Scout Notes

Sterling establishes himself as best Man City option with hat-trick

West Ham United 0-5 Manchester City

Goals: Raheem Sterling (£12.5m) x 3, Sergio Aguero (£12.5m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m)

Assists: Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) x 3, Kyle Walker (£6.5m), Kevin de Bruyne (£9.5m) 

Bonus Points: Sterling x 3, Mahrez x 2, de Bruyne x 1

Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) went a long way to proving he is worth the big bucks as a Fantasy asset by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over West Ham.

Those who opted against owning the England international, perhaps opting for the cheaper Kevin de Bruyne (£9.5m), Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) or forward asset Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) were left in the wake of his 20-point haul at the London Stadium.

Those alternative options, for various reasons, simply could not compete with Sterling.

“Since China and the Community Shield, Sterling has scored one goal minimum every game. On the first day, he played striker and for me, striker will be an incredible position for him. He can play in three positions up front.” – Pep Guardiola

19% of Fantasy managers were left disappointed when it was confirmed that Aguero had been left on the bench. Given the Argentinian’s lack of any involvement in Manchester City’s pre-season campaign, this should not have come as too much of a surprise.

However, to his credit, Aguero did come on for the last 21 minutes and got on the score-sheet, albeit in perplexing circumstances. Despite Sterling being on two goals at the time, the centre-forward demanded he take City’s 86th-minute penalty. He actually saw his initial effort saved by Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ordered it be retaken for encroachment by Declan Rice (£5.0m). Aguero made no mistakes with the second attempt.

Aguero did not start at West Ham but did come on and score a penalty

Either way, the Manchester City striker conundrum will have to be assessed by Fantasy managers in the coming Gameweeks, as, on the basis of the opening game against West Ham, Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) may have the edge over Aguero in terms of likelihood of starts.

It was a clinical performance from the Brazilian, who was sharp throughout and was unlucky to not have a brace on his first league start of the season. His clever finish from a Kyle Walker (£6.5m) cross capped a free-flowing City move to open the scoring. The right-back was awarded the assist despite a touch from Issa Diop (£4.5m) as this deflection did not change the intended destination of the pass.

Jesus thought he’d added a second goal after slotting home a Sterling square-ball but VAR ruled the goal out for an offside against the Englishman after consultation with referee Mike Dean.

Kevin de Bruyne played well despite not reaching Sterling’s FPL heights

One of the most eye-catching performances at the London Stadium came from de Bruyne, whose assist for Sterling came off the back of an incisive, dazzling run. 

If the Belgian can remain fit for the duration of the 2019/20 campaign, he is arguably undroppable. And amidst a City team of considerable instability with regards to consistent starters, it could perhaps be de Bruyne who offers the strongest value at a price of £9.5m. 

While his seven-point haul paled in significance to Sterling’s 20, that reliability of starts should go a long way this season.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s decision to bench the 27% owned Bernardo Silva will give Fantasy managers another headache ahead of City’s Gameweek clash with Tottenham.

While the Portuguese international is supposedly one of the manager’s favourite players, it might be hard for him to drop those who played at West Ham, with attacking options such as Raheem Sterling (three goals), Jesus (one goal) and even Riyad Mahrez (three assists) excelling for the Citizens. 

There will be a number of difficult decisions for managers who have backed these benched Gameweek 1 players such as Aguero or Bernardo Silva, but City’s outstanding performance against the Hammers is indicative of a team who will not only be rampant throughout the 2019/20 season but a team that managers simply must invest in the attack of.

This was both a clinical performance and a statement of intent from City and Guardiola, with a number of Fantasy assets both emerging into potential relevance alongside consolidating their already imperious credentials for the 2019/20 campaign. 

There was a welcome clean sheet for Manchester City assets, in particular Zinchenko, who started at left-back

City’s defensive quartet of Walker, John Stones (£5.5m) Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) were firm at the back to resist a number of attacks from West Ham.

