Scout Notes

Fantasy managers eye future opponents of Newcastle and Brighton

Newcastle 0-0 Brighton

Goals: None

Assist: None

Bonus Points: Mat Ryan (£4.6m) x3, Adam Webster (£4.4m) x2, Lewis Dunk (£4.6m) x1

Brighton defensive assets finally delivered on the promise of recent weeks as they kept their second clean sheet of the season at Newcastle.

The Seagulls had made some progress at the back in recent weeks and were unfortunate not to get defensive returns in the Gameweek 5 draw with Burnley.

It is therefore not surprising that they kept the clean sheet against a Newcastle side that has struggled in front of goal in 2019/20.

That said, it still took an impressive display from Mat Ryan (£4.6m) to keep the scores level as he denied Miguel Almirón (£5.9m) in the first half and made four saves.

That earned the goalkeeper all three bonus points in a game where it was hard to get in with a share of the spoils.

Ryan was the top-scoring player in Brighton’s draw at Newcastle

Manager Graham Potter continued to live up to his reputation as a tinker-man, altering the side that drew with Burnley last time out.

Having played left wing-back in Gameweek 5, Dan Burn (£4.5m) tucked back into a three-man defence alongside Lewis Dunk (£4.6m) and Adam Webster (£4.4m).

Interestingly, it was Shane Duffy (£5.0m) who dropped to the bench for this one.

Despite being deployed in a back-three, Burn still made plenty of runs down the left-hand side of the pitch and often occupied the position of a left wing-back, overlapping nicely with winger Steven Alzate (£4.5m), who was making his debut.

Burn has proved to be a viable route into the Brighton defence this season

Burn came very close to earning bonus points, looking like he would get one at full-time, but Dunk pushed him out after things were re-calculated.

Having started every single match for Brighton under Potter, Burn has certainly added himself to the list of options at his club.

However, Fantasy managers may have to wait a little while before piling in on the Seagulls’ defensive assets as their fixtures indicate rotation is probably the best policy.

The next two Gameweeks pit Brighton against Chelsea (away) and Spurs (home), which is somewhat offputting.

The Gameweek 9 and 10 fixtures of Aston Villa (away) and Everton (home) look more appealing, although it is worth saying neither of those sides has struggled in front goal as much as Newcastle have this season.

With several injuries, Aaron Mooy made his first start for Brighton

In truth, neither side created much at St James’ Park on Saturday evening in a match that was not an impressive advert for Brighton or Newcastle offensive assets.

The Seagulls may have more excuses when fending off criticism of their attack though, as Potter was somewhat restricted in his options for the game.

Leandro Trossard (£5.9m), who was arguably one of Brighton’s most exciting players in the first four matches, continues to be sidelined with a groin injury, while Solly March (£4.9m) was ruled out of Gameweek 6 with a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, Glenn Murray (£5.7m) rolled his ankle against Burnley and was declared not fit for 90 minutes.

Therefore, Potter stationed Alzate and the returning Martín Montoya (£4.5m) at wing-backs, with Aaron Mooy (£4.9m) and Pascal Groß (£6.5m) as a double-pivot of number 10s behind Neal Maupay (£6.0m).

Murray and March are currently doubtful for the EFL Cup clash with Aston Villa but could come back into the starting line-up for the visit to Chelsea and other reinforcements may be on their way in light of Potter’s latest press conference.

“Glenn rolled his ankle (on Friday) in a little contact with Bongy (Gaeten Bong). He felt that 20 minutes was the max for him but, just how the game was, I didn’t want to throw him into that and do further damage. Hopefully, that should be okay for the weekend – maybe Wednesday, we will see. Solly just had a tightness really after the game against Burnley. Hopefully, he can be ready for the weekend. Leo (Balogun) is making good progress, so is Alireza (Jahanbakhsh). We are hopeful that Berny (Bernardo) may be out on the pitch next week. We have just had a little bit of a period were it never rains but it pours. But that gives opportunities as well and you can see there is a good group.” – Graham Potter

Maupay was a busy man in front of goal at Newcastle but picked up an injury

Former Brentford centre-forward Maupay was certainly a busy man against Newcastle and continues to demonstrate some potential for the future in FPL.

