Scout Notes

Injuries to FPL defenders as Wood hits second pre-season hat-trick

Our pre-season coverage continues with a look at the lessons learned from three games contested on Tuesday.

Manchester United left it late to see off Kristiansund, while there were wins for Burnley and Newcastle United.

We’ll round up all the main talking points – including a treble for Chris Wood (£6.5m) and injuries to two mid-priced Fantasy Premier League defenders – in the Scout Notes article below.

Kristiansund 0-1 Manchester United

  • Goals: Juan Mata (£6.5m)
  • Assists: None

There was a curious choice of penalty taker as Manchester United saw off Norwegian side Kristiansund with a stoppage-time spot-kick.

Despite Paul Pogba (£8.5m) being on the pitch, it was fellow substitute Juan Mata (£6.5m) who stepped up to convert from 12 yards after the Spaniard had himself been brought down – Pogba having provided a superb through-ball to Mata just before the foul.

Therein may lie the answer: the fact that Mata won the penalty may have earned him the right to take the subsequent spot-kick, with any penalty-taking hierarchy temporarily forgotten due to this game being a meaningless pre-season friendly.

Mata hasn’t taken a Premier League penalty in almost four years, although he did net from 12 yards in the FA Cup win over Reading earlier in 2019.

Mata had indeed been fouled for that penalty against the Royals, while Pogba wasn’t in the team.

Line-up Lessons

Solskjaer has used 27 players in pre-season but we may finally be inching closer to the Norwegian’s favoured starting XI and system.

With the exception of Pogba (who had dropped to the bench after sitting out a training session), one could justifiably argue that United’s team against Kristiansund was close to the one that will take on Chelsea in Gameweek 1.

The contrast between Nemanja Matic (£5.0m) and Scott McTominay‘s (£5.0m) performances in central midfield perhaps suggested that the Serbian midfielder may make way for Pogba, with McTominay impressing in a box-to-box role and striking the woodwork in the first half.

Dan James (£6.0m) started on the right wing as Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) and Anthony Martial (£7.5m) frequently traded places in-game between the left flank and the lone striker’s role.

Rashford said of this tactical approach:

It’s never been my aim to be a number nine. It’s about being able to adapt and play in different positions and to be the ultimate forward. I think I can score goals from all positions and I think that’s something that’s shared among the forwards.

If one person is scoring all the goals you get a different feeling as a team than if all the forwards are contributing. It’s definitely a good feeling and it keeps us all on our toes. That’s important.

Jesse Lingard (£6.5m) operated in the hole in a 4-2-3-1, meanwhile.

Full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw (both £5.5m) again spent most of their time camped in the opposition half as the hosts’ attacking forays were few and far between.

When asked about his Gameweek 1 line-up, Solskjaer replied:

It’s not about one team for the first game and that’s the team for the rest of the season. We’ve got a strong squad and I feel there’s not too big a difference when we make the subs. We’re going to have to find the right balance. I’ve not really picked the first XI yet, but most of the relationships we’ve tried. Milan will be another last test and then let’s see how we decide. I think when Paul Pogba doesn’t start, I think you know it’s not the first XI.

Struggle for goals

United weren’t shot-shy in Norway: Solskjaer’s side chanced their arm on 32 occasions, with ten of them landing on target.

Rashford stung the palms of the hosts’ goalkeepers on three occasions with efforts from distance (one a direct free-kick) but there weren’t too many clear-cut chances carved out by the Red Devils, in spite of the high number of saves made.

Solskjaer said after full-time:

I’ve said before in press conferences that we need to be more clinical. That’s where you win games. I think we’re looking solid at the back. They had a great chance early in the second half and we should have done better.

We’re going to keep working, keep improving, keep making the relationships between the players and the patterns work even better. It’s not a concern but it’s something we’re going to have to improve on.

Injury Blow

The expected bad news about Eric Bailly (£5.0m) came in Solskjaer’s post-match press conference.

