Scout Notes

Coady isolation forces four-man defence as McCarthy continues to prove FPL worth

Wolves 1-1 Southampton

  • Goals: Pedro Neto (£5.5m) | Theo Walcott (£5.8m)
  • Assists: Raúl Jiménez (£8.4m) | Che Adams (£5.9m)
  • Bonus points: Alex McCarthy x3 (£4.5m), Adams x2, Kyle Walker-Peters x1 (£4.6m)

SAVING THE SAINTS

Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) was the star of the Fantasy Premier League show on Monday night as he managed a seven-point score in a 1-1 draw at Wolves.

The Southampton goalkeeper made a total of eight saves and, despite conceding, came away with maximum bonus thanks to no player earning a share for a game-winning goal and a late Che Adams (£5.9m) foul.

Thanks to repeated denials of Daniel Podence (£5.4m) in particular, McCarthy has now earned an additional two points for saves in two of his last three Premier League outings and has averaged 4.4 points per game.

Among goalkeepers, only Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) has offered better value this season than him too, the West Ham man scoring 10.0 points per million spent to McCarthy’s 8.9.

Crucially, the form of Southampton’s goalkeeper could potentially come into the decision-making process for the Gameweek 10 captaincy.

Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m) travels to St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon fresh from back-to-back double-figure hauls, three of the four he has recorded this season coming on the road too.

However, Southampton are yet to concede a single goal at home since their Gameweek 2 thrashing by Spurs and, if McCarthy is in half the form he was on Monday night, Manchester United assets could easily be frustrated…

COAD BREAKERS

Wolves were forced to contend Monday night’s encounter without club captain Conor Coady (£4.9m) who, following a period of self-isolation missed his first league match in over three years, having played the previous 120 in a row.

“A big (blow to lose Coady). Unfortunately, with Coady and Saiss, players that have been with us since the Championship. Since (Conor) returned from the England squad, he has been self-isolating. He has tested negative, maybe he’s already immune but he cannot be with us.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

“Saïss is in self-isolation since returning from the national team. He tested positive. He is comfortable with the situation. He is at home by himself with his family in another room and he has to protect himself to stay fit and healthy.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Coady’s absence, as well as a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test for Romain Saïss (£5.2m), triggered Wolves’ first outing with a back-four since May 2017, when Paul Lambert was the manager for a 1-0 win over Preston North End.

In this rather unfamiliar set-up, Nuno Espirito Santo deployed Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m) and Nélson Semedo (£5.6m) as traditional full-backs with the left-footed Max Kilman (£4.3m) as the right-sided centre-back to Willy Boly (£5.5m), although the two switched over at half-time.

It was clear that Wolves took some time to grow into a 4-3-3 formation, with Southampton causing plenty of problems with their narrow formation.

However, once they added Pedro Neto (£5.5m) to midfield in the place of Rúben Neves (£5.3m) and went for a 4-2-3-1, Wolves were the better team in the closing stages and the most likely to win the game.

“Conor was not available. Saiss also. We decided to go with three midfielders and it was good. I think we should grow, we should find solutions. We have an identity that is more not about the system, it is about the idea that we fight and try to play good football and we try to be solid. I think we managed that. Let’s see (if we use four at the back again).” – Nuno Espirito Santo

INGS ARE LOOKING UP

Despite fears that Danny Ings‘ (£8.3m) injury would limit Southampton’s offensive capabilities, Ralph Hasenhüttl has found a very effective solution in the strike-pairing of Adams and Theo Walcott (£5.8m).

The two players have only enjoyed two Premier League outings as a front-two but have already combined in each of those.

Walcott was the more dangerous of the two at Molineux, using his pace to get around the back on more than one occasion.

In the first half, he whipped an effort back across goal which was well-stopped by Rui Patrício (£5.5m), before punishing Semedo’s momentary lack of concentration in the second, sneaking in at the back post to tap Adams’ cross into an empty net.

Later, Walcott played an incredible chipped through-ball to Adams, straight out of the Harry Kane (£11.0m) playbook, but the former Birmingham man pulled his effort just wide.

Once the Gameweek 10 meeting with Manchester United is out of the way, Southampton face Brighton (away), Sheffield United (home), Arsenal (away) and Fulham (away) between Gameweeks 11 and 15, perhaps the best time to consider investing in Adams or Walcott, depending on Ings’ fitness, of course.

Of the two, Adams seems the most likely to hold his place, but the out-of-position factor for Walcott certainly hands him the most explosive potential before Ings returns to the side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (4-3-3): Patrício; Aït-Nouri, Boly, Kilman, Semedo; Moutinho, Neves (Neto 70′), Dendoncker; Podence (Vitinha 85′), Jiménez, A Traoré.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): A McCarthy; Bertrand, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Djenepo (S Long 79′), Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Diallo 90′); Adams, Walcott.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 9

999 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What's happened to Foden the last four prem games? Barely got a look in!

