Scout Notes

James highlights FPL appeal with goal but United flop again

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw against Southampton at St Mary’s with a wonder strike from Daniel James (£6.0m) proving to not be enough for Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s side, who have won just one of their first four Premier League matches.

We look at the key Fantasy talking points from the south coast.

Southampton 1-1 Manchester United

  • Goals: Daniel James (£6.0m) | Jannik Vestergaard (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Scott McTominay (£5.0m) | Kevin Danso (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: Vestergaard, McTominay – 3, Gunn, James – 2

After signing from Swansea City for a £15m fee in the summer window, James was expected to play a part in United’s attacking armoury, but after four games it is evident that this is a player with the ability to make a significant, impactful contribution for the Red Devils in 2019/20. 

Having cut in from the left flank, James drilled a superb strike beyond the reach of Angus Gunn (£4.5m) to assert an early level of control over the Saints, whilst also testing the Southampton goalkeeper on a number of occasions throughout the match. 

Particularly given the potential absence of Anthony Martial (£7.7m), James is showing glimpses of a player who has the potential to excel for United in the goalscoring department, and once again on Saturday the Welshman, owned by just over 5% of managers, displayed his attacking prowess with a fine finish despite the bitterly disappointing scoreline. 

It should be noted that James’ goal, as was the case against Palace last weekend, came when he was stationed on the left wing and his FPL appeal going forward perhaps partly hinges on where Solskjaer will deploy him, with a role on the right flank arguably not suited to his skill set (as evidenced against Wolves).

For United’s defensive quartet of Harry Maguire (£5.5m), Victor Lindelof (£5.5m), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.6m) and Ashley Young (£5.4m), who was recalled after an injury to Luke Shaw (£5.5m), Saturday’s game marked yet another failure to keep a clean sheet, though they did show defensive resilience.

The Red Devils were denied a shut-out when Jannik Vestergaard (£5.0m) rose highest after a chipped ball into the box from Kevin Danso (£4.5m) to draw Southampton level. 

A start didn’t materialise for budget FPL forward Mason Greenwood (£4.5m), while Marcus Rashford (£8.6m) was unable to reward his 24.7% of owners with any attacking returns despite looking dangerous at times.

The 21-year-old has now blanked in two consecutive fixtures after starting the season with successive attacking returns. 

In the context of United’s ambitions for the season, this was another blow for the club but also highlighted the fragile nature of their defence. If United’s defensive assets are to be considered long-term, viable options for Fantasy managers, then games against Crystal Palace (h) and Southampton (a) should be viewed as having considerable clean sheet potential. 

Yet two successive failures to keep out the opposition will mean ownership of United defenders comes under further scrutiny over the international break ahead of Gameweek 5, with testing games against attacking sides such as West Ham and Arsenal coming up in their next three fixtures. 

Whilst the likes of Sofiane Boufal (£5.5m) and Danny Ings (£6.0m) did test United with several incisive runs, the Saints had shown no real signs of having a goalscoring threat prior to Vestergaard’s opener, with Southampton’s fortunes in front of goal epitomised by Che Adams (£5.8m) in the 55th minute: Adams was played through on goal with just David de Gea (£5.6m) to beat but fluffed his lines to make it a fourth blank in a row for the £15m summer signing from Birmingham. 

An injury to Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) meant that an opportunity emerged in the starting line-up for Boufal, and the Moroccan did look sharp at times though lacked an end product. 

On the basis of Saturday’s game against United, despite looking promising at points, investment in Southampton’s attacking options such as Ings and Adams is a difficult decision to justify with Tottenham (a) and Chelsea (h) on the horizon in their next four fixtures. 

As Southampton appeared to be in the ascendancy, a second yellow for Danso meant that Hassenhuttl’s side were forced to play out the final 15 minutes with ten men, though the south coast side held on to build on their impressive victory over Brighton in Gameweek 3 with a valuable point against Solsjkaer’s men. 

This was a game that served as a reminder towards Southampton’s ability to defy the odds against supposedly superior opposition, but the main headline will inevitably lie with United’s inability to see off ‘lesser’ opposition who, unlike Solsjkaer’s side, are unlikely to be competing for a spot in the top six. 

On the basis of this showing at St Mary’s, it’s unlikely that United will be doing anything more than that, either. 

Members Analysis


Southampton XI (4-2-2-2): Gunn; Cedric, Danso, Vestergaard, Bednarek; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Romeu; Ward-Prowse, Boufal (Armstrong 71′); Ings (Yoshida 77′), Adams (Long 62′).