That will be of great encouragement to those invested in the City defence as they continued to demonstrate an improved ability to withstand pressure. West Ham started the game brightly, only to tail off in the face of superior attacking play and sheer determination from City, but it was important to see Guardiola’s men look well organised and disciplined even when asked to defend.

Felipe Anderson came off with a thigh injury in the second half

There really wasn’t much to be positive about for West Ham in this game, as was expected. Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini is likely to be frustrated at such a despondent final scoreline after his side had started brightly, but defensive lapses against one of the league’s most clinical attacking sides is not a recipe for success. The East London side will look to bounce back from their 5-0 thrashing and get their season started in earnest when they travel to Brighton, who beat Watford 3-0 on Saturday, in Gameweek 2.

Club-record signing Sebastian Haller (£7.5m) had rare glimpses of promise as a target man in the Hammers attack but offered little to convince Fantasy managers to sign him up for some upcoming appealing fixtures.

Perhaps the biggest concern for the Hammers was the fact that Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) went off injured, with what look like a thigh problem in the 66th minute. Interestingly, Pellegrini did not provide any updates on the player in his post-match press conference.

However, he did confir that Jack Wilshere’s (£5.0m) removal from play was not injury-related and was focused on ensuring his fitness due to coming back from a long-term absence. 

“Jack was OK, I made that change because he is coming back from a long injury. No problem.” – Manuel Pellegrini

Members Analysis 

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Cresswell, Diop, Balbuena, Fredericks; Rice, Wilshere (Snodgrass 56′); Antonio (Fornals 46′), Lanzini, Anderson (Chicharito 66′); Haller.

Unused substitutes: Ogbonna, C Sánchez, Zabaleta, Roberto

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Laporte, Stones, Walker; D Silva (Foden 80′), Rodrigo, de Bruyne (Gündogan 79′); Sterling, Jesus (Aguero 69′), Mahrez.

Unused substitutes: Bravo, Otamendi, B Silva, Cancelo

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

2,859 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    * Match of the Day Alarm *

    1. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Goodnight

    2. el polako
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Going to record it and watch in the morning with egg & bacon BAPs 😉

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Semi-intelligent retired footballers appear to have dried up recent years. Over to Wright and Shearer then.

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Jermaine Jenas and Danny Murphy are much better than these two

  2. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Can see Pukki price rise before Newcastle at home ( and the way Norwich play he could score in any game) and Wilson falling quite fast before what I think might be hard fixture at Villa. And a transfer would just release enough to get Son the following week on 1 transfer. Tempted to make switch at some point before Pukki price does go up.....

    1. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Here’s to perpetuating the problem

    2. The Senate
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do it.

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Doubt Wilson will fall after 5pts.

  3. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So what's the plan if Kelly/Lundstram/Rico lose their spot? Will you use up a transfer to swap them out or just leave them as bench fodder?

    1. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Fodder for a reason

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly will but rico and lunny look like they may hang around. Lunny first subbed always though

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You need to have at least one playing bench player, preferably two. Kelly looked decent today, it must be said, and Lundstram wasn’t bad.

      Dendoncker and Hayden are 4.5 mids (which is the minimum midfield price) so you can find your playing bench fodder there.

  4. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Right, should I kneejerk Trossard to McGinn?

    1. Paganoi
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      That's that I'm on. I would wait on Barkley but McGinn will leave me exact money for Son.

      1. Paganoi
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        what* I'm on.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No one's rising or falling tonight. Wait to see what tomorrow presents us with.

      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys. Never a fan of the kneejerk but don't have time to track price changes and other than Trossard I'm on a good start (81 once Pukki's 7 comes in for Trossard). McGinn being cheaper gives me some wiggle room though so lets hold fast and see what delights tomorrow brings.

      2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ...what Giggs said.

        The only MUST transfer this week is Alisson.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I'm thinking of saving ft rather than ditching tross

  5. Paganoi
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Trossard > McGinn will leave me the cash to do Moura > Son next week. Pull the trigger?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No, wait, brighton changed formation and mcginn scored on a defensive error, kcaco

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do you own Perez?

