Scout Notes

Pope returns from injury as Rodriguez pushes for a start

We take a closer look at six more pre-season friendlies that involved Premier League clubs on Saturday.

Our latest Scout Notes article rounds up the goalscorers, assist-makers and key Fantasy talking points from the matches involving Burnley, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Southampton and Watford, as well as documenting any injury updates from these half-dozen clubs.

Burnley 2-0 Parma

  • Goals: Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) x2
  • Assists: Aaron Lennon (£5.0m), Matthew Lowton (£4.5m)

Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) laid down another marker as the three-way tussle for Burnley’s two striking spots grows tougher to call.

Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood (£6.5m) are ever-presents for the Clarets in the Premier League this calendar year but the mid-price FPL forwards are now faced with a threat they didn’t really have in the first half of 2019: genuine competition up front.

Matej Vydra (£5.5m) and the now-retired Peter Crouch never really looked like posing a challenge to the duopoly in attack but, as Sam Vokes did in the first half of 2018/19, Rodriguez gives Sean Dyche a viable alternative to Barnes or Wood.

Wood has been the man in form in pre-season, scoring nine goals in seven appearances – although six of those strikes were against sides from the Football League.

Barnes, in contrast, didn’t find the back of the net once.

Rodriguez has himself scored on six occasions, with two of them coming in the second half of Saturday’s win over Parma.

The former West Brom striker nodded in Aaron Lennon‘s (£5.0m) deflected cross from point-blank range to give the hosts the lead before scoring a second headed goal when arriving at the back post to convert Matthew Lowton‘s (£4.5m) teasing delivery.

Rodriguez has more pre-season minutes to his name than any Burnley striker following his 73-minute run-out against the Italian side.

Wood – who volleyed over from another Lowton pass in the first half – and Barnes were each handed 45 minutes against Parma and it may well be that they resume their partnership in Gameweek 1, with Dyche having previously said that Saturday’s line-up isn’t necessarily the one that will take on Southampton next weekend:

I will be honest, most managers myself included, normally play what you think is the team in the last one, but I think it is tight this season. The last game of pre-season might not be the team that starts against Southampton.

Dyche added on Saturday:

We have had some minor injuries but nothing too major so we have adapted the team and with that team (against Parma) we looked at the minutes list and Barnesy was top with Westy next to him so that is why they played different amounts to let others catch up.

Dyche may have been discounting the behind-closed-doors friendlies against Fulham, Accrington and Tranmere when discussing the pre-season minutes of Barnes, given that the striker’s documented playing time on our spreadsheet was less than Wood and Rodriguez.

Burnley’s goalkeeper situation has been a complicated one this summer but Saturday may finally have given Fantasy managers some reassurance regarding the first-team prospects of Nick Pope (£4.5m).

The Burnley shotstopper returned on Saturday following a three-game absence through injury and played the full 90 minutes, with Joe Hart (£4.5m) watching on from the bench and new signing Bailey Peacock-Farrell not involved.

Tom Heaton (£4.5m), of course, has departed for Aston Villa.

Pope was the busier of the two goalkeepers as Parma posed much more of a threat than Nice did in midweek and indeed the Serie A side clipped the woodwork in the first half when Roberto Inglese headed against the bar from a corner.

While Pope and budget FPL defender Ben Gibson (£4.0m) returned from the treatment table, there were more injury woes for Dyche.

Robbie Brady‘s (£5.5m) comeback from a rib problem lasted just over half an hour as he suffered a recurrence of the issue, while Jack Cork (£5.0m) also limped off before half-time.

Centre-backs James Tarkowski (£5.0m) and Kevin Long (£4.5m) missed out altogether, which perhaps heightens the chances of Gibson featuring in Gameweek 1.

Dyche said after the match:

James had two points on a scan on his thigh that were really tight and we need to be careful with them. Kevin has a sore groin and it’s nothing too drastic.

