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. ZLNR
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy (Nyland*)

    Targett Masuaku TAA Walker-Peters (Justin)

    Mane Salah Foden Rodríguez (Stephens)

    DCL Kane (Brewster)

    TAA + Foden to Chilwell + Grealish (-4)?

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

      Looks good to me.

  2. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Bamford -> Watkins

    B. Son —> Grealish

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

      If you're doing one then B

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A - Ollie on pk’s.

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

        Not sure that’s true tbh

  3. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last one from me. Which combo wins?

    A. Bruno, Soucek, Watkins
    B. Grealish, Ziyech, Bamford

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

      B

    2. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks both, B it is

  4. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I have no idea how other folk play this game but for me I largely base my picks on touches in the box. It works well if you look back historically...just build from there...and include a couple of outliers.

    I’ve never seen a time when the top six are mids and the next four fwds worth no more than 6.5.

    Strange times.

    https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/4386/

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Watkins or Bamford?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nothing between them. Fixtures says Watkins, stats say Bamford. Take your pick.

  5. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last Man Standing GW8 (2800+ teams)

    Safety score = 51
    Top score = 102
    LMS average = 67.2 (-1.08) = 66.12

    Roughly 182 teams to be removed.
    About 2650 teams through to GW9.
    Up to 7% or minimum 186 out next GW.
    Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  6. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If no injuries during intl break, Reguilon and Son to Cresswell and Bruno for a hit? What are your thoughts?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks decent, captaining Bruno?

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Looks even better then, should get an instantaneous recoup on the hit.

          1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            If he hauls ofc. It would be a miracle if I could profit on my captain 3 weeks in a row lol

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

            Didn’t watch the WBA game today then?

  7. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captaincy for next GW is so tricky. Difficult to see a standout option except Fernandes/Rashford and who knows how they'll fare at home against a parked bus.

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      DCL, Mo

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WBA aren’t good enough to park effectively

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

        Spurs say otherwise and arguably are more creative

  8. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Are Grealish and Watkins rising tonight ?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      have you checked the price rise sites ?

      1. Garam MOSALAH
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        They say around 95%

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Both on 94% so could, predictions not been the best this season.

  9. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will you WC this team ?

    McCarthy Nyland*
    TAA* Justin Taylor* Mitchell* Branthwaite
    Salah Son* Barnes* Podence* Bissouma
    Kane* Wilson* DCL

    * inj/rotation risk/poor fixtures

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yeah id definitely be thinking about one

    3. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks

  10. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hate to make early transfers, but chillwell and grealish rising.

    Can do Mitchell & Son to Grealish and Chilwell -4, own kane and happy to keep one spurs for their poor fixtures.

    I'll be praying for no injuries the entire int break though.

    It fixes the lack of subs problem (alzate not playing & mitchell lost his spot).

  11. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Early Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Robbo - Chillwell - Coufal (Lambty, Mitchell)
    Salah - Son - Rashford - Bowen ( 4.5)
    DCL - Kane - Watkins
    1 FT, 0.7 Itb

  12. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Really loathe to make a change tonight but Rodriguez and Mitchell are about to drop.

    Rodriguez to Ziyech is really itching at me.

    Or I could us a free and move on Mitchell with .5 itb. He's not a starter FWIW.

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

      Removing Rodriguez before a run of Fulham, Leeds, Burnley with Richarlison back...

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

      Ditching Rodriguez before Fulham?

    3. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ok ok cheers I will take the drop

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

    Think many will underestimate the West Brom defence going into this game, over the last 5 they are mid table for xga.

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Soton, Burnley, Brighton, Fulham are not hard fixtures tbf

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

    Watkins is the superior 6.0 striker pick, not Bamford. Change my mind

    1. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This and that

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

      Blank blank, last minute Southampton sleep ... abject Arsenal team ..

  15. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Risers: Jota (6.5) Chilwell (6.0) Vestergaard (4.7)

    Fallers: Jiménez (8.4) Snodgrass (5.7) Mitrović (5.7) Hudson-Odoi (5.7) Diangana (5.4) Saïss (5.2) Ramsdale (4.8) Matic (4.8) Rose (4.7) Bogle (4.3)

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

      Thanks

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How has Rodriguez not dropped?

      Also no Mitchell!

      Phew!!!

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        James Rodriguez?

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          That one yes

          1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            It just bugs me people are selling him before Fulham game

            1. Stupendous
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Oh he's gonna drop. Maybe two or three times.

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

                Nah it wont
                The threeshold is higher than peoples thought

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        price protected after red flag ?

