Scout Notes

State of Fulham defence bodes well for Wolves options in Gameweek 4

Fulham 0-3 Aston Villa

  • Goals: Jack Grealish (£7.0m), Conor Hourihane (£6.0m), Tyrone Mings (£5.0m)
  • Assists: John McGinn (£5.5m) x2, Hourihane
  • Bonus Points: Hourihane x3, McGinn x2, Mings x1

A clinical Aston Villa maintained their perfect start to the season at the expense of a Fulham side seemingly hell-bent on getting their relegation form in nice and early.

Four wins on the bounce – two in the league, two in the Carabao Cup – have marked the Villans as an early-season form team, which is just as well when they’ve got Liverpool and Leicester to come next.

But there is a confidence and continuity about this club now – Villa have strengthened the squad this summer without upsetting the balance of the team – that suggests last season’s desperate struggle to stay up will not need repeating this time around.

Fulham coach Scott Parker switched to a three-man defence for the encounter, but his preference for playing high and wide remained intact. That was a tactic the visitors exploited ruthlessly from the get-go and offers some crumbs of comfort to anyone still in possession of Wolves attackers for Gameweek 4.

It took less than five minutes for Villa to find a way through that new-look backline, with Jack Grealish (£7.0m) running onto John McGinn‘s (£5.5m) ball over the top and steering it past Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) in the Fulham goal.

The strike was, according to boss Dean Smith, straight off the training pitch.

“We’ve been working on breakthrough runs with Jack especially. Great run, great finish, great pass.” – Dean Smith

The pair then combined for Conor Hourihane (£6.0m) to double the advantage after 15 minutes, with the midfielder sweeping the ball home from an intelligent McGinn lay-off. The former Plymouth Argyle and Barnsley midfielder has now registered more attacking returns than any other Villa asset since the beginning of Project Restart (five).

That made it two shots, two goals for Villa – a question of quality over quantity that neatly summed up the entire game. Fulham outshot the visitors 16-12, but managed just two attempts on target to Villa’s five and created no big chances while their rivals carved out four.

If the game wasn’t up after 15 minutes, it certainly was just after half-time when Tyrone Mings (£5.0m) sprang the Cottagers’ high line/offside trap attempt and was left all alone to score from Hourihane’s set-piece ball into the area.

It was the final proof, if it were even needed, of Fulham’s current defensive shortcomings. Indeed, conceding ten goals across the first three Premier League matches of a season would have equalled a nasty little record – if West Brom hadn’t had a ‘hold my beer’ moment and already let in 11 thanks to Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Chelsea.

What’s making matters considerably worse for Parker’s men is their inability to look the part at the other end of the pitch either.

This was their second blank in three league matches and the three goals they scored against Leeds were as much to do with the Yorkshire outfit’s own defensive issues as Fulham’s attacking prowess.

The 20%-owned Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m) was easily the most popular Fantasy Premier League starting asset on show at Craven Cottage, and he led the way for attempts (six), all of which came inside the area.

All of them were also headers, but only one found the target and none truly troubled visiting keeper Emiliano Martinez (£4.5m), whose most eye-catching save involved tipping a late Joe Bryan (£5.0m) effort onto the bar.

His opposite number, Areola, had the misfortune of picking the first three of Villa’s attempts on target out of the back of his net, but he was worked by Mings and McGinn when the game stretched out late on, while striker Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) twice went close with earlier efforts.

Fulham did manage to score at one point when Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.5m) pounced after Martinez spilled Aboubakar Kamara‘s (£5.0m) shot, only for VAR to entice referee Stuart Attwell to a TV screen to decide that Mitrovic had fouled Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) as the first shot came in.

The late introduction of new signing Bertrand Traoré (£6.0m) demonstrated the extra firepower Smith now has at his disposal, but he was quick to talk up a second straight clean sheet post-match.

“We scored some great goals, but maybe more pleasing for me is the will to keep the ball out of the back of the net. It’s about keeping that balance. If we can, it gives us a great chance to win football games.” – Dean Smith

The views of Parker were, in essence, a mirror image of his Villa counterpart.