Robbie got a knock on his ribs and had just come back from that, and Corky took a slip, but he’s fine.

Longy thinks he has got a really strong chance [of playing in GW1], he thinks it is settling down really well and so does Tarky.

Corky was a precaution but with Robbie we will have to wait and see. I don’t know how quickly that will settle down again.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Taylor (Pieters 67’), Mee, Gibson (Dunne 67’), Lowton (Bardsley 73’); Brady (McNeil 32’), Cork (Westwood 38’), Hendrick (Benson 73’), Lennon (Gudmundsson 67’); Wood (Barnes 46’), Rodriguez (Wells 73’).

West Ham United 2-2 Athletic Bilbao (2-4 penalties)

  • Goals: Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m), Jack Wilshere (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Pablo Fornals (£6.5m), Sebastien Haller (£7.5m)

There were goals at either end of the pitch as West Ham United rounded off their pre-season on Saturday.

In many ways, the Betway Cup match against Athletic Bilbao told us much what we already knew about the Hammers from a Fantasy perspective: promising up top but decidedly unconvincing at the back.

There have been 12 goals in total in West Ham’s most-recent two friendlies, with five arriving at the wrong end of the field.

The Hammers have conceded two or more goals in four of their six pre-season friendlies, which will further the appeal of Manchester City assets in Gameweek 1.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side were 2-0 down after just 15 minutes on Saturday, with Sebastien Haller (£7.5m) slicing into his own goal before the visitors cut the Hammers apart to double their lead on the quarter-hour mark.

Roberto (£4.5m) continues to look shaky between the sticks as he deputises for the injured Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), with the Polish shotstopper having again missed out with a groin strain.

Mark Noble (£5.0m) was also missing with a dead leg and Pellegrini said of the pair:

Most of them are progressing. Lukasz did an MRI today. He has a small injury, so we will see what happens with him during this week. Mark will start running probably in the middle of the week so we will see what will happen with him.

I think that for Mark, it is going to be difficult for him to play, but with Lukasz, it depends how he works on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On the flip side, West Ham’s front four continue to impress.

Haller, Felipe Anderson (£7.0m), Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) and Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) started their third pre-season game in a row and look to be Pellegrini’s attacking quartet of choice going into the opening-weekend encounter with City.

Haller was involved in both of the hosts’ goals, ‘assisting the assister’ for Lanzini’s tap-in – Fornals claiming the actual assist with a bicycle kick – and then showing great persistence and nimble footwork to tee up Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) for the Hammers’ equaliser on 23 minutes.

Pellegrini is blessed with an array of talent in the attacking midfield options and discussed his options after the game:

I think we have different options. You saw in this game we played with Wilshere, Anderson, Lanzini and Fornals, but in the second half it was Antonio, Yarmolenko, Diangana and Snodgrass, or we could play with two strikers.

With Fornals, Lanzini and Anderson, the three of them can play in all the positions behind the striker so we have different options, not only with those three players, but with others. For the moment, we have a complete squad.

As a manager you want options and you can play in a different way. You can want more muscle or more technique, but for me you want players who always want the ball.

Fornals was again the central figure either linking up with Haller in attack or dropping deep and indeed the gangly striker looked less of a threat when the Spaniard was withdrawn at the interval.

Wilshere, meanwhile, flitted between supporting Declan Rice (£5.0m) at the base of the midfield and joining up with the front four in possession.

Pellegrini’s only change to his starting XI saw Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) return at right-back in place of budget FPL option Ben Johnson (£4.0m) but West Ham’s defence looked particularly exposed on the flanks, with Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) struggling.

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Roberto; Cresswell (Masuaku 74’), Diop, Balbuena (Ogbonna 65’), Fredericks (Zabaleta 81’); Wilshere (Snodgrass 65’), Rice (C Sánchez 74’); Fornals (Antonio 46’), Lanzini (Diangana 74’), Anderson (Yarmolenko 65’); Haller (Chicharito 74’).

