Scout Notes

Encouraging signs from Spurs assets despite late defeat at Liverpool

Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

  • Goals: Mohamed Salah (£12.3m), Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) | Son Heung-min (£9.6m)
  • Assists: Andy Robertson (£7.2m) | Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m)
  • Bonus: Firmino x3 Son x1 Hugo Lloris (£5.6m) x1

A late Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) header finally broke Tottenham resistance and handed Liverpool victory in an excellent top-of-the-table clash.

The Brazil international scored his first goal in four Gameweeks, and only his third all season, with the Reds’ 11th shot on target. The visitors had just two.

But that told only some of the night’s tale, with Jose Mourinho’s side spurning three golden second-half opportunities – two for Steven Bergwijn (£7.0m) and Harry Kane (£10.9m) with the other – to execute a classic counter-attacking game plan.

(Big) Chance Should Be A Fine Thing

Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris (£5.6m) emerged with three save points and bonus after making nine stops on the night, including three from Mohamed Salah (£12.3m), who had to rely on a wickedly-deflected effort to open the scoring.

But despite 76% possession and a 17-8 shot count, the home side failed to carve out a single big chance all night.

Spurs, by contrast, had four of them. Three, as mentioned, were missed, while Son Heung-min (£9.6m) converted the other when he ran through from Giovani Lo Celso’s (£6.9m) incisive pass and beat Alisson (£5.9m) at the near post with authority.

That made it a third straight Gameweek with an attacking return for the South Korean, who went into the Liverpool clash as Fantasy Premier League’s (FPL) most popular player, with 60.4% ownership.

Eleven goals and four assists explains nearly all of that allure, and his record against the ‘big’ teams accounts for the rest.

Son seems fixture-proof, with his nine-point haul at Anfield sitting alongside his 18-point bonanza against Manchester United, 13 from the north London derby and 10 at home to Manchester City.

Against sides that, like Spurs, sit deeper and set up more defensively, his output is remarkably different, with two double-digit returns offset by five blanks.

Defensive Dilemmas

Spurs’ festive schedule – LEI wol FUL LEE – suggests the team might struggle to break down three of those four sides, with Leeds (as ever) the notable exception.

Son’s ownership is still rising anyway – he’s currently in the top three for Gameweek 14 purchases – but there is a strong case for bringing in Tottenham defenders, too.

No team has kept more clean sheets than Spurs’ five, and they kept the league’s highest goalscorers at arms length for much of the Anfield match, which mirrored their defensive strategy for the season as a whole.

Investment in that back line is understandably muted when their highest-scoring defender, Eric Dier (£5.0m and 43 points), is being out-performed by 18 other players.

A lack of attacking returns doesn’t help – five goals have involved Tottenham defenders this campaign, a tally shared between three players. FPL’s most popular defender, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell (£6.2m), can match that output all by himself.

But the potential of Spurs’ short-term schedule to produce defensive points can’t be ignored.

Liverpool’s backline has been considerably less watertight, not helped by injuries to key personnel, this season.

The latest centre-half to miss out was Joel Matip (£5.4m), whose back injury did not clear up enough for coach Jurgen Klopp to risk him against Spurs.

In came Rhys Williams (£4.0m) for his league debut, and it was a fine one according to Klopp:

Rhys couldn’t defend them alone, but he had a big part in it, so he did a really good job. It’s really nice for him. It was obviously a late decision because we didn’t know exactly what will happen with Joel and stuff like this. He did really well and that’s massively important for us.

Such a cheap way into the Liverpool defence looks enticing ahead of a fine four-match run involving West Brom at home and trips to Crystal Palace, Newcastle and (admittedly in-form) Southampton.

But unless Matip’s back issues deepen, Williams is unlikely to be more than a bit-part player for now.

The same can’t be said of full-backs Andrew Robertson (£7.2m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m).

The latter has had an injury-hit start to the season, but Robertson continues to out-perform him going forward.

The left-back produced a fourth assist of the campaign against Spurs – Alexander-Arnold has just the one – and he led the way for chances created (four) and crosses (11) in a performance that saw him just miss out on bonus points.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Fabinho, R Williams, Alexander-Arnold; C Jones, Wijnaldum, J Henderson; Mané, Firmino, Salah. 