The Ivorian defender was a casualty of United’s 2-1 win over Spurs last week and his manager provided an update on Tuesday night:

He’s had an operation. He’ll miss the best part of four or five months. Hopefully, we’ll get him back around about Christmas.

It was positive news from the surgeon, he had the operation this morning. He was positive it was all repaired and that he’ll be fine.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea (Romero 60′), Wan-Bissaka (Dalot 60′), Jones (Tuanzebe 60′), Lindelof (Rojo 60′), Shaw (Young 60)’, Matic (Pogba 60′), McTominay (Fred 60′), James (Andreas 60′), Lingard (Mata 60′), Martial (Chong 60), Rashford (Greenwood 60′).

Burnley 6-1 Nice

  • Goals: Chris Wood (£6.5m) x3, Jeff Hendrick (£5.5m), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m), Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Ashley Barnes x2 (£6.5m), Gudmundsson, Ben Mee (£5.0m), Matthew Lowton (£4.5m)

No Premier League player has scored more pre-season goals than Chris Wood (£6.5m) this summer.

The Burnley striker has found the back of the net on nine occasions in six friendly appearances, although the large caveat is that his previous half-dozen strikes before Tuesday evening’s treble were all against opponents from the Football League.

Patrick Vieira’s Nice side were supposed to present more of a challenge to the Clarets in their latest pre-season encounter but the Ligue I club were 4-0 down at the break, with Wood having scored two of the goals.

The mid-price FPL forward pounced on a loose ball to open the scoring before tapping in a Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m) cut-back to double the hosts’ advantage.

Both of Wood’s opening two strikes were characteristically from inside the six-yard box; no other Premier League player had more efforts from this zone of the pitch in 2018/19.

Wood had further opportunities to add to his tally but completed his hat-trick after the interval, intercepting an awful pass from a Nice defender – just one of umpteen errors from the French side at Turf Moor – and firing into a half-unguarded net.

Goals Abound

Jeff Hendrick (£5.5m), Gudmundsson and substitute Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) were also on target for the home side.

A well-worked free-kick saw Hendrick control a Ben Mee (£5.0m) header and fire past Yoan Cardinale for Burnley’s third, before Gudmundsson’s speculative effort beat the visiting goalkeeper all too easily on 35 minutes.

Rodriguez came off the bench to finish a Matthew Lowton (£4.5m) cross to round off the scoring.

Ashley Barnes (£6.5m) wasn’t among the goalscorers but claimed the assists for Burnley’s first and fourth strikes.

Competition for Places

Sean Dyche used 20 different players in Lancashire on Tuesday and both he and Wood highlighted the competition for places in the Burnley squad.

The New Zealander said:

It looks like we’ve got two players in each position and it’s a fight for places. Everybody is putting their hands up and it making it hard for the manager, which is a good thing for us.

The boys that have come in – Jay and Erik (Pieters) – have done fantastically well and fitted in brilliantly, so they’re good additions so far.

Dyche added:

I thought the attention to detail, the shape, the energy and the quality were all excellent. Those are the things you are after and the over-riding thing is the players are looking fit and sharp and that was on show as well.

There is definitely a good feel and a really competitive edge about the group and we want that to continue, so I must look at that for the weekend because you want that hunger going into the last week.

There were a lot of really strong performances and people coming off the bench affected the game as well.

The good thing is we have a really good, competitive squad and the way we have balanced their minutes allows us to look at options.

On top of the players used on Tuesday, the Clarets were still without the injured Robbie Brady (£5.5m), Ben Gibson (£4.0m) and Nick Pope (£4.5m).

Goalkeeper Uncertainty

With only one pre-season game remaining before Gameweek 1, we are still not much closer to resolving the Burnley goalkeeper situation.

With Pope sidelined, Tom Heaton and Joe Hart (both £4.5m) were each handed 45 minutes against Nice.