“In terms of defending, yeah we weren’t good enough tonight. We’ve not been good enough for the first three games this season, and we need to address that. It’s an area that I think everyone at the football club can see.” – Scott Parker

Both Konsa and Mings have now scored this season, with the latter also providing a Gameweek 2 assist. The pair sit second and third in an FPL defenders table topped by Leicester’s Timothy Castagne (£5.7m), who’s played a game more. They are also backed by four clean sheets in their last six Premier League matches, three of those coming at Villa Park, where they play three of their next four fixtures.

But investing in Villa’s backline, or indeed any of their players, is just not happening from what we can see of the FPL transfer market. 

Despite their stellar start to the season, none of their assets can be found in Gameweek 4’s top 30 transfers-in, presumably thanks to those two tough fixtures mentioned earlier in this piece.

The Villans’ schedule eases considerably from Gameweek 6 onwards, however, with a trip to Arsenal probably the trickiest encounter of a 10-match run.

Fulham’s match-ups are more mixed, but the FPL reception to their current form is not – Mitrovic is currently the fourth most-sold player heading into Gameweek 4 as managers still invested in Parker’s men look to cut and run.

Fulham XI (3-4-2-1): Areola; Ream, Odoi, Hector (Le Marchand 58); Bryan, Tete (Kamara 39), Zambo Anguissa, Cairney; Cavaleiro, Decordova-Reid (Kebano 78); Mitrovic.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-2-1): Martínez; Targett, Konsa, Mings, Cash; Hourihane (Ramsey 76), Luiz (Nakamba 87), Trézéguet (Traore 84); McGinn, Grealish; Watkins.

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

701 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fantasyfog
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So I've just checked the current top 10's history and it was very Interesting, go have a look, pure luck clearly

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I don't think a bad history automatically means being in the top 10 this season is luck, maybe this is the year a few of them figured fpl out and go on a run of good finishes?

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

          With those ranks it clearly does

      • Laserface
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What else do you expect after just 3 GWs

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

          Have you seen their previous ranks

      • Jensen Luiz Coleman
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        8 out of the top 10 have played TC, the top 3 have played TC and FH and 2 of them have played WC as well, so that helps.

      • Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        3gws in. Of course it is lucky. Its a lottery at the start.

    2. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on this team? Another red arrow incoming?

      McCarthy
      TAA Justin Vinagre
      Salah KDB JRod Podence
      Werner Jimenez Mitrovic

      (Soucek Davies Ferguson)

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

        Good team. KDB captain ?

      2. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Werner to DCL

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Wouldn't you shake up the front line and try to get Vardy in?

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

          Vardy’s not going to get a penalty every match

          ...oh wait yes he is

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

      Who’s the best midfielder in 6m range ? Stuck with Doucoure. He seems to be playing way too deep for my liking

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

        Look to Leeds - very exciting.

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

          Yeah I was kind of stuck between Klich/Podence/Trossard/Pereira

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

        Pereira probs - talisman

        Though think both Harrison and Klich will give good value too.

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

        Townsend is in good form

    4. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner starts

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers..time for some scouting. Thanks

    5. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Up to 88k, 3.5mil ITB, anything worth a hit here?

      Martinez
      Digne, Saiss, Justin, Taylor
      Salah, KDB, Sterling, Barnes
      DCL, Bamford
      (Steer, Bissouma, Brewster, Ayling)

      Maybe one of these:
      Bamford -> Jimenez/Ings (-4)
      Ayling -> Trent/Robbo (-4)
      Brewster -> Richarlison (-4)

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

        No hit for sure

        Liverpool defence is where I'd look first personally if they are half decent this week. Failing that I'd also contemplate DCL to Vardy and not just Jim Ings from Bamford,

        Think Bamford and DCL will continue to offer similar value but a hot Party boy could be great

        1. Joey Tribbiani
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Going without Liverpool defence is scary, over 100% ownership between all of them

    6. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rumored United had a 117mil bid for Sancho rejected. YIKES

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

        Embarrassing

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hahaha

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

        United are a laughing stock. Sad stuff watching the great deals every other club manages to get while everyone bullies Woodward. He has to go.