Spurs XI (4-3-2-1): Lloris; B Davies, Dier, Alderweireld, Aurier; Højbjerg, Sissoko, Lo Celso (Moura 58); Bergwijn (Reguilon 76), Son (Alli 87); Kane.

Arsenal 1-1 Southampton

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) | Theo Walcott (£5.8m)
  • Assists: Eddie Nketiah (£5.5m) | Che Adams (£6.0m)
  • Bonus: Aubameyang x3 Walcott x2  Nketiah x1

Arsenal managed to avoid a fifth straight home loss, but yet another red card meant they had to do it the hard way against Southampton.

It also meant an equally hard night for many FPL managers as the Gunners’ most popular player, Gabriel (£5.1m and 11.2% owned), was the man to be dismissed.

Bad Discipline, Decent Spirit

The nature of Gabriel’s sending-off, involving two yellow cards handed out in just four minutes, speaks volumes for the indiscipline currently haunting manager Mikel Arteta’s troops.

It was the second straight red card shown to an Arsenal player in the league and the seventh since the Spaniard took over late last year.

Until the Gunners can show the same consistency results-wise – they’ve now won more cup games than league fixtures (14 v 13) under Arteta – fantasy managers are going to steer clear, especially with Everton and Chelsea up next.

At least the 8.4% of bosses staying loyal to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) were treated to a first double-digit haul of the season as the Gabon international broke a five-match goalless streak in the league with the equaliser against the Saints.

And the side are clearly getting used to playing with ten men as Rob Holding (£4.4m) almost pinched a winner when his header hit the bar in time added on.

So-So Saints 

Based on the first half, and Gabriel’s foolishness after the break, Southampton will see the match as one that got away.

Theo Walcott (£5.8m) opened the scoring against his old club with a fine finish from Che Adams‘ (£6.0m) through-ball and other good chances came and went over the 90 minutes, with substitute Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) spooning one particularly excellent opportunity onto the bar.

Not that Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl seemed overly disappointed post-match:

This is a team that is normally above us in the table. It was good to see we can still be competitive. Teams have respect for what we are doing and how we are playing. I am OK with a point.

But the side’s schedule looks tricky in the short term, with visits from Man City, West Ham and Liverpool and a trip to the improving Fulham, before a Gameweek 18 blank further dampens their key assets’ appeal.

Of the well-owned players on display at The Emirates, the lack of a clean sheet hit Jannik Vestergaard‘s (£4.9m and 15.2%) output and James Ward-Prowse (£6,3m and 18.5%) and Danny Ings (£8.4m and 8.3%) offered little in the way of goal threat and failed to create a single chance between them.

The team’s most popular player, the 22.3%-owned keeper Alex McCarthy (£4.6m), kept his tally ticking over with a save point and he remains the cheapest of FPL’s top-five stoppers.

Walcott had the most chances (two) and penalty area touches (four) for the visitors, but like the team as a whole, he faded as the game wore on.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Leno; Tierney, Gabriel, Holding; Saka, Elneny, Ceballos (Willock 67), Maitland-Niles; Aubameyang, Nketiah (Luiz 65), Pépé (Soares 85).

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Walker-Peters; Walcott (Djenepo 63), Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Redmond 63); Adams, Ings.

Lessons learned from FPL Gameweek 13

622 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Leeds
    WestHam
    Chelsea

    3 from each for DGW19 seems good.

    Who are the other 6 that justifies Bench Boost?

    Leicester attackers will clash with Chelsea defenders.
    Same with Southampton and Leeds players.

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure who you even need from Chelsea, only need Bamford from Leeds and West Ham defenders maybe.

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A lot of people seem to be ignoring Spurs/City assets who have decent single fixtures in DGW19.

      1. 272MK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        True. That's what makes me think maybe save BB for a better DGW? Where there are good satisfying 15 players playing DGW?

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Hmm. I think the BB chip is overrated tbh. I’ll be happy to use it in DGW just to get it out of the way. Some decent fixtures for the likes of whu, easy to fill out benches with them. Then take the value back out of the bench for the remainder of the season.

          1. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            DGW19*

    3. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      So I guess you're playing the game without Liverpool players lol ?