  6. fantasyfog
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    best 5.5 mid until tomorrow

    1. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Winks

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I still like robinson, should have had a goal today if he just stuck his foot out.

  7. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Confirmed United squad members: De Gea, Romero, Grant, Wan-Bissaka, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Jones, Tuanzebe, Smalling, Young, Shaw, Pogba, Pereira, Lingard, Mata, James, Greenwood, Gomes, Chong, Martial, Rashford.

    Fred, Matic and McTominay were not pictured but are expected to be in the squad.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Please start fred and matic...

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hmm, no Lukaku

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Trolling? Sold to juve

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Err inter

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ummm... that’s 25 names. Can’t have that many dressed for the match, I am afraid.

  8. Bruce Lee
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    rank check, rank check 123

    600k

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Try again tomorrow.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        okay will do thanks torres

    2. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      that's about 73?

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        close -2

        1. fantasyfog
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          71 is 615k I should know i'm on the same...4 to go

          1. Bruce Lee
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            bro if you want an exact figure it is 617k loool

    3. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      1m :/ only Auba to go too. Very bad start.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        auba too - hoping arsenal do something away from home for once

      2. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        You know 1m week 1 is top 20% and lots will have made specifically week 1 teams. That’s actually pretty good 🙂

        Don’t let the braggers on here give you a false impression

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          true - very nce start... gw ranks in like week 2 and 3 are important

        2. Brosstan
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks for the kind words but looking at my leagues 64 points is pretty bad right now. Almost everyone who takes it seriously has at least that much

          1. TheDragon
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            It’s definitely not bad! 1st week all the casuals rave about their great scores as they are short sighted and set up for 1 week. By about week 10 you’ll see people’s true ranks when the dust settles

          2. Zilla
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            37 gameweeks to worry 🙂

    4. Podge
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      105k for now, likely 5 times that by tomorrow 🙁

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        all out?

    5. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      200k - 80 points - solid start

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        anyone left?

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Perez and Jota to go

    6. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      11860

      Perez to go

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nice start!

      2. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That’s a lot of points! 😉

        A slam Dunk

    7. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      90 points v happy bunny

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        all played?

      2. TOPCAT1960
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        OR = 1204

        VV happy with 103 and Perez to go

    8. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      5,588

      97 with Perez to go.

    9. thunder_mike
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      325K with Perez and Jota to go.

    10. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      18k

    11. Liber
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      3.512.544 GW rank any good?

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Better than c2m people so not terrible!

  9. Oooof
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which players are you going to give the eyetest to now on MOTD?

    1. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      all of them...

      1. Oooof
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yep!

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      MOTB and youtube can give false eyetest results.

      1. Oooof
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, it is better to watch 90 mins if you can I agree.

    3. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lucas M Spurs

  10. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    New MOTD Graphics 😀

  11. Bruce Lee
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    sharp played 8 mins and got 8 pts

    auba ➡ sharp is a no brainer

    on course for 2,000+ pts if he is nailed

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      #analysis

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Your kung fu is strong

  12. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    No free hit this year?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      on transfers page

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Only wildcard there

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          if you make 2 changes, then confirm - the pop up will give you an option to play FH

          1. fantasyfog
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            this

  13. Captain_Shirokov
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Lads what was the story with vertonghen today? Unknown injury??

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      We’ll find out.. if they dont bench danny rose, its because they have no other option

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Tactical.

  14. Mr Peanutbutter
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    the wife's analysis of trossard a couple months back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biy_pWrFljo&t=96s,

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      bro...

    2. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      LOL

    3. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      blimey paul merson is looking rough

      1. Mr Peanutbutter
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        its what trossard owners look like rn (im one of them)

  15. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    An arm really shouldn't be counted as offside. You can't score with an arm...

