Scout Notes

Kane and Son expose Saints as Ings cements first-choice penalty-taker status

SOUTHAMPTON 2-5 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

  • Goals: Danny Ings (£8.4m) x2; Son Heung-min (£8.9m) x4, Harry Kane (£10.5m)
  • Assists: Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m), Moussa Djenepo (£5.5m) | Kane x4, Erik Lamela (£5.9m)
  • Bonus: Kane x3, Son x2, Ings x1

Son Heung-min (£8.9m) responded to his price drop by scoring four goals in a remarkable display against Southampton’s high defensive line, all assisted by Harry Kane (£10.5m), as Spurs came from behind to beat the Saints 5-2.

Jose Mourinho’s side can’t stop making headlines right now. Their All or Nothing series is sparking constant discussion, whilst they announced the spectacular return of Gareth Bale alongside Sergio Reguilon over the weekend.

Yet the current stars concluded an uncomfortable week of matches by operating a second-half demolition job, rounded off by a goal from Kane. He injured his hamstring in last season’s equivalent meeting but, this time, became the first man in Premier League history to assist the same goalscorer four times in one match – each one looking eerily similar.

In first-half stoppage-time, some brilliant midfield work by Tanguy Ndombele (£6.0m) ended up at Kane’s feet and his first-time pass set Son clear through. The South Korean international blasted his right-footed finish inside Alex McCarthy’s (£4.5m) far post.

“I know that everyone will say Sonny is man of the match because it’s an incredible achievement to score four goals in the Premier League, but I am a team coach, I am all about my team and what Harry did for us is an example of the guy who is not going to have the highlights on him, but is fundamental for the team.” – Jose Mourinho

Early in the second half, Son’s next two goals were almost identical. Both were Kane through balls from deep, both put Son one-on-one with the goalkeeper and both were clinical finishes that exploited a poorly applied high defensive line. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be raging.

They combined a fourth time after 73 minutes, with Kane fetching the ball out wide and curving a wonderful cross for Son to chest then prod home with his left foot. It was a truly magnificent display by Son, who is well-positioned to score over ten times for a fifth consecutive season. Kane finally got his goal nine minutes later, tapping in after substitute Erik Lamela’s (£5.9m) shot hit the post.

“We had a strong first half with some very good scenes, with a lot of chances from our side. We were compact and disciplined but had one silly mistake before half time to bring them back to 1-1. Our heads went a little bit down, their heads a little bit up.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

However, it doesn’t explain a first half which saw three disallowed goals and some Southampton domination. In fact, Son’s opening goal was the only first half shot mustered by Spurs and the only touch in their opponent’s box.

Danny Ings (£8.4m) had a strike ruled out after Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) surged out of his box to head the ball against Ings’ arm. The striker put the ball into the net but it was correctly disallowed.

It was a good day for Ings’ FPL managers, though. He scored twice himself to punish the 240,000 sellers who had lost faith after an opening-day blank at Crystal Palace. His 22 goals of last season made him an almost must-have asset but he became a victim of the devastating number of price changes going on right now.

Ings put Southampton ahead in the 32nd minute, after being put through by a long Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) ball. Fairly wide, a good first touch was followed by a crisp finish into Lloris’ bottom corner. He scored in three of the four matches against Spurs last season, adding a second here via a late penalty given for Matt Doherty’s (£6.0m) handball.

It was interesting that Ings still took the spot-kick, despite set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) being on the pitch. With upcoming games against Burnley (a) and West Brom (h), it’s certainly worth considering keeping hold of the reliable Ings for the foreseeable future.

His strike partner Che Adams (£6.0m) had some online love heading into Gameweek 1. Priced much cheaper than Ings, he scored four times in the nine Project Restart matches and is seemingly ahead of Shane Long (£5.5m) in the pecking order. He had the chances here but couldn’t quite get on the scoresheet.

After ten minutes, a free-kick landed at Adams’ feet by the penalty spot but his powerful shot was saved well by Lloris. He may have scored shortly after, if it wasn’t for a great Ben Davies (£5.0m) block. Later given a yellow card, Adams began the second half with an on-target effort to finish a free-flowing attack. It was comfortable for Lloris.

On the one hand, it may encourage managers that Adams has started both league games and got himself into the right positions from which to cause trouble. But seeing Ings bag a brace will hurt, especially when fellow cheap striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m) registered 12 points on Saturday.

Despite Southampton ranking third amongst the nine Project Restart games – five wins and three draws – Hasenhuttl has given off some negative vibes in press conferences recently. He believes that “with the team we have, it will be very difficult to win games”, even though they followed October’s humiliating 9-0 defeat to Leicester by being the league’s seventh-best team during the subsequent 28 matches.