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

      Thanks Raga,

      Mitchell survived wow

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly. My TV continues to plummet, sigh.

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.
      Take the Jimmy drop on the chin.

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

      Jota is an interesting one, still too much of a risk to me but punters could be rewarded against Leicester

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

        The fact that Bobby was subbed off at 55 mins and Jota played the 90 days otherwise

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

          Says*

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

            I don’t think it says much other than 4-2-4 wasn’t working

    7. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Jiminez you PoS

  16. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    When are changes going to happen ?

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

      look above

  17. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cracked 104m TV and moved up in my leagues! Shame about overall rank.

    Hope everyone is having a good evening/morning/day!!!

    Moving on up!

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm on 103.6, 700k OR but climbing and don't plan on stopping!

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

      101.1 here, madness

  18. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which order should I prioritise getting the following in?
    A) Grealish
    B) Jota
    C) De Bruyne (will be for Sterling)

  19. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey guys....Moving forward from GW9/10....which is the better combo

    McCarthy
    TAA Chilwell Konsa Taylor Mitchell
    Salah KDB ***** Grealish Soucek
    ****** Antonio Davis

    1) Ziyech, Kane
    2) Rashford, Werner

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

      2 for me due to better fixtures.

  20. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden owners , what are you doing with him?

    1. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He gets another week for me. Then shifting to KDB for GW10

    2. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling for Grealish

  21. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone who hasn't used their first wildcard yet, why we have to wait until gw16?

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

      Because we already wait to use it this long.
      New template will emerge every single GW tho

  22. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do you think Grealish will rise in price by 0.2 before gw9 deadline?

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

      Can’t see it

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't you want him regardless?

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes. Have like exact cash to do Barnes to Grealish

        Getting Barnes over Grealish in gw4 wc was not the best of decisions

    3. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I doubt it but you never know. I really increased my team value by using the WC on the Sunday prior to the last international break and keeping an eye on the fplstatistics page. I might regret but I already used my 1 FT this week to remove Mitchell and bring in Vestergaard before fall/rise. This is the first season I've followed the price changes and am hoping it will help later on but for now haven't really transferred out any players that have increased in price (other than Mitchell and Jorginho I think both +.1 on the sale).

  23. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Robertson > Chilwell
    Son > Bruno?

    2 FT

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

      hard to argue with these moves

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

      Aren’t Pool fixtures tasty now?

  24. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A lot depends on the int break, but any of these moves appeal?

    A) Son & Trossard to Bruno & Soucek (rotating 11th man with KWP)
    B) Kane & Son to Jesus & Bruno
    C) Kane & Trossard to Watkins & Bruno
    D) Kane, Trossard & Son to Watkins, Hamez & Mane/KDB (-4)

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

      Probably C if any

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

    Pick 2 of
    A. Grealish
    B. Ziyech
    C. Jota

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Easy. A + B.

      Jota is good but Liverpool with a front 4 will have points split even more. He looked better when Firmino was not playing.

      Value for money Jota is great though.

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

        Makes sense cheers

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

        Jota can easily be on the bench any given week ; 4-2-4 hasn’t worked

  26. MoeZe3bi
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who will yield more points for the next gw

    A) Son+Kane
    B) Bruno+Watkins

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  27. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    85 points, GW rank of 76k and OR of 14k.
    Very happy!

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

    Best Foden replacement?

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

      Rossy Bark

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

        I'm confused between him and Jota

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

          Jota I feel like will be Foden 2.0 with rotation so if you’re sick of Foden for that reason I’d go Barkley

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

            Good point. Cheers mate!

            1. Klopp's Kids
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              I think Barkley until Jota gets a good run of games.

              Good fixtures, price and form.

  29. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    0.0ITB 1FT
    Thinking of Trent to either Dias or Cancelo (probs Dias due to my lack of bench depth)
    Love City and Villa's run of fixtures

    a) Trent to Dias +1.9 ITB (2.0 for Cancelo)
    b) Son to Grealish + 1.9ITB
    c) both (-4)
    d) Son to Grealish and Jiminez to Werner/Jesus (then downgrade Trent after international)

    Thanks!!

    Martinez
    TAA, Robbo, Chilwell
    Salah, Son, Zaha, Ziyech
    Jimi, DCL, Watkins

    Forster; Soucek, Mitchell, Dunne

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

      next GW*

    2. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      I like the Cancelo pick personally.

  30. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on?

    Robertson>Cancelo or Masuaku
    Podence>Ziyech [-4]

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

      Like the trade, if could afford after next game week would hold the FT, but probs will get priced out
      I think its a good move