Scout Notes

McGinn nets for Scotland as Gundogan pulls out of Germany squad

Having looked at the bulk of Friday’s matches in our first Scout Notes of the day, we now turn our attention to three more international fixtures that were contested at the back-end of last week.

Notes from Saturday’s games will follow this evening.

Subscribers can view data on some of the matches listed below in our Members’ Area, with details available here.

Germany 2-4 The Netherlands

  • Ilkay Gundogan (£5.3m) – 29 minutes
  • Bernd Leno (£5.0m) – 0 minutes
  • Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) – 90 minutes
  • Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) – 90 minutes
  • Davy Propper (£5.0m) – 32 minutes
  • Nathan Ake (£4.9m) – 9 minutes
  • Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m) – 0 minutes

Having emerged as a 61st-minute substitute in Germany’s 4-2 home defeat to the Netherlands on Friday, Ilkay Gundogan (£5.3m) has now returned to Manchester.

Die Mannschaft reported on Sunday that Gundogan had been suffering from an illness after arriving in Belfast ahead of Monday’s meeting with Northern Ireland and has now been allowed to return to his club.

Gundogan will have a full week to recover before City take on Norwich next Saturday evening and his lack of minutes over the international break may come into Pep Guardiola’s reckoning in Gameweek 5, particularly with the league champions away at Shakhtar Donetsk the following Tuesday.

Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.5m) haven’t had the luxury of a rest, however, with both lasting the full 90 minutes in Hamburg and now set to be involved in the Euro 2020 qualifier in Estonia on Monday evening.

Van Dijk underscored his aerial threat with two headed chances, one of which was saved by Manuel Neuer and immediately preceded Jonathan Tah’s own goal to put the Dutch 2-1 in front.

Van Dijk prevented a certain goal from Timo Werner but the Netherlands certainly weren’t watertight at the back, with Germany racking up five big chances.

Wijnaldum, who tends to be afforded more attacking freedom when playing for his country, had an excellent opportunity saved but turned provider for the visitors’ third goal when teeing up Donyell Malen.

Davy Propper (£5.0m) and Nathan Ake (£4.9m) both made second-half appearances as substitutes but Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m) and Bernd Leno (£5.0m) failed to make it off the bench.

View player and team stats from Germany v the Netherlands in our Members’ Area.

Scotland 1-2 Russia

  • Andrew Robertson (£6.9m) – 90 minutes
  • Ryan Fraser (£7.3m) – 90 minutes
  • Oli McBurnie (£5.9m) – 90 minutes
  • Scott McTominay (£5.0m) – 78 minutes
  • John McGinn (£5.6m) – 62 minutes
  • Kenny McLean (£4.9m) – 28 minutes
  • Robert Snodgrass (£5.4m) – 0 minutes
  • Stuart Armstrong (£5.4m) – 0 minutes

Scotland’s chances of qualifying for next summer’s European Championship via the conventional route now look slim.

Steve Clarke’s side slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Russia on Friday evening, with six Premier League players handed minutes.

Three of that half-dozen-strong group played a part in Scotland’s early goal: Ryan Fraser‘s (£7.3m) cross being spilled by Russian goalkeeper Guilherme after the distraction of a near-post dart from Oli McBurnie (£5.9m), with John McGinn (£5.6m) firing in from six yards.

Fraser and Andrew Robertson (£6.9m) had started fairly brightly down the Scotland left but played less of a part as the game wore on and indeed both players were involved in Russia’s two goals: it was Robertson who inadvertently bundled the ball into Artem Dzyuba’s path just before half-time, while Fraser was dispossessed in the move that led to Stephen O’Donnell’s own-goal.

Robertson came in for some criticism for his performance and the Scotland captain said after full-time:

Being criticised, rightly or wrongly, it’s maybe stronger now that I’m captain. But these are things I’m made for. If people criticise me, it’s fine. I’d prefer they didn’t because it means I’ve put in a good performance – but sometimes that doesn’t always go your way.

