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′).

MORE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS CONTENT

Arsenal | Aston Villa (manager) | Aston Villa (defence) | Aston Villa (attack) | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Norwich (manager) | Norwich (defence) | Norwich (attack) | Sheffield United (manager) | Sheffield United (defence) | Sheffield United (attack) | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

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

    KWP or ake? Best 5.0 def?

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

      Montoya seems like a good punt.

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kwp if u want clean sheets as bournemouth dont keep them

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

    Ryan, Van Dijk and KDB

    or

    De Gea, Robertson, Bsilva?

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

      A

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

    Thoughts on this? Think i might be set.

    Heaton (Steklenberg)
    AWB, Alexander-Arnold, Digne, Zinchenko (Kelly)
    Salah, Sterling, Barkley, Perez (Dendocker)
    Kane, King (Greenwood)

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

      Not sure about Barkley...

  4. Efan Ekoku Pops
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is owning Moura, Perez and Trossard too punty?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes.. one is enough.

    2. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd like to have max 2 of those

    4. AceKn1ght
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve got 2 of those, and am seriously considering Trossard too!

    5. Sum Mcguy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Particularly if you’re only starting 4 midfielders

    6. The Bad Seed
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez should be nailed and scores. at 6.5 that's nowhere close to "punty".
      Trossard is is a punt, but at 6.0 you dont ask for much.
      Only Moura is "punty", I expect him to score well, problem will be once Son returns.

      i had the same 3. but switched out Moura for Martial, less likely to return GWs 1 and 2, but better for the longer term.

    7. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Trossard is, the other 2 not. So having all three isn't too punty.

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

    How am I looking? Haven't changed my team since my first draft weeks ago but I think it's still looking good What do you think?

    Heaton (Button)
    VVD TAA Digne Laporte (Lundstram)
    Salah (c) KDB Siggy B.Silva (Donck)
    Wilson Jota (Greenwood)

    Will Laporte play?

    1. Sum Mcguy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sure I saw on twitter Laporte’s fit.

      On that subject, would you rather

      A) Laporte and Fraser
      B) 4.5 def and KDB

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

        Probably A, at least early doors.

        Although KDB could smash it but if he doesn't, he represents a useful placeholder for Pepe or Son. Depends on your strategy.

        1. Sum Mcguy
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah, I would’ve said A is the obvious choice, but i’ve Become a bit obsessed with the placeholder idea. Also means I can downgrade to get Kane without losing Sterling, Salah and double Liverpool defence

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

      Would switch Laporte and maybe Bilva, as his role this year might not look at good with KDB back.

  6. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Wilson and Jota

    or .

    B) Vardy and King

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

      I have A

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

      A). I have.

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

    Ok, here we go. I'm stuck on the last two spots.

    Pope
    Robertson, Digne, Dunk
    Salah, Sterling, Perez
    Kane, King

    Would you go:
    A) Deeney, Trossard/Robinson (money in bank)
    B) Robinson, Alexander-Arnold
    C) Sigurdsson/Martial, 4.5/5.0 def

    Ideally I'd have 3 strikers for when the time comes to bring in Haller/Kean/Jota but also have a gut feeling about Martial and feel guilty about not having TAA. I'm all over the place haha!

  8. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Options?

    A) Sterling & 4.5 defender (dunk)
    B) De Bruyne & VVD
    C) De Bruyne, Dunk & Pulisic
    D) Martial , VVD & Pulisic
    E) Sigurdsson & VVD

    Pope
    Ake /Robbo / Rico / Dunk
    Salah / Sterling / Perez
    Jota / Kane / Wilson

    Bench: Heaton, McGinn, Dendonker, Lund

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

      B

    2. Sum Mcguy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

      I can’t see KDB covering Sterling. IMO it’s either Sterling or both

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

    GTG?

    Ryan

    Robertson / TAA / Digne / Zinchenko

    Salah / Sterling / Martial / Perez

    Wilson / King

    (Ryan, Dendonker, Rico, Nketiah)

    1. nevins84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Double Bournemouth strikers... Dunno bout that one.

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

        Why ? Bournemouth are an attacking team with great opening fixtures, and most of their goals go through Wilson King Brooks and Fraser

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good to go

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

      Would switch King to Jota. Martial to someone else. And a bit much having the same goalkeeper twice.

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

        Wolves just played Europa few days ago and had a massive journey back home - think Jota is a better shout for across the whole season but I'm looking at GW1-4

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

          True, but with 3 days between the games and early season... Still double Bournemouth seems too optimistic.

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

            Okay, and who would you swap Martial to ?

    4. darkmatt3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nketiiah as gone to Leeds

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

        Exactly - value can't drop 😉

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

    which combo to go for?

    A: Sterling + Ryan (Greenwood)
    or
    B: Kane + Pickford (Dendoncker)

  11. nevins84
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan
    Digne Rico TAA
    Sterling Salah Moura Perez
    Firmino Jota King

    Button Walker-Peters Dendonker Kelly

    Rico is worrying me is he a sure starter?

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

      IMO, yes

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I think he plays. But won’t get too many games from him.

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Surely you play KWP though?!

