Scout Notes

How Southampton solved their defensive issues as Ings outscores Adams again

Burnley 0-1 Southampton

  • Goals: Danny Ings (£8.4m)
  • Assists: Che Adams (£5.9m)
  • Bonus points: Ings x3, Jan Bednarek x2 (£4.5m), Ryan Bertrand x2 (£5.0m)

Danny Ings (£8.4m) remains one of the most reliable forwards in the Premier League despite the £2.5m price hike ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

The Southampton man added his third goal of the campaign in a 1-0 win at Burnley on Saturday, the most of any colleague and behind only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.4m), Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and an injured Son Heung-min (£9.0m) in the early stages of the Golden Boot race.

Crucially, Ings is still offering a degree of Fantasy value, despite that more expensive price for the new season. After three Gameweeks, he is inside the top 10 among forwards for points per million spent (2.6). As things stand, Harry Kane (£10.5m) and Vardy (2.7 and 3.2 respectively) are the only dearer forwards to outperform Ings in that respect.

However, the former Burnley and Liverpool man will have plenty of opportunities to soar up those rankings when Southampton host West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 4.

The Baggies may have stunned Chelsea into a 3-0 half-time lead at the Hawthorns but they still conceded a further three goals of their own in the second half. That means Slaven Bilic’s men have given up 11 goals in their first three matches of the campaign. No English top-flight side has conceded that many goals in their opening three league games since Arsenal in 1963/64 (12).

While further attacking returns are very much on the cards for Ings on Sunday, one minor question that may hang over Ings from a slightly more long-term perspective is whether or not he can sustain goals on a short supply of shots.

While he has three goals in the last two matches, Ings has only taken three shots in that time. At Burnley on Saturday, the Southampton forward was limited to just the one effort. 

Once West Bromwich Albion are out of the way, the Saints face Chelsea (away), Everton (home) and Aston Villa (away), each of which could prove an important test of his Fantasy appeal for the rest of the season. If these sides keep Ings as limited shot-wise as Spurs and Burnley did, it might be difficult for him to continue the current run of form.

Frank Lampard’s men have certainly had defensive issues this year but after the international break, Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) will be considerably more bedded into the team, while Thiago Silva (£5.5m) will have settled in a little more too. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can take a more assured defence into that Gameweek 5 fixture.

While Ings’ Gameweek 6 opponent Everton have kept only one clean sheet so far this season, a trip to Aston Villa in Gameweek 7 may prove challenging too. Dean Smith’s men are yet to concede this season, have four clean sheets in their last six Premier League outings, three of which came at Villa Park.

However, if Ings does come through this run with a handful of more attacking returns, then the Fantasy community are sure to take notice.

It has taken some time for owners of Che Adams (£5.9m) to be rewarded for their patience, although they might have hoped for more from the trip to Burnley.

The former Birmingham City man has been unfortunate thus far this season, recording the same number of shots in the box and big chances as Ings, but falling slightly short on accuracy. As a result, he is still without a goal this season and is usually one of the first to be replaced by Ralph Hasenhüttl in the second half. So far in 2020/21, Adams is yet to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League, averaging just over 79 minutes per appearance.

Like Ings, he was restricted to just one effort on goal at Turf Moor, although it would be sensible to assume he will be handed more opportunities by West Bromwich Albion’s leaky defence on Sunday.

Furthermore, while Adams is currently 14 Fantasy points behind Ings, Gameweek 3 once again highlighted the cheaper forward’s superior creativity compared to his strike-partner. Against Burnley, Adams registered his first assist of the campaign, having outperformed Ings for key passes thus far – which could bode well for the Baggies’ trip to St. Mary’s.

Considering that Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) remains the most popular Fantasy goalkeeper, currently sat in 18.7% of teams, Southampton’s defensive improvement in Gameweek 3 was a welcome one for many.

Having deployed a perilously high line at home against Spurs, Hasenhüttl dropped his back-four back considerably at Turf Moor. He also made one change, dropping Jack Stephens (£4.9m) to the bench, replacing him with Jannik Vestergaard (£4.5m).

That made for a much more secure foundation from which to operate in Gameweek 3, earning Southampton their first clean sheet of the campaign.

“It wasn’t a good start to the season but we have focused our work this week on the defence and it was fantastic to see how much they had invested today.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

While Emi Martínez (£4.5m) certainly looks an attractive option moving forward, anyone hoping to hold their transfers and not spend a Wildcard may be encouraged by a few of McCarthy’s underlying numbers from Saturday.

The Saints’ goalkeeper was just one save short of an additional point at Turf Moor, while his total BPS score was just one away from pushing him into a share of bonus. A Gameweek 4 meeting with West Bromwich Albion might help him make a breakthrough on both of those counts.

That said, Southampton were helped in their clean sheet exploits no end by Burnley’s ongoing squad problems.