Crystal Palace 0-4 Hertha Berlin

Crystal Palace’s pre-season finished in dismal fashion as they drew a blank against a side that conceded five goals against West Ham United just three days earlier.

At the other end of the pitch, an under-strength Eagles defence were left worryingly exposed – positive news for those Fantasy managers considering Everton’s under-performing attacking assets in Gameweek 1.

Roy Hodgson’s side were again without their talismanic winger, Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m), who has been handed an extended period of rest following his involvement with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cheikhou Kouyate (£5.0m) was also absent having represented Senegal in that same tournament, while Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) – substituted at half-time of the 5-0 win over Bristol City a week earlier – was missing from Saturday’s matchday squad at Selhurst Park.

Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) replaced Schlupp alongside Christian Benteke (£6.0m) in Hodgson’s only change to his side from the win at Ashton Gate, so it may well be a very similar-looking starting XI that takes on Everton next weekend – barring further recruitment and the return to availability of those aforementioned players.

Palace had their chances, with Benteke having an effort chalked off for offside, Ayew and James McArthur (£5.5m) missing excellent opportunities and Scott Dann (£4.5m) underscoring his aerial prowess by heading against the bar.

A lack of dynamism highlighted both Zaha’s absence and Palace’s ongoing struggles in south London, however: only relegated Huddersfield scored fewer home goals than the Eagles in 2018/19.

Assistant manager Ray Lewington acknowledged that the Eagles’ counter-attacking style was not ideally suited to home games in which opponents sit back:

One thing could be that we’re a little bit more of a counter-attacking team than most, which means that we like teams coming onto us and when you’re at home, you’re going onto them. It’s not for the want of the supporters giving us great support every game and playing in a ground that has got a great atmosphere about it. We just hope we can put it right.

It could be argued that Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m), himself not renowned for his defensive credentials, was the only first-choice member of the Palace backline on show at Selhurst Park.

Joel Ward (£4.5m) continued at right-back as the Eagles seek to replace the departed Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m), while the absence of Mamadou Sakho and the injured James Tomkins (both £5.0m) saw Dann and budget FPL defender Martin Kelly (£4.0m) again deployed together at centre-half.

Sakho had returned from a lengthy lay-off against Bristol City and Wimbledon but it seems likely that he will be struggling for fitness in Gameweek 1.

Vicente Guaita (£4.5m) wasn’t overly tested for much of the first half but Palace conceded their first goal just before the interval and capitulated after half-time, with Hodgson’s experimentation with a diamond formation looking like a misstep.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita (Hennessey 45’); van Aanholt, Dann, Kelly, Ward; Meyer (Pierrick 83’), Milivojevic, McArthur, Townsend (Dreher 83’); Ayew (Wickham 75’), Benteke.

Newcastle 2-1 Saint-Etienne

  • Goals: Joelinton (£6.0m), Matthew Longstaff
  • Assists: Fabian Schar (£5.0m), Sean Longstaff (£5.0m)

Newcastle United assets are hardly the flavour of the month following Rafael Benitez’s departure and with the Magpies having the trickiest run of fixtures (according to our Season Ticker) in the opening ten Gameweeks of the 2019/20 season.

The acquisition of Joelinton (£6.0m), Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems and some decent pre-season showings (bar the 4-0 hammering by Wolves) have made the overall picture seem not quite so bleak on Tyneside, however, and they may not quite be the pushovers many are expecting in the upcoming campaign.

Saturday’s victory over Saint-Etienne was, indeed, more convincing than the scoreline suggested.

Joelinton scored his second goal in as many games when converting Fabian Schar‘s (£5.0m) long ball over the top of the French side’s defence, with youngster Matthew Longstaff rifling in off the crossbar following a pass from brother Sean (£5.0m).

Joelinton, budget FPL midfielder Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) and substitute Yoshinori Muto (£5.0m) had efforts blocked, while the influential Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) and Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) struck the woodwork.

