Scout Notes

Extent of Lundstram injury revealed as Spurs display gives FPL owners concern

Sheffield United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

  • Goals: Sander Berge (£4.7m), Lys Mousset (£4.4m), Oliver McBurnie (£5.6m) | Harry Kane (£10.9m)
  • Assists: Berge, Chris Basham (£4.6m), Enda Stevens (£5.1m) | Son Heung-min (£9.8m)
  • Bonus: Berge x3, Mousset x2, Kane, Son x1

Sheffield United returned to winning ways in some style as Spurs’ key assets delivered mixed messages for their Fantasy owners.

The resumption of football had not been kind on the Blades, with three straight defeats in league and cup, whereas Jose Mourinho’s men had performed well enough in two outings to prompt solid investment in the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m), Son Heung-min (£9.8m) and Serge Aurier (£5.0m).

The same could not be said of United players. Their only starter not to experience net transfers out for the Gameweek was defender Jack Robinson (£4.0m). The epitome of a budget enabler, even he seemed overpriced as both sides produced a first half an hour of almost entirely forgettable toil.

And then it all kicked off.

The Blades took the lead with a fine, incisive move finished when Chris Basham‘s (£4.6m) cut-back was drilled home on the angle by Sander Berge (£4.7m).

It was the Norwegian’s first league goal since moving to the Premier League in January. He added to his haul with an assist and the maximum bonus award to bring in 13 points for his, count them, 6,376 owners in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

If he can build on such a fine display, more will flock to his cause and the (already sketchy) claims of the injured John Lundstram (£4.8m) to be the Supreme Fantasy Lord will finally be laid to rest should Berge keep him out of the starting line-up.

United’s lead lasted precisely two minutes when Kane rode a challenge and found the net, only for VAR to continue its bold crusade to be 2020’s second-worst thing with a decision that managed to be technically correct and completely wrong all at the same time.

Lucas Moura (£7.1m) was fouled in the build-up to the ‘goal’, referee Chris Kavanagh played an advantage and Kane did the rest. VAR then decided Moura had handled the ball on his way to the turf, thus negating the advantage and leading to the goal being chalked off.

How much Moura actually touched the ball was debatable, how ridiculous the letter-of-the-law ruling wasn’t debatable at all, and the only positive to be had from the whole debacle was that United, so many times the loser in VAR controversies, probably deserved their luck.

Mourinho refused, sort of, to blame the decision for the loss:

I think in the second half my players were not mentally strong enough to cope with that disappointment and they have to be. I am not just going to say that goal is the cause of everything. It would be very easy for me to do that, but I don’t want to go in that direction.

His team rallied after the break, in terms of dominating possession at least, only for substitute Lys Mousset (£4.4m) to double the home side’s advantage with a tap-in following excellent work by Ben Osborn (£4.7m) and assister Enda Stevens (£5.1m) down the left flank.

The goal was the match in microcosm – Spurs enjoyed 65% possession over the 90 minutes, but had only two shots on target to United’s five.

The strike also knocked what was left of the stuffing out of the visitors, and it was no surprise when the Blades scored a third, Oliver McBurnie (£5.6m) deftly flicking home an excellent Berge cross.

Despite the VAR shenanigans, a 3-0 result was about right based on the overall flow of the game, only for Kane to finally get his goal as the match was easing into wind-down mode.

The striker was picked out by Son’s fine cut-back and he made no mistake for his second goal in as many Gameweeks. It was also Son’s second assist over the same time frame – reward for the 150,000-odd FPL managers who invested in one or other of the pair this week.

The only worry for those who own the duo – and more are joining for a home match with Everton in Gameweek 33+ – is that they were living on scraps at Bramall Lane.

Kane did lead the way for attempts, but he managed a mere three penalty area touches, while Son had no shots at all. The England captain’s overall involvement was limited, to put it mildly. Thirteen players had more touches than he did in the final third, including substitute Erik Lamela (£5.7m), who managed 21 touches (to Kane’s 14) despite playing over an hour less.

However good a finisher Kane is, he can’t keep producing points without more support and involvement, while Son’s owners will probably settle for his assists, despite expecting more goals, for now at least.

Tottenham’s decent fixture schedule is clearly proving irresistible for Fantasy managers, but Everton are hardly pushovers at present and Mourinho will need to rediscover the right balance in a side that was heavy on attackers but still lacked any bite last night.

Some of that was down to the excellence of Chris Wilder’s team, and the United manager was understandably positive about the performance and result:

It had to be up there with our best in terms of the circumstances, players we’re missing and run we’ve been on. It’s been difficult for everyone to get back to playing but I saw signs on Sunday that we were getting more like ourselves, a bit freer and more positive in our play. When you’re playing teams like this, you have to bring close to your best game to the table.

He also gave an update on player injuries:

Fleck, Lundstram and Freeman will be out for a couple of weeks.

The Blades have a mixed bag of fixtures to finish the season, with Sunday’s trip to Burnley one of the better shouts for a goalless draw and a decent-enough run after visits from Wolves and Chelsea are done.

Berge caught the eye against Spurs, but it was the return to more solid ways at the back – despite the lack of a clean sheet – that might warrant interest.

