Scout Notes

‘Form versus fixtures’ poser for Son and Kane’s owners after late Spurs win

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

  • Goals: Harry Kane (£11.0m)
  • Assists: Matt Doherty (£5.8m)
  • Bonus: Kane, Doherty x3, Sergio Reguilon (£5.6m) x1

Harry Kane’s (£11.0m) owners will remember his late header that briefly sent Tottenham Hotspur top of the table but it was an otherwise forgettable match at the Hawthorns that had looked destined for 0-0 mediocrity.

Spurs were unconvincing in this Sunday lunchtime clash – a combination of tiredness from their midweek Europa League trip to Bulgaria and a resilient West Brom who were unlucky to have a point cruelly snatched away.

Reflecting on the game, Jose Mourinho said:

It was one of those matches with all the ingredients to lose a couple of points – difficult opponents, they want to stop you, they analyse you, they see where you are strong, they try to close every possible door, and they did it.

Kane was quiet but all he needed was an 88th-minute cross by Matt Doherty (£5.8m), rising to head the Irishman’s delivery home.

That was the England striker’s eighth goal from as many matches against the Baggies and his 150th Premier League strike overall, maintaining Spurs’ 100% away record.

KANE IS ABLE

Over two million FPL managers captained Kane this week, no doubt expecting another haul after Spurs’ previous three away wins produced a combined 12-3 score. But things were much tougher here against a side fighting to escape the relegation zone.

For all the comments about Kane essentially playing as a midfielder, he still provides the goals to go alongside his new-found creativity. The two assists of last season have already been eclipsed by eight this time and he entered the weekend with a number of chances created (14) and big chances created (9) far higher than the next best from a forward.

Similar to how Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) acts like a false nine for Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Sadio Mane (£12.0m) to play as two forwards, Kane was seemingly sitting deep for a Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Gareth Bale (£9.5m) strike force. Yet it is the England captain who takes home the points, while Son disappointed many by not continuing his streak of double-digit away hauls.

SON STOPS SHINING

Clearly, it isn’t maintainable to get 24, 18 or 11 points every time but Son missed a huge chance in the first half. Put through by Tanguy Ndombele (£5.9m), Son seemed hesitant to pull the trigger as West Brom defenders sprinted back to catch up. He eventually dug out a shot but it missed.

A second successive blank will concern his 60% ownership, especially considering the fixture swing that now awaits Jose Mourinho’s side.

Their first six games after the international break include meetings with Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester City. In a classic FPL debate about form versus fixtures, what will the many who have doubled up on both Kane and Son do about this difficult run? Particularly when premium assets at Manchester City and Manchester United are about to begin a kind run.

Neither player is at fault, as they sit atop the FPL game as highest scorers so far. They have accumulated 15 goals and 10 assists between them from only eight matches – truly phenomenal numbers. In a crazy season which has produced huge shocks, great comebacks, many goals and little sense, perhaps it is too logical to assume that Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m), Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) or Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) are the way forward.

The team news was headlined by Bale starting his first league match since returning to Spurs on loan from Real Madrid. Against Brighton, he came off the bench to score a late winner – such drama is becoming a habit in recent weeks, replacing the heavy wins of before – and was deemed ready to form a fearsome front three alongside Kane and Son. In truth, he was ineffective, almost reaching a cross early in the second half but producing nothing else.

REGUILON CONTINUES TO ATTACK

Only left-back Sergio Reguilon (£5.6m) was providing any attacking threat as the match dragged on. Long-range shots in the 59th minute were saved and then blazed over, with a later effort being blocked into the path of Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m). Had the substitute scored, it would have been Reguilon’s third assist from five league appearances.

In addition to a clean sheet, Reguilon certainly passed the eye test – crossing for Carlos Vinicius’ (£7.0m) low left-footed shot that produced a wonderful save from Sam Johnstone (£4.5m). And yet it was Doherty on the other flank who provided Kane’s assist.

The £15m signing from Wolves was initially heavily-backed by the FPL community but has gradually been abandoned, dropping twice in price because he had registered no attacking returns and was rotated twice with Serge Aurier (£5.2m).

WINLESS BAGGIES

In his programme notes, the under-pressure Slaven Bilic demanded that his players be “more streetwise, more mature and dirty in the game”. He got what he asked for, with West Brom arguably the better side for most of the match.

The Baggies boss said after full-time:

My message to the players was that this has to be our standard now. We have to perform like this in every minute of every game as a minimum. It’s really difficult to take confidence from a defeat because the best way to get confidence is to win games and climb up the league. But you can also get confidence from performances and today was an example of that.

Bilic was forced into making changes to his side after Matheus Pereira (£5.9m) and Branislav Ivanovic (£4.5m) tested positive for coronavirus. He used this opportunity to switch systems, going for a 5-4-1 wing-back formation with the returning Kyle Bartley (£4.5m) and Dara O’Shea (£4.3m) featuring at centre-half.