Almiron was again a lively presence playing as an ‘out of position’ striker up front, although his finishing continues to leave a lot to be desired and his ongoing goal drought (he hasn’t scored a single goal for the Magpies) drags on.

Matthieu Debuchy scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Reflecting on the game, Bruce said:

Second half I enjoyed. First half was a typical pre-season friendly where everyone was asleep, but second half we played with energy and intensity. We could have been worthy winners by a few more. Overall I was very, very pleased.

Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) sat Saturday’s game out with a hamstring problem, meaning that Rolando Aarons again lined up as a wing-back on the left flank.

Willems replaced Aarons in the second half and is expected to provide the stiffer competition for Ritchie in the medium term.

Bruce said of Ritchie’s injury:

It’s his hamstring and, as I said at the time, if he’s going off, there is something wrong. Whether he’ll be right for Arsenal remains to be seen.

Attacking midfielder Saint-Maximin also made his debut and looked fairly promising but was seen limping off towards at the end of the game, while Christian Atsu (£5.5m) was among the substitutes for the first time this summer.

£4.5m-rated asset Hayden has played more pre-season minutes than any of Newcastle’s midfielders and looks set to stay on Tyneside, having been heavily linked with a move away for much of 2019.

Bruce said:

He’s up for staying. We want to give him a new contract.

Newcastle United XI (5-3-2): Dúbravka; R Aarons (Willems 59’), Fernández, Lascelles (Dummett 78’), Schär (Clark 78’), Manquillo (Murphy 83’); Shelvey (Ki 73’), S Longstaff, Hayden (M Longstaff 74’); Joelinton (Muto 59’), Almirón (Saint-Maximin 59’)

Southampton 2-0 FC Koln

  • Goals: Danny Ings (£6.0m), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Che Adams (£6.0m) x2

Southampton look set to start 2019/20 in a wing-back system after Ralph Hasenhuttl again plumped for three centre-halves in Saturday’s final pre-season friendly.

Nathan Redmond (£6.5m) and Che Adams (£6.0m) flanked central striker Danny Ings (£6.0m) in a three-man attack in the first half, with Adams moving centrally when Ings was withdrawn at the break.

Adams was one of the game’s stand-out players, with his work rate and harrying causing problems for the visitors.

The summer signing from Birmingham won an early penalty that Ings converted and teed up Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m) for the Saints’ second goal, having also supplied Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m) with a chance with a superb through-ball.

Ings missed a second penalty when Hojbjerg had been felled.

James Ward-Prowse‘s (£6.0m) Fantasy appeal is perhaps dented in this 3-4-3 system, although his role as the more defence-minded central midfielder is one that will likely change when Oriel Romeu (£4.5m) returns to the starting XI – the former Chelsea player having returned in Saturday’s game as a substitute following three games out through injury.

Of course, having all three of Romeu, Hojbjerg and Ward-Prowse fit presents Hasenhuttl with a selection dilemma if he proceeds with just two central midfielders.

Winger Moussa Djenepo (£5.5m) made his Southampton debut as a 79th-minute substitute, while Jack Stephens (£4.5m) returned from injury and was preferred to Maya Yoshida (£4.5m) at centre-back.

Angus Gunn (£4.5m) played the full game in goal and looks the favourite to get the nod in Gameweek 1, having racked up the most pre-season minutes of all of Southampton’s goalkeepers.

Gunn made a couple of smart stops as the Saints recorded their second clean sheet of the summer, although centre-back Jan Bednarek (£4.5m) highlighted that Southampton’s aggressive press sometimes led to chances being conceded at the wrong end of the pitch:

I think it’s just to find the balance between high press, deep pressing and midfield press because there were some moments of the game where we could not press but we tried to do, we are sometimes a little bit too brave. I think that’s positive and when we find the balance we will be a really nasty opponent.