          1. nevins84
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I had him in and was worried he wont play, could switch back..

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

      I've been on Rico for the past few days but Howe just said in his press conference that Daniels and Steve Cook are both good to go so i'm not sure

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Daniels was being benched last year.

  12. Schliegs
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Martial, King, Zinchenko
    B. Dendo, Wilson, Robbo

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

      A

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

      B

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

    Hey guys.

    Name a 4.5/4.5 defender rotation couple to outscore Walker-Peters/Kelly combo in the next few weeks.

    Thanks!

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

      Lowton/Mings

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

        I don't have much faith in AV

  14. AceKn1ght
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Apologies to those of you who have seen this already!

    Just today left now to join our free to enter fantasy football league, with a Mystery Gift Box up for grabs each month!

    UK entrants only, unfortunately (due to the cost of international shipping)...

    Full details here;

    https://themysterygiftbox.com/mystery-gift-box-giveaway-fantasy-football-league/

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

      A pair of used socks no doubt

      1. AceKn1ght
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ah, you’ve bought one of our boxes before then? :p

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

          Yep, the mystery is how do I get rid of the smell.
          I’be got no clue

  15. Evil Genius
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Trossard, Vardy, King

    or

    B) Fraser, Wilson, Wood

    1. The Truth Is...
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Last year - goals - assists between VVD, Robbo and TAA
      VVD 4 - 4
      Robertson 0 - 12
      TAA 1 - 13

      1. Evil Genius
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Matip it is!

    3. ng259
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope
      Robbo/VVD/Digne/Zinchenko
      Salah/Sterling/Perez/Norwood
      Kane/King

      Button/Dendoncker/Lundstrom/Greenwood

      G2G?

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

      Button Rico/Lundstram/Greenwood/Wickham benches should be called Early WC benches

    5. Frank Koscielny
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How important is it to find .5 to upgrade Coleman to Digne? Is it really that unlikely Coleman will be pretty much nailed?

      1. nevins84
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If you can find 0.5 without too much damage yes its worth it...

        1. Frank Koscielny
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          At this point I'm having to downgrade Zinchenko to Taylor/Zouma. The alternative is losing Auba, but that rips up my whole team. What would you do?

          Ryan
          VVD/Robo/Coleman/Zinch
          Salah/Sterling/Perez/Robinson
          Auba/King

          1. nevins84
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Salah Sterling Auba is your problem imo... This is what comes with picking the 3...Can you change a 4.5m bench def to Laundstrum/Rico

            1. Frank Koscielny
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Agree. It's really causing a headache. My bench is already Rico, Dendoncker and Greenwood so there's no room for trimming there either haha

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

                Zinc to KWP. It’s short term, but if/when KWP dropped, you’ll know more about a good replacement.

      2. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        On Coleman atm. Upgrade to Digne will need me to sacrifice 4.5 def to 4.0 def which I am still undecided. Decisions.. Decisions..

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

      RMT please
      GK: Pickford, Button
      DEF: Alexander-Arnold (VC), Walker, Digne, Duffy, Kelly
      MID: De Bruyne, Eriksen, Ozil, Robinson, Dendoncker
      FWD: Aguero (C), Wilson, Keane

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

      GTG?

      Pope
      Digne • VVD • Robbo • Chilwell
      Salah(C) • Sterling • Trossard • Pérez
      Wilson • Jota

      Button • Montoya • Dendoncker • Wesley

    8. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) Bernardo, martial, Wilson
      B) Bernardo, rashford, king
      C) kdb, martial, king

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

        C

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

      What is the Dendonker appeal apart from price?

      1. darkmatt3r
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Most likely 4.5 starter read the article

    10. darkmatt3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rmt
      Still Tinkering, I think I'm there but it feels boring no punts or new blood.

      Pope (Heaton)
      Robo VVD Digne Zinch (Rico)
      Sterling Salah Fraser Perez (Donc)
      Wilson Jota (Greenwood)

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Boring is often fine

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

      Why do I really want Haller? The extra 1m over a 6.5 forward makes a differemce, am I being stupid?!

      1. darkmatt3r
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I wouldn't mind him but not for gw1

      2. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It's painful that hallers first gameweek is almost going to be a blank

    12. bangers and M*A*S*H
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good to go?

      Heaton - Norris
      Laporte - VVD - TAA - Digne - Coleman
      Salah - Sterling - Trossard - Perez - Barkley
      King - Greenwood - Adams

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

        I would get one cheap defender at 4/4.5

    13. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How do you get the code for a league you’re already in?
      Thanks!

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

        You can't. Only administrators

    14. trikster102
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Behold, my team!

      Allison
      Digne Zouma VVD Walker
      Siggy Salah Fraser KDB
      Wilson Jimenez

      Ryan / Dendoncker Kelly Greenwood

      Feel free to tear it apart. One thing of note is if I downgraded my forward to King and Jota, I could upgrade KDB to Sterling.

    15. john25
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hey guys, how’s Bernardo Silva as a pick now that Sane is injured? Is he nailed on starter?

      Cheers

    16. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I just did Mendy to Dendoncker. I'm a brave man. 🙂