Some games as captain I’ve not been good enough, some I have been, but that’s me to look at my own performance. That’s what I’ve looked at over the last few games.

I don’t like getting beaten anyway, but on Friday I maybe dwelled on it longer than usual. I’ve learned a lot. Good things and bad things.

Fraser, Robertson and lone striker McBurnie lasted the whole 90 minutes, while McGinn, who also faded after a bright start, was replaced by Kenny McLean (£4.9m) just after the hour-mark.

Scott McTominay (£5.0m) started the game in central midfield but Robert Snodgrass (£5.4m) and Stuart Armstrong (£5.4m) didn’t make it off the bench.

Scotland face Belgium this evening at Hampden Park in another Euro 2020 qualifier.

View player and team stats from Scotland v Russia in our Members’ Area.

Wales 2-1 Azerbaijan

  • Wayne Hennessey (£4.4m) – 90 minutes
  • Chris Mepham (£4.5m) – 90 minutes
  • Daniel James (£6.1m) – 90 minutes
  • Neil Taylor (£4.5m) – 80 minutes
  • Harry Wilson (£6.0m) – 63 minutes
  • Ben Davies (£5.5m) – 10 minutes
  • Danny Ward (£4.5m) – 0 minutes

Daniel James (£6.1m) was handed a full 90-minute run-out as Wales secured a narrow win over Euro 2020 qualifying Group E whipping boys Azerbaijan.

James looked sporadically lively down the left flank and flashed a 65th-minute shot wide, having also provided a couple of teasing crosses across the visitors’ box.

Wales’ performances were below-par all-round, however, and Ryan Giggs’ unconvincing side had to rely on a late Gareth Bale header to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020.

Harry Wilson (£6.0m) failed to make much of an impression as his set-piece deliveries fell flat, while Neil Taylor (£4.5m) – selected at left-back ahead of Ben Davies (£5.5m) – and Wayne Hennessey (£4.4m) were both culpable for Azerbaijan’s equaliser: a slip from the Villa left-back letting in goalscorer Mahir Emreli, who finished at the second attempt after a fumble from Hennessey.

Bournemouth stopper Chris Mepham (£4.5m) played the whole game at centre-half.

Wales face Belarus on Monday evening, so owners of James et al will be hoping their Fantasy assets are handed breathers for this international friendly.

Giggs said of his team selection ahead of tonight:

Everyone’s come through the other night. Some players needed games and minutes and the guys who weren’t involved have trained well. So everyone’s ready to go.

It’s constantly a juggling act. Tom Lawrence has got a game Friday, Ethan Ampadu’s not played a lot of games. Also, bring a little bit of freshness and how best we can hurt the opposition. All these things apply when you pick teams.

445 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Evening all!

    Will most prob wait for the pressers to confirm AWB and Martial but how does this look?

    AWB/Martial/Jota to Kolasinac/Mount/Haller -4
    OR
    AWB/Martial/Dendon/Jota to 4.4/Mount/Ceballos/Haller - 8 (poss WC)

    Current squad
    Button Pope
    AWB VVD Digne Zinc Lund
    Salah Sterling KDB Martial Dendonc
    Greenwood Pukki Jota

    Any thoughts and advice would be very helpful! Thanks

    Thoughts very welcome

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

      Would wait on Martial news before any moves ... if he’s available I would suggest getting rid of AWB and Jota

      1. JenkoJunko
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. Will definitely be waiting for pressers. Jota at least has to go for me.

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      team looks good. would be tempted to do zinc to ota and roll second ft

      1. JenkoJunko
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I just a bit hesitant as would like to see what Pep puts out first

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How much longer do you wait for Martial? Jota is losing value.

      How many points lost with these two holding you back? AWB flagged.

      What is you OR if I may ask?

      1. JenkoJunko
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah i agree... just stumbling a little to make the decision. Sorry what do you mean 'what is my OR'??

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Your overall rank.

          1. JenkoJunko
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            236k
            I know I should have got rid of Jota earlier as lost 0.2 on him and stats are rubbish.

