser and use 0.5 to get a guaranteed starter

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

        Yep. Have it mind.Also Digne to Coleman will give extra 0.5, if no starting 4.0 def emerge

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

    Menus confirmed out for start of the season. Zinchenko now very appealing.

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

      Mendy*

    2. AriseSirGiggsy
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    3. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Take me to your Menus.

    4. Jafoole_88
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      thats v interesting. do you know how long for?

      Zinchenko's new shirt no. (no.11) is also a symbolic sign!

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

        Don’t think it’s for too long - he should be back in training after the first game. But will take longer for him to be match fit

    5. Robin Cook
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Angelino could ruin it. 🙂

  23. Jafoole_88
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    azpilicueta or Pereira for a 6m defender slot??

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

      Azpi 100%

  24. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    When is westhams next match?

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

      tomorrow 10AM, vs Newcastle

  25. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone care to guess the last Hammer to score 20 in a season - any level? No cheating now

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

      Zamora?

    2. Party time
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Carlton Cole or Tevez?

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

        must be while back...Di Canio?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A bit more of a while back

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

        Tony Cottee, I imagine.

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

          - or, maybe, his partner, Frank McAvennie?

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Tad pessimistic

      • Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ashton?

      • Robin Cook
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Someone in the season the last got promoted to PL?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Right idea

      • Dopey44
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Sheringham?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Bingo

          The old Haller it was

    3. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      How am i looking guys?

      Pope
      VVD - Trent - Digne - Kelly*
      Bernardo - Sterling - Salah - Rich
      King - Jota

      Button - Greenwood - Dend - Targett

      Have 1 mill in the bank, thinking I could upgrade Kelly to a 4.5/5 - any suggestions?

    4. Steve The Shrewdie
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Any views on the latest draft?

      All comments/recommendations appreciated 0 ITB

      Heaton/Pope
      Robbo, VVD, Coleman, Zinchenko, (Gibson)
      Salah, KDB, Richarlison, Perez, (Dendonker)
      Vardy, Wilson (Greenwood)

      No transfer plans until WK 3 maybe Wilson to Chelsea forward and utilise the balance to invest in another MC asset.

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

        Looks good. V similar to mine!

    5. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts? 🙂

      Pope - Button

      TAA - VVD - Zinchenko - Digne - 4.0

      Salah - Sterling - Richarlison - Brooks - Dendoncker

      Wilson - Jota* - Greenwood

      *between Jota, King and Deulofeu- thoughts?

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        It's a great team mate and should get you off to a good start. If anyone suggests changes it's probably to make your team look more like theirs 😀

        I've gone very similar but starting with a 3-5-2
        Pope
        VVD TAA Digne
        Pereyra Fraser Salah Sterling Perez
        Wilson Jota
        Button Greenwood Dunk Lundstram

        Good luck mate

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks a lot, I like yours too 🙂 Pereyra could be a great pick!

          1. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            At 28 I think he could be entering his peak this season. Broke back into the Argentina team and pretty sure he bagged for them a few weeks back. If he starts the season as well as last season I'd be more than happy

    6. jamest4
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson (4.0m)

      TAA - VVD - Coleman - Zinc - (Kelly)

      Salah - BSilva - Perez - Siggy - (Dendoncker)

      Vardy - King - Deulofeu

      Feels balanced but debating reducing one of the strikers to 4.5m and upgrade BSilva. However, still without being able to afford Sterling is BSilva next best city midfield?

    7. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Any love for this bunch?

      Pope
      Bavies / TAA / Digne / Zinc
      Salah / Sterling / Fraser / Westwood
      Vardy / Wilson

      Woodman / Greenwood / Dend / Kelly

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

        Bavies an interesting one. Hopefully they sell Rose and he regains that awesome form he had a couple of years back.

        Still a bit up in the air about Zinc...

        Downgrade Wilson to King and upgrade Westwood.