Karlan Grant (£5.9m) somehow missed a free header from six yards after a brilliant Darnell Furlong (£4.5m) cross, before a teasing Callum Robinson (£5.5m) delivery dropped over Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) and was headed off the line by Eric Dier (£4.9m). The second half saw Conor Gallagher (£5.5m) hit the post from distance and Furlong’s header force an acrobatic save from Lloris.

However, they are still without a win. Apart from back-up goalkeeper David Button (£4.0m), no West Brom player has ownership above 2%. Their players are relatively untouched but, if looking for a differential, it might be worth considering that their next home games are against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Leeds.

The Baggies have been better at the back of late than they have going forward and Johnstone is one of the cheapest starting goalkeepers out there, sitting third for saves among top-flight shot-stoppers.

Given Aston Villa’s favourable schedule, Emiliano Martinez (£4.8m) will, however, remain the go-to option for many.


West Bromwich Albion XI (5-4-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea, Townsend; Krovinovic, Livermore (Edwards 89′), Gallagher, Robinson (Diangana 67′); Grant (Phillips 84′).

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Ndombele (Lo Celso 64′), Sissoko (Carlos Vinicius 79′); Bale (Lucas Moura 78′), Son, Kane.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 8

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,357 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Worth a wildcard? If Trent is out then I'd have to make that move. don't really want Podence either. And no easy route to City/Vardy.
    Can maybe struggle through it

    McCarthy
    TAA, Robbo, Chilwell
    Salah, Rodriguez, Son, Grealish, Podence
    DCL, Martial

    (Steer, Ayling, Ferguson, Davis)... 1FT, 0.2ITB

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Can lose trent anyways the rest are reasonably ok

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would just take a -4 and downgrade TAA and bump Rod or Son up to Bruno or City

    3. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You can get to Vardy via Martial if you ship TAA

  2. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Please help me pick two until Christmas?

    A) Kane
    B) Bruno
    C) KDB

    (I also have Salah and Son)

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

      BC

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      AB.

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      AB

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      AB plus Jesus

      1. Sam (Team Sam)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Actually surprised by the AB love.

        Thought more would go BC.

        Can't get Jesus too.

  3. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any indication Saiss will reclaim his place, or should he remain on my bench?

    1. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      don't know but going down in price tonight by the look of things

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tough day for kilman today, think there is still a chance Saiss gets back in

    3. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Unlikely I would say, although Kilman a little ropey today.

    4. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Seems like he's down in the pecking order
      and for that price you could have someone like James

  4. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looking for a Jimenez replacement, can't go for Watkins unfortunately because I've got Martinez, Steer and Barkley.

    Who would you pick from Antonio, Bamford or Adams?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bamford

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Old Bam

  5. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Come on kneejerkers, buy all Villa players now !!

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

      Think most bought after Liverpool

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah. That 7-2 humiliation certainly caught the attention.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No need already had Marty & Jack for months

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I have Steer

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Benrahma an option now?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who?

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bananarama?

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

    How many seasons until Grealish is 9.5/10M player? Does he need a move away from Villa to reach that?
    Next season 8.5M my prediction

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      8.5 > 9.5 next season

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      8.5m if he leaves Villa for a big club

  8. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    When are we likely to find out the extent of the TAA injury?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      After the scans, probably a few days

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

    Mccarthy
    Chilwell justin lamptey taylor mitchell
    Son salah bruno sterling soucek
    Watkins dcl davis

    1.8 itb 1ft

    What to do ?

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save

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

    What to do with Robbo?
    The $ doesn't really give me the ability to upgrade, so hold?

    Martinez | Forster
    Robbo | Chilwell | Coufal | Kilman | Mitchell
    Salah | Sterling | Son | Ziyech | Zaha
    DCL | Bamford | Brewster

    0.8 ITB.

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm just holding. A City or. Chelsea def would be a popular move

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

        I do have Chilwell.

    2. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Robbo > PVA

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

        no thanks. good fixtures for 3 weeks.

  11. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA could be out for 3 months

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sauce?

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thats my opinion not fact. He injured himself not other player, thats always bad.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Oh ok

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Seriously? 🙁

    3. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sauce?

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Damn Chilwell 100% ownership by Christmas

    5. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He could also be out 3 weeks...no way anyone can predict at least until scans are done

    6. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It was odd ; not a hamstring for sure . . . I don't think anyone knows yet.

    7. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mmm Looked calf but he did pull up as if he pulled something and he knew. With no sources or evidence I'd reckon at least 2/3 weeks? Who knows.

  12. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson or Watkins?

