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. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A - Zinchenko Martial
    B - Robertson Barkley
    C - AWB Moura
    D - Alderweireld Fraser
    E - Other combination

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. simsey747
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  2. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Barkley or trossard gusy haha

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barkley

  3. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    which option best guys...

    1. Coleman, Azpilicueta, Iwobi,
    2. VVD, Zouma, Iwobi
    3. Coleman, Zouma, Pulisic
    4. Azpilicueta, KWP, Perez

    i know (C) is 0.5m more all but this would be getting pulisic or other 7.5m mid in after gw2 so you'll need to trust me on that

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

    Do we think zinchenko is guaranteed to start? Or is their better 5.5 defenders out their? (Already have digne so don’t want Coleman)

  5. Siggy in the Middle
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    PSA: If you're making changes, make them EARLY today. The site will have a ridiculous amount of traffic later on and you likely will not be able to make any changes.

  6. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    KWP and Zouma

    or a 4.5 and 5.5?

  7. Tiamani Warrior
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Argh when you spend a month researching and tinkering and then you log on to PremierLeague to see the "FPL experts squad" spoon feeding your team to millions of people...

  8. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan & Walker
    or
    DDG & AWP ?

  9. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Does it look ok:

    Ryan
    VVD Robbo Digne Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling Perez Norwood
    Kane King

    Button Dendoncker Rico Greenwood

    Thanks a lot

  10. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Perez, Sterling, 4.5 rotation Def
    B) Lucas M, KDB, Jota
    C) Perez, KDB, Fraser

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

    Best mid for 6 or less?

    1. Barkley
    2. Trossard
    3. James (MU)
    4. Hourihane (AVL - on FKs, Corners)

    1. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like Trossard but bottled putting him in

    2. simsey747
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barkley

  12. simsey747
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Wilson/Kane/KDB/Zouma

    B) Wilson/Jimenez/Sterling/Zinchenko

    C) King/Jimenez/Sterling/TAA

    1. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      King..Jota...Wood..Rodriguez..
      Deulofeu

      Pick 2

      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Jota
        Roddy

    • -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Go time. Finally. Look ok? Any risks???

      Pope
      TAA, Walker, Digne
      Salah, Sterling, Perez, Moura
      Wilson, Deeney, jota

      Heaton, Dendo, Kelly, Rico

    • Leeds2116
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      MCginn,. Barkley or Trossard?

      1. How I met your Mata
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Trossard

    • Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looking closer at captaincies, not so easy to navigate first 4 GW's. Boils down to cohice between these two strateiges.

      A) Sterling + Moura to cover Spurs in GW1+GW3. Cpatain Salah or Sterlign in GW3

      B) KDB + KAne, and captain the latter in GW3. Kane may become Agüero in GW4 , when City got Brighton at home

    • Datchelseaguy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hi Guys what do you guys think
      Ederson/Patricio
      Chillwell Walker-Peters Jonny Boly Zouma
      Grealish Barkley Salah Perez Tielemans
      Callum King Kane

    • Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) Coleman and Zouma
      B) Digne and Diop

      Last piece of the puzzle

    • Malinwa
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is this GTG ?

      Ryan
      Zichenko - AWB - VVD
      KDB - Pérez - Salah - Fraser
      Haller - Jota- Kane

      Heaton - Dendoncker - Kelly - Lunstram

    • gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jimenez and 4.5 defender?
      Jota and 5.5 defender?

      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Jota

    • Oscarhed
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      is it worth it to not have Kane, go with Lucas instead to get a better midfield and backline?

      right now. A
      arnold, dijk, rico, kelly. lundstrom
      fraser salah, sterling motinho, dendoncker
      kane, wilson, long,

      or B
      Arnold, dijk, digne, kelly
      fraser, salah, sterling Lucas moura, dendoncker
      king, long, rashford (or someone else in that prize range.)

      1. Jeredmy13
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I'm almost stuck w this same decision. See below. I'm leaning towards getting a weaker defence imo and see the teams settle and who has best clean sheet potential and maybe move Kane out after gw3

    • Where dahoud at
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Best 5.5 and 5.0 defender to set and forget

      1. Jeredmy13
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Coleman/AWB for 5.5
        Zouma / Mee Duffy for 5.0

    • Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Final decision:
      A) Robinson
      B) McGinn
      Any rationale would be much appreciated

      1. Jeredmy13
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A. McGinn might be card magnet imo

    • How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      My last conundrum
      A or B

      A KDB and Rico (would be my only 4m defender)

      B Lucas and KWP

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

        A for me. KDP gold KWPvery short term

    • Gowiththeflow
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good afternoon all,

      Little help here:

      Having TAA and Wilson, would you prefer: Jimenez & Digne or Jota & Robertson?

      Thanks!!

      1. Jeredmy13
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Jota and Robbo

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

          Thanks for the insight.

    • Jeredmy13
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Defence seems thin. Should I change Tark for a better 5 or swap to Diop?

      Pope Heaton
      Kelly Lund TAA Montoya Tark
      Sterling Salah Perez Fraser Dendon
      Wilson Kane Greenwood

    • Cal1umz
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts?

      ----------------Pope------
      TAA-Coleman-Wan Bis-Montoya
      --Salah-Sterling-Perez-Lucas--
      -------------Kane-King-----------

      Subs - Button - Dendocker - Lund - Greenwood

      Any suggestions?

      Thanks! 🙂

    • Oscarhed
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A: king and long
      or
      B: Wilson, greenwood

      1. Jeredmy13
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B. Wilson worth the penny over King. I reckon Greenwood would get sub appearances down the line

    • Tosa86
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      At the Moment i have this draft between choose my FPL team:

      Button-Ederson
      Kelly-digne-robertson-vvd-montoya/rico
      Iwobi-salah-sterling-perez-dedoncker
      Wilson-king-murray/jota.

      The doubts are
      1) Montoya+murray or rico+jota.
      2) iwork+perez or moutinho+moura

      any thoughts?