Scout Notes

Jota and Jiménez impress as Cutrone makes Wolves debut

Pyunik 0-4 Wolves

Goals: Matt Doherty (£6.0m), Raúl Jiménez x2 (£7.5m), Ruben Neves penalty (£5.5m)

Assists: Diogo Jota x3 (£6.5m), Patrick Cutrone (£6.0m)

Forwards in form

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) and Raúl Jiménez (£7.5m) sent an ominous message to the Fantasy Premier League managers not considering them on Thursday night.

The two forwards ran the show as Wolves emerged 4-0 victors from a Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Pyunik in Armenia.

Jiménez scored twice, taking his goal tally in the last eight days to four, while Jota provided three assists.

The latter has been Wolves’ standout player in pre-season, really picking up from where he left off at the end of 2018/19.

Across the five matches, three of which have been competitive, Jota has scored twice and provided a total of five assists.

If the Portuguese international can replicate his form from December to May of 2018/19, as well as his pre-season displays, then he could prove fantastic value as a £6.5m forward in 2019/20, especially given the dearth of choices in that price bracket.

Jota (centre) got three assists on Thursday night

Against Pyunik, Jota was at the heart of so much of Wolves’ attacking play and he already looks sharp, fit and ready for the new campaign.

For the first goal, he held the ball up well and slid a perfectly weighted through-pass to the overlapping Matt Doherty (£6.0m), who bore down on goal to slot home.

For the second, Jota was played through by Rúben Vinagre (£4.5m) and squared to Jiménez to finish.

It was a similar situation for the third goal. This time Jota gobbled up a loose ball in midfield and straight away played Jiménez in to fire home.

He probably could have scored himself, but he missed a first-half chance when played through into the box by Joao Moutinho (£5.5m).

Jota created plenty more chances in the game too, crossing for Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m) in the second half, who was denied by a strong tackle.

Cutrone impact

Patrick Cutrone (£6.0m) made his competitive debut for Wolves on Thursday night as we got the first clues as to his role in the side.

He featured as a substitute for Jota in the 63rd minute and won a penalty late in the game.

Nuno explained post-match that it will take time to integrate the Italian into the side, which probably bodes well for Jota and Jiménez’s minutes in the Premier League.

The fact that Wolves won 4-0 takes the pressure of the second leg as well which might see Cutrone start that to allow the first-choice forwards some rest for Gameweek 2.

“He’s integrating, but it takes time. Every new player who comes to our team needs time. We have to keep on going with him. His adaptation into the squad has been great, he has been received well into the group and it’s important that he continues to improve and get inside the dynamics of the team. But more important is the way he believes in the terms of discipline and ambitions; he’s going along with that so I’m happy.” – Patrick Cutrone

It is worth adding that Cutrone was going to take the penalty he won but Rúben Neves (£5.5m) pulled rank to assume responsibility for it.

By our calculations, that means Jiménez is due to take the next penalty if Wolves are continuing their rotating responsibility.

He took Wolves last penalty of 2018/19, scored in February, which meant Neves was next in line, although Jiménez had gone off by the time Cutrone won the spot kick.

Either way, the midfielder having taken his turn likely puts Jiménez top of the pecking order for the first penalty of Wolves’ Premier League campaign.

Put a Donck on it

Dendoncker (middle) looks the best £4.5m midfielder for the start of the new season

Dendoncker has quickly become the people’s choice for the fifth midfielder ahead of the new season.

The Belgian is just one of a handful of £4.5m options in his position who look likely to start matches regularly.

Crucially, of those players, he is certainly the most likely to be involved in attacking returns.

Just as we saw last season, Dendoncker was handed something of a free role against Pyunik, making runs into the penalty box and popping up as an option there quite often.

That bodes well for those who will be relying on him as their midfield substitute in the early part of the 2019/20 season.

Doherty’s back

Those who had written off Doherty as a viable candidate for their squads might have felt a niggling feeling at the back of their minds as he put Wolves in front after half an hour.

