Scout Notes

Spurs assets continue decline as Watford show more improvement

Spurs 1-1 Watford

Goals: Dele Alli (£8.4m) | Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.7m)

Assists: Daryl Janmaat (£4.3m)

Bonus Points: Janmaat x3, Doucouré x2, Alli x1

Interest in Spurs assets continues to understandably decline as they failed to get back to winning ways in Gameweek 9 and a benched Son Heung-min (£9.7m) featured only in the second half.

A home meeting with a struggling Watford side was the perfect fixture to exorcise the demons of a 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich and the 3-0 loss at Brighton – but Mauricio Pochettino’s men were still lacking at both ends of the pitch.

It does appear as if Spurs’ defence is a big part of the problem as they conceded within the first six minutes of the match.

“The performance wasn’t great. It wasn’t great, but again when you concede an early goal of course in the momentum of the team it’s always tough. Of course, it’s a difficult situation because when you want to build your confidence again and be solid and to have the calm to play, because you always need to be calm to play, we started to take rash decisions.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino had lined up with a back-three, consisting of Jan Vertonghen (£5.3m), Davinson Sánchez (£5.4m) and Toby Alderweireld (£5.5m), with Danny Rose (£5.4m) and Serge Aurier (£4.9m) on the flanks.

Watford capitalised on Spurs’ recent defensive problems early-on in Gameweek 9

Perhaps this is why Watford found it too easy to get around the back of Spurs’ defence so early on, with wing-back Daryl Janmaat (£4.3m) getting past Rose and having the time to play in a perfect cross for the onrushing Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.7m) to score largely unchallenged.

To put that goal into the context of Watford’s own difficult season, it was just the second time they had found the net away from home in the Premier League in 2019/20 – a further indictment of the Spurs defence.

Admittedly, the beginning of this match was a little unorthodox. Danny Welbeck (£5.9m) went down with a hamstring problem inside the first 90 seconds and required lengthy treatment so that when he finally left the field in the fourth minute, it was as if the game had started again.

“During the week he was good. He didn’t complain about anything and our feeling with him was really good, but the ankle is uncomfortable.” – Quique Sanchez Flores

However, Spurs can hardly use this as an excuse, as the Hornets were not knocked off-kilter by having to bring Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) onto the field and tweak their attacking system.

Welbeck was taken off with a hamstring problem early on

With Spurs’ defence in such bad shape of late, those invested in the Liverpool attack will perhaps be licking their lips for Gameweek 10.

Pochettino’s men must travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon to face the second-best attack in the Premier League and on the evidence of the last few weeks, that should result in plenty of opportunities for Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Sadio Mané (£11.8m).

As much as Spurs were suspect at the back against Watford, they also seemed largely devoid of ideas going forward.

Despite recent displays, both Son and Erik Lamela (£6.0m) found themselves on the bench while Christian Eriksen (£8.8m) missed out through injury (dead leg).

Dele Alli (£8.4m) and Lucas Moura (£7.1m) were deployed behind Harry Kane (£10.9m) in 3-4-2-1 formation but neither one of them troubled Ben Foster (£4.8m) in the first half. That said, Kane owners might feel a bit aggrieved not to see Spurs awarded a penalty for Roberto Pereyra‘s (£5.7m) foul on Rose in the penalty box.

Kane did not offer a great deal against Watford but might have had a penalty

Pochettino did change things around at half-time, moving away from the three-man defence to bring Son on and switch to a more attacking formation, Sánchez making way.

“We thought there was going to be two strikers. In the end, it was [Roberto] Pereyra and at the beginning [Danny] Welbeck and some space on the side. In the beginning, they didn’t do that well enough, and of course we were 1-0 down, so we put another striker on and I think from that moment we pushed them and especially at the end of the second half we put them under pressure. Then I think if we had scored a little earlier…” – Toby Alderweireld

The South Korean did add some energy and urgency to Spurs’ attack, forcing Foster to tip a fierce shot onto the crossbar.

That was, by far, Spurs’ best chance to equalise and it must be said that when they eventually pulled level, there was an element of fortune about the goal.

Foster and substitute Kiko Femenía (£4.3m) got in each other’s way when attempting to deal with a loose ball in the Watford penalty area, allowing Alli to pounce.