Southampton XI (3-4-3): Gunn; Bednarek, Vestergaard (Armstrong 75’), Stephens (Yoshida 63’); Valery, Højbjerg, Ward-Prowse (Romeu 63’), Bertrand (Cedric 63’); Redmond (Boufal 63’), Adams (Long 63’), Ings (Obafemi 46’, Djenepo 79’).

Watford 2-1 Real Sociedad

  • Goals: Andre Gray (£6.0m) x2
  • Assists: Will Hughes (£5.5m), Etienne Capoue (£5.0m)

Javi Gracia “thinks” that Gerard Deulofeu (£6.5m) will be fit to face Brighton and Hove Albion in Gameweek 1 after the FPL forward missed Watford’s final pre-season friendly with a muscle problem.

Speaking after the win over Real Sociedad, the Hornets’ boss said:

We have some players out with little problems but I think all of them will be ready for the next game. Gerard is maybe training with the team on Tuesday. I think he will be ready.

Roberto Pereyra (£6.0m) was also absent following his involvement with Argentina at the Copa America but Gracia says the winger should be involved at Vicarage Road next Saturday.

The Watford head coach said:

Pereyra finished later than the rest of the team. After three weeks of rest, he started to train. Now he is training in a hard moment. He is training some days with the team, others alone. He will be ready for the game [against Brighton], not at his best level, but he will be ready to compete.

Looking at the Hornets’ starting XI and system in Saturday’s pre-season friendly suggests very little has changed from the back-end of 2018/19.

Craig Dawson (£5.0m) was the only squad member involved against Sociedad who wasn’t on the books last season and the rest of Watford’s back four looked very familiar, with Ben Foster (£5.0m) lining up between the sticks.

Ken Sema (£5.0m) and Andre Gray (£6.0m) were perhaps the placeholders for Pereyra and Deulofeu but Gray is doing his best to stake a claim for a first-team place ahead of Gameweek 1, scoring twice as Watford came from behind to win.

The mid-price FPL forward scored his third and fourth goals of pre-season, first squeezing his shot inside the post following a fine run and through-ball from Will Hughes (£5.5m) and then racing onto a pass from Etienne Capoue (£5.0m) for the Hornets’ winner.

In truth, Watford were second-best for much of the game and didn’t create too many other clear opportunities.

At the other end, Foster had to make a handful of decent blocks, while Jose Holebas (£5.0m) cleared off the line and the visitors’ Mikel Merino hit the post.

The hosts had fallen behind to a first-half penalty after a foul by Sema.

Gracia said:

Real Sociedad played better than us. In the first half, they played much better. Maybe in the second we controlled the spaces better, we competed better but always it is good to compete against teams like Sociedad with a high level. It’s important to get good results for the confidence of our players. The best thing is we have the possibility to improve many things. I am sure we will do it.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster; Holebas (Janmaat 84’), Cathcart, Dawson, Femenía; Sema (Cleverley 76’), Doucouré, Capoue, Hughes; Deeney, A Gray.
1,286 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have Sterling + Salah....

    1. Kane, Barkley, Gomez

    or

    2. Wilson, Fraser, Robertson

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

    2. Azzastaan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane Barkley VVd if you can afford, you dont want Gomez

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Can’t, looks like 2 then

    3. Prince of Persia
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

    4. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

    6. zzmarko
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1 could look like a shrewd move.

      1. Hog Roast Junkie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A striker who has history of starting the season slowly and two rotation risks...

    7. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      As the season draws closer are people starting to get cold feet about going huge in defence?

      Also, if anyone could tell me whether Sterling is essential or if instead KDB is sufficient that would be great!

      1. zzmarko
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I got burnt with Kdb 2 seasons ago....I think u need to wait & see with him. Has huge potential though!