            Would you have got rid of Martial and AWB straight off??

  2. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    which one would you bench from these?

    Montoya (BUR)
    Lundstram (SOU)
    Pukki (MCI)
    Ayew (tot)

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        montoya

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Montoya. Spurs defence not all that. Ayew not deadly but could surprise.

      • Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ayew

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          cheers you three, 2-1 Montoya - anyone else?

      • EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        ayew

      • SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        2-2 hopefully one of them gets a niggle, cheers all

      • Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ayew

      • Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Monty

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves without Boly. How good will Wolves defence be without him? Saiss has a knock.

      I think this is a good time to own Mount tbh.

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

        *Abraham

    3. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      In search of AWB replacements. Surely Otamendi is nailed? Is Maitland-Niles worth a look?

      1. maford14
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        MN will likely see his minutes decline swiftly if Bellerin is actually as close to returning as the rumors indicate

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I am waiting to see how City line up at the back with Laporte out and Stones still being flagged. Things could get messy.

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          will be ota and stones or ota and fernandinho. either way they minimize the amount of chances they concede through posession not by having an amazing back 4

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            There defence is not going to have a free ride all the time. They did lose matches last season.

            Laporte is a big loss. Having only one fit CB is a problem even if Fernandinho can step in.

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              stones likely to be fit this week, if not next. trio of ederson, stones, otamendi cost city £100m+. they don't need to have a "free ride all the time" to represent good value @ 5.5m.

              1. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Stones, looking at his FPL record, I would not touch him with a barge pole.

                1. EMBOLOFAN
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  his individual fpl record doesn't really matter. he's about to be as nailed as he's ever been in (arguably) the best defensive team in the leagu.

                  1. FOO FIGHTER
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    I am not convinced and won't be getting Stones to fill a spot in my defence.

    4. JenkoJunko
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on Kolasinac? Surely a regular starter now hes back and gets forward alot and they have great fixtures??

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

        Otamendi available for the same price tempts me more.

        1. JenkoJunko
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah good shout as well. However i have three City and was thinking of him as my AWB replacement?

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

            Would hold AWB over Kolasinac

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

        Also, Tierney back soon to complicate things

        1. JenkoJunko
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ahhh bugger forgotten about him! Nice one.

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

        Tierney back soon though

    5. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      G2G Save FT or Pukki to Barnes

      Pope
      TAA Zinchenko Pieters
      Salah Sterling Cantwell Mount
      Pukki Haller Kun

      Button Douglas Lundstarm Kelly

      Cheers

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why would you transfer out Pukki?

    6. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Any news on Kelly?

    7. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      We think cellabos is pretty nailed?

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        if he was he wouldnt be the price he is. but looks positive, good fixtures and better than other options in that price bracket i think

        1. Arctic_Orangutans
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I agree

          Also think pepe can definitely cover Aub if aub still wide

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            coverage is a stupid concept, auba out wide not ideal though at that price yes

    8. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Is Digne worth his 6.1m price tag still?

      Not convinced by Everton’s capability of getting clean sheets

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        That's my thinking, others will disagree. I'm modelling them now below Leicester for clean sheets so 1.6m for attacking threat which is largely assists is more marginal now... Might still deliver n not loads of other options but I'm going 3atb without him now

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          largely assists yes but hes had 6 shots (more than any other defender) and has a lethal left foot so will outperform xg. being on direct FKs helps.

          1. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            True, i know I'm in the minority n very wary I will lose ground any time he returns. I expect him to score 3... You re making me question my judgement now ha! He's still in my team but hoping for a rise before swapping for otamendi but we'll see the next few days!

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          interested to know if you model shows pereira/soyuncu as being better value than digne

          1. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Nope not on their own. Given I will already have Lundstram whatever, I feel like the soyuncu/lundstram/other 4.5m rotation vs Digne set and forget enables me 1.5m to upgrade better elsewhere. I would like him but just can't have them all.