He controlled the ball with his shoulder, as confirmed by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check, and slotted home with ease.

However, without the stroke of luck that fell Spurs’ way, they perhaps would not have scored on Saturday afternoon.

Son added some energy to Spurs when he came on but did not start the game

It does seem clear that the defensive issues are hindering the side’s ability to attack with confidence. Until the back-line can improve, they are likely to hold back the Fantasy potential of Kane, Son and the like.

In light of recent results, conceding an early goal naturally made for a less than conducive atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Pochettino himself mentioned after the match that, while he understood the fans’ frustration, it did make life harder for his team.

It will certainly be interesting to see what the reaction to these comments will be from the supporters.

“We were nervous. Of course, the atmosphere wasn’t in the way that you love to play in and it wasn’t the best. I understand of course the fans and everyone. It’s not easy. I was a professional player in this type of situation and it is so difficult to play. Of course, Watford defended well and were very strong, never gave the space to us to be clear and have chances to score.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Whether Spurs can break out of the rut they are in may well depend on how they perform against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday evening, as they really need to get a positive result in front of their own supporters.

There was an element of fortune about Spurs’ equalising goal

However, their upcoming schedule, although daunting and discouraging from an FPL perspective, could be the key to easing the pressure on the players and manager.

Three of their next four Premier League matches are on the road, Liverpool up next before Everton (Gameweek 11) and West Ham (Gameweek 13) host Pochettino’s men.

Sometimes, teams such as Spurs, especially in their present condition, might benefit from some prolonged time away from a frustrated atmosphere at home.

No player registered more attacking returns away from home than Kane last season, so it is possible that he could help them in that respect.

However, it is still hard to guarantee that Spurs will become a viable FPL side any time soon, given that they are yet to show improvement either in defence or attack.

Flores’ side came close to a first win of the season at Spurs

By contrast, it must be highlighted that there are continued improvements from Watford.

After losing five of their first seven matches this season, the Hornets are now unbeaten in two.

From Gameweek 8 onwards they have now conceded just once and, as already mentioned, it was not exactly something Quique Sanchez Flores could have legislated for.

For the second match in a row, the Watford manager went with a back-three, which appeared to have the desired effect once again, his side going very close to back-to-back clean sheets.

After Sebastien Prödl‘s (£4.0m) hamstring injury against Sheffield United, Craig Dawson (£4.8m) played between Christian Kabasele (£4.3m) and Craig Cathcart (£4.4m).

“We’ve had a good week’s training, the lads have shown lots of effort in training and worked really hard and you could see that in today’s performance. As a team, the confidence has grown from today and hopefully, we can take that into the next game.” – Craig Dawson

Whether Watford can add to their clean sheet count in the coming weeks probably still remains somewhat unlikely as they have Bournemouth (home), Chelsea (home), Norwich (away) and Burnley (home) coming up, but it is worth Fantasy managers knowing that they may not be quite the whipping boys we thought they were a few weeks ago.

“Little by little we are (building) the philosophy with the players and little by little we are becoming more competitive. We need to win and today we were close, with the circumstances of the match and the opportunities we had, so it’s a pity that we couldn’t get the three points.” – Quique Sanchez Flores

Janmaat picked up an injury but had a good game at Spurs

Fantasy managers may also want to keep an eye on Janmaat, who got a 12-point haul in Gameweek 9.

That came from an assist, a clean sheet and maximum bonus, as the former Newcastle defender came off injured before Spurs’ late equaliser.

If Janmaat can shirk that yellow flag then his price, Watford’s slightly improved defensive prospects and his more advanced role as a wing-back in the new 3-5-2 system, could bring him into consideration.

Meanwhile, left-back Jose Holebas (£4.7m), who remains on set pieces but is a little more expensive, is now suspended for one match having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Spurs.

Deulofeu offered a decent attacking outlet for Watford against Spurs

As already mentioned, there were chances for Watford to win this match, with both Deulofeu and Pereyra causing problems in a two-man strike pairing.

The former probably should have been awarded a penalty in the second half after Vertonghen fouled him.

Deulofeu was able to get around the back of Spurs’ defence on more than one occasion, going well clear in the second half.

