Scout Notes

Why there is concern for Wolves’ FPL attackers despite another Jimenez goal

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED

  • Goals: Raul Jimenez (£8.5m) | Jacob Murphy (£4.9m)
  • Assists: None | Callum Wilson (£6.5m)
  • Bonus: Jimenez 3, Murphy x2, Romain Saiss (£5.2m) x 1

Newcastle United repeated their Gameweek 3 trick of wrestling a scarcely deserved point from the clutches of a miserable defeat at Molineux on Sunday.

Jacob Murphy‘s (£4.9m) late free-kick brought Steve Bruce’s side level, ten minutes after Raul Jimenez (£8.5m) looked to have given Wolverhampton Wanderers all three points with his fourth goal of the campaign.

While not quite a bogey team, the Magpies have proven to be a tough nut to crack for Wolves since their promotion back to the top flight: this was the fourth league meeting in a row between the two sides that has ended 1-1.

ATTACK HAMMERED

The supposed fixture swing for Wolves in Gameweek 3 hasn’t led to a glut of goals, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scoring on just three occasions in the last four matches – despite facing the likes of Fulham and Newcastle in that time.

After a promising start on Sunday, the game became a bit of a non-event and it underscored an ongoing issue with Wolves’ attack, particularly against the also-rans of the division.

Twelve of Wolves’ 16 shots against Newcastle, including Jimenez’s goal, came from outside the box, with the hosts not really creating a single gilt-edged chance all match.

Asked about whether other players bar his Mexican striker should be sharing the workload on the goalscoring front, Santo said:

Yes, of course. We want all the players to score the goals, of course. I want every player to score 30 goals if possible. That’s what I’m trying to work on, trying to improve.

We had a lot of shots, not all of them on target. Let’s try to improve on the final delivery and the clinical moment of shooting on goal, making the keeper work. We didn’t test the keeper too many times, not too many shots on target.

Perhaps the Gameweek 3 thrashing at West Ham was a turning point.

Since then, Santo has proceeded with caution in tactics and personnel: Adama Traore (£6.4m) hasn’t started a single game, the defensive-minded Leander Dendoncker (£4.9m) has started all three in central midfield and centre-half Romain Saiss (£5.2m), admittedly through necessity at first, has been deployed at wing-back.

Wolves have seldom battered sides since their return to top flight and, despite his early-season words about wanting more goals and giving his players “more freedom”, it could be that the defeat at the London Stadium was a reminder to Santo that his success so far has been predicated on solidity further back.

The loss of Diogo Jota (£6.3m) and Matt Doherty (£5.8m) has also deprived Wolves of two sources of goals, with their replacements impressing but so far not offering that same threat in front of goal.

PODENCE-IAL ROTATION RISK

Those Fantasy managers who moved for Daniel Podence (£5.5m) ahead of the aforementioned fixture swing have seen little for their investment, with the budget midfielder blanking again on Sunday.

The Wolves winger started the game very promisingly, chancing his arm from distance twice in the opening 10 minutes and forcing Karl Darlow (£5.0m) into one of just two saves he had to make all match.

A lovely bit of interplay beween the hosts’ front three led to another blocked Podence shot just after half-time, with the Portugal international then setting up both Jimenez and Pedro Neto (£5.0m) for chances of their own.

It all counted for nought though as he was hooked not long after the hour-mark for the third game running and the clamour for Traore’s return may be getting louder, with Podence potentially most at risk.

That’s because the equally-impressive Neto has been an ever-present starter this season and it’s perhaps significant that it has been Podence who has been hooked first in each of the last three Gameweeks, with Traore taking his place on two of those occasions.

SITTING ON DEFENCE

Wolves were already joint-top for clean sheets heading into Sunday’s match but they would have had an outright lead had Murphy’s free-kick not found its way past a poorly formed wall and an equally culpable Rui Patricio (£5.5m) in the dying minutes.

The visitors had created next to nothing before that, with their total of five efforts on goal the lowest of any side in Gameweek 6 so far.

Santo said of his side’s defensive display:

We were solid and didn’t allow chances to Newcastle, we were solid on that part. But, of course, we’re upset.

