Scout Notes

Connolly set for bandwagon as Brighton end interest in Spurs

Brighton 3-0 Spurs

Goals: Aaron Connolly x 2 (£4.5m), Neal Maupay (£6.0m),

Assists: Lewis Dunk (£4.6m)

Bonus: Connolly x3, Dunk x2, Maupay x1

Just when Tottenham’s season appeared to have reached its lowest point, Brighton plunged Mauricio Pochettino’s men into further despair with a 3-0 win on Saturday afternoon.

Such a devastating result, so soon after 7-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich, may have all but ended Fantasy interest in Spurs’ assets moving forward.

However, we should take nothing away from Brighton who were comfortably the better side and will almost certainly be the source of Fantasy investment the other side of the upcoming international break.

The Seagulls have three more favourable fixtures on the horizon with a trip to Aston Villa in Gameweek 9 before Everton and Norwich visit the Amex Stadium.

Maupay scored Brighton’s first goal of the afternoon

Graham Potter’s side were quicker, sharper and hungrier than last season’s Champions League finalists with Neal Maupay (£6.0m) and budget striker Aaron Connolly (£4.5m), making his first Premier League start, both impressing.

However, it must be said that the game turned on an unfortunate chain of events in the opening minutes, which Spurs never really came back from.

Another huge error from Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) was pounced upon by Maupay who, after the goalkeeper had dropped an easy catch, only had to head the ball over the line from less than a yard out.

The Frenchman had to be stretchered off the pitch with a potential broken arm suffered in the awkward landing and needed to take on oxygen, and later morphine, before going to A&E.

Lloris did serious damage to his arm in conceding Brighton’s opening goal

Pochettino confirmed in his post-match comments that Lloris’ injury is potentially a serious blow. 

“He’s in the hospital now. I think the club is going to communicate the problem but it’s not good news. We need to wait on communication because he suffered a big problem in the arm.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Although Spurs currently do not look like a team worthy of defensive investment, the potential emergence of Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.4m) as a starting option in a typically top-six Premier League side will be worth monitoring for managers looking to save money at the back.

Meanwhile, Maupay’s opening strike was his third league goal of the season, and although his opener in the lunch-time kick-off was fortunate, his positioning and desire to attack the final third mean the Frenchman is well and truly on the Fantasy radar.

Connolly was the star performer for Brighton on Saturday afternoon

However, this was an afternoon that belonged to youngster Connolly, whose exciting movement led to him grabbing his first and second Premier League goals in one afternoon.

Connolly was exceptional at the Amex, with the addition of three bonus points taking the £4.5m striker to a 13-point haul. The Irishman’s first of the afternoon was a well-taken flick after Gazzaniga had saved his initial shot.

His second goal demonstrated the striker’s raw ability as he charged through the Tottenham defence and curled a beautiful shot past the reach of the Spurs keeper. Playing an excellent ball out of defence, Lewis Dunk (£4.6m) registered the assist, ensuring the Brighton captain recorded a 10-point haul once the clean sheet had been banked.

It would be difficult for Potter to resist starting the 19-year-old again after such a sensational full league debut, although he is well-known for tinkering with his team from week-to-week.

Either way, Connolly’s manager was certainly full of praise after such an impressive full debut. The player did appear to come off injured at the end of the game but it did not look serious and should not prevent the youngster from being involved after the international break. 

“He’s been knocking on the door, to be honest. He’s had some substitute appearances and been unlucky not to score. He just gives us an extra dimension as I said before the game. Obviously, I’m delighted we’ve got him with us. He took his goals well, the second one was a good piece of attacking play.” – Graham Potter

Lewis Dunk got himself a 10-point haul against Spurs

This was a strong team performance from Brighton, both offensively and defensively, that will give huge faith to those managers in ownership of their assets.

However, there can be no doubting that Pochettino’s side were bordering on dismal in their performance on the south coast and certainly aided Brighton’s cause.

Kane barely had a sniff against Brighton

While Spurs have had a number of poor results over the last few weeks – namely their 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in mid-week – this was a game that compounded the pressure on the manager and players alike.

Pochettino’s side were sluggish from the outset at the Amex, and the injury to Lloris seemed to set the tone for their performance in the lunch-time kick-off. 