“When you have no pressure on the ball you cannot play such a high line. We still did it, and this is not possible. We must come back, close the gaps and defend our own box with everything we have.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

Perhaps he is a visionary, judging by how badly they defended this time. It was far too easy for Son to stroll through and for Kane to be a creative maestro. Walker-Peters assisted against his former side but owners of goalkeeper McCarthy may start to worry that his place is under threat.

Elsewhere, Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) made a quiet return to midfield after picking up a thigh injury on Scotland duty, whilst Moussa Djenepo (£5.5m) looked bright and hit the post.

For Spurs, Doherty assisted the first disallowed goal, nodding Son’s cross into a Kane volley that was ruled out for an earlier offside. It was encouraging to see him so far forward but the Irishman ended up without any attacking returns, before being booked and conceding a late penalty with his handball.

It will be fascinating to see what is next for Tottenham. The big team news involved Dele Alli (£7.9m) being completely left out, following last week’s half-time withdrawal against Everton. His appeal as an FPL asset will be extinguished once Bale has built up match fitness. With Reguilon’s addition, they now possess attacking full-backs on both flanks and perhaps this will lead to a formation change.

Successfully negotiating a brutal fixture list is their first priority. They play 48 hours later against Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup, then 48 hours after that in North Macedonia against Shkendija in the Europa League. Beat those sides and it’s the same schedule next week, starting with their home game against Newcastle. It is a horrific diary and Mourinho’s squad management could throw up some shocks for the Fantasy managers who have invested in the Lilywhites.


Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong (Tella 68’), Romeu (Smallbone 55’), Ward-Prowse, Djenepo; Ings, Adams (Long 80’)

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Doherty, Dier, Sanchez, Davies; Hojbjerg, Winks, Ndombele (Lo Celso 46’); Lucas (Lamela 61’), Son, Kane (Bergwijn 84’)


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2,110 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bank$y
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What a crazy weekend. The bandwagons of gw1 are already on fire and the horse has bolted for the door.

  2. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Choose one:

    a)
    Martinez
    TAA Saiss Justin Taylor Mitchell
    Salah Sterling Son Zaha Anguissa
    Jimenez Mitro DCL

    b)
    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Justin Taylor Mitchell
    Salah Fernandes Son ASM Bissouma
    Werner Ings Mitro

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

      B

    2. Watk‘Ings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough, but I say A.

  3. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Egan Davies Justin
    Salah Aubameyang Son ASM
    Werner Ings

    Button Bissouma Mitchell Brewster

    0.0 itb, 2FT

    Will likely do Aubameyang >> KDB / Sterling...

    How to use other FT??

    Thanks

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

    Che Adams -> DCL worth a -4 or give Che 1-2 more gws?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep, has looked dangerous

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Always does, rarely scores

        • Bank$y
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Keep the faith.

      2. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He's got 2 good fixtures coming up and has looked dangerous, getting into good positions.

        Give him 2 more weeks, that's what I'm doing anyway

    2. AdamJ91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Any ideas what to do with this lot? Tierney injuried & tough fixtures.. Auba > Man City & possibly JWP / ASM need sorting too. Argh.

      Johnstone, Steer
      TAA, Digne, Doherty, Tierney, Ferguson
      Auba, Salah, JWP, ASM, Bissouma
      Werner, DCL, Adams

      1. diabydoesgallas
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’d be tempted to wildcard that.

      2. Nightrain_
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        JWP will play so i think for now maybe :
        Auba > KDB
        ASM > Podence (if he's starter)

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        West brom in patches have looked decent in both games, heads drop and energy drops as the game goes on. That said I'm not so sure Werner hauls against them

      • Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'm considering taking Richarlison over DCL on wildcard.

        Their price difference is narrowing very quickly, and Rich had 12 shots vs DCL's 8 over the two games. For pure involvement, Rich beats down DCL in every category except xG (all those scrappy close range goals). But in every other regard, he's been better. More penalty area touches, more goal attempts, more chances created/xA.

        Will think about it...

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

          Richa over DCL wud be an easy pick for me, DCL owner from gw1 here

        2. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Richarlison's massive haul is coming very soon, he's looked excellent. Can't say I like Palace and Liverpool in the next 3 though.

        3. Champ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah. Same boat. Would prefer Rich too but those fixtures are really good and a double up with Rodriguez is that much easier with DCL possibly. Undecided for now

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

          Who is Everton pen taker - any clues yet?

        5. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wouldn't switch from DCL to Rich at all, he can do all the hard work track back, get the bruises and yellows only for a fresh DCL to keep tapping them in

          • thehodge
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Much prefer Rich. Have DCL atm just for the price rises but can’t see me sticking with him. Feel all his goals from the weekend were lucky and Rich will produce more long term.