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Young, Lindelof, Maguire; McTominay (Greenwood 82′), Pogba; Periera (Lingard 68′), Mata (Matic 68′), James; Rashford.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 4


2,545 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Laporte to Otamendi
    B) Martial Laporte to KDB Guilbert (-4)
    C) Martial Laporte to DSilva Otamendi (-4)

    Pope
    Digne VVD Laporte TAA
    Salah Sterling Mount Martial
    Abraham Haller

    Subs: Button, Greenwood, Dendoncer, Rico

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

      B

  2. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Mount still a good option going forward versus Abraham as a Chelsea attacking option?

    I'll be honest haven't watched Chelsea lately. Much easier to fit in/keep Mount with a Haller and Pukki front line

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

      After watching MOTD, Tammy didn't impress me.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He will get the goals though.

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

    whos worse? Man U or Chelsea lol

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

      Man U beat Chelsea 4-0. But tough decision

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

        true but I just think Chelsea had no clue what was going on in that game lol. I think they are both jsut as bad as each other, oh how the mighty have fallen

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A certain word in the above post may get you a ban

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

      We’ve won like 20 titles so Chelsea

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

    Zouma have to go.
    A Otamendi
    B Walker
    C Zinch

  5. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    My ML rival smashed his WC, unbelievable

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/386392/event/4

    1. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Damn, and here i hope i can get a ton in DGW with bench boost 😛

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

      Nice. A colleague of mine's WC has scored 100 with Digne and Keane still to play!

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wow

    3. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Brave man going with out Sterling and Salah, I imagine it will be a very different story some weeks

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

        This will be the case

    4. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Casuals haha

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

    Would you wildcard this lot:

    Heaton- £4m
    VVD, Digne, Zinchenko, Montoya (Rico)
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, McGuinn (Donk)
    Kane, Pukki (Greenwood)

    Alternative is Kane, McGuinn > Tammy, KDB (-4).

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

      Whats the problem? Just wait it out on Martials injury news. The rest of the team looks solid.

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

        Would like to move Heaton, Montoya, Rico, McGuinn, Kane so thought it could be worth a wc this week. Maybe not

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

      No

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

        Would you take the -4 then?

  7. SkeletONv01
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1st September, midnight, Poland, 33 celsius, wtf is this, go away, give me cold :/

    1. Critical Observer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m not in Poland but I concur, can it please be autumn already? Gimme them chillies!

  8. seanastley97
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who is more essential...Aguero or KDB???

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

      Kun for now

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

      Sterling.

      1. seanastley97
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Already have sterling but feel I need 2 city attackers

    3. WWF
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

  9. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I thought Tomori was Japanese 🙂

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Canadian

  10. fitzy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just did a transfer on the Saturday of an international break, yuck. Had exactly enough for King > Tammy so it had to be done tonight but I bet i'm going to regret this.

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

      Bad move in my opinion

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

      Risky but good luck

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same! Except I did Rash + AWB -> Tammy + TAA

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes it's a risk but I think it's one worth taking. At worst if he gets inured in meantime, you take a hit or transfer out next GW. Not that bad, getting priced out is worse and Abraham is a massive upgrade on King. GL.

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

    Literally the average week - 45 points from this lot.

    Pope (4.0)
    TAA AWB Digne Lundstram
    Salah (c) Sterling KdB Mount
    Pukki Jota
    (Montoya Dendoncker Greenwood)
    1FT 2.1itb

    I don't think it needs a wildcard but I think a hit could be in order. Which of these looks best?

    A) Jota > Haller
    B) Jota > Barnes
    C) AWB & Greenwood > Otamendi & Barnes
    D) AWB & Jota > Otamendi & Haller

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C

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

      Jota and Pukki to Haller and Tammy

  12. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ayew on my bench again! ffs - what a player.

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ayew sure?

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        selvfølgelig 🙂

      2. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Of course, no Ayew - no party.

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ayew serious?

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        selvfølgelig

  13. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If I was on a wildcard I'd probably get Vardy.

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

    If Laporte is out who’s his main replacement?

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

      stones, otamendi, fernandinho - in that order i think

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

        I’ve currently got no City defensive cover. Almost got Laporte on wildcard last week - kept 1m in bank and would like to get whichever defender is most nailed in Laporte's absence.

  15. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Early thoughts on the team?

    Pope
    AWB Mina Montoya Lundstrum
    Sterling Mane KDB Mount
    Aguero Pukki

    Button Cantwell Soyuncu Wickham (1FT 0.7m itb)

    Could do something sensible like Mina -> Digne or take a risk and do AWB -> Matip or AWB, Mina -> TAA, Mings (-4)?

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts? No Ayew, no party.