In his first game back following an injury, he played an hour in his right wing-back berth, scoring after a trademark attacking run.

Adama Traoré (£5.0m) has been playing on the right side of Wolves five-man midfield during the summer in Doherty’s absence but was unable to travel to Armenia because he reportedly could not find his passport.

“Traore had a problem with his passport, so he couldn’t travel. He didn’t know and it was impossible for him to travel with his ID card outside the European Union, so he didn’t travel with us. He’ll join us for the next game.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

There were suggestions that Doherty only played in this match because of Traoré’s absence but that seems unlikely.

Had the Irish international not been ready to return, Nuno could have deployed Vinagre on the right and started Jonny (£5.5m).

Instead, it was Vinagre on the left, Doherty on the right and Jonny on the bench, until the latter two swapped over around the hour mark.

Nuno was probably hoping to give Doherty an hour of football to potentially prepare him for a start against Leicester on Sunday.

Tight turnaround

Wolves have had a busy pre-season but have looked sharp in all their matches

There has been some concern from Fantasy managers, this one included, about how Wolves would cope making a 6,000-mile round-trip between Thursday and Sunday.

This has caused many of us to expect points from Leicester players this weekend.

However, those connected with Wolves seem defiant that the long journey won’t knock them off their stride.

Conor Coady (£5.0m) confirmed after the game that the Wolves squad was straight on the plane as soon as they were finished at the stadium in Pyunik and were due back in England at 2 am local time.

Furthermore, the local press seem confident that Nuno’s pedigree for managing the recovery of his players over the last 12 months should put them in a good position to still give a good account of themselves at the King Power Stadium.

“I back them to be ready for Sunday and I back them to get over this journey because of the science behind it and the details and methods they implement to injury-prevention and recovery. It’s second to none, it’s got to be the best in the league, certainly judging on their injury record from last season.” – Tim Spiers, Express and Star

Defence in shape

In the early stage of the game, the Armenian side posed more of a threat than perhaps most would have expected. They attacked their visitors and were backed by an enthusiastic crowd.

Wolves kept a good shape in these moments and stood up to the hosts when they were on the front foot.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, and they started the game very strong, created us a lot of problems, but it’s a good team with good players, and that was the time for us to be organised, be patient and stay in shape. After that, we managed well and started moving the ball and trying to create gaps and spaces, but it’s not over. We still have one game to go, but it’s a good team.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

However, whether that indicates they will give Leicester a tough time on Sunday remains to be seen.

The Foxes will be a massive step up in quality from Pyunik and will have the advantage of more preparation for the game than Wolves.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-5-2): Patrício; Bennett, Boly, Coady; Vinagre, Dendoncker, Saïss, Moutinho, Doherty (Jonny 63′); Jota (Cutrone 63′), Jiménez (Neves 71′).

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2,105 Comments Post a Comment
  1. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this please. Hopefully final draft

    Ederson
    Zinchenko vvd robbo digne (Montoya)
    Perez Salah Sterling Fraser (dendoncker)
    Wood jota (greenwood)

    1. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have 13 out of 15 so I like it

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

    Ha'way the FPL. Good luck everyone.

  3. thomas19390
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan/Button
    Robertson/Digne/Zinchenko/Aarons/Lundstram
    Salah/Sterling/Perez/Moura/Dendoncker
    Wilson/Jota/King

    0,5 ITB.GTG?

  4. Lionac
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Martial & Hayden
    B) McGinn & Barkley

    Which will score more next 3-5 GWs?

    1. thomas19390
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  5. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone got or avoiding Ross Barkley?

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

      Avoiding but quite a few seem to like him as a pick

    2. thomas19390
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wait until we know he is nailed

    3. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Got but only because I can't see a better 6m midfielder or forward

    4. LC1
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Got him but in two weeks time will be wishing I had avoided him.

      Just means I can afford Salah, Sterling & Kane.