    Currently edging Wilson as he's on pens but Villa look like they will score more

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Watkins is on pens

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is he tho? Maybe Grealish just gave him that one last wk for a confidence boost?

    2. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Are Wesley and El Ghazi not ahead of him?

    3. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is Wilson not injured?

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Newcastle need to get near the penalty area to get penatlies.

  13. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this plan please?

    Gw9.....taa and son to cancelo and bruno (c) - 4

    Gw10....kane and foden to kdb and striker TBC - 4

    Martinez
    Taa Chilwell James lamptey Mitchell
    Salah son ziyech Foden burke
    Kane dcl watkins

    Thanks

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

    Which sounds better?

    A: Foden to Ziyech (FT)

    B: Trent to Coufal and Foden to Bruno (-4)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A. no hit

  15. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why are ppl transferring Chilwell in already with two wks to go?

    Anyway think of this

    Robbo/Reguilon/Son ➡️
    PVA/Chilwell/Bruno - 4

    Spurs nxt 3 put me off but keeping Kane for now.

    What you think?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Paranoia of price changes ...

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Iv money to spare so I won't be doing it anytime soon. Wat u think of those moves?

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Won't take hits for that ... prob just Chilwell Bruno

    2. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      to catch price rises

  16. spotfixers
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why isn't Saiss starting?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kilman and the LWB playing well

      1. Seanigula
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        which neither did today

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The manager thinks the players he’s picking will do better. Simple as that. It’s not a settled back line though.

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    75×2 points for captain pretty good return for captain right?

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That would be some game.

  18. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Ziyech + Justin

    B) Zaha + Cancelo (0.1m cheaper)

  19. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    11 points from Targett on the bench...

    1. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      10 from watkins. I learned something about benching strikers.

    2. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      that why you were bitter about Martinez owners?

  20. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Are you convinced by Jota or too much risk of non-start?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Too much risk. If he'd started as a front three today that would have been something . . but as a four the doubt is still there. He also wasn't great today and neither was Bobby which means I don't think we'll see the 4-2-4 repeated much.

  21. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Selling Kane seems risky. I know he has tough fixtures. But he’s on pens (which means a lot this season) and at 11.0 he won’t be cheap to get back.

    A. Selling
    B. Keeping

    1. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling for Vardy

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B, got other problems to solve.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling now and bring him back in few GWs

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

      Probably just need to sell with those fixtures and other options available. Last couple of games have not been convincing.

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

      B. Keeping, not even cossed my mind to sell. He has only blanked once this season and it was GW1, plus pens as you said.
      I get why people are tempted to dicth if they are solely looking at fixtures, but he has some of the best form in the league, seems too risky for me. And many are doing Kane to the likes of Watkins :O

    6. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just keeping

  22. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1 FT, 0 ITB, should I WC this lot? I want Bruno

    Martinez Steer

    Chilwell Zouma Lamptey Justin Mitchell

    Podence Salah Son JRod Jorginho

    Vardy Kane DCL

    1. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would you consider doing what i proposed below?

  23. Goodfeathers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Bruno (c) for 1 week? will lose 0.2 value..

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

      no

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No, Bruno averages 3ppg at home this season.

      1. Goodfeathers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nice - thanks

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No, salah is also a good captain choice

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

      Salah is season holder atm

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No Salah can stay

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

    I am thinking of hitting my wild card in spite having what is probably my best game week.

    What do you think of this team?

    Martinez McCarthy
    Chillwell Justin James, masuaku , c Taylor

    Ziyech, Jota, de brunye, Bruno, grealish

    Jesus, dcl Watkins

    Trying to get ahead of the curve with Jesus a little as haven't seen him mentioned but should be getting plenty of game time.

  25. Lionac
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best option in Chelsea attack?
    Werner or Ziyech?

    Best replacement for Mitrovic?
    Watkins or wait on Antonio injury update?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech...and Bamford

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Agree with this

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech and Chilwell are the combo for me.

      Grealish and Antonio probably the best combo

  26. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah DCL Grealish or even Zaha, who is your Captain pick for next GW and why?

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah. Rashford or Bruno if i buy

  27. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    United or City assets? I have to choose if i want to keep Kane. Thinking to keep Son and then do in GW 10 Son to KdB/Sterling.

    Also have WC

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I still don’t think City look like must haves at this point

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yea but you can catch those points with them as differentials.

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KdB or Bruno are good.

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

    If not on wc then last free transfer
    A) Son (mci) -> Bruno (wba)
    B) Podence (sou) -> Grealish (bha)

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B ez

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  29. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it worth a -4 to get Bruno?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only if captain him imo

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WBA gona sit back and park the old bus

  30. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Barkley being overlooked? Played like a support striker, took shots, created chances and shares set pieces.

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He's priced accordingly. Grealish is the one to have imo