The rumours surrounding Heaton’s long-mooted move to Aston Villa intensified on Wednesday, however, and the 33-year-old goalkeeper seems to set to sign for the newly promoted Midlands club in the coming hours.

With Pope’s injury situation not thought to be too serious but ultimately still unclear, Hart may well be on standby to line up between the posts in Gameweek 1 – as happened 12 months ago.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton (Hart 46′), Bardsley (Lowton 75), Long (Tarkowski 46′), Mee (Dunne 69′), Pieters (Taylor 75′), Lennon (Rodriguez 69′), Westwood (Cork 69′), Hendrick, Gudmundsson (McNeil 46′), Wood (Wells 83′), Barnes.

Hibernian 1-3 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Joelinton (£6.0m), Sean Longstaff (£5.0m), Jamaal Lascelles (£4.5m)
  • Assists: Javier Manquillo (£4.5m), Joelinton, Rolando Aarons

Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) handed Newcastle United an injury scare in Tuesday night’s pre-season friendly in Leith.

Ritchie limped from the field after just 11 minutes of the Magpies’ 3-1 win over Hibs, having previously dropped to the ground with no opponent around him.

Steve Bruce said after full-time:

We hope it’s not serious. That’s the awful thing tonight because we’re a bit shy in that area. He’ll have a scan in the next 48 hours and hopefully, it’s not too bad. 

He’s nicked a hamstring. Whether it’s a strain or how serious it is, we do not know. But for him to come off is not a good sign.

The Evening Chronicle reported on Wednesday that the injury isn’t as serious as first feared, although this hasn’t yet been verified by the club.

The 3-5-2/5-3-2 Continues

Ritchie was again occupying the same position as he did last season, as the left-sided wing-back in a 3-5-2/5-3-2.

Rolando Aarons – yet to be priced up by FPL – was the man given the nod to replace Ritchie in that role and crossed for Jamaal Lascelles (£4.5m) to head in United’s third goal of the evening.

United’s midfield three was made up of budget FPL options Isaac Hayden (£4.5m), Sean Longstaff (£5.0m) and Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) and there was a sense that, the goalkeeper aside, this was about as strong a starting XI that Newcastle could possibly put out at present, accounting for injuries.

Joelinton (£6.0m) made his full Magpies debut and was joined up front for the second game running by an ‘out of position’ Miguel Almiron (£6.0m).

Almiron has not quite convinced in front of goal in his time on Tyneside and he is yet to find the back of the net for the Magpies either in a competitive match or a friendly, having missed from the spot in the 2-1 defeat to Preston on Saturday.

Against Hibs, the Paraguay international again missed a couple of excellent opportunities as his barren run continued.

Almiron otherwise linked up well with Joelinton, who was arguably the pick of United’s players with his physical hold-up play and promising movement.

The Brazilian striker got off the mark for Newcastle when converting Javier Manquillo‘s (£4.5m) cross from close range and then claimed a Fantasy assist when his blocked shot fell to Longstaff, who fired in from the edge of the box.

Bruce said of his new strike partnership:

All strikers want to score, let’s hope this is one of many. He is up and running, you can see the huge appetite in the boy (Joelinton).

They’re a threat and they’ve already enjoyed playing with each other, you can see that straight away. They will be a threat to anybody. They both can run and they complement each other.

They could be a little bit more clinical but overall I was very, very pleased with the performance of the two of them.

Goalkeeper Situation

Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) missed his second successive Newcastle game but Bruce poured cold water on the rumours circulating that the Slovakian wanted a move away from Tyneside.

Speaking after the match, Bruce said:

Dubravka is fine. He’s at home. It was always our aim to give the two other lads 90 minutes. Martin will be in goal in Saturday. 

He is our number one goalkeeper and will remain so. The stuff that’s circulating about him is not true, there’s nothing sinister going on at all.