        1. Threat Level Midnight
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Facts

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          It's not sad. I love every minute

    7. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Glad Werner is starting. If he’s crap again he’s going to have to go

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

        If he plays 90 minutes then again he has to go.

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

          I’m fine with him playing 90 mins if he plays well

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

        I forgot about tonight's game. Already tranned him out for Ings. If Timo bags a hattie I'll be fuming!

    8. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pick a WC attack:
      1- Salah, Sterling, Trossard, Zaha, Barnes
      Brewster, Ings, Jimenez
      Or
      2- Salah, Sterling, Trossard, Foden, (Mendy)
      DCL, Ings, Jimenez

      Defense is- Robbo, Saiss, Lamptey, Justin, Mitchel

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        First by Miles

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

      A) Son -> Zaha/Maddison

      or, take a (-4) for

      B) Son + Werner -> Rashford + Ings?

    10. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      apologies if this has been covered in a recent post, but does anyone know the likelihood of Vinagre playing this weekend?

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

        We have no news. I'd guess better than 50/50.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          No quotes, other than that we're all guessing what Nuno does after a beat down

        • sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          thanks! fingers crossed

        • Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          They are crap when he plays so its a lose lose situation

      3. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Best Wolves defensive cover? Want in ahead of Fulham, and reckon they will tighten up following West Ham.

        A) Semedo - differential option, extra 0.5 for potential attacking returns
        B) Saiss - mini league differential, but most likely to be dropped of back 3
        C) Coady - 80% of mini-league have him, so would be matching score only

      4. Alan The Llama
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lloris (C), Alderweireld, Dier, Tanganga, Aurier, Gedson, Ndombele, Sissoko, Reguilon, Bergwijn, Lamela.

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

          Yuck

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Stacking up on Spurs

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

          That's not a team set up to lose, whatever Mou says.

          1. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Only 2/3 first team players though.

        4. Threat Level Midnight
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Gross

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

          Pity they didn’t get Benteke transfer done

      5. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        State of Wolves bodes well for Fulham options in gameweek 4...

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

          Don't feed th.......

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

            Just pointing out that its a biased article title. Wolves have looked gash as well

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

              I own Jimi and Saiss fwiw..

            2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              An article to influence the masses.

        2. The Mandalorian
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Wolves should have players coming back

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

        Is LEI Mendy fixed or is he an injury cover??

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

          Cover for Ndidi but should be good for a fair while with Ndidi due to be out for 10-12 weeks

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

            Cheers

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

          In while Ndidi out

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

          Played terrific but a terrible FPL asset when there are so many exciting mids plus Vardy and Castle-chap

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

            Seems currently the best option at 4.5m.

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

              Shhhh 😉

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

        Should I activate the WC? pathetic score this week 🙁

        McCarthy
        Taa tierney justin
        Salah kdb podence jrod
        Dcl werner adams

        Subs, nylan, taylor, mitchell, bisouma

        Players im considering:

        Lamptey
        Castange
        Mahrez
        Fernandez
        Ings
        Jimenez
        Martinez
        Maupay
        Pete

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Lamptey and Mahrez great picks.

          Vardy too?

        2. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Who is Pete?

          1. Ain't No Holebas Girl
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Odemwingie?
            Crouch?
            Ndlovu?

        3. The Mandalorian
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          That's my team I ain't hitting no wc

      8. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thiago has Covid19. Wonder if any other Pool players will get it.

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

          Think he had it before he was omitted yesterday. Assuming the rest of the squad returned negative tests after his positive one

      9. DangerFC
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Need opinions please?

        A) werner to vardy
        B) werner to jiminez
        C) keep

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          A higher ceiling

      10. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Looks like 3 at the back tonight, the transition begins

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Davies going to be playing LCB?