    5. Stu3y
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am waiting to see how they line up against Man U. I have the capacity, built in, to transfer in a Chelsea attacker after GW1

    6. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Got - with other options ready if he does not get minutes...

    7. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I really think hes worth a punt

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

      Literally everyone will either have him or not have him if that’s the question

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

      I think Trossard is more interesting and less likely to be rotated

      1. There's Always One!
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If Barkley hits form he wont rotated. Free kicks too

    10. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barkley will always be a trap. I'm happy to be proven wrong, but until then he is going nowhere near my squad

    11. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Getting, the way I look at it, if it pays off he'll be great value, if it doesn't, he's one of my cheapest non-defenders, and there's no great shakes at that price anyway.

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

    Do your worst guys, pick it apart...

    Pope / Heaton
    Robertson / Alexander-Arnold / Digne (Montoya / Rico)
    Barkley / Salah / De Bruyne / Pérez / Dendoncker
    Aubameyang / Wilson (Greenwood)

    1. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't find a fault with it, superb

    2. teddypicker
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Massive if Auba pops off and Sterling doesn't

    3. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Be really sure your happy with no sterling

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

      No Sterling.

      Same team but with Sterling and no Auba.

      With Sané out, Sterling is essencial.

    5. hogree
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mine except to get Sterling I did

      Robbo KDB Barkley Wilson to VVD Sterling McGinn and King

      Back my choices but your shout!!

  7. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GK Heaton/4 Mil
    DEF Robertson ,VVD, Wan Bis, Zouma, Rico
    MID Salah, Perez, Sterling, Barkley, DENDONKER
    FWD KANE, King, Greenwood

    Or

    GK Heaton/4 Mil
    DEF Robertson ,VVD, Wan Bis, Zouma, Rico
    MID Salah, Perez, Sterling, Barkley, SIGGY
    FWD HALLER, King, Greenwood

    So basically Dendonker/Kane vs Siggy/Haller

    Of course I could do Kane/Dendonker to Haller/Siggy for a cheeky -4 for GW 2..

  8. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Torn between this, help?

    A) Digne & C Robinson
    B) Kelly (bench) & Martial

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

      A) looks to get you more points and also more flexible

    2. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A all the way

  9. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Typical wolves to do this lol Better have another tinker...

  10. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane or Aubameyang?
    (Have Lucas)

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

      Auba for me

    2. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Auba to start, Kane is an easy switch if he starts much stronger

  11. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jimenez or Moura?

    1. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jim

  12. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any starting 4.0 defenders?

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

      Maybe Rico, maybe Lundstram

    2. Stu3y
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram?

  13. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Doing my head in... help pls lads
    A. KANE + 4.5 mid (bench fodder) + 4.5 DEF STARTING EACH WEEK in a 442 and NO BOU ATTACK

    B. Fraser + Wilson, NO KANE, 352

    1. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Am going with B

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah. Was set on that, and suddenly having no Kane is scaring me like hell.

        1. Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Villa ok granted but city after that Kane a wait and see for me I tend to wildcard early anyway

    2. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going with B

  14. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    One (not hugely important) aspect I have for picking players is looking to see if they have an unbalanced set of home/away fixtures on the horizon. There'll be a few occasions during a season where teams will have 3 of their next 4 games at home.
    At the start of the season, however, they rotate every 2nd week, so the upside of this is all the teams at home in GW3 will have 2 of their first 3 games at home, teams at home in GW5 will have 3 of their first 5 games at home, etc.
    Playing at home advatange not the main critera but might help with decisions when all else is equal.

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

    Can't stop tinkering. Thoughts on this one?