      2. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        name a 6.1m player who will score more points than him

        1. Markus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Mount + 4m third sub defender > Digne + third sub mid for me, but can see arguments both ways. Otamendi will score more than him over next period imo.

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            mount combo has a higher ceiling but also a reasonable chance he goes a few games without doing anything and loses his place. i like mount and think it's close. agree about ota but digne doesn't take up a city spot!

            1. Markus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I guess my gut feel is that Digne won't score more than 150 (but close to it), and there will be a 6.5m mid that will score more than 150 because there is almost every year - could be lanzini, could be redmond, could be Ceballos, could be mount, but with 4 mid spots taken by what I see as either excellent value or captain material, I want one left for mount currently or whoever else emerged, hence 352.

      3. JohnBlack
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yay

      4. MTPockets
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'm not convinced either. Problem is his attacking threat and ownership but think I'll continue to go without for now

        • gergin
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Digne will be top3 defender in points chart at the end of season with easy. You decide if it is enough for 6.1m.

        • SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          looks like I'll probably have Ota and Matip over him - think there is a realistic chance they outscore him anyway, unless Everton suddenly get better

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Matip is such a good shout. I am thinking going VVD to Matip. I have TAA. Over a mil to spend elswhere.

            Feels wrong getting rid of VVD though.

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I'm eyeing up VVD -> Ota after this week, and then Montoya -> Matip the week after, works perfectly with the fixtures but we'll see

              1. EMBOLOFAN
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                keen to do similar but never seem to be able to get round to it. nice thing about CBs who are arguably an occasional rotation risk is that they're not likely to be subbed on when they don't play.

                1. SADIO SANÉ
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  yep, you could probably say the same about Zinchenko too - most of those 5.5s will either get 90 or 0 and there are some good bench options knocking about this year

          2. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            How many games do you reckon Matip will get? I don't like having high rotation players, but doubling up with TAA at least means one will always play

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              most of them I'd say but of course we don't know - wouldn't surprise me if Gomez plays CL/cup games at RB and CB giving the other two rest every other week

        • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah I think he’s worth it & then some

          For non owners it’s a bit like leaving the gas on in the house - it might seem ok at the minute, but sooner or later it’s going to go BOOM in a very bad way

          He can pop up with 17 points in pretty much any fixture bar top 4 away

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            If you keep waiting for that BOOM Gameweek and in that process get 2 points every week ( in some weeks maybe 6+) , while others say matip and Otamendi get you consistent points, waiting becomes a bad idea

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Na, that’s dremland tbf - Digne on 2 points per week? Are we talking about the same player?

              He’s already on 23 from 4 games and 107 points from 22 games in 2019 - he’s only just getting settled into the league too...

              Is that gas I smell?? 😉

          2. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            The probability suggests Hlhe will be very unlikely to score 17. Most of the time he will score 2, a quarter of the time he will keep a clean sheet, 20% of the time he will get an attacking return.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Wow

              9 cs for Everton - how have you modelled that? Bournemouth and Cardiff did better last time out!!!!

              1. EMBOLOFAN
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                they were very lucky to get that many CS. think 9 is a conservative but fair estimate for everton. i'm modelling 10

              2. Markus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                I'm modelling 10.5. If they perform as per this season vs similar difficulties they would do worse than that but I've given them benefit of doubt from last year. Percentages approximate.

            2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Of course he’s very unlikely to score 17 in every game - but he’s capable of it in any game bar top 4 away is the point

              The guy is FPL Royalty in the making

              Honestly, if you don’t have him in your team you don’t understand FPL imvho

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

                Wow. What doesn't understanding FPL entail exactly?

          3. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Top 4?

            Who are they? United Chelsea Arsenal are all very suspect defensively. They may show as red defensively but that feels a historical accident right now.

