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. Oh Mane Mane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have 2 FT, contemplating taking a -8 which will leave the below team and 0.0 in the bank.

    Out - Kane King Wickham Ceballos
    In - Haller Pukki Abraham James

    Pope
    AWB VVD Zinchenko
    Sterling Salah KDB James
    Haller Pukki Abraham
    (Button Kelly Lundstram Dendonker)

    Thoughts?

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

      Do it now then bite your nails for the next 2 weeks

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

      why would you take a -8 to lose a premium foward when kun is scoring goals for fun and Aubameyang has returned in every game so far

  2. Licky
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    West Ham midfielder to have?

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

      None

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

        Is that Craig?

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anderson looks in good form. I've Lanzini at the moment but would probably have gone Anderson if I could have afforded him.

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

        I had Anderson at the start and am considering going back to him, the fixtures are good.

    3. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anderson

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

      Thanks for the replies guys.

    5. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anderson

  3. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fpl statistics has salah as 98% but the other website is completely different can anyone help me with this?

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

      No chance is he rising tonight, don’t worry

      1. danlynch13
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

  4. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How would I best complete this wildcard team?

    Pope (Button)
    /---------/ TAA Soyunku (Lundstram /---------/)
    Salah Sterling KDB /---------/ (/---------/)
    Haller Abraham Haller

    A) Digne Hanley Cantwell Ceballos
    B) Zinchenko Kelly James Cantwell (0.1m itb)

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Like the Haller double up. Can captain for quadruple points

      Of those options A but neither are very appealing

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        lol, Other Haller is Abraham, cheers

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

          Abraham double up!?

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pukki, sorry, I need to get some sleep asap

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

          Pukki maybe

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

      Tough one. Looking at the fixtures you need a Man City defender. So probably B just. I assume you’re second Haller is Pukki?

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

        your*

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers and yes, it is Pukki

  5. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Need a bit of advice guys. I'm not happy about my team or my two mid 40 gws.

    Heaton

    TAA/Digne/Zinchenko

    Barkley/Sterling/Kdb/Trosard

    Pukki/Wilson/Kane/

    (Pope/Donker/Lundstram/
    Montoya)

    Took Salah+Auba out last gw for Sterling+Kane whom I both captained last two wks.

    Brought Pukki in for a hit before this deadline.

    What would you do?
    1ft zero itb

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barkley to anybody else

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

    Gotta love Pukki being the 6th most transferred out player and Sterling the 10th most. So much kneejerking and just looking at 1 GW!

    1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      One hat trick wonder 😉

    2. Chaps Before Baps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's insanity! But with so many new players playing the game it's expected.

  7. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know why Haller didn't play gameweek 2???

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Picked up a knock

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Injured

  8. Bird Raymond
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I see Callum Wilson got his standard 5 points!

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

      genuinely interested to see how long this can go for lol

      1. Bird Raymond
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He's been a strange one this season. Ticking over ok with some fortunate assists without really getting going yet.

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

          he mixed up today, grabbing a goal and a yellow to maintain the 5. He has everything in his locker, cs points next

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wil5on

      1. Bird Raymond
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Haha!

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

    On Wilcard. Who gets the third striker spot?

    A) Abraham
    B) Pukki
    C) Barnes

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

      who are your other two then?

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

        Aguero and Haller

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

          A for me

    2. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  10. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it worth losing one of sterling or salah for Kun!?

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

      This is the question of the day!

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

      Just stick with your big guns of choice. Show patience

    3. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I don't think so. They'll probably score similar so not worth wasting a transfer. There's also more risk for Aguero's time when Jesus is back and you get more goal points + cs with mids.

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

    Would you give Trossard (BUR) another week?

    Didn't expect any returns today but there's a few returning points in that bracket now. I thought he OK on MOTD when he had a chance

    1. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, he's only had one 'normal' match so far, which he scored in.

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

        cheers

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

      Yeah I’d hold

    3. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah definitely give him more time

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

      cheers all

  12. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any feasible 4.4 defender who can start in the next few games?

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

      Balbuena if he holds his spot

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      guillbert?

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Guilbert (AVL) is not a bad shout, if he holds down that place, which I beleive he should.

      Not many other options unfortunately. Those below 4.5m are mostly because they dropped as they are bad picks, or started at 4m.

      Lundstram is an okay 4.2m option, but not amazing fixtures.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah 0.1 short of Mings... ah

    4. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I know it’s mentally hard to start a 4.0 defender but if you don’t have Lundstram he’s worth picking up at 4.2 imo

  13. Tolly101
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A or B?

    A)
    Ryan
    TAA, Zinchenko, Digne (Lundstram, Kelly)
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Cantwell (Dendoncker)
    Haller, Pukki, Barnes

    or

    B)
    Ryan
    TAA, Zinchenko, Montoya/Lundstram/Kelly
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount (Cantwell)
    (6.4 Striker TBD), Pukki, Barnes

  14. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Only takes one bad GW to undo a good start 🙁

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

      And one good gw to undo a bad gw

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Here's hoping!

