Scout Notes

Trossard displays goal threat in impressive Brighton debut

Brighton 1-1 West Ham

Goals: Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) | Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (£6.0m)

Assists: Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m)

Bonus Points: Lanzini x3, Chicharito x2, Lewis Dunk (£4.5m), Pascal Groß (£6.5m)

Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) was the standout performer for Brighton as they drew 1-1 with West Ham on Saturday.

The Belgian midfielder rewarded patience shown in him by owners who disappointed by his no-show in Gameweek 1 with a debut goal.

Manager Graham Potter had opted not to throw him, or any new signings, into a starting role away at Watford, but had no issues doing so at home to West Ham.

As we saw in pre-season, Trossard was deployed on the left side of striker Glenn Murray (£6.0m) in a 3-4-3 formation, Jurgen Locadia (£5.5m) dropping to the bench and Pascal Groß (£6.5m) occupying the left-wing slot.

Accordingly, he emerged from Saturday’s match with seven points and looks highly unlikely to lose his place for the Gameweek 3 visit of Southampton to the Amex Stadium.

“He had a really good season. They were champions over there and he is a hungry guy who wants to take that next step. From the Belgian League to the Premier League is, of course, a step, but he has got that quality as you can see. Our job is to help him make that transition. Of course, it is nice for us to attract these guys.” – Graham Potter

Trossard carried the most goal threat of any Brighton player against West Ham

We had expected Trossard to mainly offer creative potential this season but, based on this performance, the former Genk man is more about the goal threat than anything else.

No Brighton player looked more dangerous going forward than Trossard, who could have scored a hat-trick in different circumstances.

He had a first-half goal ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee and screwed one chance over the bar before getting his hands on some FPL attacking points.

A high ball was lofted up to Murray who did well to hold it up before being tackled. Trossard picked up the scraps and found himself the space to shoot from the edge of the box, rifling into the bottom corner of Lukasz Fabianski‘s (£5.0m) net.

It must be said that Trossard did well to continue asking questions of West Ham’s defence after the emotional rollercoaster of his disallowed first-half goal.

Centre-back Dan Burn (£4.5m) crossed the ball back across the box in the second phase of a free-kick, for Trossard to drill a volley into the back of the net.

However, it was not until after Brighton had celebrated the incredible finish that referee Anthony Taylor disallowed it for an offside call against Burn, spotted by VAR.

The introduction of this technology into the Premier League has somewhat altered the ebb and flow of matches, with it being easy for disappointment to creep in having celebrated a goal.

However, Potter credited Trossard after the game with having the determination to not let that bother him.

“It (VAR disallowing goals) changes the atmosphere in the stadium a little bit. It goes from euphoria to almost disappointment but that is something we all have to deal with. I thought the players did it really well.” – Graham Potter

“It’s disappointing especially if you score a nice goal like that but you have to keep on going because it is a football game and you know that VAR is there. If you don’t stand up and it goes to your head, it’s not easy to keep on going so that is what you need to do.” – Leandro Trossard

Despite Trossard taking some set pieces in pre-season, it looks as if Groß is the main man for these once again this season.

However, the German midfielder continues to have his minutes managed, replaced by Neal Maupay (£6.0m) in the 67th minute and with Trossard offering more goal threat for £0.5m cheaper, he certainly seems the better option.

With Groß off the pitch for some of the second half, Solly March (£5.0m) and Aaron Mooy (£5.0m) also had a hand in corners and free-kicks.

For the second match in a row, Murray led the Brighton attack with Maupay only coming on as a second-half substitute.

However, Murray is still yet to complete 90 minutes this season. After managing 63 against Watford, he was replaced by Florin Andone (£5.0m) in the 73rd minute on Saturday.

Dan Burn has become an important part of Brighton’s back-three

Brighton appear to have a new set-piece target this season in centre-back Burn.