They came into Gameweek 3 without James Tarkowski (£5.4m), Ben Mee (£5.0m), Robbie Brady (£5.0m), Jack Cork (£5.0m), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.4m), Jay Rodriguez (£5.9m) and Ashley Barnes (£6.0m).

Those absences left the Clarets rather short in every department and, with a large number of youngsters on the bench, Sean Dyche did not make a single substitution all night – almost certainly to send a message to the board.

“The chairman knows what is required. Action. We need players. It is a challenge though, here, it always has been. We have two experienced defenders on the bench and that is it. We are reliant on what we have. It is a challenge but we will have players back fit.” – Sean Dyche

Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea are three of Burnley’s next four opponents and if the Clarets do not improve their personnel problems between now and Gameweek 7, those clubs’ defensive assets certainly look like attractive prospects.

The ongoing list of absentees in Lancashire is helpful in one other respect: budget defensive options. Tarwkoski and Mee’s injuries have allowed Jimmy Dunne (£4.0m) to start two matches in a row now and, after two matches, the budget asset is actually Burnley’s top-scoring defender – useful for anyone Wildcarding right now.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; C Taylor, Dunne, K Long, Bardsley; McNeil, D Stephens, Westwood, Brownhill; Vydra, Wood.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): A McCarthy; Bertrand, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Djenepo (Tella 77′), Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Ings, Adams (Obafemi 77′).

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

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Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

1,089 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Gabriel likely to get starts going forward, or is he someone I should look to get rid of?

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

      Doubt he'll get much game time in the league

    2. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      he'll get starts. keep him for now, although the fixtures aren't great so if you don't have anything pressing then might be worth it

      1. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Haha, I have lots of things pressing

    3. Paulie Walnuts
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He will play, probably rested Vs Liverpool due to lack of experience.in big games. I'd hold

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don’t want to rip team apart for Vards, thinking Son & Delap > Ings & Mendy 4.5 Leics?

    Y/N other idea?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Saiss, James, Lamptey
    KDB, Sterling, Podence, Zaha
    DCL, Jimenez,

    Steer, Mitchell, Delap, Son

    .7

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Are you prepared to captain Jim and Ings?

      The one argument I see for Vardy - who I no longer have of course - is that he might be the better captain option.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Possibly on the very easy fixtures but mainly City & Pool
        Don’t remind me, I took out, Vardy, Richy, Trent, McCarthy !

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Lost Kane week 2, Vardy, Ings, McCarthy KWP and Bruno week 3

          WC triumph 😀

          Prefer the look of my side now overall. But anxious that I am short of C options. Vardy was easily my best C last time around

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've done similar moves, Ingsy is a great option imo

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  3. kenzo.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    guys who'll score higher
    A. Vinagre(FUL) and Kane (mun) + 4
    B. Bruno (TOT) and Jimenez (FUL)

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

      I think B easy

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

        Thanks

    2. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

  4. TMF86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Madness to still have Trent AND Robbo?

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

      35 points in 3 matches, how dare you!

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not at all.

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's not madness to have two extra attacking "midfielders"

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not after last night no

  5. Big Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My take on the Lamptey to Bayern rumour is that it's probably true that Bayern are interested but Brighton won't sell even for €25m. They were very firm over the summer on not selling Ben White despite a £25m bid. Granted that was to a Premiership rival but I think they're smart enough to realise he could be worth double that next year if AWB went for £50m

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

      We, lamptey-owners, wish that

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pretty much

      Value is way over 25 mill. This is a really poor season to be a selling club given financial climate and there's no reason to sell assets unless absolutely necessary.

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

      Very much doubt Brighton are on the position where they desperately need to sell in any case. Well run club.

      Lamptey moved because he wasn't getting game time.

      He won't get that immediately if he moves to Bayern - so it doesn't make much sense. It's not like Chelsea will have offered him loose change by way of a contract either, so you'd doubt money was the reason for the Brighton move.

      The Bayern interest may well be very real, but just makes no sense right after you have finally established yourself as a starter after working so hard for it.

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I can't remember where I heard it but apparently Chelsea offered him more money than Brighton - so game time was obviously a big factor for him.

  6. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez

    Lampety Digne Saiss

    Salah Sterling Podence Rodriguez Fernandes

    Werner Wilson

    Steer/Brewster/Mitchell/Ayling

    Used 1ft already would you go minus for anyone?

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

      no looks OK to me

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

    Wolves and City knock 4 past Leeds and Fulham and suddenly the takes I see will have a complete 180.

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That's the case every week.

  8. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    First choice and second choice?

    1) Rashford and Rodriguez

    2) Ings and Havertz

    3) Bruno and 6.9mid (Mount, Moura, Trossard, Soucek)

    4) Rodriguez and Havertz

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

      4
      1

  9. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For those interested, wrote this piece with the help of a biomechanics expert on why the Joel Ward penalty against Everton was scientifically wrong and how his movement could only be considered natural.