Newcastle United XI (5-3-2): Darlow, Manquillo (Sterry 77), Lascelles, Dummett (Clark 71), Schar (Fernandez 77), Ritchie (Aarons 11), Hayden, Shelvey (M Longstaff 77), S.Longstaff (Ki 60), Almiron (Murphy 69), Joelinton (Muto 69).

1,775 Comments Post a Comment
  1. sovietrockettes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Please RMT:

    Pope
    Robertson TAA Digne Coleman
    Salah Sterling Lucas Perez
    Wilson Wesley

    Heaton Lundstram Dendoncker Greenwood

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

      Looks good but surely swap Coleman for Zinchenko to spread the risk. Double Toffees defence too much for me

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

    Another A vs B

    A. KDB + Bilva
    B. Sterling + Ceballos (currently on)

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

      A

    2. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      neither...sterling and someone else. New signings rarely hit the ground running. I would go with noble who may well have penalties at west ham. and saves you 0.5

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

        I have also been considering Noble as my 5th mid for this reason

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

        New signings rarely hit the ground running? Not sure I'd agree with you there - bit of a dated view and plenty exceptions.

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

          ok, he's a mental CDM that will get yellows and isnt nailed on. And arsenal are pump at the moment (i'm a gooner)

        2. poulteren
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          i take it back..he's not a CDM!

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

            Am a gooner too.

            He's not a CDM. I hink he'll play as a box to box, link player. Think Cazorla. Or Ramsey with a bit more discipline. In the U21 championship, he played at number 10 and was excellent. Really don't see better punts anywhere for that price

  3. ♤TeddyBear♤
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any major reasons folk are opting for Greenwood over Wickham?

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

      Wickham is a spud playing for Palace

      1. ♤TeddyBear♤
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        playing for palace might be better than a decent non playing striker :D?

      2. poulteren
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        lol

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

      Looks like Gollum is going to give him minutes - 1-pointers aplenty incoming!

  4. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Three days having a same team and still happy. Should I be worried?

    Ryan
    Robbo - TAA - Zinchenko - Digne
    Salah - Sterling - Bilva - Fraser - Perez
    King

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

      King only striker yes

    2. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      who is your bench?

    3. United10
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I had a similar team with King as only striker, worrying me now

  5. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    For weeks we all sit here posting RMT's and having opinions on who is or isnt worth having, then most of us WC around GW3 proving that even with 6 or 7 weeks to plan your team most go to 5hit from the start!!

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

      Pretty much 😀

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

        I think so. If we were all so clued up on who we should or shouldn't have most here would have a WC past week 3 or 4.

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

          Unless you're building your team to smash the first 3-4 GW and then WCing on purpose

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

    Should I downgrade Sterling to KDB to improve this?

    Pope
    TAA VVD Digne
    Salah Sterling Perez Barkley McGinn
    Kane Ings

    4.0 4.5 4.0 4.0

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      yep. then mcginn to siggy ?

  7. MJFainty
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all, my first post of the new season... I've been lurking up until now.

    Have been sat on this team for a day or so, so would appreciate any feedback on it. I've switched around the two Chelsea players a couple of times, but have been encouraged by a couple of their performances in pre-season, coupled with their good fixtures from GW2 onwards.

    Ederson
    TAA / Robertson / Digne
    Salah / Sterling / Perez / Ceballos / Barkley
    King / Abraham

    Button / AWB / Greenwood / Lundstram

    Thanks in advance, looking forward to the season getting underway now!

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      i think having barkley AND abraham from the go is too risky. you dont know who is playing for sure and gw1 is away at utd. id wait a bit. too much money on bench also. imo 🙂

    2. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      why ceballos? Completely untested and 5.5. for CDM is maud. New players rarely hit the ground running. Downgrade to noble or dendondecker

      Also - AWB will struggle at first.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        and this too for the first part 🙂

    3. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A few cheeky punts that could work out, but too many in one team for my liking:
      Tammy
      Ceballos
      Barkley
      Combined with king who is a weak pick.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        interesting point about king. he has fixtures and pens.