    8. Prince of Persia
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If you decided to go for 2, change your username please. 😀

  2. Longiss
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Digne and Fraser or Coleman and Wilson?

    1. zzmarko
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Coleman & Fraser. Think Coleman will be back to his best this season.

    2. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  3. Azzastaan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Kelly VVD Robertson Coleman
    Salah Sterling Barkley Perez Fraser
    Kane

    Thoughts, I know Kelly is no good but he'll do for now

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think that it's a waste to own 3 big hitters because you can't captain them all so you ok probably lose a lot of value that you could spent elsewhere

      1. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        But not having big hitters can lead to potential loss of points in comparison to other low valued players

    2. zzmarko
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Like this team as I think Sterling, Salah & Kane will be essential this season. Don't like Kelly though so think that you should downgrade Robertson then upgrade him to at least a 4.5m. This team could work though if you plan to wildcard early & Kelly is deffo playing the 1st few.

    3. Longiss
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very similar to mine

  4. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1)Fraser or Moura?
    2)Digne + Walker-Peters or Coleman + Zinchenko

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        There are 2 different questions sry

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Fraser, second option.

    2. zzmarko
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1, Fraser

      2, Coley & Zinc

  5. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Beat Pool 5.5 defender?

    1) Matip
    2) Gomez

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      After today Matip should be VVD's partner

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Any reason? Gomez was playing well.

      2. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Liverpool became very solid when he came on even if Gomez has to play I believe he can be at RB

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

      Matip

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      matips great value for now

  6. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this.
    Heaton Pope
    Vvd Diop Robbo Dunk Lun
    Salah Sterling De Bruyne mc Ginn Hayden
    King Wilson Murray /Ings

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

      Just go with one of Heaton and Pope. Rotation is waste of .5

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hammers arent good defensively, Dunk as well. Weak forward line. Otherwise g2g

  7. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Well, ended up with VVD Salah and Firmino as my 3 Pool. Went from 3 Pool def to that...

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

    Having a lot of trouble picking between these two teams! Help would be appreciated!

    Team A,
    Pope (4.0)
    Robertson Zinchenko TAA DIGNE (4.0)
    Salah Sterling KDB Barkley PEREZ
    KING (4.5, 4.5)

    Team B,
    Pope (4.0)
    Robertson Zinchenko VVD COLEMAN (4.0)
    Salah Sterling KDB Barkley (4.5)
    WILSON INGS (4.5)

    1. Snikii
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B without Ings thought

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B for me

  9. Snikii
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any playing 4.0 defenders?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      nope

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      rico gw1 at least

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico, Lundstram, Kelly etc All not 100% nailed though but may help for the first few I reckon.

    4. Ekip
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A number of possibles for GW1 due to injuries, but none that seem certain to get a lot of game time.
      Rico
      Lundstram
      Kelly
      Hanley
      Gibson

  10. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Once again it’s time to mess things up from the start.

    This seasons trap from the start?

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King.

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      kdb

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, didn’t look like a great option today

        1. Hog Roast Junkie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          You must have watched a different game to me...

        2. @FPLDIARYFPL
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          eh?? Man of the match, almost through on goal a couple of times and his usual self for assist potential...

  11. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why are people not going for Kane? I have him in my team and I think he will start well without Son

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      lots of people are

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        city gw2 tho

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Historically, his under-lying stats are always better with Son.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not much impact in preseason and probably wont play well with Moura in team and maybe because of Salah/Sterling

  12. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Very good game that. Thought we had the better chances though.

    Reaffirms Sterling and Salah are the best picks for both teams - the amount of chances they have and space they run into means they'll always get FPL returns.

    KDB didn't look all that good from a FPL point view, same as Bernardo.

    Concerning that Gomez keeps getting played at RB and just as concerning that Robertson's lack of crosses since pre season was evident again today.

    Zinchenko was very poor.

    VVD..I'm tempted.