“To concede and lose your captain is a massive impact on not just emotionally but for the team as well. He is an important player for us as well. We tried to find a solution, a different way to play. It was impossible. We are in a difficult moment but we have to keep going.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Although the likes of Son Heung-min (£9.8m) and Harry Kane (£11.0m) possess unquestionable goalscoring potential, this is a Spurs side in a state of fragmentation who are seemingly lacking any form of coherence and confidence.

Pochettino did attempt to salvage a result from the game, with the Argentinian making changes to both Tottenham’s tactics and personnel after half-time.

Pochettino tried to get back into the game with a back-three but it did not make a difference

Harry Winks (£5.4m) came on for Tanguy Ndombele (£6.0m), with Spurs also switching to a back-three of Eric Dier (£4.9m) Jan Vertonghen (£5.3m) and Toby Alderweireld (£5.5m). Ben Davies (£5.4m) and Moussa Sissoko (£5.0m) pushed further forward to assist in the final third as wing-backs.

This was, however, all in vain, as Connolly’s second put the game out of reach and Spurs were left to rue yet another disappointing result in the Premier League. 

A one-match suspension for Serge Aurier (£4.9m) had led to Pochettino using Sissoko at right-back, but this was a game that pointed to wider issues in this Tottenham team that are deeper-rooted than individual performances or suspensions. 

By contrast, this was a result that had seemingly evaded Brighton since the opening weekend victory over Watford, despite some decent performances in that time.

After such a clinical performance from Connolly in particular, Fantasy interest could once again be gravitating towards the Amex if Potter’s side can maintain their momentum after such an impressive victory – and he can stick with the same personnel from one week to the next.

Members Analysis

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Lessons learned from Gameweek 8

661 Comments Post a Comment
  1. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Reasonable??..

    Pukki+Son➡️Auba+Tieleman

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      Will Aubameyang perform the same when Lacazette is back?

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yes, he gets even better

    3. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I dunno. Tielemens just seems a bit of a nothing player at that price. Little greater potential and not a budget enabler. Don't like

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tielemans is not an FPL option rn

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't do Son for Tielemans.

      I actually got him as a differential and shipped him out the following GW.

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

        Yeah, can't afford Maddison unfortunately

  2. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1FT, 0.8ITB

    If no injuries in team:

    A) Salah to Son, KDB or Maddi?
    B) Auba to Vardy
    C) Save

    Next GW Team:

    Pope
    TAA VVD Ota Guilbert Rico
    Sterling Mount Salah
    Abraham Auba

    Subs: Button, Yarmo, Greenwood, Dendonker

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      why would you get rid of Auba? he looks like the best forward in the game currently

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Only a single gw transfer really... you know what Vardy does at home vs lower teams 🙂

        But I guess it aint worth it only for a Single gw

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any of these moves look like the one for me with 2FT?

    A) Pukki, Haller, Cantwell > Vardy, (Connolly), Yarmolenko (-4)
    B) Salah, Pukki > Auba, Maddison (free)
    C) Salah, Pukki, VVD > Auba, Maddison, TAA (-4)
    D) Salah, Pukki, Haller > Auba, Wilson, Maddison (-4)
    E) Salah, Pukki, Haller, VVD > Auba, Wilson, Maddison, TAA (-8)
    F) Just WC now in IB

    2FT 0.2itb
    Heaton
    VVD*, Ota, Soy, Lunds, Rico
    Salah*, Sterling, KDB, Mount, Cantwell
    Pukki*, Haller*, Abraham

    Thanks in advance for the wise words!

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B looks good. Thinking about the same moves myself.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Losing Salah makes me feel a bit sick tho!

      2. Sum Mcguy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B seems the obvious choice for me

  4. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    what do you think of the WC?

    pope heaton
    Tierney TAA lund frederick rico
    mane sterling kdb mount hud-odoi
    abraham vardy connolly

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would wait for Tierney to start a game

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        he had already started in a cup game and in the europa. He will be a great option after IB

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Not started a game in PL. Unfortunately FPL doesn't award points for EL and cup games. Wait till he starts a game imo and don't trust emery, he could keep starting with kolasinac

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Well done for stating the obvious. My answer was on the game time he has bad under his belt

            1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Nothing obvious for you in what I stated, since you have Tierney on WC

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Why not bellerin then?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I feel tierney has more attacking potential than bellerin

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Hasn't started a PL game though

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Haven't seen much of Tierney but bellerin is proven in prem at least

        2. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Punty

        3. Sum Mcguy
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah can’t really fault it apart from Tierney. Will he start? How long will he stay fit for?