      1. 272MK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Salah Bruno can def make the team.

        Mane / Rash good? Im not so sure abt these.

        That's why I was thinking I might save my BB

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

      I'd not have anyone other than James from Chelsea. Only triple will be WHU. Mostly a defensive Pair + Soucek.

  2. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    *bottomed

    "Ezri Konsa misses out through illness."

    Mhm, don't like it.

  3. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell and Watkins to Taylor and DCL for free?

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

      not for me

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

      Not this week !

  4. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This is luck No Ezri konsa & Lamptey my 1st sub.. wow

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Everyone seem to be getting pts from their benches with Konsa no show.

      Lamptey, Dallas, Coufal...

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

        I have Coufal deep in bench 🙁
        Can't get those 8 points

        1. tafrère
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Sad. Coufal at home against Palace was always a good fixture. Even if he was a bit lucky to get points.

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

            Played Chilwell Lamptey Cancelo.

            1. tafrère
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Fair enough.

        2. Party time
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Well, Walcott is 1st on my bench... only if Bruno does not play tonight 🙂

        3. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          99% of his 10% ownership on here 🙂

          1. tafrère
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Lol, true.

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

        Enjoy the jam

      3. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Even more jammy if you consider that VAR clearly bottled it when Lamptey fouled Lookman in the box.

        1. michaelington
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          U ok hun? X o

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Perfectly fine, Fulham was robbed of pen.

    2. Ray In Bruges.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      McCarthy
      Chilwell Zouma Justin
      Fernandes KDB Son Grealish
      Werner DCL Bamford

      (Nyland, KWP, Kilman, Burke)

      1FT, 1.3ITB

      Not sure what to do here...KDB > Salah?

      1. Ray In Bruges.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Or WC to this:

        McCarthy
        Chilwell Zouma KWP
        Fernandes KDB Son Grealish Salah
        DCL Bamford

        (Nyland, Brewster, 3.8, 3.9)

    3. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      See how the remaining games play out but but initial thoughts for next GW are Grealish & Chilwell > Dier & Son for free? Yes or no?

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish out before West Brom and Palace ? Chiwell out before decent run of fixtures and DGW19 ?

        Don't really fancy it.

      2. Cheezeweasel
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        You need to have a plan ready for the double and blank game weeks before picking transfers. Yes, if building a team for the blank. No, if building for the DGW

      3. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        At least 1 more game for Grealish imo

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Dear Mr Grealish.......should you find yourself in the fortunate position of being awarded a penalty from the kindly fellow in black today.......take the fecking penalty you long haired loon

    4. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      10 mins left and no new article. Lazy scouts don't care about smaller teams

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I disagree they do write quite a lot about City.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Lol

      2. Jindaljain
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish captains will care

    5. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Konsa injured covid or rested anyone know?

      Cheers

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        See above.

        Misses out through illness.

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

      Not many GW18 players?

      FH 18 build team for 19 & BB?

      Martinez18
      Zouma, Diaz, Robbo
      C Bruno, Son18 Mahrez, Grealish18
      Kane18, Bamford, Watkins18

      Forster, Soucek, Coufal, Lamptey18

      3.7 bank

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Dias and Mahrez play in GW18 too. In other words, it looks fine.

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

          Dias & Mahrez are about to become Salah or KDB & defender?

          1. Harper (No more Penandes)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Could consider building for 18 and FHing in 19

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Looks a good plan and what I currently plan to do.
        Maybe even WC in 20 or 21 to clear the bench out and get some Villa back.

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

        you might be best playing FH in 19

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

          Ah ok didn't realise mahrez and dias were going now.

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

        Cheers, got a few weeks to plan

    7. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If Free hitting in 18 then BB in 19.
      Ok to get rid of Grealish and Watkins in 16?

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm getting rid of Grealish in GW16 to get either a Leeds mid, Maddison or Soucek.

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

          Same, ditching for Maddo or Bowen

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

          Have similar ideas!

        3. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I’m thinking Son in 16.

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

        Yes imo

      3. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Villa might have a DGW in 19 so keep your eyes peeled

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yeh all changes if this happens. Hopefully announced before 16.

        2. tafrère
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Bad fixtures though.