The 27-year-old carried plenty of threat from dead-ball situations, heading over from an early Groß free-kick and also providing the assist for Trossard’s disallowed goal.

However, placing trust in Brighton defence at this early stage under Potter’s management might be hard to justify.

Yes, the Seagulls kept a clean sheet away at Watford in Gameweek 1, but it was widely reported that the Hornets were dreadful and they did not create a single big chance for Brighton to deal with.

West Ham did not offer too much going forward either but still managed to break through and find the back of the net at the Amex Stadium.

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Manuel Lanzini celebrate a goal for West Ham

In the second half, all it took was a well-timed Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) pass from midfield to unleash Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (£6.0m), who had beaten the offside trap.

The Mexcian forward only had to slot the ball underneath Mat Ryan (£4.5m) to hand West Ham a, probably, undeserved lead in the 61st minute.

“We know that Hernandez is a box player. When he has the option he normally scores.” – Manuel Pellegrini

At Brighton, West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini made five changes to the side that was thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City in Gameweek 1.

Two of these were forced as both Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) and Sébastien Haller (£7.5m) missed out with injuries, although Pellegrini is positive about whether or not they will return for the Gameweek 3 trip to Watford.

“I hope that both of them will be back next week. Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson.” – Manuel Pellegrini

Chicharito came in for Haller, while Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) was handed his first West Ham start in the place of Anderson. As we suggested as a possibility in our pre-season Scout Report, the Spaniard struggled to compete with his new colleagues for creativity.

Meanwhile, Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) took Aaron Creswell‘s (£5.0m) place at left-back and performed admirably, registering five tackles, two clearances, one interception and winning the ball back for West Ham’s goal.

Elsewhere Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), an ever-present when fit last season, was dropped to the bench to allow Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) to start alongside Issa Diop (£4.5m).

West Ham’s defence is still an unreliable source of investment for Fantasy managers

The final change saw Robert Snodgrass (£5.5m) come in for Michail Antonio (£7.0m) as West Ham’s attacking midfield remains rather unsettled at this early stage of the season.

“We also have a lot of new players that arrived, players that are coming back from a long injury so I think it was useful not to lose a second game in a row. Maybe the first game we need to fix all the new players in their correct position.” – Manuel Pellegrini

Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) came in for some criticism from the local press for a poor display at Brighton.

The former Arsenal midfielder reportedly left Declan Rice (£5.0m) exposed at multiple points before being replaced by Antonio at half-time, although it seems his withdrawal was somewhat influenced by his fitness.

“Jack is like Carlos Sanchez, [Andriy] Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini – who played a lot of games in the last part of last season – he needs time, of course. He hasn’t played 90 minutes in a long time, so in every game and every minute he has he will be improving.”

The Eye Test

Ian Davey: “I’m not quite sure how Brighton didn’t win that match.

“Trossard is a STAR in the making.

“He had a goal ruled out by VAR and missed a big chance before finally scoring.

“It turns out he’s not on set pieces but was our main goal threat.

“There’s no chance he doesn’t start next week.

“Our defence still isn’t great and there are probably better £4.5 options out there, even if Montoya is playing at right wing-back.

“Despite getting into some good positions, he lacked quality in the final third which doesn’t scream FPL returns.

“March at left wing-back is also a no-go, in my opinion, given he is a midfielder in the game.

“I’d also avoid our forwards for now. Murray didn’t do much and doesn’t look like he can play for more than 70 minutes. 

“That said, Brighton are, on the whole, much more attacking than they were under Hughton.”

Members Analysis

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-4-3): Ryan; Burn, Dunk, Duffy; March, D Stephens, Pröpper, Montoya; Trossard (Mooy 85′), Murray (Andone 74′), Groß (Maupay 67′).

West Ham United XI (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks; Rice; Fornals (Yarmolenko 77′), Lanzini, Wilshere (Antonio 45′), Snodgrass; Chicharito (C Sánchez 83′).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

3,571 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can't decide..