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

          Thanks for all the food for thought guys,

          I was very much under the impression that Ceballos plays further forward than CDM, but if that's the case I will definitely reconsider him.

          I take your points on Barkley and Abraham also, I was just viewing it as a route in to Chelsea for a decent amount of money, but perhaps too much punt in a GW1 XI.

          @Poulteren where does the comment about AWB struggling early on come from?

  8. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is Stones nailed? Who's he's competition?

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

      Otamendi or perhaps Fernandinho - wait til CS for a better idea.

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

      He should be first choice. Competing with Otamendi.

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers all

  9. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Robertson & Siggy

    B) Robertson & B Silva

    C) 5.5 def & KDB

    ** I’ve already got VVD & Sterling

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

    Barkley looks on fire pre season. ON pens seemingly and two assits last night. 6 million - am I missing something?

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

      I have him in my draft but can still see it going wrong

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I've got him

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      yep he competes with mount for a starting line up 🙂

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

      He's had one pen in preseason and isn't necessarily nailed.

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

        Nevertheless he's been on my watchlist a while and I am tempted as a punt, as long as i've got enough £ for decent bench backup

    5. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Willian

    6. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fixtures aren't great

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

        Their fixtures are great? They have two tough opening games but then only play liverpool between now and end of november.

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

    Noble still on pens or are we uncertain now Haller has arrived?

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

      I'd guess so but whether Nobles starts every game is another matter

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

      If I recall correctly Noble once gave Arnautovic a penalty to get off the mark early in the season so he is very much a team first player and may see it as important to help Haller get off the mark if the opportunity arises.

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      How many goals last season?

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

        5 goals 5 assists

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If noble starts then he is on pens.

      Best pen taker in the league.

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

    i've just seen a tweet that says Laporte is a doubt for the Liverpool game. Nothing about whether he misses the West Ham fixture

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

      CS - doesn't matter. Got 10 days before needing to sweat.

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

      Yeah Sam Lee. He's a good source for City.

  13. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hello 2019/20 FPL!
    Ben lurking casually for a few weeks, but back now.
    First try with a big three.... (yes I know defence is poor)

    Heaton Henderson
    Coleman Chilwell Guilbert Rico Lundstram
    Salah Sterling Bilva Pulisic Dendoncker
    Kane King Origi

    Thoughts?

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

      Like the Chilwell pick. I'm considering him over Zinc.

      Think a Pool defender is a must though. I'd look in to at downgrading Pulsiic/Bilva and investing elsewhere.

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

      Cheers. Funny how using computers more powerful than those used to send men to the moon throws up a final PL table that almost identical to the one I made sat on the sofa scratching my nuts.

      Except for Palace. They've overestimated Palace. They'd probably have crash-landed the Eagle.

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

        Ouch

        Can’t say I disagree much right now sadly

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

        Or maybe the Eagles have landed?

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

          On their arses. I'm tipping them to finish 16th or 17th.

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

        Seems like a fairly sensible table until you see Southampton scoring more than Leicester.

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

      It's basically last year's table with a few minor tweaks.

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

      Iwobi with 11 assists they are predicting
      TAA 5 assists in first 5 games
      Man City and Liv miles in front in clean sheets
      Chelsea top of table at Xmas

      amusing reading

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

      Makes me more optimistic about my Townsend punt

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

    Where does the new guy fit in? Ibe wagon dead already?

    https://www.twitter.com/FFScout/status/1156846479312662528

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Probably the temp brooks replacement yeah. BBGW1 annihilated again.

  15. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best Brooks replacement for £6.5m, already have Perez?

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

      Barkley?

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

        Rotation risk with Mount.

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

    A or B- also have Sterling.

    A BSilva Wilson
    B KDB King

    1. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

  17. United10
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    AWB has been great in pre season, surprised not many own him here. Surely not a bad pick at 5.5m?