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Definitely a possibility if Jose goes 3 at the back

        2. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          You think Davies is safe for a start or likely to get ditched?

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            See who plays Thursday

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Jesus, yous play Thursday too!! That’s a horrible run

      11. Party time
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Easy one here lads.

          Who scored the fastest goal from the bench in the PL?

          1. Threat Level Midnight
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Sebastian Haller

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

            Bendtner

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

            Carlton palmer

          4. Party time
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thought it was an easy one. So no one knows who...

            • Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Defoe

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

                Solskjaer?

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Lord Bendtner

            • FPL ElasticO
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Which combo is the best??

              A. Jimenez & DCL
              B. Ings & DCL

              1. The Mandalorian
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                A

            • Flair
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Giroud should be far better for Werner than Tammy will ever be, a focal point who is excellent at making the players around him play better. Lampard should have gone with that partnership from the start, very interested to see how they do today.

            • Nespinha
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Need some help boys, 0.0ITB + 1FT

              McCarthy (steer)
              Robbo, Saiss, Doherty (mitchell, ferguson)
              Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Podence, Pereira
              Werner, Mitrovic (davis)

              A) Doherty + Mitro - - - 4.5 def + DCL (-4)
              B) Save transfer
              C) Wilcard

            • The Mandalorian
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Werner it looks is playing on the wing again. What was the point of buying him.

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

                Waiting on P&Z

                Where's the CHE team list?

                1. The Mandalorian
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  BBC Sport

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

                    Cheers. Might stay up and watch this.

                    1. The Mandalorian
                      • 11 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Should be OK with a few cold ones

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

                Will change once puli is back

            • Brosstan
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Is Black Box on every Wednesday at 9 or does it vary week to week?

            • Henning
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Need help with this team Have no idea what to do.
              0 FT and 1.9m in the bank and have already used my wc.
              Is it worth a hit to get rid of son?

              Martinez Steer

              VVD Saiss Justin lamptey Mitchell.

              Salah KDB Podence Klich Son

              Mitrovic DCL Jimenez

            • AD105
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Good to go for next week?

              McCarthy
              TAA Saiss KWP
              Salah KDB Bruno Podence
              Ings DCL Mitro

              1. Dynamic Duos
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                G2G, but Mitrovic is bad

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

                Mitro > Bamford

            • OPTA FPL
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thiago has covid19! The whole Liverpool squad may be quarantined!!!

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

                No.

                1. OPTA FPL
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  it could be. Negative results are nothing within first 14 days!

              2. DRIZ ✅
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Sending Prayers

            • Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Hmmm just noticed Chilwell starting

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

                Yup. Looks close to a First Choice XI of those who're fit.

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

              I think Chris Wood was a mistake with Burnley's thin squad despite fixtures.
              a) Hold
              b) Wood > Maupay
              c)JRodrigues>Klich + Wood>Ings

              ?

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

                Desperately uninspiring transfers, why would you remove Wood before Newcastle, and why remove Rodriguez before Brighton? Bank the FT and hold, 100%.

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

                  Not sure Rodriquez will get that many assists/goals for price. Knew he'd often assist assister but expected him to have penalties. Burnley's attack seemed to suffering badly with their squad woes - thought it would be just their defence that suffered.

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

                    Doesn't mean those transfers should be made this week.

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

                I'd hold Wood for 2 weeks due to his fixtures and then shift to Maupay.

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

                Think I like C if on 2 FT

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

                I did the same, although I always planned to move him on to Vardy this week, Son's injury made it a bit easier. He's still capable though, got in behind a couple of times against Soton and was just offside IIRC. I wouldn't rush if that's your only worry.

            • RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Reguilon starting tonight good or bad for Davies owners?

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

                Should be bad but see how he does first.

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

                Good

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

                Depends how he performs.

                Could be a back 5 vs. United, especially with no Son on the wing. Davies is also more defensive so may occupy the RCB role.

                All a guessing game though.

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

                obviously bad.