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

      KdB to Dilva
      Then upgrade AWB to TAA

    3. fitzy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Save up the transfer and then upgrade the defence without hits in all honestly. You still should have the Liverpool boys even with the upcoming fixtures.

  16. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson is Mr.Consistency

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

      Good player

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

      IDK in what universe Tielemans doesnt get a red for that ankle breaker, never saw a more clear red in my life. Whos sat at the monitors making these calls, a dog?

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

        Reply fail 🙂

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

          lol yes I was gonna say Wilson will break his consistency with a hatti, but decided against it, then reply fail 😀

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best replacement for Jota, considering form and fixtures:

    1. Barnes
    2. Haller
    3. Tammy

    Thanks

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

      Haller then Tammy for me

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Flip a coin. All good picks. But in terms of value then prolly Barnes or Tammy

  18. Kaiser123
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gutted my team value has dropped, but going for this WC team. Any issues?
    Pope (Button)
    TAA, Boly, Zinc (Lundstrom, Kelly
    Sarah, Sterling, KDB, D JAMES Cantwell
    Haller, Pukki, Abraham

  19. EMBOLOFAN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    schmeichel is terrible and they cant get rid of him because hes captain lol

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

      How’s that a reason not to get rid of him?

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

        unsure if youre being serious

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

          I feel you dont get football

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Terrible?

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

        awful keeper

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Premier League winner.

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

            yeah so’s wes morgan

            1. FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              They were all immense that year. He's obviously not awful but I know you like to troll a lot so I'll leave it be.

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

                hes dropped off massively since then, largely unnoticed

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

          one of worst save percentage/xg prevented in the league last year. had angle wrong today

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

      He isn't a good keeper I will give you that

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    72 points 😛

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Aguero, Tammy AND TAA owner????

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nope

    2. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Add to it with 9 to go, humble brag 😛 43 here, tho team is good, you cant expect them to score every week ;]

  21. Shardlow
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tammy v Haller driving me crazy
    Have Mount though

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

      Imagine if you had Pukki

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

      i remain unconvinced by tammy. has more competition than haller and less talismanic

    3. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller for me

  22. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How did Tielemans escape Red Card ?

  23. MaRooney 5
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would u WC this:

    Ryan (Button
    Digne, Robbo, Zinch ( Lundy, Rico
    Martial, McGinn, Salah, Sterlo (Hayden
    Kane, Pukki (Greenwood

    Thanks in advance!

  24. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    is ceb still a good shout having Watford and Villa after derby?
    thanks..

  25. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi....bobbing around quite averagely at 500k but think my squad looks reasonable.

    Hot cash for jota to barnes. Do I move ahead with that or hit wildcard?

    Pope
    Vvd digne soyunku guilbert Rico
    Salah sterling kdb trossard cantwell
    Haller Pukki jota

    Thanks

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's fine just do that move, Trossard will come good.

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

        Thanks

  26. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do you reckon KDB is safe from a price rise tonight?

    Difference between be wildcarding tonight or not

    1. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Int break, he will rise either way in the time, specific reason why you wait if you plan to get him anyway? Tomorrows games?

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Kane is the main factor

  27. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Getting in Aguero for a -8 worth it?

    Jimenez to Aguero
    Zinchecko to 4.0 fodder
    Mount to Donk.

    Already have Sterling and KDB.

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

      Just do Mount to Dilva
      Aguero's assists will come from Sterling, KdB or Dilva
      Jesus will be back after the IB therefore ltd Aguero time

  28. zotter
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Angry with this 41 point horror this week but surely no wildcard? Have two FTs

    A. Wildcard
    B. Relax

    Heaton. Button
    Robbo. Vvd. Zinch. Zouma. Rico
    Salah. Sterling. Martial. Doncker. McGinn
    Wilson. Jota. Pukki

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

      Thinking jota zouma to 4.5 Abraham should fix ?

  29. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Haller or Tammy guys?

    Think i favour Tammy but just wondered some other opinions.

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

      Tammy two tough fixtures.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Haller’s are only marginally better over the next three though?

    2. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just get Ayew.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Done

    3. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Personally think fixtures say Haller. Maybe look at bringing Tammy in after Liverpool?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah could do, just sick of Tashford already, already a complete waste of space

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          He is definetely not worth 8.6 thats for sure.

          I picked Abraham simply because is cheaper and playing for a better team. Two tough gameweeks is ofc the downside, but you have to think long term now that you dont havr a WC. Chelsea has amazing fixtures after Pool

  30. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    From 5k red arrow up to 31k ouch taking minus 8 paid off slightly it's so close points wise.