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

      Im considering him.

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

        Was going to post something similar - not sure why he's not getting more love on here.

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Would rather have Shaw

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

        Got both.

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

        This

        The 33% difference in ownership baffles me. Yes AWB May kick on as an attacking force but he’s untested at this level as an attacking full back. Shaw is the one with the credentials. Getting AWB instead means weighting the chances of defensive baps very highly. I’m doubting he’ll get anything like the same volume of tackles in an attacking side. Palace defended a lot.

      3. United10
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        AWB more likely to get MOTM and baps imo

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

      United's defence is the issue - it'll be all over the place like last season, IMO.

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

        They had poor players.

        De Gea
        AWB Maguire Lindelhof Shaw

        doesn't look shabby to me.

        1. United10
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          thats if Maguire joins mate lol

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

          Three of those played regularly last season, and one of them is a Leicester player. The issue is also who's sitting in front - Matic (who was terrible last season), McTominay? It doesn't fill me with confidence.

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

          Could be great.

          How do you rate Ole though? Also the defensive pivot ahead of them may not be all that.

          I’m very tempted to start with one United asset at the back. But think I’ll wait probs.

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

            Don't need to rate Ole as a genius. I tend to assume both the United and Chelsea defences have the experience and skill to take care of themselves against most attacks. After Liverpool and City, I don't see any other defences that I'd say are better. Maybe Everton and Spurs are on a par.

    4. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He’s in my team for the long term. Huge amount of BPS potential with his new attacking outlook as well as his defensive stats. United will keep more clean sheets this year defending from the front

      1. United10
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I agree, keeping AWB in my draft 🙂

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

    Picking new to PL players is risky, but who would be your most confident pick?

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

      I like the look of Pepe. Think Arsenal have made a great signing there.

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

        9 of his 22 goals last season were pens. Will he get them at Arsenal?

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

          I'll take the other 13 goals and 11 assists he got last season.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Was actually 16 assists including FPL ones

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

          13 goals excluding pens for a team that finished 2nd after just avoiding relegation the season before sounds pretty good to me. Passes they eye test, most importantly.

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

            If the price is right he will be in my gw3 wc team

        3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          He played at Lille and scored 13 goals from open play. Plays in a better attack, albeit a harder league, I can see him getting around 13 again with many assists to Auba and Laca

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

        Will Pepe be mid or fwd?

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

          Mid I would have thought

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      McGinn Wesley

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

        Anyone from outside Villa? lol

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

          That's who I know. Wouldn't touch Robinson ex Villa and Ireland form

    3. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Haller looks fantastic

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Henderson is a far as I'm willing to go at the minute

      Robbi looks to have potential too though... Is Yarmo still technically 'new'? There could be a time & a place for him this year, it could even be GW1

      The Trossards, Wesleys, Cutrones, Keans etc of this world could prove to be super.... But equally could you really hold it against them if it took them until Christmas to find their feet? If they ever find them that is...

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

        How many Trossards, Wesleys, Cutrones and Keans are there?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          At least 4 if my maths is correct

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

            Your original comment suggests there are more than one of each. Always thought it was a stupid, if oft used comment in football 🙂

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              You're supposed to read it in a cockney accent whilst shaking your head a la Jamie or Arry Fackin Redknapp for it to make sense

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

                Dagenham Dave Redknapp

              2. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Well, you ask Tross and Wesley
                If candy-floss is sticky
                I'm not a blinking thicky
                I'm Cutrone
                And I'm doing very well

    5. Link
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Haller / Pepe

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

      Haller

  19. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Perez or Tielemans?

    Also have Vardy atm lol.