All the game we were in control, managing well. It was a good goal, but it was disappointing to make a mistake in the final moments of the game. The ball cannot go on that side of the wall. The set-up was not the correct one.

There is little concern about the competency of the Wolves backline (they have banked 12 clean sheets in their last 20 league games) but there may be a degree of uncertainty about the personnel within it.

Conor Coady (£5.0m) and Willy Boly (£5.5m) are nailed at the back and Nelson Semedo (£5.5m) looks fairly secure at present, but the left-hand-side of the defence is tougher to call.

Saiss cheekily banked a clean sheet and a bonus point thanks to his 68th-minute withdrawal with the score at 0-0, with that haul catapulting him back to the top of the FPL points table among Fantasy defenders.

The substitution itself might be a medium-term cause for concern, however, with Saiss understandably offering little in the way of attacking threat from left wing-back and replaced by a more natural fit in the shape of Marcal (£4.9m).

Wing-backs have been crucial to Wolves’ set-up under Santo and if Marcal is recalled this Friday, which is by no means a given, then it could be Saiss and Max Kilman (£4.1m) who are competing for that third centre-half spot alongside Coady and Boly.

The decision would have been an easier one to make had it not been for Kilman’s recent displays, with the former futsal star again turning in a solid showing on Sunday and denying Callum Wilson (£6.5m) with one fine challenge early on.

RAFA RETURNS

With Newcastle short of numbers in the middle of the park – a half-fit Isaac Hayden (£4.9m) only on the bench and Jonjo Shelvey (£5.4m) now set to be sidelined for a long period after groin surgery – Steve Bruce turned to the tactics of his predecessor for this match.

The resultant display was, not for the first time this season, predictably short on attacking threat, with Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.3m) cutting a frustrated figure despite given a free role and eventually taken off.

It did lead to a more solid defensive display following the 4-1 loss against Manchester United, however, with Wolves comfortably kept at bay for the most part and Jimenez only breaking the deadlock from distance.

It remains to be seen if the Magpies again set out with a defence-first approach to stop Everton in Gameweek 7, with Bruce explaining after the game that he wants his side to be “hard to beat” while also evolving from the Rafael Benitez era:

We didn’t have any natural midfield players who want to win the ball back today. We have to defend better than we have done of late, we have to be hard to beat.

We are trying to find a balance to the team, it won’t happen overnight but we are trying to change the way we play.


Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Patricio, Kilman, Coady, Boly, Saiss (Marcal de Oliveira 68′), Neves (Moutinho 83′), Dendoncker, Semedo, Neto, Podence (Traore 68′), Jimenez.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Murphy, Lewis, Fernandez, Lascelles (Carroll 88′), Schar, Almiron, Hendrick, Fraser (Joelinton 78′), Saint-Maximin (S Longstaff 78′), Wilson.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 6

626 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS

    Team to play West Brom: Ryan, White, Webster, Veltman, Lamptey, Bissouma, Lallana, Burn, March, Maupay, Trossard.

    Subs: Steele, Bernardo, Alzate, Welbeck, Gross, Mac Allister, Connolly.

    WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Brighton: Johnstone, Furlong, Ivanovic, Ajayi, Townsend, Gallagher, Livermore, Krovinovic, Diangana, Grant, Pereira.

    Subs: Button, Gibbs, Bartley, Robinson, Phillips, Harper, Edwards.

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      For some reason I still own Pereira. I wish he would finally do something!

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Me too. I can't remember why I got him.

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

      Where is Lamptey m

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

        Ok, now saw him. Great

    3. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pereira and Trossard lets go boys

    4. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Come on Pereira, great day for the first WBA win

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

      Really tempted to buy Ivanovic soon 🙂

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

      Need a huge performance from Maupay.

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

      Can Pereira and Trossard save me?

  2. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    WEST BROM : Johnstone, Furlong, Ivanovic, Ajayi, Townsend, Gallagher, Livermore, Krovinovic, Diangana, Grant, Pereira.
    Subs: Button, Gibbs, Bartley, Robinson, Phillips, Harper, Edwards.