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Why would he get injured?

      • Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is Maddison actually worth a punt?

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

          Not for me, always so close but always fail to deliver big points.

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

            Yeah - I have always thought that about him.
            I may just get 1 of Leicester’s defenders to cover.?

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

              I got vardy and soynucu last week on my wc.
              I am pretty happy with those 2 for this run of fixtures.

              Brendan is a great character

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          no, hudson-odoi is a better punt imo

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

            Really? Will he continue to start?

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I think so. Lampard loves playing young English players. Probably will play on the left and shift mount in the #10 behind abraham

          2. ‘Tis the Season
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            who do you think wil ge tmore game though, Mount of Hudson-Odoi?

        3. Beatle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'm bringing him in

      • WVA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Think we are all a bit stuck on what to do! I've got 2 FT, 1.7 ITB and no idea? Hopefully we'll know more after today.

        Pope
        TAA VVD Otamendi Soyunca
        Mane KDB Mount
        Aguero Abraham Pukki
        Button Lundstram Geundouzi Dendonker

        1. Bird Raymond
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Auba and Vardy for Aguero and Pukki?

      • De Gea Van Dijk. 10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Big day in fantasy land.

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

          What's your expectations pal?

          1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Rahrez start and Auba delivery will make my day.

            Wbu ?

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

              Mahrez (C) to overscore Sterling (owner) and Auba Blank

      • S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sterling EO?

        1. jomikijiq
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          60,74 in the top10k

        2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          60.74%

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Damn a Wolves upset today will result in FPL meltdown.

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          0-0 draw and Sterling no show would be just perfect

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I don't mind a no show at all. Mane (VC)

        2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          you mean a Mancity upset

        3. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Hoping for as much as possible from Sterling(c) with Otamendi CS. Worried about Kun and Mahrez though (if he starts)

      • De Gea Van Dijk. 10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Will be going Wilson over Vardy regardless of fixtures.

        Double down Bournemouth forwards

        Citeh Milfs and Mane is plan.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Milfs lol

      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Your predictions for Everton-Wham and Leicester-Burnley?

      • Beinahruga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Salah and pukki -> mahrez and auba -4

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

        Vardy xGI delta 3.16
        Madisson xGI delta 0.72

      • thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        WC active.

        How’s this looking for an effort?

        ....... Ryan - Button
        TAA - Ota - Soy - Lundy - Rico
        Sterling - Mahrez - Yarmy - Mount
        .....Auba - Vardy - Abraham

        Got exact funds left for Mahrez > KDB, which I may end up locking in before next GW if Pep tells us KDB is back for sure.

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Oops... Dendonker in there too as perma 3rd sub

          1. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Pretty much identical to mine but I have mcginn as can't afford yarmo

            You comfortable with no lpool attack?

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Re Salah, if I go Mane then not much I can do with the 0.9. I am also going double up on Robbo and TAA. I do not want to rip up my team to fit Salah back in again so just going to stick with him.

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          LOL this again. all it takes it 2 FTS for anything.

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

          If you haven't done it yet I would say stick with Salah. He will come good no doubt.
          You will always find a way to spend your 0.9, maybe not now but for sure the weeks after

        3. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Not sure you need double Pool DF. I’ve had since GW1 & it’s not done me much good

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            He has LFC and Salah Bias

          2. Londongeezaa
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I ditched double pool defence in GW4. Wasn’t working.

      • tissae
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A. Salah + Pukki + Cantwell --> Mane + Vardy + Cantwell
        B. Salah + Pukki + Cantwell --> Mane + C.Wilson + Maddison

      • jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Watched the Villa game and they were very impressive, certainly compared to Norwich...with McGinn, Hourihane and Grealish they have a midfield that rivals or betters a few top 6 candidates! And what a strike from Luiz...superb!