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      unless you're maradonna

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Or Kane 😉

        1. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Thierry Henry's pretty good at it too

          1. SAUCY SALAH
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Poor Irish

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Donna?!? Step uncle for Kun?

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It was shoulder imo. Or another incident.

  16. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Second Sterling goal looked more offside than the one that was disallowed

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Where does the armpit start/stop?

      1. Rust Cohle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        The hairline

    2. Liber
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, my thoughts were the same.

    3. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Seemed to me they just arbitrarily set the line to make it onside because the last one was so close

    4. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      did someone say maradonna

      1. fantasyfog
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        fail

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yes, scroll up.

    5. tutankamun
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hate VAR

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Why? U hate justice?!?

  17. Dybala10
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    First time Pope owner... it feels good

    1. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      welcome to the club

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      3 tough fixtures but has more or less has a great run until GW14.

    3. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Imagine being a Ryan owner

      1. fantasyfog
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ryan heaton pope all the same potential

  18. MFC86
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Just watching MOTD, VAR is absolutely killing the game. It will take all passion out of celebrating goals

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully it gets more streamlined over time. I'm sure it will. Early days.

    2. Liber
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I agree. VAR bad.

    3. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yes - city vs spurs cl 2nd leg is a perfect example

      poch only cried for 5 minutes... you'd expect at least 7 mins

    4. SAUCY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It will be refined to a point where the feedback is almost instant. So a quick look upon scoring will suffice for the celebrations to start/halt

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      VAR is Great. No more talking about referee errors, everyone talking about the sport and players.

      Yes, it will take time, but the change is good and after few years this discussion is over.

      1. tutankamun
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Years?!?!

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Well... U lived thousands of years ago 🙂

  19. SADIO SANÉ
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    anyone notice we had our first VAR penalty today that WOULDN'T have been given previously? You can tell Mike Dean thought it was soft/possibly a dive but then just gave it anyway because he knew they would check it - he wouldn't have given that penalty last season 😀

    1. Liber
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It was soft. And the penalty shooter will just repeat shooting until he scores. Great time to have penalty takers in the team!

    2. Captain_Shirokov
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think he would have anyway but yes I agree VAR can only be a good thing in this respect. Referees will play more advantage with offsides too instead of making hasty calls.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        he almost started running away and then thought 'f*** it, I'll just give it' haha

      2. puhd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Hopefully!

  20. puhd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Stones nailed? 5.5 a good price

    1. nelluckram
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No like. Absolutely not

  21. nelluckram
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Well...how did we all fair? 82 with Vardy left. Delighted

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      84 with Perez and Martial

      No Kane.

    2. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      average

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lots of big scores this week. I’m on 88 with Jimi and Perez to go.

    4. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      76 with Perez and Jota to go

    5. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      87 and waiting on an Ayoze brace tomorrow

    6. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      81 with Jota left (Zouma 1st sub)
      Anyone else have McGinn points on the bench?

  22. Too Mane Men
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Not early for this but play:

    A) Adam Smith (Away at Villa)
    B) Lundstram (Home to Palace)

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  23. A Fat Spanish Waiter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    They really need a “too close to call” designation with VAR. Both of the City offside shouts really were just that. Some guy in a booth someplace determining where one’s shoulder starts, and then finding that its one inch to the side of another man’s shoulder is definitely “too close to call”

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I still think the 2nd one was more offside than the first one 😀

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Same. Until they drew those slanted lines from random spots on their bodies I thought the first one would count and the second one wouldn’t.

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      But then when is the line between too close to call and OK to call? 2 inches, 6 inches, 2 feet?

      1. A Fat Spanish Waiter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        It’s subjective... but then again, it needs to be.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          If the difference can be defined, it has to be that way. Or the rules must be changed.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I personally think they should just do it by their feet, much easier to see imo - and 95% of the time the shoulder being offside isn't giving them an advantage (when the ball is played on the floor especially)

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Good shout

        2. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          oh I just said that too, so yes good shout 🙂

      3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ...or said another way, are they certain that it was offside or not. If not, the call on the field stands. I saw the “lines” they drew on the screen. No way could that be certain.