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I think there is a top 2. Then spurs. Then another 3 (of which arsenal seem best places but not defensively). Gap between Liverpool city and the others is bigger than the others and Leicester wolves Everton etc

              1. EMBOLOFAN
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                you watched spurs this year? agree with the last point for sure

                1. zotter
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Son is back now and Eriksen sorted for the time being. Should help. I think their biggest problem is alli and Kane form has dropped relatively over past 18 months

            2. Markus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yes but all of top 6 will score against Everton so he won't get 17 points.

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Who are the top 6 then?

                United? Chelsea? Don’t see it myself. No fan of Everton but I’d certainly have them equal to those two. And well Everton home against top 6 was great last time out - were still to see that undermined.

            3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah that’s probably fairer - he guy can haul in literally any fixture bar city & Liverpool, and even v them he can pop in a DFK, an assist etc

              Carlsberg don’t do FPL players, but if they did, they would do Lucas Digne 😉

      5. Champions united
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Who to go out first
        king + martial
        Or
        Fraser+martial

        1. mdm
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          King and Fraser

      6. FPL Maldini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Could someone shed some light on this Cantwell lad please?

        His stats suggest he has started but I’m cautious

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          5th midfielder if you play 2 up top. Bench if you play midfield 4.

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          norwich fans expected him to be loaned out this season. some think they have a real player on their hands, others not sure, despite his flying start. personally i expect him to revert back to the sort of numbers he returned last year (which weren't great). unpopular view but i still think dendoncker can outscore him over the course of the season. watched a lot of wolves back end of last season and he had a lot of good chances.

          1. FPL Maldini
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Interesting, thanks for the reply

          2. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Interesting. Only issue is the rotation risk with doncker though

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              depends how things go in the europea league yeah. i think he's pretty solidly first choice now and an important player in their team

          3. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Nice one but donk hasn't prove himself as an fpl asset. Even if it's too early I think Cantwell has more potential. If he won't deliver you can jump to donk but for the moment Cantwell seems to be the real deal with his teammate injury (forgot his name)

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Hernandez

      7. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A. Pukki & Mcginn
        B. Haller & Cellabos

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          B

          1. Arctic_Orangutans
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Ty leaning towards

      8. zotter
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Is ayew and cantwell ok if I have a back five of Trent ota digne soy and Lund (ie four options most weeks)

        1. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          If you have 13-14 players that can play then it's fine.
          I am planning to play Cantwell most of the games.
          If he was at 6.5 we would have been talking about him as a 4th not a 5th midfielder

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Think my main question is whether Ayew fairly nailed. Not too sure. And will be a problem if he loses his spot given no options until 5.9

            1. Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              True, but of he wont then you can downgrade him to a 4.5 and upgrade elsewhere

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-ayew/leistungsdaten/spieler/108354/plus/1?saison=ges

          not a pretty sight. i'd rather have fodder with money itb

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I like the #9 shirt though !

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              yes and good hair. there are pros and cons

      9. Wensink
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Should we expect price rises before Friday? I want to bring in KDB this week but only after all international matches have been played.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah.

      10. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting that Otamendi actually collected 9 CS in 13 starts last year, despite his reputation as being ‘awful’

        That being said... I’m not sure a defence of Walker, Stones, Ota, Zinchenko will keep as many CS as with Laporte

        With Laporte they’re a 15-20 CS per year side... without him, I’d say maybe a 10-12 CS per year side

        Still probably one CS in every 3 or 4 games mind you, plus any attacking returns. Great fixtures too... but champions league will dilute those a bit I reckon

        1. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Bottom line?

          To otamendi or not to otamendi?

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I am

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              And over Zinch imo

          2. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Follow your gut

            1. Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              And don't overthink it?

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Yup.

                The more we go into details, the more we will overthink whether to Otamendi or not to Otamendi.

                It's not like he is an average defender. He is a good defender. We all know that .

        2. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Otamendi was the first name in my WC team. Absolute bargain.

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            "One CS every 3 or 4 games". LOL.

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Just because he says so, even though the stats he uses say otherwise

        3. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          thinking a side who keep the ball as much as city are a 10CS a year side without laporte is absolutely insane. ota LCB (first choice for argentina) with stones RCB (first choice for england) allows both players to play in their favoured position. considering them as a trio with ederson, £100m+ spent.