            Going to be a tough call on going with Hamez and one of their strikers. I think one of their players is enough

          • Nightrain_
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Richarlison is a better pick but hard to get em all in now and his finishing needs improvement, maybe over few GWs he'll get better.

            DCL has a good positioning skill so he'll get some goals so I guess maybe the best person to grab now is Hames but the next three is a bit tricky for Everton, not an easy game, so maybe after Liverpool game is better (sou, new, MUN, ful, LEE)

          • Dr. Rog
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Richarlison has always been frustrating to own.
            You must put up with 15, 2, 2, 5, 2, 15, 2 sort of returns. Occasionally gets sent off as well.

            1. Jonesfromthere
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              He's now got Hamez supplying, can't see too many blanks he'll get far more chances now

          • Jamb0
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Rich has looked really really good to be fair... I'm not rushing to take DCL out though but can see why you would consider it on WC

        6. Terry Henry
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Which combo?
          TAA + James Rodríguez
          Or
          Digne + Son

          Current WC draft is
          Ryan
          Digne-Saïss-Taylor
          Salah-KDB-Son-Klich
          Werner-DCL-Jiménez

          Going without TAA obviously a gamble. Worth it for Son or too short sighted?

        7. Live Lad
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Son won't face Saints every week, right? Better get KDB?
          Or get Son while he is in form and downgrade Kane to get KDB after the break?

          1. Nightrain_
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Son won't score 4 goals every week but he will keep scoring especially with Bale coming in. IMHO, 9.0 is a bargain for him

        8. Champ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Craziest opening couple of FPL weeks for a loooong time guys...

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

            Wait for a 4-3 wolves win tonight 🙂

          2. Hybrid.power
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Nothing like having the craziest opening weeks and picking the wrong players. Ranked 1.2m already 8)

            1. Champ
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Hard luck. Some crazy results. Keep going buddy

            2. DantheManinaPan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              1.2m is a respectable rank at this stage.

              I'm at 1.9m and not too upset just yet

          3. Nightrain_
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            usually the first 5-6 GWs is the game for euphoric casuals, after that they lose interest and abandon the game hence thousands of dead teams scattered around and the real men continue the game 😀

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Can I hope that 4 million, maybe 5, casuals diisappear soon? That would give me a chance.

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

            Home games aren't home games anymore without spectators.

        9. FDMS All Starz
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Would you WC this team or a -4 enough?

          (1FT/0itb)
          McCarthy*
          Justin* - Davies* - TAA
          Auba* - ASM* - Salah - Bruno
          Adams* - Wilson* - Werner

          (*) = hard fixture next / out of form

        10. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Wildcard draft #1

          Martinez Steer
          James Saiss Lamptey Justin Mitchell
          Salah KDB Son Hames Anguissa
          Jimmy Ings DCL

          Thoughts much appreciated.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I think that's one mid hitter too many at the cost of your def

            • Lev Yashin
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              How's draft #2 looking?

            • Nightrain_
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              drop this cause defense won't hold
              let us see your second draft

            • diabydoesgallas
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Ings to mitro & Reece James to Liverpool def

          2. cescpistols111
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            What changes would you make to this team? 1FT, 0.0 ITB.

            Thinking Auba + ASM -> KDB + Costa (-4).

            Ramsdale Nyland
            Robertson Davies Taylor Justin Mitchell
            Salah Auba Rashford ASM Bissouma
            Werner DCL Adams

          3. yousunkmybattleship
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Thinking double Wolves defence. Best two thoughts?

            Currently on Saiss and Marcal.

            On WC

            1. Flair
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Semedo and Saiss

              1. yousunkmybattleship
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                You think Semedo will be 5.0 though or 5.5?

                1. Flair
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  5.5

                  1. yousunkmybattleship
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Yeah me too which is why more leaning to the 5.0’s

                    1. Flair
                      • 3 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      I'm confident he'll be more than worth for that price.

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

            Which transfers are most important?

            0.5ITB 2FT

            Ramsdale (4.0 fodder)

            TAA, Doherty, Tierney (Vinagre, Mitchell)
            Auba, Mané, Bissouma, Pereira (Lemina)
            Werner, Mitro, Ings

            1. Nightrain_
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Auba > KDB
              Bissouma > Podence (if more information come up about his minutes)

          5. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Liverpool defenders being dropped? Love to see it.

          6. some witty pun
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wildcarders, do you own Chelsea assets ahead of this WBA game? Werner seems too good not to own

            1. yousunkmybattleship
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Waiting for Werner price drop then yes

          7. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I can get away with this for another week or two, right?

            McCarthy, Steer
            TAA, Davies, KWP, Mitchell, Vinagre
            KdB, Bruno, Son, Foden, Soucek
            Martial, Jimenez, Mitro

            1. some witty pun
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Looks okay to me

            2. diabydoesgallas
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              That’s a solid team

            3. Lev Yashin
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Cheers.

          8. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Trying to keep my knee from jerking and my WC disappearing after a shocking GW. What do you think of these moves?