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

      Might as well hold on now, see what happens in these games unless you've got luxury transfers.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d get rid. Be a problem all season

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

      Liverpool, Tottenham both difficult games and City performed poorly against Sheffield United and West Ham. If Pep doesn't start him against Burnley and/or Fulham, then it's clear he never will and Foden ceases to be an FPL option.

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

      Hes just not in peps preferred 11 i'd say

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

      I’m hovering over moving him to jota. Lost patience with him...

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

        I'm considering a ludicrous Barkley to Foden move for some reason.

  2. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RBL should switch to some sport where skills are not required.
    Just running and pressing and positioning and discipline. But not skills, they don't own them.

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son+JRod >> KDB(c)+Jota? (-4)

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, Cresswell, Justin
    Bruno, Ziyech, Rodríguez, Grealish, Son
    Kane, DCL
    (4.0, Saiss, Mitchell, Davis)

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

      I smell burn!

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

    Auction league question:
    Which 2 currently unsigned players would you go for from these?

    Praet (M)
    March (M)
    Ndomble (DM - 1 point for clean sheets)
    Dier (DM - 1 point for clean sheets)
    Welbeck (S)

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

      welbeck

  5. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one scores more in the next 4/5gws?...not sure about the playing minutes for A/B which makes me think twice.

    A) Jota
    B) Torres
    C) Dias
    D) Cancelo

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

      D

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why Cancelo over Dias? Wouldn’t a natural LB (mendy) preferred to Cancelo? Dias looked quite nailed along with Laporte right?

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

          Dias is nailed but your question is about the next 4 GW's, and I don't think Mendy will be risked just yet. Cancelo will start at least the next few games. I will consider getting rid of Cancelo as Christmas approaches

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

        Kyle walker and Kdb didn't travel so Cancelo will prob be playing right back tomorrow. So i'd say there is a small chance he gets his first benching saturday but probably not

  6. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Ziyech to Salah for -4?

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Defo not

  7. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How’s aguero getting on with his fitness?

    They need him back!

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

    DF - Bellerin, Cancelo, KWP, Robbo, Mitchell
    MD - KDB, Fernandes, Son, Grealish, Podence

    Pick one:

    A) Robbo + Son (no Liverpool mid)

    B) Masuaku + Salah (-4)

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

    Podence to Jota worth a hit?

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

      nope

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am looking at same transfer but as FT - tricky one whether worth -4 hit though

    3. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      no

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think so yes. More of a chance of getting attacking points compared to Podence

    5. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  10. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Bruno more of a necessity right now rather than KDB?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope.

    2. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      About equal priority for me (but I have both)

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

        And Salah?

        1. A-L
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Is the kind of player to come in and score well on a returning appearance, so you'd do well to have all 3. They could all be explosive but with Liverpool on early kick-off after midweek I'd put the other two just ahead

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't say a necessity but I would try and get both

    4. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah. Fixtures are fixtures.

  11. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which two for the next run from:
    A) KBD
    B) Bruno
    C) Salah

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B, C

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Based on current form B and C.

    3. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B and C

      Until MCI starts clicking

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

    What to do here? 1FT, 0.5itb
    Fabianski (AVL)
    Digne (LEE) - PVA (NEW) - Targett (whu)
    Salah (bha) - Fernandes (sou) - Ziyech (TOT) - Zaha* (NEW)
    DCL (LEE) - Kane (che) - Watkins (whu)
    (Steele - Masuaku (AVL) - Kilman - Anguissa)

    A) Roll FT (play Masuaku over Zaha)
    B) Zaha > Jota/Walcott/Maddison
    C) Zaha + Kane > KDB + Bamford/Antonio (-4)

    Thanks!

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Roll the FT and do C with 2FT

  13. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with Zaha keep or get rid for minus 4

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Obviously wait for news.

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If he test negative he still misses Friday

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Not necessarily. Depends when he gets a negative test. He could easily get a negative test tomorrow, train weds and thurs and play on Friday

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

            I though a 10 day isolation was required irrespective of a negative test

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

              Thought*

            2. Feed tha Sheep
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              I thought so too..obviously isn’t the case for footballers

  14. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this -4?
    Kane and Zaha to Antonio/Bamford and KDB (C)

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling Kane for a hit is a mistake regardless of opposition

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You know the risk but it could pay off

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks guys!

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

      I've been thinking over the same move. I think if you are ever going to move Kane out it's now. Spurs fixtures turn good again in week 16.

  15. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Rodriguez to KDB worth a - 4 or wait until GW11? I was hoping KDB would've got some mins in the UCL game to convince me of the transfer

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

      No

  16. HARLEY
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Bellerin KWP
    Bruno Son Grealish Jota
    Kane Vardy(C) DCL
    (Steer Kilman Lamptey Bissouma)

    1 FT 1.3 itb

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Gtg

  17. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I've noticed DCL goes up in price whenever there is a day that ends in y.