    Mount or Trossard?

    1. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same but currently on 6.1 Ndombele which makes it even harder

      1. Johnny Drama
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Don’t. With Spurs player coming back he will be dropped

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

          No he won’t

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

    Brace for Batman in the U23s game vs Liverpool tonight.

    Coming for that ST spot, 6.9m.

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

    Trossard will end up being more of a differential

    1. $carface
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks like I picked the wrong Brighton attacker in Maupay

  4. $carface
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you captain out of this lot?
    A. Sterling
    B. Kane
    C. Salah
    D. Sigurdsson 😆

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

      B

      Newcastle has the leakiest defense

      1. $carface
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah but Sterling in red hot form and Kane not looking inspiring

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

      Not Siggy!

      1. $carface
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You never know 😉

    3. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      D 😉

    4. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

    Mount or McGinn? Which one comes in?...

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

      Mount by far

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

      Mount

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

    I have absolutely no idea what to do.

    Have Perez and Haller dropping in price likely, 1ft, zero cash.

    Who should go and who should I get? Don't like any of the replacements..

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

      Perez to Trossard maybe?

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

        Just feels a bit meh

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

    GNev meltdown 😀

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

      When he gets mad that worry line between his eyes turns into the Grand Canyon.

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

    How about this for a -4?

    Stones (inj), Siggy and Wilson > Maitland-Niles, KDB and Pukki?

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal can't really defend

    2. DVassell
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pick KWP instead of AMN

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

        Good shout. Reckon he’s nailed for now?

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

    Anybody?

    Need to decide before the price rises

    Robbo and Moura to AWB and Martial for free?

    Current team:

    Pope, Button
    Digne, Robbo, VvD, Montoya, Balbuena
    Salah, Sterling, Moura, Dendoncker, Leitner
    King, Vardy, Jota

    1. AndyCook
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have replied to you on the same thing twice.. must be waiting to hear the yes you want

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

          No I’m not I do like the suggestion that you gave thanks!

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

      Thoughts on this midfield heavy WC?

      Adrian
      AWB, Maguire, Coleman
      Sterling, KDB, Mane, Martial, Cantwell
      Kane, Pukki

      (Button)(Lundstrom, Kelly, Greenwood)

      1. The Road to Turfdom
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wouldn't want to be playing 2 Norwich every week

        1. The Road to Turfdom
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Would also be tempted by Zinchenko or Spurs defence over double United

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

        Looks good. obviously no pool and city defensive cover (adrian for now) but cant have it all

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

          Looking at exactly the same except I have Mina and AWB instead of Coleman and slabhead

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

            Sorry KWP

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

              You must have got Pukey and Martial at base price I assume?

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

      Rico or Digne > Lundstrom?

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

        Neither? Surely you have more pressing transfers. But if not, Rico > Lundstram makes way more sense.

    4. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      65pts all out, i will take that.

      got 2fts and 0.5m itb

      Pope Button
      TAA VVD Lundstram Digne Zinchencko
      Salah Sterling Perez Martial Dendoncker
      Wilson King Greenwood

      Wilson and TAA to Kane(c) and Soyuncu

      rp

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

      Anything for a hit? 0.3ITB

      Pope
      VVD, Laporte, Digne, Montoya
      Sterling, KDB, Martial, Salah
      Pukki, Jota

      Button, Dendoncker, Lundstram, Greenwood

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

        No, very nice team.

    6. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico, Moura . Who should be shipped out first?

      Just did Jota to Pukki.

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

        Moura. Presumably Rico is a bench fodder who won't make the field anyway.

        1. Neo-Viper
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes , that he is. Moura to who?

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

            Martial if you have the paper

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

      Ryan (Button)
      TAA / Zinchenko / AWB / Coleman (Lundstram)
      Salah / Sterling / KDB / Martial (Cantwell)
      Pukki / King (Greenwood)

      any improvements?