    BRIGHTON : Ryan, White, Webster, Veltman, Lamptey, Bissouma, Lallana, Burn, March, Maupay, Trossard.
    Subs: Steele, Bernardo, Alzate, Welbeck, Gross, Mac Allister, Connolly.

  3. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Maupay and Lamptey blanks incoming

    1. Frucke
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I hope not

  4. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lampteyinho nailed on for a 12 pointer

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

      Could we raise that to 18 points?

      1. Frucke
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hahah

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I need a minimum 20 points from Lamptey & Maupay combined to avoid a red arrow... yes it’s going well 🙂

  5. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Very stuck pls help

    Martinez
    Lamptey Robbo Saiss (Taylor) (Mitchel)
    Salah Son Hamez Grealish Pulisic
    Jiminez DCL

    1FT and 2.0mil ITB
    What do I do? Was thinking Taylor to chillwell and bench Lamptey? But is Kane essential? Would need a hit to move funds for him?

    Please any advice? No one replied on the last page 🙁

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Roll a dice - this season is purely random

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who's your 3rd striker?

    3. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Davies

  6. LE CHARO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Currently got 2 FT and no urgent move to make, so might as well transfer out Douglas for a playing defender. Who's the best option between Kilman and Mitchell? Kilman looks the most likely to keep his place, but his fixtures turn bad soon.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both look like they might keep their places

  7. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How’s my UCL limitless team looking like? 😀

    Oblak - Navas
    TAA - Ramos - Kimmich - Chilwell - Marquinhos
    Salah - Mane - Sterling - Bruno - Muller
    Lewandowski - Haaland - Mbappe

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

    Lamptey bros what we hoping for ?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      His first premier league hattrick

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      blank

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

        You're not a Lamptey bro...

    3. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      5 goals and 10 assist with CS in a 15-0 win
      why not..

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Double digits at least.

      Was robbed against Palace.

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

      Lamptey and Trossard party!

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

      Finally a double digit score

    7. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just a CS...I got 10/1 on a nil-nil draw, so I’m fine with that

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ben White OoP nice!!

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How?

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He's playing CDM

  10. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy (avl)
    Walker-Peters (avl) Robertson (WHU) Reguilón (BHA) Justin (lee)
    Rodríguez (new) Zaha (wol) Salah (WHU) Son (BHA)
    Werner (bur) Jiménez (CRY)
    Ryan (tot) Brewster (MCI) Bissouma (tot) Maitland-Niles (mun)

    GTG to roll FT? Captain Salah or Son?

  11. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    feel like i'm trading water, not doing awfully but not really doing very well either which leads me to want to do a few transfers, stupid moves do you think?!

    Bellerin > Kilman
    Jimenez > Werner
    Brewster > Antonio

    Would be for a -8 leaving me with the below team:

    McCarthy
    TAA / Kilman / Dallas / Mitchell
    Salah / Sterling / Rodriguez
    Werner / Kane / Antonio

    BUtton / Soucek / Bissouma / Justin

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Stupid imo lol. Bellerin could've had a goal, Jimenez scored.

    2. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Antonio potentially injured

  12. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Semedo/Saiss/Lamptey (Taylor/Mitchell)
    Bruyne/Son/Rodriguez/Salah/Foden
    Jimenez/DCL (Brewster)
    0.9 in bank
    2 FT

    Thoughts with 2FT?

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

    Come oooooon Maupay and Lamptey !!!

  14. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Masuaku or Coufal?

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

      Masboy for me

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm leaning Coufal or Cresswell I think, but I'll wait until next week.

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I think Cresswell is the best pick but funds are limited unfortunately!

    3. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I chose Coufal but haven't ruled out a cheeky double up for some of the tasty fixtures.

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on double Wolves defence at the moment, and might just switch them both to West Ham. Their fixtures from GW8-24 are about as good as it gets.

        1. TLF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          With CS and attacking returns a strong possibility from Masuaku and Coufal I don't dislike the double up at all at 9 million. Could prove to be a nice differential.

    4. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who drops if they play 4 at the back?

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Masuaku I think, that's the risk.

  15. mookie
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What position will Veltman play? Against Everton he came on for Lamptey at HT.