    8. andres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What would you do wit this team??
      Initially the plan was to do DCL to Kane but now kind of reluctant to loose a GW18 player as I don't have many...

      McCarthy (forster)
      Chilwell James targett (coufal mitchell)
      Kdb bruno salah Cavaleiro (soucek)
      Bamford DCL adams
      1FT, 3.7M

    9. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What if you have two freebies and play your FH will you have two freebies next week?

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

        No

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

        No. Only 1FT after FH

      3. Party time
          3 years, 3 months ago

          No. 1ft

        • Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers

      4. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        4-5 gameweeks ago I was doing okay (top 100k). Took a decision to sell Son and Kane for their tough fixture run. Then sold DCL for Wilson for DCL’s tough fixture run. Lesson learnt the hard way Form > Fixtures.

        Had planned for Vardy to Kane this week. DGW has thrown a spanner in the works

        For those preparing for DGW19, what are you doing with Son and Kane

        What to do here with 2 FT ?

        Martinez
        Chilwell James Lamptey (KWP)
        Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
        Vardy Bamford Wilson

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Money itb? Subs?

      5. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I was really hyped about the Villa game owning Konsa & Grealish.

        Now I know I will watch it moaning everytime Burnley miss a chance lmao.

      6. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        A) Chilwell to coufal (get some money itb)
        B) ayling to dallas
        2fts

        Mccarthy button
        Chilwell James dias ayling mitchell
        Salah kdb Bruno grealish soucek
        DCL Bamford welbeck

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

        I can get to this BB team in 19 for 3 -4 hits, if all goes to plan, which it won't. Seem reasonable?

        McCarthy (Meslier)
        Cresswell, Chilwell, James (Alioski, Taylor)
        Salah, Bruno, Maddison, Neto (Soucek)
        Vardy, Bamford, Kane

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

        0.3ITB 2FT

        Chilwell Mitchell -> James Coufal?

        Martinez
        Chilwell Zouma Lamptey
        Salah Bruno KDB Son Grealish
        DCL Bamford

        Forster Dallas Brewster Mitchell

      9. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Too drastic a move for Son, considering the gw14 fixtures for Jack and Callum?

        Chilwell, Grealish, Wilson > Reece, Son, Dec-Reid (-4)

        McCarthy, Forster
        Chilwell, Lamptey, Targett, KWP, Kilman
        Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
        DCL, Wilson, Bamford

      10. Tinmen
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Folks, Lamptey to Trent or save FT?

        Martinez
        Chilwell James Lamptey
        Bruno KDB Salah Mahrez Lookman
        DCL Bamford
        Brewster Mitchell Dunne

      11. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Whattodo here? gtg? ft: 1 itb: .1m

        Ryan, 4m
        Lamptey, TAA, Justin, Dunne, Mitchel
        Salah, Mahrez, KDB, Grealish, Burke
        DCL, Vardy, Bamford

      12. Jimmy Boy
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone reckon Salah gets rested at Palace?

        1. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Nah

        2. NATSTER
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Mane is not in fine form. I don't think Salah would be rested.

      13. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish looking lively

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

        Martinez Forster
        Chilwell James Dias Dallas Dunne
        Salah kdb Bruno Grealish Burke
        DCL Bamford Adams

        1 FT and 0.4 itb
        I don't know what should I do here. Please suggest otherwise i guess I should perhaps save the FT

      15. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        0:0 will be great for Villa v Burnley 🙂

        1. Bobby's Teeth
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Well you should have asked for something better 🙂

      16. Damsko
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish > Rashford
        Kilman > Ben White

        2 free transfers Yay or Nay?

        My team 2.2 itb:

        McCarthy

        Coufal Dallas Chilwell

        Salah Bruno (C) Grealish KDB (VC)

        DCL Bamford Che Adams

        Bench: Steer, Soucek, Taylor, Kilman

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

        Am I mad?

        KDB & Grealish >> Son & Rashford

        Own Kane & Salah

        1. Damsko
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          No, I am thinking Grealish to Rashforf myself. Just need to find a replacement for Kilman but only have 4.7 left to do this.

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

        Bruno or Salah (C)?

        1. Damsko
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Thinking of going for Bruno.