He shot seven times at St James’ Park, but only one of these landed on target in a game characterised by wastefulness by both sides.

Maupay also picked up a minor injury against Newcastle and will miss the midweek EFL action.

“Neal [Maupay] had a cut on his knee, but he’ll be okay for the weekend.” – Graham Potter

A relatively long list of injury problems for Brighton could encourage Fantasy managers in possession of Chelsea options Tammy Abraham (£7.4m) and Mason Mount (£6.4m).

The former is currently the second most popular asset in the latest captain poll after scoring seven goals in the first six matches of the season.

Graham Potter may try to play possession football away at Chelsea in Gameweek 7

Also of encouragement to Abraham and Mount owners is Potter’s new style at Brighton very much centres around possession and movement of the ball.

In recent years, Chris Hughton’s version of the side was often focussed around placing 10 men behind the ball, which often restricted attacking options.

However, if Potter is hoping to play a possession-based game at Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 6, as referenced as a possibility by key midfielder Dale Stephens (£4.5m), that could play into Chelsea’s hands.

As the away side, and with Potter still relatively new to Brighton, if they play themselves into trouble, Abraham and Mount could capitalise.

“No, honestly not (I’ve not played in a system quite like this before). It’s the first time I have played in a system that probably suits me better, I would say. It probably suits the players and individuals we have at the club at the minute. Everyone is enjoying playing in a team that is dominating possession.” – Dale Stephens

“I think that might be the plan (to try to get on the ball). We will work towards the back end of the week but it is what we have done ever since the manager walked through the door.” – Dale Stephens

Andy Carroll made his first Newcastle appearance since the 2010/11 season

For now, Newcastle will continue to be seen as a side to boost the clean sheet appeal of others, as they posed very little going forward on Saturday.

Owners of Leicester, Manchester United and Chelsea defensive assets, the Magpies next three opponents will certainly be licking their lips.

Steve Bruce went with the 5-4-1 formation which featured Christian Atsu (£5.4m) and Almirón on the flank of midfield and Joelinton (£5.9m) up-front.

As per usual, the Brazilian centre-forward was left relatively isolated and Newcastle only looked more dangerous in the second half when he was given some support.

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m) came on for Almirón to add a bit of energy and drive, returning after an injury.

“I’m very happy, because it’s been a long time for me with injury. Normally, I don’t get this injury, but this happened because the Premier League is very physical and I have to adapt myself quickly. It was hard (being injured), because I trained hard to come back and everybody didn’t want this to happen again. I will work hard to be good for next week. But I’m really happy to be back – I would prefer to be back with a win, but we’ve drawn 0-0 and we have to keep going for the next game.” – Allan Saint-Maximin

Joining Saint-Maximin on the pitch was Andy Carroll (£5.4m), who replaced right-back Jetro Willems (£4.5m) to make his first Newcastle appearance since the 2010/11 season.

The forward’s determination on the ball and threat in the air complemented Saint-Maximin’s movement nicely and certainly helped turn the game slightly in the Magpies’ favour, but it proved to be too little too late in the end.

“It changed the dynamic of the game because with them coming on, especially Allan and the way he plays and what he brings to the team. It got the crowd off their feet and got them more into the game which helped us push on in the second half. We need to get all of these players fully fit because we need it. We need every single player in the squad as we’ve had a depleted squad at the start of the season with five or six injuries, especially at the top of the pitch. The fitter they can get, the more options we have and we can only be better for it.” – Isaac Hayden

“I think if you asked me after the first half, I would have bitten your hand off for a point but in the second half, we changed our style and, on another day, we could have taken three points. We had a great chance in the first half to go ahead and you never know what could have happened after that. That’s football for you and it’s about taking your chances at the top end of the pitch and if you don’t, you’re always going to pay for that in dropping points.” – Isaac Hayden

Members Analysis

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Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Willems (Carroll 82′), Dummett, Lascelles, Schär, Manquillo; Atsu, Shelvey (Ki 73′), Hayden, Almirón (Saint-Maximin 73′); Joelinton.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Ryan; Burn, Dunk, Webster; Alzate, Pröpper, D Stephens, Montoya; Mooy (Connolly 70′), Groß (Bong 81′); Maupay (Bissouma 82′).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 6:

1,196 Comments Post a Comment
  1. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This might be crazy but I'm sitting around 35k and tempted to wildcard. Mainly because I can see my squad reaching its limits and I need to make some changes before I'm unable to later. Squad below plus changes:

    Pope, Henderson
    Digne*, Zinchenko*, Matip*, Lundstram, Kelly
    Salah, KDB, Mount, Cantwell, Dendocker
    Aguero, Wilson, Jimenez*

    Looking at Jimenez, Digne, Zinchenko, Matip -> Abraham, TAA, Aurier, Rico.