Left wing-back Stevens once again underlined his attacking potential with his assist – he now has three of those and two goals this campaign – and defensive returns look possible at both at Turf Moor this weekend and over the final three Gameweeks when United will face Leicester, Everton and Southampton.


Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Henderson, Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Osborn, Stevens; McBurnie (Freeman 90′), McGoldrick (Mousset 63′).

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-3-2-1): Lloris, Aurier (Ndombele 71′), Sanchez, Dier, Davies (Vertonghen 81′); Sissoko (Alli 71′), Lo Celso, Bergwijn (Lamela 56′); Moura, Son; Kane.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,079 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Did Son to Fernandes. Hoping triple UTD attack pays off 🙂

    GTG?

    Patricio
    TAA Alonso Robinson Doherty
    Salah(c) Mane Martial Fernandes Pulisic
    Rashford

    Button Aurier Connolly Nketiah

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I am about to go triple Utd attack but Ole's comments have put me off a bit

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good. Hope Liverpool don't rotate! I might play Connolly over Robinson. Can see a 0-0 for Robinson, but Connolly is against NOR if he plays.

  2. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG for this GW? OGS comments doesn't help with the decision to start Ings or Greenwood. Aurier to start over Saiss?

    Pope
    Aurier TAA Doherty
    Salah Martial KDB Bruno (C) Mahrez
    Jimenez Ings
    Martinez Greenwood Aurier C.Taylor

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or get in Rashford - still on WC

    2. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier is in there twice - I like the one on the bench. Mahrez could be a cheeky captain punt, can’t decide between Salah, Bruno or Martial myself.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        haha oops. I think it's got to be on a Man U attacker against a poor BOU.

  3. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2FT's

    Guendouzi > Mahrez
    Vardy > Greenwood

    yes/no?

    1. WolfTheJack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

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

    Any thoughts on this WC?

    Dubravka
    AWB Boly TAA
    KDB Mahrez ASM Fernandes
    Rashford Kane Jiminez

    Pickford C.Taylor N.Williams Dendonker

    Cheers!

  5. Rover
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Tough call, but who would you bench from:

    Bruno Martial Mahrez Pulisic D.Silva
    Kane Jimenez Jesus

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus

    3. WolfTheJack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Silva

    4. Cash'nBurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D.Silva or Jesus

    5. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D. Silva

    6. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Benching D.Silva is crazy. IMO he is the most secured starter in city squad in GW33+

      1. Rover
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This is exactly my thought process in getting him in. Looks like it's Jesus then, in which case I might as well get Nketiah/Connolly and bank the money to get KdB/Sterling in for GW34+

  6. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’m going to watch Mahrez from behind the sofa this week, just can’t bring myself to sell KDB, Salah, Martial, Fernandes or Pulisic.

    Anyhow, after this coming GW, does Martial & Jota to Rashford & Foden sound good, bad or sideways?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden > Jota so yes

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you

  7. Wingate
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Having a lovely restart period, needing to keep pushing to win ML,

    Bench one:
    A) Ings (MCI) - great form but tough fix
    B) Jota (ARS) - poor form but medium fix
    C) DCL (tot) - poor form but medium fix

    Was thinking bench Jota but above has left me uncertain. Thanks

    1. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jota, likely that Traore starts instead as well

    2. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Wingate
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or could play all 3 and bench Doherty v ARS/Auba. But still could miss attacking points.

    4. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m benching DCL and playing Jota. Ings may well nick a goal.

  8. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Willian or Pulisic?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Puli

      1. checkit_j
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Isn't wilian on set pieces though.

    2. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Willian

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer Willian but Pulisic is flavour of the week

    4. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic for me - much more explosive

    5. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic. Willian could be off pens soon

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Why? He has never missed one for Chelsea. Strange comment

    6. KDF
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic is a better player but Willian on pens probably makes him the FPL choice.

      How do you see LUFC finishing? Top?
      Fellow Leeds fan and have a bet on who wins the league , Leeds or West Brom

  9. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    It's worth to take a hit?
    Pope
    Taylor/VVD/Alonso
    Sarr/Mane/Mount/Fernandes
    Auba/Greenwood/Jimenez

    McCarthy Hayden/Boly/Smith
    0ft 2.6itb

    a)Auba->Kane/Rashford/Jesus
    b)Hayden->Antonio(bench Sarr)
    c)Mount->Martial/Mahrez

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No hit I think, have Boly ahead of Hayden?

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers.I am thinking to start Hayden over Sarr!

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son+Guendo >>

    A. Saint Max
    B. Foden

    1. Mahrez
    2. Martial

    Martinez
    TAA • Doherty • Lascelles
    Salah(C) • XXX • KDB • Bruno • XXX
    Jimmy • Rash
    (3.9, DCL, Holgate, Kiko)

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B1 imo

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A1 or A2

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B1

  11. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    RMWCT (BB in 34)

    Pope
    TAA, AWB, Boly
    Salah, KDB, Mahrez, Bruno, Pulisic
    Greenwood, Jimmy

    Subs: Foster, Ings, Saiss, Kiko

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bit of a lack of City

      1. Stef rocks
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        KDB and Mahrez is not enough for you!

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yes. 3 City "essential" if poss and Foden makes it more than possible.