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

      just perez from that lot

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

      Perez

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Perez... But Tiekemans looks a real talent, his output last season was superb for his position... Be interesting to see does he keep it up

      I can't help but think with Perez that had he been at keyed before the price relaxer he'd either have been a 7.5 mid or a 7.0 striker, I think he's that lovely combo of both under priced and OOP

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        *at Leicester before the price release... Price relaxer... That's something else altogether 🙂

  20. TJWT
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Please RMT:

    Ryan/Button
    Robertson/Digne/AWB/Zinch/4.0
    Salah/Sterling/Perez/Barkley/Dendoncker
    Kane/King/Mason

    Thanks

  21. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A)Barkley and Wilson
    B)Pulisic and King
    c)A different/no Chelsea mid?

  22. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Will switch Dendoncker and Diop as and when needed.

    Fabianski
    Zinchenko | Ake | Alexander-Arnold
    Salah | Dendoncker | Perez | Sterling | Barkley
    Kane | Wilson

    Bench - Button | Diop | Greenwood | Kelly

  23. Wardinator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would appreciate your feedback on this draft......

    Lloris
    VVD. Walker. Digne. Coleman
    Salah. KDB. Martial. Jorginho.
    Kane. Wilson.

    (Button, dendonker, lundstram, greenwood)

    1. - Z -
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Well i like it. Nice balance

    2. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      you desperatly need sterlo without any question

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

        Salah and Kane are ahead of sterling imo. Ive tried drafts with all 3 but team is too weak elsewhere and unbalanced

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

      Good team! Would downgrade Digne or Coleman and upgrade mid or fwd

  24. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    1. Zouma, Barkley and Wickham

    or

    2. Lundstrom, Jorginho and King

    ?

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

      well none are nailed starters so I'd go back to the drawing board

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

    First draft, am I on the right way?

    Pope
    AWB, TAA, Vertongen
    Salah, Sterling, Barkley, Perez
    Kane, King, Cutrone

    Subs: Heaton, Kelly, Lundstram, Haydn

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

      Cutrone = wow!! Do you know something we don't know?

      Will he take Jota or Jiminez starting berth?

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

        It’s A gamble, great history and only 6.0

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

          Wesley definitely plays every game

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thinks he's canny saving a sneaky 0.5m.
        Pretty sure he'll start on EL duty. Don't expect too much PL action for a while yet.

    2. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      almost same team as mine, but defence is too weak i would say

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

      Cheers lads, appreciate your feedback

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

    Is Lindelof nailed as Maguire's potential CB partner?

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

      yeh

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

        Thanks bud

  27. Salah'd n Sauce
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Love people saying 'This is my First Draft Team' ...

    Knowing fine well it's already been through about 600 combinations.

    Not knocking it. Mine has already been adjusted more times than a Rubix Cube. 😀

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

      I'm on my last draft.

      Until this evening.

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'll probably rip mine out completely a few times before next week.
        Although I mostly like the balance - half of it feels too 'Templatey'

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Still haven't done one 😆

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Your will is stronger than mine.

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

      Just started today because of holiday, but admit I’ve had A couple of attempts on the drawing table trying my first draft on you.

  28. GinjaWhinja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Sigurdsson, Heaton + 4.5m attacker
    B) King, Ederson + 4.5m midfielder

  29. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who are these ‘£4.0 million’ playing defenders I see people mentioning?
    I know the shelf Utd midfield lad listed as a defender is one of them, who is the others?

    I don’t think I’ve ever found it so difficult to pick a start team as this year. Wood on fire.... I got burnt by him either last season or the one before... was pre season beast then a useless turd till Xmas.
    So easily to change tact every day, or every comment on here!

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

      Rico is a full back at Bournemouth, the player who was supposed ahead of him was injured recently...although some still think he's not going to start.

      Kelly at Palace could benefit from the sale of Wan Bissaka, although Ward could play there too.

      Hanley has had lots of preseason minutes with Norwich, but Norwich fans don't think he'll start once everyone is fit and available.

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers... I’ll stuck with the shelf Utd lad I think unless the bournemouth one comes through.