  15. Pigeon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Save a FT over the break? Still have wildcard too

    Ryan
    Digne TAA Emerson Lundstram
    Mané Sterling KDB Martial*
    Pukki Haller
    Button Cantwell Diop Greenwood

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks gtg id save

  16. Pranav Santhosh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Robertson Digne Lundstram
    Sterling Salah KDB James
    Pukki Barnes

    Button greenwood dendoncker soyuncu

    If I was to use a wildcard I would most likely go
    Greenwood dendoncker Ryan Robertson > haller Cantwell Pope kelly
    First question would this be worth wildcarding
    Second question if yes what other changes would you make

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

      Nah it's fine

      1. Pranav Santhosh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah that’s what I thought which is kind of annoying cause I wanted to wildcard gw6 to move off pool defence but when I tried a mock WC not many changes were made so don’t know if it’s worth it. Hopefully international break/gw 5 throws a spanner in the works

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

    My squad looks great, but ranked 1.5 million. Lol @ me

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keeping injured players isn't helping.

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

        Sensible move if he misses 1 match and I want him back

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Should have sold him and got poor mans' Salah.

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

            I’m not a poor man though 😉

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Give it time

    3. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2m rank is where it's at

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

      Same bad feels :(. Down again to 950k but owells. Today was a happy day

    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You are me 🙂

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

      lets face it anyone below 1mil is a casual

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

      I just dropped a million to 1.2m team looked good......?

  18. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A)D Silva Otamendi
    or
    B) KDB Guilbert
    ?

    1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B all day. Silva will get fewer minutes when CL starts. KDB is a must have

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Im not doubting KDB, more of Guilbert (have only 4.4)

  19. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So many forwards to consider : Pukki, Barnes, Haller, Abraham, Haller, Vardy, Aguero... Just imagine if Kane scores a brace tomorrow lmao.

    Is it time to switch to a good old 3-4-3 ?

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

      Then look at their fixtures and weigh up their values to select which ones for next 5-6 GWs ... but yeah not easy

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

      U forgot auba

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

    Love how according to opposition and their managers we're never praised. Just simply... "we we're awful and made it easy for you". Will it ever change

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Honestly after that 2nd half you guys had I’d argue it’s you guys that dropped points not Chelsea

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

        Yup

  21. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fingers crossed I can sit on this for the next two weeks... 😐

    Pope
    TAA / VVD / Digne / Montoya
    Salah / Sterling / KDB
    Puuki / Barnes / Jota

    Button // Cantwell / Dendoncker / Kelly

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

      Looks good. Thoughts on today? 😉

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        My brother & Dad at the match came home very disappointed.

        "Sheffield play sh**te" & we just need to play actual football against teams like those, rather than trying to out-muscle etc at your own game.

        Not my words, half-agree, but it's what's getting Sheffield United points off teams so no reason why you wouldn't continue to do so.

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

          Hahaha play actual football. We are very underestimated. Ahh well, we deserved it in the 2nd half and could argue your goals were more sloppy than ours :). Hate Lampard

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

    is KWP likely to be back for next gameweek?

  23. Mr Peanutbutter
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If you already had Sterling and KDB, would you still pull the trigger on Kane to Aguero without watching Kane play?

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

      Wow, are you going Sterling KDB Kun? And still happy with your team structure?

      1. Mr Peanutbutter
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have Salah, Pukki, VVD, Trossard and play 4s and 4.5s. I'm happy with a week defense.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd be quite tempted, given no international duty for Aguero(?)

      Problem is, others do, but therin lies the risk.

    3. Kub3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No. It’s risky going with all 3 attackers. I would look at a defender. Their fixtures are crazy good

  24. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is James the real deal or a flash in the pan?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      One of few positives atm, he looks the real deal, still needs some polish but looks great. Not sure if anyone had words to him but he kept his feet allot better I thought and bounced back up after a couple of challenges he probably would have stayed down for over the first few games.

    2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      At 6m he looks alright. I'll wait another week or two

  25. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Genuinely shocked to see a red arrow with 55 today :/

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Red with 59pts

      1. Jay Jay Okocha
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        The air is thin at the top

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

      Red with 72

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

    Kun and Sterling in a team will compromise the team structure significantly. For those who already have Sterling, are you going to ignore Kun?

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

      Yup. Jesus back soon and CL etc

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

      Mine looks sound

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

        Good work climbing the rank ...

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

          Thanks, I seem to manage most years

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

      Mine is okayish...I have Kun, KdB, Sterling and Mane

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

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/19669/event/4

    Ragabolly having a stormer!

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

      Who

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

        Genius behind http://www.livefpl.net/

  28. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Looking any good?
    Just hope Guilbert play next few games

    Pope
    Digne VVD GuilbertTAA
    Salah Sterling Mount KDB
    Abraham Haller

    Subs: Button, Greenwood, Dendoncer, Rico

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

    Did Kelly go off injured? Is he cooked as an FPL asset?

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

    How do we feel CL will affect City players??

    Could argue its an easy group therefore Pep may opt to play Jesus, Gundo, Foden, Mahrez more and save the 'big boys' for the league...

    Or do we think it puts Aguero under threat and we'll see jesus and Mahrez etc more in the league

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

      Jesus and Mahrez mainly in CL I think

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

        I think this too early on in the CL