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            saying this as a non-owner

          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            When the champions league kicks in and rotation bites, city will concede goals - and they will concede more goals without Laporte than would with him - will it be 10, will it be 12, will it be 15 CS - all up in he air 😉

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              rotating ota and stones is not likely to be neccessary

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Everyone around them an din front of them will rotate though

                1. SADIO SANÉ
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  what's your team ID?

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    What in the name of Sweet Baby Jeebus has that got to do with Otamendi?

                    1. SADIO SANÉ
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      this was your most recent post at the time, what is it?

                2. EMBOLOFAN
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  which would have been the case regardless of laporte injury

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Correct - combined with missing their best centre half it really will be a challenge for them to maintain that defensive output

                3. EMBOLOFAN
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  are you avoiding defenders from teams playing in europe? good luck with that

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Such sensitivity in what was a civilised discussion about an intriguing defensive prospect - are you related to Otamendi by any chance 😉

                    1. EMBOLOFAN
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      genuinely interested to know your answer. spurs, liverpool, chelsea, united, arsenal and wolves are likely to have the same problem no?

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        I wouldn’t put an arsenal defender in my team if you paid me, and wolves are priced too rich for my blood

                        If Allison gets back anytime soon Liverpool’s defenders should be far superior options

                        Man Utd are statistically good defensively but are not actualising any of that goodness at the minute

                        1. EMBOLOFAN
                          • 5 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          will liverpool not suffer from the same rotation as city? mid 3 are interchangable, matip/lovren/gomez presumably need to play sometimes

                          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            Can’t see VVD or Robbo being rotated, can you? Did rotation impact TAA’s ability to score last season?

        4. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Laporte isn’t that significant for city’s defensive capabilities. It’s not like they suddenly don’t keep possession of the ball all game because he isn’t playing. That is the real reason they keep CSs. Not Laporte watching the game from CB instead of Ota

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            This. Not even convinced how good an actual defender Laporte is. France manager isn’t convinced !

            1. No Professionals
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah he's pretty good

          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            After Ederson Laporte is City’s most important defensive player, to say he scored not important to them defensively is bananas

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Otamendi is his replacement not Lovren ffs. Nothing much changes as city are a team that rarely have to defend over 90 mins.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Otamendi is an inferior centreback to Laporte - there’s not debate there

                Inferior player + champions league + rotation = ??

              2. Cok3y5murf
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Otamendi has been error-prone every game. Have people been watching? Gave away a sitter to Bournemouth who bottled it, made an error vs Brighton where Fernandinho came to the rescue. Highly doubt an Ota + Stones partnership would keep many cleanies.

                1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I think this is the crux of it - they’re well capable of keeping cleansheets of course, but over time, the lack of Laporte will tell

                  In the short term the fixtures are good though so it’s definitely a move with limited downside - city when they put their minds to it can concede goals with th best of them though

                  See GW11 - GW25 last year - 2 CS in 14 games

            2. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              city press from front and ability to retain possession through whoever is playing holding mid more important to their defensive record than any individual player in back 5

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                City’s press from the front saw them keep 2 CS in 14 GW’s from GW11 to GW25 last season

                With no Laporte, champions league, and the inevitable rotation, they are quite likely to concede more goals unfortunately

                It’s not a forgone conclusion that this makes Otamendi a bad pick though, not by any stretch - he’s had some very prolific attacking seasons in years gone by and city are obviously still going to restrict teams to small amounts of chances

                1. EMBOLOFAN
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  they conceded fewest shots in the league in that period, both inside and outside of box. sometimes they just go in and you have to ride out the variance.

                  1. EMBOLOFAN
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    i to some degree can see the angle you're coming from but otamendi is literally 5.4m right now

                    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Yep, at that price there’s probably not a lot of downside tbf - the overall package is quite good all things considered

                      I just wouldn’t be suprised to see City go on and keep 1 or 2 CS in their next 5 or 6

                      But then nothing in FPL surprises me anymore so the inverse could equally transpire

                      1. EMBOLOFAN
                        • 5 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        who are the alternatives @ 5.4?