    Guess the question is WC - yes or no? Thanks in advance guys.
    (P.S. FFS Scout Picks challenge is incoming with results I promise!)

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Whoops, slight mistake. Kelly also out for Otamendi.

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

      Im in a similair position. The moves look good. But im not sure myself so I dont know lol

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

      Do not take the hit.

    4. aspilcueta
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'd also be tempted to get rid of Cantwell and Wilson. And maybe even Salah. Spread the funds a bit. If you're going to WC, go hard. Maybe bring Auba in. Wildcarding to just change 3 defenders and 1 forward seems a bit sideways when clean sheets are a bit of a myth.

      I would be tempted to save it if the other option was those transfers ^^.

      1. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cantwell I think is a decent 4th choice midfielder - he brings something. Spreading the funds doesn't really help as I've learnt having Aguero, Salah and KDB. Great captain options! Not sure on getting rid of someone whose had returns every gameweek either...

        I'm more looking at bringing those defenders who will earn some points. TAA will keep assisting, Aurier is dangerous when Spurs are playing well, Otamendi for the CS and Rico for the corner set pieces.

    5. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      im just ditch digne and zinchenko first

      1. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Zinchenko might actually start this gameweek to be fair. Think it was just a rest?

        Digne out is probably worth it given the £££s on him.

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

        WC unless it is no more than -8 with your rank but do not double up on CHE IMO but keep Mount.

    6. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'm just in front at 30k and in recent weeks have moved out Dendoncks, Jota, Martial and KWP for Cantwell, Tammy, James and Otamendi. Very similar picks/set-up to me:

      Ryan
      Robbo Otamendi Trent
      Salah KdB James Grealish
      Kane Tammy Pukki

      Button Cantwell Lundstram Kelly

      Plan is/always was for CHO to come in for Grealish but the fella is taking his time getting fit!

    7. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't. Matip + Jimenez can stay for 1 more GW. WC next GW and take out Digne + Zinc out this GW

  2. mcgrejam
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Done my WC...

    Pope
    Aurier, Otamendi, Soyuncu
    Son, Salah, KDB, Mount
    Pukki, Abraham, Aguero

    Only playing subs are Rico and Lundstram - team good enough?

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Really good mate, I'm on WC and would be .8 short of that team,I think it's well balanced and u have the choice of aguero Salah captaincy

    2. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      In fact ur team is mine other than you have Aurier and aguero to my TAA and vardy

  3. F4L
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Since the start of the 2018/19 season, Everton have conceded 20 goals from set pieces, the most out of all PL teams. Bodes well for Otamendi owners

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

      It would do if they actually kicked it into the penalty area

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

        Went well for us last week tbf

      2. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        trust me I know, I was a frustrated Laporte owner for GWs 2 through to 5 watching them take ever corner short! Wonder why Pep encourages it so much, especially with the quality of KDB's delivery

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

      Digne to go all animal on City.

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

        For sure!

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

      CiTy WiLl StRuGgLe FrOm SeT pIeCeS

  4. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Which 1 for this week?

    Soyuncu (NEW)
    Tomori (BRI)

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

      Soy

    2. aspilcueta
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Tomori.

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      ideally start both. Alzate started up front for Brighton at the weekend, someone who managed 2 goals in 22 games on loan at Swindon last season. Newcastle's attack seems just as inept, Bruce has no clue what system suits them best

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        oh 1 for this GW. Soyuncu for me, at least Brighton carry some form of attacking threat, unlike Newcastle.

    4. Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'm weighing this up too. Currently leaning towards Tomori because Leicester play Liverpool the following week.

      But is Tomori likely to keep his spot?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        It doesn't matter the following week

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

          It does for me who is deciding which one to transfer in.