    Not normally one to share links elsewhere but thought this might intrigue a few > https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/sport/29092020-controversial-palace-penalty-biomechanically-wrong/

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

      Think your mate needs a job at the VAR table

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

      TL:DR - the guy does not own Richarlson

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

      Interesting piece - confirming common sense really

      Question if I may. How many of the 12 excess pens have been due to new rulings on handball? This one, the United one against Palace which was similarly bonkers and the Leeds one week 1 are the only ones that immediately come to mind.

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yep, those ones for sure, not too confident how many in total. Think stats perhaps just show more that VAR is tighter than ever this year and going with the attackers.

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

          I found this article (& btl response) very illuminating

          https://www.football365.com/news/the-handball-farce-explained-ifab-premier-league

          In essence, the rule is fine; it's the PL's over-literal interpretation of it that's the problem. They disregard the key role of intent.

          I also find it fascinating that the same rule and interpretation was introduced in Germany. For 2 years pens shot up but by the third year defenders had learned to adapt and pens were down.

          But what I most enjoy is the ironic thought that in football we're conforming to what the rest of Europe is doing - in the midst of Brexit!

          1. thepuntmaster
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            This struck me in that the new rule isn't that dramatic. In the Palace penalty, it was just wrong to be given I believe?

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yep

          Will need to keep an eye on this. Currently (post WC) have a fairly heavy defence (TAA Robbo) as I just don't see Liverpool conceding a sufficiently significant amount of excess pens to limit cs.

          May need to rethink or just get in more pen takers of course,

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

        Palace and Everton’s are the only ones really. While Dier’s handball is found to be controversial by many, by definition it was a penalty with previous rules as well.

        Leeds one shouldn’t have been a penalty under the new rules either as the ball was deflected on to the hand, just a ref mistake and probably VAR not interpreting as a clear and obvious error.

  10. Would an idiot do that?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner to Ings for free this week?

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

      I've done it - only in order to captain Ings, though. Otherwise, save the tran.

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

      No way not woth chelsea's next 2 fixtures

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

        with #

  11. BrutalLogiC
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son to who? Mahrez?

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

      barnse for me. Better fixtures

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

        barnes #

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

      Barnes

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

      Rodrigez

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

        I'm thinking Rodriguez too

        1. vincentwsho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mahrez

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not a common move, but I've gone to Trossard. Will later maybe do Brewster to Richarl but upgrading Podence to a premium another option.

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

    Early captaincy shouts for next GW? I'm thinking Ings.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings or KDB

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

      KDB

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Going with Bruno again. Spurs tend to be poor against MU and they have a tough week. Like the Ings pick though, if I had him I'd definitely be between the two.

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

      I'm keeping it simple with Salah, but don't have another standout option in my side

    5. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah probably

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

      Sterling or Jimi

    7. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Considering an unconventional Jim or Ings captaincy but will probably go KdB.

    8. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably going KDB but considering Ings.

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

    Mahrez or Jimenez ?

    Zaha or Barnes ?

    1. jb1985
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Zaha & Jimi, both the penalty takers

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

      jimi and barnes

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

      This week I might go Mahrez Barnes but going forward I'd prefer to have Jim Zaha

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      J and B.

  14. jb1985
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Too much on defence on WC?

    Martinez, Steer
    Lamptey, James, TAA, Saiss, Castagne
    Zaha, Barnes, Salah, KDB, Soucek
    Richarlison, Brewster, Jimi

    Rather than James & Castagne I could do Digne/Justin

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

      I'd rather DLC over Rich but that's just a personal pick. Other than i like it quite a lot.

      1. jb1985
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        problem with having a WC is that you try multiple formations out and try to fit players in I just accidently went into auto pilot and hit transfer on the below team. Think I lost a price rise on Castagne and Bamford who I had as place holders. D'OH!!

        Martinez,
        TAA, Robbo, Saiss, Justin
        Zaha, Barnes, Salah, KDB
        DCL, Jimi

        Steer, Delap, Lamptey, Burke.

        Delap is place holder for Brewster, hopefully they pull off a deal before transfer deadline.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah looks good, balanced.

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

    my front three are Werner, Jimenez and DCL. Is it worth it to do a Werner - Ings move?

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

      no keep i have the same front 3.

    2. Geraaaard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep it

  16. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    With Vardy flagged, reckon it's safe to transfer him in now for Werner before he rises tonight, or wait for further updates?

    McCarthy, Button
    TAA, Saiss, Holding, Lascelles, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, Foden, ASM, Reed
    Werner, DCL, Jimi

    1. Geraaaard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait till injury updates.

  17. Geraaaard
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Have werner and son.
    Who do you think best to transfer in?

    Kane / vardy / jimi + zaha / barnes / rodriguez

    Or

    Ricarlinson / DCL + fernandes / sterling / any midfielder below

    I have 1 ft this week. But will consider a -4pts hit if it’s necessary.

    Thanks