                        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                          • 14 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          There are alternatives at every price point, no one is mutually exclusI’ve unless you’ve got three from a club 😉

                          1. EMBOLOFAN
                            • 5 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            so who

                          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            All depends on the rest of the team

                          3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            And as pointed out, Otamendi may not be a bad choice - Laporte injury probably clears the way for regular starts (as long as Pep doesn’t follow through on his threat to play Fernandinho CB)

                            But equally Laporte injury probably clears the way for less clean sheets... and city may concede goals with champions league returning, rotation kicking in, and particularly if they recapture their defensive output from GW11 - GW25 last season

                            All should be very interesting 😉

        5. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          'Interesting that Otamendi actually collected 9 CS in 13 starts last year'

          'With Laporte they’re a 15-20 CS per year side... without him, I’d say maybe a 10-12 CS per year side'

          pardon

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            oh yeah Stones is terrible, never mind

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah Stones to date in his career has always got that little mistake/bit of shakiness to partner his obvious talent on the ball

              If he can get rid of that he’d be quite the centre half

      11. zotter
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A. Mings. Doncker. Pukki
        B. Cathcart. Cantwell. Pukki
        C. Digne. Cantwell. Ayew

        All on a WC

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          B

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Actually C.

        2. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Start with b and if things go wrong for Pukki you can get digne

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            But Everton have better near term fixtures than Norwich ? My main issue is Ayew being dropped

            1. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Don't think he'll be dropped. He is in good form

        3. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          C

        4. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          A with cantwell

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Can’t afford. Difficult to find funds elsewhere. Unless James to ceballos

            1. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Guendouzi?

            2. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              personally prefer ceballos to james and has the fixtures for now

        5. gergin
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          easy C

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks. That’s what I’m on

        6. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          a but not sure mings is your best option

      12. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Adrian
        AWB Digne Zin
        Mane Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
        Aub Pukki

        Lund Kelly Greenwood

        How Wud u improve this team's balance?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I wouldn't. I don't pay attention to balance.

        2. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Balance is fine. Just some of the individual players

          No point getting Adrian with Alisson back very soon (but assume you are factoring that in?)

          Get another defender not awb. Perhaps 4.5 and upgrade greenwood to Ayew. Gives you rotation options with cantwell

          On balance don’t like sacrifices you are making to get Auba

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Alisson looks to be out for a good while yet.

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Based on ??

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Based on no return date.

          2. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Which 4.5 defender would you prefer? And do u think Kane would be a better choice than auba?

        3. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          even considering arsenals fixtures, if aubas out wide he's going to irritate you

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Should I get Kane in place of Aub?

      13. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Which front 7 is more appealing for the WC?

        a) Mane -- Cantwell -- Son -- Sterling -- KDB
        Haller -- Barnes

        b) Mane -- McGinn-- Eriksen-- Sterling -- KDB
        Haller -- Barnes

        c) KDB -- Sterling -- Mane -- Cantwell -- McGinn
        Kane -- Haller

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Mane is in all of the above xx
          B for me but would rather James for mcginn

        2. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          C

        3. King Sheep
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'd go A, I think Son on form is up there with Salah, Sterling, Mane, KDB etc, when he hits form people will jump on him.

      14. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Pope
        VVD Laporte* Digne Lundstram
        Salah Sterling Mount McGinn
        Aguero Pukki

        Button Greenwood Kelly Cantwell

        Laporte to otamendi then good to go?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          VvD or Robertson

          1. No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Already have VVD

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Ooops, I meant TAA, but either way...

        2. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Can you afford trent

          1. No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            No, laporte to otamendi frees means I'd have 1.2m itb, so could look at other moves next week.