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yesterday, today and tomorrow

  18. Classic Haalandaise Sauce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need to replace Zaha and would like to get some Leicester coverage (can’t afford Vardy). Who would be the best option out of the following?

    1) Barnes
    2) Maddison
    3) Tielemans

    Thanks!

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Prob the order you have them in

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

      Coverage smoverage. Vardy or bust for Leicester IMO.

      Got Grielish? Hames?

      1. Classic Haalandaise Sauce
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers both!

        I’ve got Grealish, Son, Fernandes & Jota.

  19. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best move for this lot?

    A) Kane >> Vardy

    B) Werner + Podence >> Vardy + Soucek -4

    C) something else 1FT 0.3itb

    Martinez
    James • Coufal • Chilwell • Robbo
    Grealish • Bruno • Son
    Kane • DCL • Werner

    Steer / Podence / Biss / Lamptey

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tough prob A

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  20. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi Guys, simple question A or B?

    A) Kane > Vardy
    B) Saiss > Coufal

    Martinez (Steer)
    Chilwell, Robbo, Lamptey (Saiss, Mitchell), Bruno, Son, Grealish, Ziyech (Podence)
    Bamford, DCL, Kane....

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A more upside
      B more a priority...my answer not much help

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  21. Couch Potato
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Either of these worth a Free Hit?

    A
    Johnstone
    Chilwell, Laporte, Cancelo
    Bruno, Grealish, Son, Jota
    DCL, Kane, Vardy (c)

    B
    Johnstone
    Chilwell, Dias, Cancelo,
    KDB, Grealish, Son, JWP
    DCL, Kane, Vardy (c)

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

    Arsenal next season. Just need a couuple of transfers for a title-challenging squad 😉

    League Team:

    Leno
    Bellerin Holding Gabriel Tierney
    Auoar Partey Saka
    Auba Haaland Martinelli

    Cup Team:

    Runnarsson
    Cedric Saliba Mari Maitland-Niles
    SmithRowe Elneny Willock
    Nelson Balogun Pepe

    Backup: Luiz, Chambers, Cottrell, Willian, Lewis, John-Jules, Nketiah

    Gone: Iliev, Mustafi, Sokratis, Mavropanos, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Ceballos, Ozil, Lacazette

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

      Lol!

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

    McCarthy Forster
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal Lamptey Dallas
    Bruno KdB Grealish Jota Bissouma
    Kane Dcl Antonio/Watkins

    Itb for Salah

    Thoughts on this WC team?

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

    Hi.....3.1mitb and 1ft.....what move would you make here?

    I'm drawn to kane and son to vardy and kdb - 4......

    Martinez
    Chilwell cancelo james (mitchell lamptey)
    Bruno son grealish ziyech (burke)
    Kane dcl watkins

    Thanks

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      As everyone says it’s a big risk but could def pay off. If your someone who goes on fixtures over form then go for it.

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

      I'm considering the same moves. Leaves you short a Salah, and I think he's better than Vardy

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

      Difficult decisions,,,not sure for a minus

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

        Its a gamble - but ranked 2m i need to do something different

        It leaves exact cash for Bruno to salah gw11 or 12... thanks

  25. Starky22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss Zaha Son > Robbo Jota Salah for a -8...?

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pull the trigger

    2. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thinking 2 moves for a -4 might be my preference, then get Salah next week

  26. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hello,

    Mendy
    Chilwell-Justin-konsa
    Bruno-Son-Foden-Grealish
    Bamford-Werner-Dcl

    4M-Mitchell-Burke-Lamptey

    1FT 6.5m ITB

    Which moves please

    a) Foden > KDB
    b) Werne > Vardy
    c) Foden > Jota
    d) foden + Werner > KDB + Vardy (-4)
    e) foden + Wern > Jota + Vardy (-4)

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  27. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sais to

    A) cancelo
    B) telles
    C) coufal/masuaku
    D) matip

    1. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A - unless you can do something better with the extra money from Coufal

  28. Chuism
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Cresswell - Dallas - Chilwell
    Salah - Grealish - J. Rod - Son
    DCL - Kane - Jimenez

    1.5 ITB, 2 FT

    Which option seems like the best move?

    A) Son + Jimenez --> KDB + Bamford / Antonio if declared fit
    B) Kane + Son + Jimenez --> Vardy + KDB + Bamford for -4
    C) 4.5 mid + Kane + Jimenez --> KDB + Bamford + 4.5 forward for -4 (switch to 3-5-2 formation)

    Thanks!

  29. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you could get any defender this weekend who would you get? Not Chilwell

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same dilemma

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        City of maybe even Robertson?

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

    How's this looking ?

    Mendy, Button
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Coufal, Targett, Justin
    KDB, Bruno, Ziyech, James, Grealish
    DCL, Vardy, Brewster