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          They did play well, Mings had a strong game as well. But Norwich were a car crash.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Despite his error, Mings is an excellent defender...good business that by Villa

            1. badgerboy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah he's been really good. Wonder if having John Terry there as a coach has brought him on. Thought he was an odd player to bring in over the summer but looks like a solid bit of business.

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Not a fan of Terry but no doubt he's improving Mings on a daily basis imo

        2. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Wouldn’t read too much into it. Norwich were abysmal!

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            yeah, they were very bad but Villa were good no doubt about that!

      • jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Kane + Son...keep for Watford then ship?

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Son has gone for me, as would Kane have if I owned him... but I’m on WC, so easy transfers to make to be fair

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            yeah, I also have Barnes, Pukki, Cantwell, Pieters and PVA to consider on top of my Spurs misfits! Wouldn't mind a WC lol

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              might take a -8 before deadline!

      • HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Why are people selling Son before Warford at home? ...

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Recent result plus a trip to Korea during the international break could have something to do with it.

        2. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          something really really rotten in that Spurs camp...I was convinced it was just a blip and that they'd bounce back at Brighton but I was very wrong!

          1. badgerboy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Maybe everyone is having a go on Eriksen's wife!

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              lol

      • Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Finally Auba has made an appearance on the first page of fplstatistics

        1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          0.1 on the horizon.

          What a world we live in.

      • @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Think I've settled on keeping Salah, what I need to get out of is the old way of thinking in perma capping him, that's what's hindering me more than anything

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            poor man's Mane

        • Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          How many hits has everyone taken so far? I have taken two (-8).

          1. Londongeezaa
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            None all season but eyeing up a -12 to ship out Pukki and Cantwell.

          2. Gringo Kid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            None, tempting to pull the trigger

        • Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Izzy Adesanya. The next face of the UFC

        • mirza88
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Hey everyone, this is my current lineup, what do you think I should do.

          2FT, 0.2 ITB
          Pope, Heaton
          TAA, Rico, Pieters, Tomori, Lundstram
          Mane, KDB, Mount, Cantwell, Son
          Auba, Pukki, Abraham

          A. Pukki + Cantwell -->> Connolly + Maddison (0.2 ITB)
          B. Pukki + Son -->> Connolly + Sterling (0.2 ITB)
          Crazy Punt C. Pukki + Son + Tomori -->> Vardy + Hudson-Odoi + Pereira (-4 hit with 0.2 still ITB)

          Thanks

          1. Gringo Kid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            B

        • Londongeezaa
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I’ve found Salah not hitting the mark has opened up fantasy football.

          Made it far more interesting.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            two season wonder no doubt...Mane's sulky little brother these days 😉

        • Gringo Kid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Poll

          A) AWB and Wickham to Tomori and King -4
          B) Pukki to Callum Wilson for free

        • jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          After watching Mane today, I just had to bring him in!
          ...plus he's up against two bottom half teams in his next two fixtures!

          1. Londongeezaa
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I see what you done there

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Hardcore MUN fan for my sins, so have to poke fun at my team, but tbh Arsenal and Spurs aren't much better! Leicester look a much better team than all of them this season!

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

                I’m hardcore Utd until I die too through and through and enjoyed what you did.

        • De Gea Van Dijk. 10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Me Bench is awash with pointage.

          Flipping a lid here.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            haha, this is the first season that I have a strong playing bench and it has been a bit annoying if I'm honest! Nothing beats being guaranteed zeros on the bench 😉

          2. Londongeezaa
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            PvA on my bench, it’s killing me. Need a Zinco no show.

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I think I'll hold PVA now despite his poor upcoming fix!

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                ...and more importantly why did you bench him?!?!

                1. Londongeezaa
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  I had Lundstram and TAA. Lundstram did deliver.

                  Mistake I made was giving Cantwell one last shot.

        • tarantulalf
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Hey guys.
          I am new to this fpl and need some advice!
          Currently i have two FT and 1.2 ITB.

          Pope Woodman
          VVD Otamendi Tomori Digne Rico
          Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
          Pukki Haller Greenwood

          I am not sure if i should WC to change my defence and do small changes elsewhere? I would like to bring in either or both TAA and Robbo. Swap Salahand maybe Pukki to something better. But dont know who.
          Any advice would be appreciated!

          Also i am writhing all this with my eyes using an eyetracker so dont scroll past 😀 Takes forever!