            1. King Sheep
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yup, get Ota in.

      15. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Tielmens and Dunkin donuts start for belgium today

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          that's why they're ranked the number 1 side in international football

      16. cpfc1905
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Which 3?
        A) Otamendi, KDB, Lanzini
        B) Zouma, Sterling, Dendoncker

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          A if comparing directly

          1. cpfc1905
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks. Current WC team:
            Pope/Button
            Matip/Otamendi/Lund/Kiko/Guilbert
            Salah/KDB/James/Lanz/Mount
            Kun/Abraham/Barnes

            Wondering whether to replace Ota/KDB/Lanz with Zou/Sterling/Dend?

            1. King Sheep
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              A

      17. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        For some reason I physically can't let myself not own a Spurs asset as my gut is SCREAMING that they will come good when Ndembele is going to improve them massively, so which one do I choose?

        a) Kane

        b) Eriksen

        c) Son

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          C

        2. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          C is the one I will go for if I can figure out a way to squeeze him in without losing Salah Sterling KDB (for now). Or if one of them gets injured ofc

          1. King Sheep
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            c

      18. puhd
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why is no one captaining Kane?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Someone is.

        2. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Salah, sterling, mane, aguero.

        3. Goat
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Newcastle game in recent memory. Also sold him

      19. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Jeez what a sorry lineup from Scotland. Fraser McBurnie McGinn Forrest all on the bench.

        Eek. Asking for a drubbing that was already coming. Please keep it somewhat respectable.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          They get whooped whether they play or not it’s a shame with the right manager they would be really competitive I think

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Could be. They do have some talent, can just never seem to pull it together.

            Far cry from the days of Dalglish and his like though

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Think about talent they had during 80s wow

              Dalglish. McCoist. Souness. Hansen. Wark. Durie. Nevin. Collins. McStay. Aitken. Strachan. Goram. McAvennie. Off top of my head....

              1. zotter
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Forgot Gary Mac

      20. mrtapio
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Heard that Martial is dropping tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Inside info?

        2. mrtapio
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Got an email

      21. dshv
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah or Sterling captain choice? reason??

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Coin toss. Both look good options this week. Can definitely go either way.

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          never sure how much to read into home/away records but sterling tends not to be as involved away from home. newcastle have no good options at left back and even ritchie is injured

          1. Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            20, 8 pts in GW1 and GW3 respectively

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              This but having said that would captain salah anyway

            2. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              unaware of any major changes to sterlings role at city, or to the way they're set up in general, so more interested in the bigger sample size as opposed to the most immediately recent

              1. zotter
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Very valid point...

              2. EMBOLOFAN
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                last season, sterling 12g 6a at home. 5g 4a away from home. suspect some of this is just variance but not sure how much.

              3. Cok3y5murf
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Away won't matter when they're facing dross like Norwich who play attacking football against every team and will be hit on the counter.

                1. EMBOLOFAN
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  seemed to matter last season. not saying there aren't arguments in favour of sterling, such as norwich having conceded most chances in the league so far. i seem to recall sterling being rested in the first game immediately following international break last year, which is another factor

        3. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Salah. Just feels right.

          1. King Sheep
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Pickem

      22. Old and Slow
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Martial+AWB -> James+TAA? It would cost me 4 points... Torn between Martial's potential (unrealized over last few years due to injury) vs TAA without Allison helping keep clean sheets...

        Other option to do neither and wait a week, but I'll miss TAA at home vs Newcastle, and still waiting to see if Martial will play... Any reason to trust James' phenomenal shots and SoT can maintain?

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I would do it. Adrian good enougj for this weekend at least. James is returning goals too

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

          Do it

          1. Old and Slow
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks

        3. mrtapio
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Go

      23. WVA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah has gone from +96 to -13 on FPL statistics!?

        1. MTPockets
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Could drop tomorrow at that rate...

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

              Mane close to rising too

              1. MTPockets
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  It's +13 and seems to be model adjustment: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/20807971
                  But still quite a change

          • Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            KdB assist

          • Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Lukaku G
            KDB A