    8. GOONER
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota seems to be dropping in price today or tomorrow max. Should I transfer him out for a hit and if yes who should i get?

      Notes:
      Already took a -4 hit to get KDB and Pukki
      I have 0.4m in the bank

      1. Johnny Drama
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hold

    9. Blue Gaffer
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Robertson, Robinson, King- Soyencu, Martial, Pukki -4 yes or no?

    10. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) Robbo + Perez > Lundstram and Son
      B) Robbo + Perez + King > AWB + Martial + Pukki (-4)

    11. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Otamendi nailed for the time being?

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

      Does this look g2g for a WC team?

      Pope (Button)
      AWB, Digne, Lundstram (Soyunku, Kelly)
      Sterling, Mane, Martial, Ceballos (Cantwell)
      Kane, Pukki, Rashford

      0.2 itb

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

      Please help

      Heaton
      Robbo VvD Digne Montoya
      Salah Sterling KdB Martial Perez
      King

      McGovern Rico Wickham Greenwood

      1FT

      A) Rico -> Lundstram
      B) Save
      C) Something else

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

        A or b

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

      Which one would u guys do

      A perez to mount/tross and wilson to rashford

      Or

      B perez to martial and Wilson to pukki?

    15. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pérez or Fraser out first?

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

        Surely perez deserves sheffield at least

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Perez has Sheff Utd and then Bournemouth.
        Why ditch him ?

    16. CrouchDown
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What would you guys do with this lot? I have 2 FT and want to get Martial but have no money itb

      Pope

      Coleman Zinchenko Lundstram

      Salah Sterling Moura Lanzini Barkley*

      Kane King

      Subs: Heaton, Ayew* Montoya Taylor*

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Moura/Barkley —> McGinn/Martial...

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

          Thanks man that sounds good. Just a little reluctant to ditch Moura before NEW

      2. AndyCook
          4 years, 7 months ago

          That’s tough, ideally you want to free up money from a dud. I’d be tempted to do Barkley to 4.5, Lanzini/Moura to Martial and play Montoya and wait for a cheap midfielder to fully reveal themselvess

        • AndyCook
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Incidentally I think Ceballos is the best sub-6

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

          Would like to hear your thoughts on this...

          Leaning towards Barkley > Mount (-4) tonight before price changes on both.
          It would also mean I dont have to start Balbuena or King.

          Pope
          Digne Lundstram VVD Montoya Balbuena
          Salah KdB Trossard Son
          Kane
          (Heaton Barkley King Greenwood)
          0FT 0ITB

          Should I?

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

            Yup why not

        • arndff_
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A) Fraser, Wilson > Martial, Pukki
          B) Fraser, Perez, Wilson > Martial / KdB, McGinn, Pukki (-4)

          1. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            B

        • Harper (No more Penandes)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Anyone have TAA and really not want to get rid of him? Contemplating it, but felt at the start of the season and still do that he will be the best defender this year but downgrading him is the only good way to make up the funds I need

          1. Johnny Drama
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Same dilema as you, leaning to keep

          2. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I got rid of Trent and kept Robertson

          3. thepeen555
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Keep 1 pool defender. If that’s who you got that’s who you keep

            1. Harper (No more Penandes)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I have Virgil as well which makes it less of a risk I suppose

        • Johnny Drama
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Really want Martial in my team.

          Also, really don’t want to stress stupid transfers in to my team just to get Martial before price rises.

        • Hect.OR 98th
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Really torn, fancy getting Pukki in for a hit. For King, Jota or hold?

          1. SHOOTER MCGINN
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I'm currently debating the Jota to Pukki -4. I am tempted...

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

              Not worth it for a hit

        • IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Anything worth a hit? I’m actually tempted to WC to save about 0.5 in TV

          Ryan
          Robbo VVD Digne KWP
          Sterling KDB Siggy Perez
          Kane Pukki

          Button Dendoncker Greenwood Rico