  16. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Save a transfer or makes changes? Thoughts much appreciated.

    Mc carthty/Ryan
    Mitchell, justin, chilwell, KWP, balbuena
    Grealish, son, salah, hamez, jorginho
    Kane, jimenez,DCL

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks fine to save.

  17. leonickroberts
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Saiss Bellerin
    Salah Sterling Son Podence Barkley
    Jimi DCL
    (Nyland, Mitchell, Brewster, Justin)

    1 FT, 1.1m ITB. Could really do with some suggestions on what direction to take this team in. Upgrade Bellerin to Chilwell etc? Go all out to get Kane in for Jimi?

    Any and all advice much appreciated - bit stuck...

    1. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Personally and I know this won't go down well with most but I'd downgrade robbo and upgrade to get kane in. Liverpool are not the same animal this year and robbo will have a big haul soon but it won't be week on week.

      1. leonickroberts
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That definitely wasn't something I was playing with, mainly because downgrading Bellerin and Podence would free up some funds for Kane - just not sure I've got it in me to go without a Liverpool wingback...

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

        I am also planning to get cash from Robbo unless I decide to sell Salah. But not this week though.

  18. sozopol
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    opted for Jiminez over Ings to start the season (with Kane and DCL). Not the right choice with hindsight, although not too disastrous or anything. Worth doing Jimi to Ings, if nothing else too pressing?

    1. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like wolves fixtures for next couple weeks. Il stick with Jimmy for now he will produce the goods.

    2. Pavsboot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Much of a muchness for me

    3. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      thanks!

  19. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Long term better combo?

    A) Kane + Grealish/Hamez

    B) Antonio + KDB/Sterling

    1. Pavsboot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like B to be a bit different assuming you've at least got Son for captaincy in good Spurs fixtures.

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes have Son

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

      Antonio and Grealish and rotate Kane and KDB. That is my plan., Fixtures swing is perfect for that

    3. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I currently have A with Hamez. No plans to shift Kane atm, especially not for KDB until he shows some form.

  20. jimbo90
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA Saiss Lamptey Mitchell Taylor
    Son Salah Foden Hamez Podence
    Kane DCL Brewster

    1 FT / 2.2m ITB

    Worth rolling the transfer? Maybe Podence to Grealish/Zaha?

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

    Justin first on my bench, any chance for full rest for Son/Kane tonight?

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

      You know they will outscore Justin.

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

        Juhuuuu!!! 😉

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

    Best Chelsea attacking asset is?

    A) Werner
    B) Pulisic
    C) Havertz

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

      Does it really matter?

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

        Course it does. Fixture swing and now Ziyech has gotten some more minutes we are likely to see their strongest attack staring together soon.

  23. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2 FT --> YES OR NO

    Foden + Jimenez --> Bruno + Bamford?

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

    3. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ok Thanks Gents

  24. Paulybaby123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Haaland Lewondowski Zapata
    Sterling Jota Salah (c) Sancho
    S.Ramos Robertson Kimmich
    Ederson
    Navas Pulisic T. Silva Hummels

    Champions league LIMITLESS team..all good?

    Cheers

  25. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Bissouma, get a goal please.

  26. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Never remove Foden

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I will what u gonna do

  27. FootieFan77
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Marcel came on for Saiss agst Newcastle so there is a worry Saiss isn’t nailed on anymore especially since Kilman has taken his centre back slot.

  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any of these worth it?
    A - Semedo and Barnes to Coufal/KWP and Pullisic -4
    B - Saiss and Barnes to Kilman and Pullisic -4
    C - Semedo to Chilwell
    D - Save

    Martinez
    Semedo Saiss Robbo
    Son Salah Grealish Barnes Jrod
    Kane DCL
    steer Lamptey Mitchell Brewster

  29. JHolmes
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA Robbo Chilwell
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish
    Wilson Jimenez DCL

    Steel, Konsa, Bissouma, Ferguson. 2 FT, 0.5 ITB. Any ideas what to do with 1 FT? Dont want to give up on Liv def just yet... Might just do some maintenance on ferguson or 2nd keeper.