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. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you sell for a hit?

    a) Fraser
    b) Jota
    c) Vardy
    d) keep them all

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

      A

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        That is what I'm thinking right now. Fraser to Martial for -4.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A or C, B still looks very active.

  2. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cantwell or Dendoncker as 5th mid?

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

      Donkey

    2. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cantwell.

      the way is clear for him to play attacking leftmidfield for atleast 3 months

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

    Resisting the urge to WC and going for 3 trades for a -4..

    Robbo/Fraser/Wilson to Rashford/Son/Lund.

    Thoughts?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks great in principal.

      Having said that I think Robbo is still worth keeping.

    2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Son could be a bit punchy? Wait and see for a week?

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

        Other option is to go for KDB. Don't want to miss out on the potential Newcastle haul though!

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

      Loosing Robbo may end up in tears

  4. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just pulled the trigger on Perez > Martial.

    Feels good.

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think I’m about to do the same

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        And I also pulled the trigger on wilson > Pukki after sat night.

  5. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you do

    Robbo & Perez -> AWB & Martial FREE?

    Pope
    Robbo* VVD Digne Lundstram
    Salah Sterling McGinn Perez*
    King Kane

    Button, Dendoncker, KWP, Greenwood

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Well it seems if you need the cash to upgrade Perez then Robbo or vvd need to go.
      But Robbo is still a great fantasy asset imo.

  6. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed...

    Is there any reason to not do Barkley + Perez —> Martial + Mount tonight?

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

      Do it

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

      Kneejerk. Perez deserves 1/2 more games

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

        Why? About to fall in price and looked horrible

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No, could well cost you 0.4 more tomorrow

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

        I sold perez and barkley for Cantwell and Martial for GW 2. Very happy. It's not kneejerkkng, its the eyetest

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

      Do it.

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

      Do it

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Evening, thoughts for coming game week?

    Pope
    Virgil, Digne, KWP, Montoya
    Salah, Sterling, Trossard, Cebellos
    Pukki, Kane C

    Button, Lundstram, Dendo, Greenwood

    2.9 itb

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

    One option is Jimenez/Perez > Pukki/Maddison. Too sideways?

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

      Your priority should be KdB.

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

        Potentially. But I also like double City defence.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Leicester for Leicester, yes slightly sideways move, will always be watching the other player.

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

    Liverpool clean sheet on Saturday with any attacking returns from the full backs will make things interesting.

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

      They were cruising to one last weekend but for a lapse in concentration from Adrian, the cleanies will come

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

        I think so, keeping VVD TAA Salah here.

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

          Same pal.

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

          Same

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

            I’m selling one so that I can double up attack v Newcastle in Gw 5

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

    Best mid for 4.9 or below?

    Dendo??

    May need to play some weeks rotating with mcginn...

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

      noble?

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cantwell

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

    Perez ---> Martial for -8 this week? Yay or nayy?

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

      No.

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

      god no, how many points u expcting martial to get? 28?

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not for -8

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why -8? You doing it twice?

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

      Haha omg no

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

      Nope

  12. lastmanback
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    For those with 2 Liv defenders still, is it crazy to consider benching one next weekend for Lundstram?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. They can get attacking returns against anyone.

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

      I hope people actually do this.

  13. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Already on a -4. Am I okay with this or should I Wildcard?

    Ryan
    Robertson, van Dijk, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, De Bruyne, Perez, Ceballos
    Pukki, Jota

    Button; Lundstram, Greenwood, Rico.

    Main concerns are Perez and no United players. Tempting to hit the button but perhaps a bit rash.

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

      Mate wtf i cant beleive your even contemplating a wc with that team, absolutely baffling

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

        See this is what I'm saying.. Descent into madness on here

      2. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate. That's the wake up call I needed. Hadn't really considered it but being on here for the Martial goal was a bit unsettling.

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

      No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no to the WC a couple of transfers and your golden.

      Btw that is a no to the WC

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

      Wildcard to what?!

      That team is more than fine. Next week get rid of Perez.

      The only teams I think should wildcard are ones without Sterling.

    4. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just sub in Lund for Perez and you are fine for this week.

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

      Great team
      Play Lundstram over Perez the GW if you’re not sure on Perez

  14. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    On WC

    A) Martial and Rashford
    B) Son and Jota/Barnes

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      Did you see the game tonight? Then the answer is easy...

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

    Which is better B or A?

    B) Rashford + Digne

    A) KDB + Söyüncü

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B as kdb is Scholes mk2

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

      I would try and find way to get KDB and Digne

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

        Yeah this

  16. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I want Lanzini, KDB, Mane, Martial in addition to Sterling (already own) ... the forward is problematic, nobody that I desperately like. Not ready for WC then?

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I almost have that with pukki and there are others around, one played tonight

  17. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it just me who thinks lanzini is a better option than trossard??

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

      Shhhhh

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

      Lol

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

      No. I like Lanzini. Hope he stays under the radar a little longer.

  18. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson, Pérez > Pukki, Martial for free?

    Ryan - Heaton
    VVD - Digne - Zinc - Dunk - Diop
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Pérez - Dendoncker
    Wilson - Jota - Greenwood

  19. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tricky choice for the armband this week. Between salah and sterling. Any obvious choice?

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

      Not obvious but Sterling

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

      Kane

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

      Not really much between them, both have fantastic records against the sides they face

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

      Sterling comfortably for me. I have a simple policy this year. Captain Salah unless he's playing a top 6 side otherwise captain Sterling.

  20. Richie.
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which to play GW3?

    A. Zinc - BOU (A) - have Sterling + KDB
    B. King - MCI (H)
    C. Lundstram - LEI (H)

    GW2 I went Lundstram over Zinc and picked up +13 points. Same again?

    Currently 14K-ish overall.

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

    Kane or Son?

  22. Hitmonlee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you prefer Jota or Mount in your team?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Villa or Wolves Jota ?

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

      The striker or the mid?

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

        Wolves Striker

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

      Mount

  23. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan, Button
    VVD, Robertson, Lepotre, Zinchenko, (Kelly)
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Trossard, (Dendonker)
    Wilson, Jimenez, (Greenwood)

    0.5m ITB, 2 FT's

    Robertson, Dendonker and Wilson to AWB, Martial and Pukki for a -4

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

      Perez > Martial
      Wilson > Pukki.

  24. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    VVD AWB Zinch Digne
    Sterling Salah Siggy Perez
    Wilson Pukki

    Button; lundstram, dendoncker, Greenwood.

    Already done 2 Fts. Is Perez out for martial worth a - 4?

  25. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone of those needs to go out this week for -4?

    Perez
    Haller
    King

    ?

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

      I'm considering keeping all 3 and saving a transfer.. Certainly want to, but the price drops coming may make me get rid of one.

      No chance for a - 4.

  26. Dutchy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jiménez and Moura to Martial and Pukki for free?

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

    Will martial rise tonight?

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

      Probably

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

      If not tomorrow but he started out at 43. Something 2 And a bit hours ago and is now 94.8

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

      Yes

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

    Surely selling Perez before SHU is madness.

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not really they are tight

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      did you see how boring sheffield united are at home? Sorry fortress bramell lane

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

        My bad thought it was at Leicester :s

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

      >1 shot on target in 2 games
      >0 chances created
      >Same expected goal involvement as Ryan Bennett

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

      Did you see perez play the weekend? He was awful. Anyway Sheffield utd are tight at the back. I like the way they defend in numbers.

  29. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know what the average will be ?

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

    ?