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

      Interesting view on KDB. Opposite to those on here. TAA surely starts season right? VVD firmly nailed in my defence from the very start

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        KDB always goes for that low pass. I thought he was poor today. In fact I thought all midfielders on both teams were poor.

        Trent should be fine imo

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gomez played very well bar the mistake early on. VVD was also strong overall. The entire Pool team improved massively from the previous game, Salah was sharp and looked fresh.

    3. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Interesting.
      Lots her purring about kdb

      I'm tempted to downgrade TAA to VVD from what I have read..

    4. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      VVD and Salah have been the only 2 players whove not left any of my drafts for a month(and King for some reason). With defenders being penalised with penalties for being too aggressive in the box I can see VVD winning more penalties /being it a bit easier for him to score from set pieces too

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        *it being a bit easier.. Since opposing defenders can't attack him like lions on a giraffe any more

    5. polis
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I appreciate you can only base from the game in question but it's quite a kneejerk critique.

      Agree with Salah & for the most part Sterling.

      Disagree with KDB, got into fantastic positions and a couple of blocked crosses. If those had converted it would be a very different story.

      Full backs seem critical to how Liverpool set up and Gomez doesn't have the pass or delivery that TAA has.

      Zinc was poor for sure and everyone will leap on VVD no doubt.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        May be reactionary but only saying what I saw

        1. polis
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not a dig, appreciate you are.

          Personally think it'd be shrewd to look longer term.

    6. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      twitter people seem to agree with your KDB view, completely opposite to people on here - who is lying to themselves?

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sorry confused. What's the general feeling here KDB was good or bad??

        I thought he was brilliant and remember the price he is at compared to previous seasons

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          amazing on here, shite on twitter

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

      Yeah, quite concerned about TAA myself. He looked a bit dodgy defensively and you'd think Gomez would get games. Robbo looks the safer one for sure. Wouldn't worry about his lack of crosses personally. Really stuck between who of those two to go with VVD in my team.

  13. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Man, part of me wants to go balls deep in attack. Wildcard to get me out of trouble if it goes wrong.

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

      You have it nailed man don’t do it

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If I go KSS I’m fully prepared to use my WC by GW4.
      Mostly because it’ll be too hard to predict the fringe players in my squad.
      The 6.5m forward.
      6.0m Chelsea midfielder.
      Best 4.5m defender etc

  14. Black Panther
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Alli out for a few weeks makes Lucas Moura an even better option. If Spurs don't sign another attacker he'll be in my team.

  15. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    PLEASE GIME AN ADVISE.

    Heaton ( button)

    Robbo - Digne - VVD (kelly, lund)

    Siggy - fraser - salah - sterling - perez

    Jota - king - (greenwood)

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      To me, a squad should always have 4 playing defenders. Would be surprised if Lund or Kelly start. Seems like Rico's the best 4.0 for now but still not nailed. Thinking of putting Aarons in

      1. dshv
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What about like that:

        Heaton

        Vvd - robbo - coleman/digne - walker/zinch

        Siggy - sterling - salah - perez

        Wilson - king ?

  16. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Don't think I want to risk Deulo if it looks sketchy that he will start the season. Who would you get instead up to 7M? Already have Wilson & Jota, don't really want to touch Deeney again after my last experience with him.

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      None convince me.

      Wesley at 6m?

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King or Wood

  17. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who is the best 4.5m defender to start every week?

    Cathcart? Guillbert of villa and ignore gw1?

    Thanks

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      dunky

    2. balint84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Guillbert

  18. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pretty happy with this.

    Heaton
    VVD TAA Zinchenko Coleman
    Salah (C) Sterling (v) Perez Lucas Moura
    Wilson Haller

    Probably will have to do Zinchenko>Laporte and Lucas>6.5 in the future. Monitoring Barkley for now and punting on Lucas. I remember he started so strong last year.

  19. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can I get a RMT critique please scouts ?