It took a last-ditch sliding block from Aurier to deny Pereyra after Deulofeu had squared him the ball.

“We don’t deserve this with this group of players, we have trained well and we showed today what we can do. We have to fight because it’s a long time without a win in the Premier League and today we deserved the three points. It’s a really good point at this type of stadium, but if you see the highlights or the whole game you see that we could have got the three points.” – Gerard Deulofeu

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-2-1): Gazzaniga; Vertonghen, D Sánchez (Son 46′), Alderweireld; Rose, Winks (Ndombele 70′), Sissoko, Aurier; Alli, Moura (Lamela 63′); Kane.

Watford XI (3-5-2): Foster; Cathcart, Dawson, Kabasele, Janmaat (Kiko Femenía 71′); Holebas, Doucouré, Chalobah, Cleverley, Janmaat; Pereyra (Hughes 84′), Welbeck (Deulofeu 4′).

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Lessons learned from Gameweek 9

393 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Comon LUNDSTRAM!!!

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This!!

    2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cmon Guendouzi

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

      just a goal and CS & 3 bps will be enough to add to my 25 pts currently.

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        snap! (but I had -4 too)

  2. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Lundstram and Ceballos to the rescue......

    Wait, what?

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    And I shamefully went Cantwell instead of Saka

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

      3 points is a haul this week

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Saka would have been more exciting and wint be loosing 0.1 right after a WC. Saka long term looks interesting bet

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          *wont

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

          *Losing

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

          Saka long term? Now that Lacazette is back?

  4. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I guess Tierney won’t be coming in for me next gw so...

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

      was keen to have a look at him tonight. but always fun waiting for kolasinac to get booked

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

      Yeah, I wanted him but Emery just took a pee in tomorrow mornings porridge...

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Lineups?

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

      yes

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

        WHERE?

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

          Oh, everywhere. Like google and that.

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

            something like that

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I don't check google and twitter when FFS is way better

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          it clearly isnt....

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

    Ceballos essential?

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

      on set pieces! playing number 10!

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

    FA cup draw on BB2. Ipswich town highest rated team in the draw. Come on your 'trackawrs'

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

      Maldon and Tiptree are playing Leyton Orient. Oi Classico.

  8. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pepe to silence the haters tonight with a brace?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes plz

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

      Of SOT ?

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Saka on borrowed time till Laca back?

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

      yes

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

      in theory but will probably benefit from emery roulette occasionally

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        everytime I see your grav, I read EBOLAFAN next to it

  10. tnarrG
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1 FT 2.1 ITB

    Pope, Button
    Robbo, Soy, Ota, Aurier, Lund
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Mount, Dendo
    Tammy, Pukki, Greenwood

    Simple question: Would you WC?
    If not what would be your move?
    I feel like I could sort out Aurier, Ota, Son, Pukki, Greenwood, Sterling/Salah with a WC

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

      No but I would take a -4 and upgrade Greenwood

  11. mazkills
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you save a transfer here?

    Ryan
    VVD-Lundstram-Tomori (Diop-Pieters)
    Mo-Sterling-KDB-Mount (cantwell)
    Haller-Wilson-Tammy

    .1itb

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

      I'd hold. It's a shame that you'd be 0.1 from a Diop>Soy. The only thing you're missing is some Leicester coverage. Those fixtures are juicy!

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely mate!! Realy nice team!!

  12. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope (Heaton)
    Digne Diop Lascelles (Soyuncu) (Tomori) Salah KdB Son* Mount (Stephens)
    C.Wilson Pukki* Vardy

    Son (liv) + Pukki (MUN) ➡
    A) Martial (nor) + Lacazette (CRY)
    B) Maddison (sou) + Firmino (TOT)
    C) David Silva (avl) + Rashford (nor)

    Which pair should I take the first hit of the season for?

    1. danlynch13
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son > CHO. Pukki > vardy?

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

        Already have Vardy & don't fancy a CHE triple up yet, might get in Abraham for Cilson in the future.