  5. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts Managers on this WC template:

    Pope/Button
    Otamendi, Diop, Pieters, Lundstram, Pereira
    KDB, Sterling, Son, Mount, Cantwell
    Pukki, Abraham, Firmino

    1.5 ITB with planned Firmino to Aubameyang next week.

    Thoughts?.....Big concern is i don't plan to have any Liverpool players till GW11.

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good

  6. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Those who haven't used it, when are you planning to wildcard?

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

      Was planning GW8, but I'm fairly well stocked now.

      Don't like to say it, but I'm going to retain just in case something happens to KdB.

  7. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I’m surprised Abraham and Son aren’t higher in the captaincy poll

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Why no love for Vardy?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He's in my team 🙂

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

      Tempted to get him on my WC

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He's simply not as good as the other options, despite being a kind 8.9. Leicester haven't clicked and he's blanked 4 times this season.

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

      Monitoring for From Gw 9

    5. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      after liverpool, yes

    6. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Brought him in wc mate

  9. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Tempted to ship Digne for a hit, maybe to Aurier, rest of my defence is TAA Mings Söyüncü Lundstram

    Or I could just play Cantwell lol

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Do not take a hit for a defender!

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

    Lose Emerson (injured) or Digne (poor form) for Otamendi?

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

      Always ditch the injury first.

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

    What are the chances of Ota staying at 5.5 up until the deadline?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Very low

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Slim to none

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

      thanks guyz time for a -4 to do AWB to Ota

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

    hey now, WHU is coming off three CSs and has good fixtures coming up...(thinking face)

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Meh, better options with more attacking potential. Diop is a good 4.5 though

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

      If you look at the stats they seem to have been very lucky in not conceding more - huge xGC delta in their favour.

  13. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Lamela or mount
    Soy or tomori or aurier

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mount and Aurier

  14. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play Cantwell

    or Kelly -> Tomori and play him instead for a -4.

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

      Cantwell

  15. F4L
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    For those considering Leicester assets with their fixture run, I found this comment from their fan forum very interesting about the importance of their formation, if you want to read it:

    "Games played 4-1-4-1 with Maddison in the centre with Tielemans

    Won 3-1 v Fulham - Maddison assist, Tielemans goal, Barnes assist

    Won 2-1 v Burnley - Maddison goal, Tielemans assist

    Won 2-0 v Bournemouth - Tielemans assist

    Won 4-1 v Huddersfield - Maddison and Tielemans with a goal each

    Won 3-0 v Arsenal - this was the first appearance of Maddison on the wing but thankfully when they went to 10 men we brought on Barnes at half time and Maddison resumed his role with Youri. Result? Maddison assist and Tielemans goal

    Won 3-1 v Bournemouth - the only game this season he was selected it at Tielemans scores one and assists one

    So out of 8 games we've played 4-1-4-1 we have scored 19 goals, of which Maddison has scored 2 and assisted 2 and Tielemans has scored 4 and assisted 4 I think? (got 2 further assists before 4-1-4-1 although again he was paired with Maddison in a similar system) So that's 2.4 goals a game the team has scored in this system.

    Compare that with us playing Maddison on the wing in 6 games where we have scored 3 goals, 2 of which have been assisted by Maddison and zero from Tielemans. So 0.5 goals a match collectively for the team.

    Even taking in to account the level of opposition faced against the differing systems and hopefully Rodgers at least showing he's willing to go back to 4-1-4-1 vs the dross in this division it is beggars belief how he is moving away from such a strong system for his two key creative players, Tielemans being the one who suffers the most as well as Vardy evidently being anonymous once again in the current system. Maddison's goal output is fairly poor anyway, his last goal from open play was in December last year but the work he does with Tielemans in a 4-1-4-1 for the team as a whole is essential, his assists in these games have all been from open play where as 1 of his 2 assists when he's played on the wing under Brendaball was a set piece which isnt formation dependent.

    I'm very angry. Sort it out Brendan!!!!!"

  16. Pras (FPL)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Making FF’s Hot Topic Members only is a bit desperate when the whole article is available on Twitter.

  17. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Crazy to go Sterling,Haller > Son(c),Firmino for free?

  18. jimmyabs1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play Pieters over Digne this week even if you have Pope in goal?