    Ryan
    Trent VVD Digne KWP
    Salah Sterling Fraser Perez
    Wilson Jimenez

    Button Rico Donck Wickham

    1. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Worried about the Boro triple up

  16. Gunners n' Roses
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope/Heaton
    VVD/TAA/Digne/KWP/Rico
    Salah/Sterling/MOURA/PEREZ/Robinson
    King/JOTA/Greenwood

    Or

    Pope/Heaton
    VVD/TAA/Digne/KWP/Rico
    Salah/Sterling/SIGGY/DENDONCKS/Robinson
    King/VARDY/Greenwood

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

      I prefer the first one

      1. Gunners n' Roses
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Reasons?

    2. teddypicker
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Both look good. Flip a coin

    3. drilsby
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hard, cause vardy acts as a good placeholder as well. Siggy too.
      But with that said, I like the balance of A better.

  17. jamlove
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi, I asked this on a previous article and I can't find it now, can someone tell me how to access the 'rate my team' app for members, it's from some drop down menu on the left hand side but there is nothing on the left side of my account, I am a full member. I used the search tool but to no avail. Appreciate the help.

    1. jamlove
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I figured it out, you have to log in twice.

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

      Select "Members" from the tabs above.
      Parse down the left hand side, fifth from bottom, "Rate my team".

  18. Link
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Right then - last spot on my team, Both risky for different reasons

    Zinchenko or Trossard?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Trossard for me

      Dont see how it’s risky

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

        Because he's totally new to the league and Brighton a bit of a mystery with new shape/manager

    2. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Trossard through and through

    3. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm in same position. 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 ?

      On Trossard atm but could be swayed

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

        It certainly feels more 'fun' with Trossard. No City defence doesn't feel right though and there are plenty other 5.5 defenders to switch to if Zinchenko doesn't work out. Not many 6m mid options outside Barkley and Tross

    4. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Prefer Zinchenko and have gone for him myself

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

    This doesn't look like an injured Taylor.. If anything it was to ensure he gets match fit due to missing some of preseason(which is what the article says actually)
    https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2019/august/defensive-duo-enjoy-rovers-run-out/

  20. Littlest Hobo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Siggy or Martial...?
    Wickham or Martinelli...?

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

      Siggy

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

      Got Siggy but tempted by Martial as OOP, with good fixtures once they beat the Chelsea youngsters..

      That said, Siggy is nailed with good fixtures....

    3. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Martial and Wickham

  21. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    TAA and Perez
    or
    Zinchenko and Siggy?

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

      A

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

      A

  22. mcmd11
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Pope (Button)
    VVD Digne Zinchenko Robo (Hanley)
    Salah Sterling McGinn Perez (Dendoncker)
    Auba Adams/Ings (Wickham)

  23. Boz
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Fraser, Wilson, Wood
    B) Perez, Vardy, King

    1. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      Depends on your team really but A of those to start

    3. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B, I think Perez will be excellent value

  24. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What's the latest on Dunk anyone? Still to start?

  25. Swagat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What happened to FFS H2H Leagues?

  26. Jaskaran
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane or Auba?

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

      Auba

  27. SerieD
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT please:

    RMT pls:

    Pope(Button)
    Laporte, Digne, Robertson, Van Dijk, Rico
    Salah(C), Sterling, Moura or Martial, Fraser (Drinkwater)
    Wilson, (Long, Greenwood)

    Opinions?

    Waht do you think about L.Moura vs. Martial?

    Thank you!

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

      Wouldn't rely on Rico as a starting Def

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

        Yep, Long comes from bench if needed.

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

      Good team.
      Martial for me. Or transfer Moura to Martial after gw1

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

        Thanks!
        Change after 1st gameweek is solid idea.

  28. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Vardy, Trossard, KWP
    B) Jota, Perez, Robertson (have VVD)

    Which would you pick?

    1. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

    Watford goalkeeper a good shout for rotating 4.5M keeper??
    Assuming Foster is now first choise.

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

      my bad he's 5m. still worth a punt??

  30. BadgersBoys
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Talk me put of this Wilson/King/Fraser triple. Please?

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

      *out

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You don't need King

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

        Yeah, we with Deulofeu all week until last night. Last minute jitters.

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It’s Bournemouth, two is enough. Did I mention, it’s bournemouth

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