            Auba, ASM > Sterling/ KDB, Barnes (-4)

            Would leave me:
            0itb
            McCarthy
            TAA, Davies, KWP, Taylor
            Salah, KDB/ Sterling, Rodriguez, Barnes
            Werner, Martial
            (Steer) (Mitchell, Soucek, Brewster)

            Advise anything else?
            Thanks

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

              Bench ASM and only do Auba to Sterling. Play Mitchell over ASM.

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Newcastle looked toothless and he’ll need to recover. Is there really any point holding him?

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

                  You have Mitch and Soucek as backups. I'd rather play one of those instead of taking a hit.

          9. tricpic
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Is Fernandes to either Son or Sterling (have FDB) worth a -4? Or just ridiculously knee-jerky?

            1. Rassi
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              KJ

            2. yousunkmybattleship
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Jerking

            3. 2OLEgend
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              No may. Keep Bruno

          10. Rassi
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            McCarthy (Steer)
            TAA - Robbo - Lamptey (KWP - Mitchell)
            Auba* - H. Barnes - Havertz* - Soucek (JWP*)
            Werner - Martial - DCL

            2 ft, 0 itb

            What would you do?

            a) Auba -> Sterling/KdB, save 1 ft
            b) Auba -> Sterling/KdB, JWP -> Podence/Klich/similar
            c) Auba -> Sterling/KdB, Havertz -> Son/Hames
            d) Auba -> Sterling/KdB, JWP -> Podence/Klich/etc, Havertz -> Son/Hames, -4 hit
            e) sth else

            Thanks.

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

              A

            2. Greasy
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              C

          11. trustmeimpurple
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Which transfers are most important?

            0.5ITB 2FT

            Ramsdale (4.0 fodder)

            TAA, Doherty, Tierney (Vinagre, Mitchell)
            Auba, Mané, Bissouma, Pereira (Lemina)
            Werner, Mitro, Ings
            .

          12. BusbySwede
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            On a wc, with 0.9 itb, what do you think about it?

            Guaita, Steer
            Saiss, Digne, Lamptey, Taylor, Mitchell
            Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Zaha, Podence
            Werner, DCL, Jimenez

            Biggest concern ofcourse being without kdb/Sterling or TAA/Robo. Change it up so i can get one city them instead of Son?
            Guaita or a 4.5 keeper?
            Taylor & Lamptey good 4.5 options?
            What do you think about Castagne?
            Podence or Soucek/ceballos/Costa?

            Any advice or thoughts? 🙂

          13. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I have 2 FT's this week, but must admit finding it hard not to make early transfers with potential price changes. I really want to wait until after all the mid-week fixtures to make my moves, particularly on the decision between of moving Auba to KDB or Sterling. City play tonight and Thursday and logically I should wait until after both games to see if we can guess Pep's thinking.

          14. FCSB
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Repost for help please

            McCarthy
            TAA Egan Davies Justin
            Salah Aubameyang Son ASM
            Werner Ings

            Button Bissouma Mitchell Brewster

            0.0 itb, 2FT

            Will likely do Aubameyang >> KDB / Sterling...

            How to use other FT??

            Thanks

          15. tc93
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Any advice on what to do with this lot for next week?
            Currently thinking Davis/Auba --> Saiss/KDB or Sterling for a -4. I could also Just do auba --> KDB and bring in Saiss next week..

            Team:
            McCarthy
            TAA / Davis / Taylor
            Salah / Auba / Havertz / Souczek
            Werner / Mitrovic / Martial

            Button, Michell, Ferguson, Bissouma.

          16. Champ
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Can someone tell me about Castagne please guys? How good does he look - never seen him play unfortunately

          17. Across
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            People here are acting like they have been watching football for a week... Stop panicking and judging teams/players by ONE game. That's the best advice you can get.

            I had started GW1 with Son, Mane and Maupay. All three blanked. I never ever thought about a single transfer. Guess what - 24, 16 and 16 points respectively.

            Don't make stupid transfers and you're golden.

            1. Dirty Harry
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Wonder what you'd be saying if all three blanked over the weekend.

              Fair to judge them after two blanks?

          18. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Ramsdale
            TAA,Dier,KWP,Taylor
            Salah,Auba,Hamez
            Mitrovic,Werner,Adams

            Fabri, Barnes,Mitchell,Bissouma

            Best move Auba to city mid?

          19. GS456
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Whose everyone's pick of the leeds midfielders?

            I though Harrison before this week, but he blanked.

            Is Costa chasing last weeks points? Just want to change out Saint-Maximin