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I guess he was certain.

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Which of your alternatives is more certain?!?

          1. A Fat Spanish Waiter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            That’s my point. There is no certainty. When that is the case, the call on the field should stand.

            We have video replay over here in the US for NFL games. It’s the same thing...if they cant be sure, they leave the call on the field.

            Contrast that to the goal decision system where you have 100% certainty...there is no ambiguity with that.

            Contrast that with offside where you need to determine: 1) the exact moment the ball was played 2) the exact position of a body part off which a goal can be scored and 3) from an angle that isn’t directly perpendicular to field, I dont see how you could have certainty for either of the two City goals today. It was literally 1-2 inches.

    3. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Or change the law so that when VAR is being used, only your legs and feet can be offside.

      This would give the advantage to the attacker and we'd get more goals.

      1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        GPS trackers in the toes of their boots

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Jockstrap would be safer.

        2. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          The techno re-mix of Paul Simon's Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes?

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Or forget the offside rule totally?

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          whatever rocks your boat dude

        2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Wonder if this has ever been trialled, and how different games would be.

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

      Refs call stands would be a decent shout, same as they do in rugby and cricket. Umpires call/refs call on field remains

    5. LSK
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I assumed the technology was more advanced, not just people guessing. You could easily move the line a touch this way and it still be on his shoulder and change an offside to an onside and vice versa. Should either be the feet or any part of the body whether you can score with it or not, that way you're not trying to determine where the arm ends and the shoulder begins, which is impossible, especially when somebody is wearing a shirt. With calls like the 2 Sterling ones today, it's basically just the person in the VAR booth deciding if it's a goal or not. It's in no way a black and white fact the way it's been advertised.

    6. POLSKA GOLA
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      For me it should be the software anaylsing the footage, not a bloke sitting front of the screen

  24. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Wasn’t able to watch the spurs game. How did Kane look? Was he the farthest up or was he being used for Moura to make runs off of?

    1. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Meh. Played quite deep. When Eriksen came in he lit up tho.

    2. fantasyfog
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      furthest up and very lucky (non owner)

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen changed the game completely. Lamela and Sissy were rubbish most of the game which really hurt Kane to be fair. Obviously he looked good in the end and you cant argue with a brace.

      It’s going to be a heck of a game against Pool next week who looked very shaky on defense, with Gomez doing his best “Pogba (from the last 10 weeks of last season) in disguise” bit.

      1. George Sillett
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        On everyone else's planet Pool play Southampton next week.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          😆
          They're playing Accrington Stanley in mine.

    4. mxstro
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Was in my team but up until the 80th min I was financing a way to get Sterling in my team without taking a serious hit. At the end of the day though, if Kane can produce with a terrible performance (imo) i'll keep him as his performances gradually pick up.

  25. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    67 with Jota & Perez left.

    Bit depressing with all the high score flying around. Mainly because I had Heaton instead of Ryan/Pope and Trossard instead of Zinchenko.

    What to do with Trollard now?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wait on presser but would still keep for West Ham.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Keep for gw2.

        Save ft.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Heaton was good. We will get those points later.

      Pethaps wait and decide later when you know what to do.

  26. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How is that not an assist to KWP for Spurs 1st goal!

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      ????????

  27. Hits from the Bong
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How do you solve a problem like Deulofue?

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      With a -12

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sellofue

  28. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Night guys, what a day of points!

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      xo

  29. Bartowski
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hope Spurs don't sell Erikson, Kane won't be as much if a threat if they do

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He’s not much of a threat now 😉

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, try telling that to anyone connected with Aston Villa.

  30. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What happened to Trossard then? Even in the scout picks? Trossard to McGinn?

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Stop your knees a jerking - wait for some more info on Trossard

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Brighton bias