    Have this after today’s friendlies

    Ryan
    TAA Zinchenko Digne Femina
    Moura Salah Sterling Perez
    Auba Murray

    Button Dendonker Nketiah Kelly

    Gives me some capt options

    Femina I’m not particularly struck on if there is a better 4.5 def
    Murray it’s impossible to love

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

      Hi Leaf , no 🙂

      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hi Debauchy

        You mean wow ! perfect

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

          No I mean your'e competion mate

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

            Scouting AMN here though, could be good first 2

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hello, Leaf.

      It's a bit threadbare ... 🙂

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

        Harsh Doos 😆

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          😆

  20. RichieW
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?
    Heaton
    AWB Coleman VVD Zinchenko
    Salah(c) KDB Pepe Perez
    Kane Wood

    Button Rico Hayden Greenwood

  21. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why arent we seeing spurs defenders in any Rmts? Could be good value at 5.5. Are they not expected to keep CSs?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gametime issue I guess

      If Davies was nailed, I would have gone for him

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Royal Blue podcast discussed Davies at length. Might be pushed forward as understudy to Sigurdsson.
        Davies original position.
        So not really an option unless there’s injuries.

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

      Not sure, but they do have a tough looking GW2

    3. Ekip
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Too much uncertainty/rotation around fullbacks and no attacking threat from CBs.
      Lloris possibly an option especially if VAR means more penalties - more chance of penalty saves & Lloris record pretty good.

  22. SIUUUUU
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is a 4.5m set and forget GK feasible this season?

    If so who's the best option?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope heaton and Henderson all options

  23. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Am I being stupid trying to fit Kane in when I’ve got Salah & Sterling?

    I didn’t start with him last season and felt pretty good about it.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This is the million dollar question

      Kane seems great value though

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It really hampers the rest of your squad.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not having Kane for home games against Villa and Newcastle could really hamper your points total though

          1. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Think bigger picture.

            There were a couple of big home games last season when everyone scrambled to get him in and he blanked...

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Applies to pretty much every top player.

  24. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So, as the season draws closer are people starting to get cold feet about going huge in defence?

    Also, if anyone could tell me whether Sterling is essential or if instead KDB is sufficient that would be great!

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      After today's game I think KDB is as essential as sterling so currently trying to fit both in

    2. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same thing every year, when GW1 gets closer people are getting desperately too many heavy hitters in. Too much noise hear to keep your head cool... 🙂

      1. KunDogan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Get sterling though

      2. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Good advice tbh

  25. Godfrey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    a) Wesley + KDB
    b) Haller + BSilva

    Already have Sterling

  26. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on a 451?

    Heaton
    VVD Robertson Digne Laporte
    Salah Sterling KDB Perez Robinson
    King

    Button Greenwood Lundstram Nketiah

  27. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Recommended 7.5 midfielder? Pulisic or who?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser, Martial, Dilva, Moura or even FAnderson.

      1. balint84
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Fraser bad team
        Martial not starts
        Dilva same
        Moura have kane
        Fanderson city

  28. Me Spurs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Went to spurs friendly today KWP was a constant threat all game whipping some dangerous balls in

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

      Nice, cheers MS

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

      Cheers, is he likely to start GW1 after that injury to the other guy against Bayern in the Audi Cup.

      1. Me Spurs
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Def start season but as we’re all to aware poch loves fullback roulette

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

          Cheers!

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers, his assist stats do look pretty phenomenal

  29. JBG
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Draft nr 673 and 674, which one?

    Pope
    Robbo-TAA-Zinch
    Sterling-Salah-Perez-Martial
    Wilson-Deeney-6.5/6

    Or

    Pope
    Robbo/TAA-Coleman -Zinch
    Sterling-Kdb-Salah-Perez-Trossard
    Wilson-Deeney

  30. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Pope and Heaton a good idea now? Both good keepers in not brilliant teams so should see plenty of save points. Also Villa and Burnley rotate well.