          1. Beavis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Could get Sterling for Salah after this week.

            Hard to fit 3 unless you get Jesus who is lacking in confidence.

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Decent. can you squeeze Holgate for Kiko maybe as WAT seem unable to shut out but Im nit picking.

      1. Beavis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the advice

  12. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which pair would you rather have if you already own Mane

    A) Mahrez + Rashford
    B) Salah + Greenwood

    1. Tsssst
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A of course

    2. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      (A)bsolutely

  13. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any tips for this free-hit team?:

    Pope

    TAA / Chilwell / Saïss

    Mané(c)/Salah/Martial/Bruno/Willian

    Jimenez/Greenwood

    Subs: 3.9/Taylor/Nketiah/3.9

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Decent

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No city seems mad at this point. Best team in the lad

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *land

        1. Ian Davis
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          For this week only though as it’s a free-hit and I think there’ll be some heavy Pep Roulette this gameweek.

  14. checkit_j
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Mount to puli/wili?
    B) Sais to Doherty?

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A to Pulisic

  15. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Please RMWCT lads!

    Ryan Martinez
    AWB Doh Lascelles (J Robinson Holgate)
    Salah KDB Mahrez Fernandes ???
    Rash Jimi (Nketiah)

    ???-> Willian or Pulisic?

    Ta for the feedback and GL next GW!

  16. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all! Would love to get some thoughts on my team below for this GW and long term. Any help and advice really appreciated... Weakest links?!?!

    Squad: 4.2 ITB 1FT
    Patricio Button
    TAA Doherty Lascelles Kiko Holgate
    Salah KDB Pogba Bruno Doucoure
    Nketiah Jimmy Ayew

    Few players on radar... Mahrez, Greenwood, Saint max, AWB
    I hideously, stupidly and recklessly swapped Ings for Nketiah last week at the last minute and don't want to make the same mistakes this week!!
    Many thanks and GL all

  17. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bring Salah or Mane IN?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah imo.

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Salah between the 2.

    3. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But Mane played thru

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry. Salah played 90

  18. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son to Mahrez or wait another week ?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you wait another week Son has bournemouth.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *But i made the move this week.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Do it

  19. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No closer to making a decision:

    A) Start DCL
    B) Sarr>Mahrez for a hit and play Mahrez

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez likely to outscore Sarr by a lot more than 4 over rest of season

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sure, but will he out score DCL by 4 points this week?

        1. KDF
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Probably

  20. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Keinan Davis and Jesus
    or
    Mahrez and Nketiah (triple City mids!!!)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      City triple up

  21. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Estimates for EO for Bruno and Salah this GW?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Close to or above 100 for both.

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      120% for Bruno, about 75-80% for Salah in Top 10k.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This is along the lines of what I thought

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would be surprised if any of them are below 100%

  22. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How’s it looking, took a -4?

    Henderson
    TAA Doherty Egan
    KdB Fernandes Pulisic Willian Cantwell
    Aubameyang Rashford(C)

    Nyland DCL Aarons Lundstram

  23. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2 quick questions
    A - Is Son to Mahrez worth a -4 this week?
    B - Captain Martial, Bruno or Salah?

    Thanks guys!

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes
      Bruno

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No
      Bruno

    3. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No
      I am with Bruno but I don’t have Salah

  24. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is there a correlation between OGS talking up Greenwood and resting him?

    I recall it happened early season. Arteta pulled the same trick with Nketiah. This boy is the future translates as he needs a rest?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think you are on to something there

  25. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son and DCL to Mahrez and Ings?

    1. KDF
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If free yeah

  26. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane or not, the question is now (FH active) xD

    1. KDF
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not, spurs look terrible and while that's the case Kane is too expensive

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thx

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not this GW. Everton decent defensively

  27. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Dont be surprised if theres one or two changes.
    Greenwood benched?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashford maybe

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Maupay or Giroud?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud this week

    2. Botman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      think he will stick with abraham

  29. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just brought Tammy in. Think I’m losing whatever FPL talent I had.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Abraham did score and assist vs Watford in the reverse fixture. Hopefully Frank will look at that.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Exploded near start of year, hardly stellar since

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, I’m reaching.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You’ve done better than me 🙂 but there again I don’t have an eleven next to my name

      I got him in 30 over keeping Jim or the switch to Ings. Now first on bench

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hey mate. Tempted to reverse the transfer with a FH lol.

        Have been wanting to get Foden in the past two weeks but keep prioritising other moves. That second striker spot is really causing me an issue. I now have Mané - KdB - Martial - Bruno - Mahrez and no means to bring Foden in. Lost my way a bit!

  30. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son & DCL to Mahrez & Greenwood would give me this team, with plenty left over for Guendouzi to Foden next week. Sound good?

    Pope (Martin)
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles (Saiss, Femenia)
    Mane, KDB, Mahrez, Bruno(C) (Guendouzi)
    Rashford, Jimenez, Greenwood