        1. danlynch13
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Oh ya didn’t see. B for me

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

      B

  13. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Guys any help with this team don’t see where I can go with it? Would like to ship pukki but don’t see any obvious move

    Pope
    TTA/Soy/Tomori
    Salah/Mount/Sterling/KDB/
    Pukki/Vardy/Tammy

    Mcregregor/Lund/Kelly/Dunk

    1ft 0.1itb

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

      I would save and reassess next week.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aren't Lund, Kelly and Dunk all defenders? That gives you 6

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'd like to know who this TTA guy is .

      2. danlynch13
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Dendoncker sorry

  14. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A what?

  15. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Chambers nailed? Bargain if he is.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Bellerin says hello.

    2. WOLVERiNES
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      he isnt

  16. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wtf was Evra staring at that they had to tell him to look at the screen to see the goal?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lol - I loved his pronunciation of derby!

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ha. I think he's a real life troll.

        Derrrby

  17. fusen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Brought Tierney in on a wildcard as a differential

    Hasn't quite worked out...

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

      Gotta love Emery...

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

        Downgrading Tierney is the easiest way to upgrade Wilson to Vardy, so this may make this short lived experiment an easy choice

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      There's a chance he comes on and scores a brace vs tired legs.

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

    Would you rather have Willems or Rico?

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

      Willems has been attracting my attention every time I look at cheap defenders. Rico seems a slightly safer bet but I wouldn't be surprised if they end up scoring the same over like 6 gameweeks

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

        Willems way better fixtures.

  19. F0oTBall GuRu
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sheff Utd

    1Henderson 6Basham 12Egan 5O'Connell 2Baldock 7Lundstram
    16Norwood 4Fleck 3Stevens 17McGoldrick 22Mousset

    Substitutes
    8Freeman 9McBurnie 10Sharp 11Robinson 15Jagielka 25Moore 27Besic

    Arsenal
    1Leno 21Chambers 5Papastathopoulos 23David Luiz 31Kolasinac 29Guendouzi 34Xhaka 19Pépé
    28Willock 77Saka 14Aubameyang

    Substitutes
    3Tierney 8Ceballos 9Lacazette 11Torreira 16Holding 26Martínez 35Martinelli

    Referee:
    Mike Dean

  20. ReUnited FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys, need some advice here;

    Current situation;
    4.0ITB, 1FT (Already made Son-->CHO)

    Pope
    TAA-Tomori-Rico
    Sterling-KDB-Yarmalenko-CHO
    Auba-Abraham-Pukki

    Bench:
    Button - Lundstram-Cantwell-Lowton

    Here is my current transferplan;
    This week: Pukki-->Vardy
    GW 11: Hold
    GW 12: Yarmalenko & Sterling --> Son (captain) & midfielder under 7.5
    GW 13: Son--> Mane/Salah

    What do you think? Just do the transfer tonight before Vardy rises? Or do you prefer a different transfer-strategy for the next 4 GW?

  21. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Chambers an option now?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      See below asking same, 4.4 bargain IF he starts.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I had him in my gw1 team.

        Then they signed Luiz, and hence his place was gone.

  22. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Soyuncu (sou) or Lundstram (whu) this week?

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lund

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lundstram

  23. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which option:

    A. McGinn -> KDB
    B. Pukki -> Auba

    Thanks!

  24. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Now this is an interesting one ( maybe boring too)

    Lascelles or Willems ?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Willems catches the eye.

  25. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Not sure what to do this week..any help?
    2ft, 0.0itb
    1) son pukki-> Maddison Wilson
    2) Son pukki-> Vardy 7.5mid (martial/CHO)
    3) Son firmino-> Auba Maddison
    4) son Firmino-> mane Jimenez

    Pope 
    Soy Ota Taa
    KDB Mount Son Sterling 
    Pukki Abraham Firmino

    Button. Saka, Lundstram, Hanley

  26. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I don't understand Emry's line ups and I don't think I ever will.

    I actually think he is clueless. Wenger in?

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

    I am better off Keeping Aurier than moving to Tierney to be frank.

  28. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What do we think of Chambers, 4.4 attacking team?

  29. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Saka the best 4.5 or below mid then?

    1. Warbling Wendy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lacazette back now

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Won't he displace Willock?

  30. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    As a Blade, as happy as I could be with both lineups 😀