Scout Notes

Lamptey latest, Iheanacho deeper and Smith Rowe chasing goals: FPL notes

There was a bumper day of pre-season friendly action on Saturday, with 12 Premier League teams in action.

We’ll have the goal, assist and line-up information from all these games plus brief Fantasy Premier League (FPL) flavoured notes on each clash.

We start with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leicester City in this summary, with a round-up of the other half-dozen games to follow later.

Don’t forget to check out our comprehensive pre-season page for more information on the warm-up matches taking place ahead of Gameweek 1.

FPL pre-season: Trossard hits hat-trick from wing-back role 1

STOKE CITY 2-0 ASTON VILLA

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

After the Fantasy fervour whipped up by Emiliano Buendia’s (£6.5m) Aston Villa debut and his brace of assists at Walsall in midweek, there was a more sobering result at the bet365 Stadium.

The Villans were undone by two sloppy, albeit well-executed, goals in their second warm-up game of the summer.

Both strikes stemmed from the halfway line: Steven Fletcher first looping a header over Jed Steer (£4.0m) after a 50-yard cross-field ball from Nick Powell before Mario Vrancic was allowed to run half the length of the field to double Stoke City’s lead.

As for Buendia, he was stationed as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 in the Potteries, having been used on the right flank on Wednesday.

While it wasn’t nearly as productive an afternoon as Buendia enjoyed at the Bescot Stadium, the Argentine midfielder did link up well with Anwar El Ghazi (£6.0m).

The pair combined for a chance that Buendia could only prod at home goalkeeper Josef Bursik, with El Ghazi twice testing the Stoke custodian – one of his efforts being pushed onto the upright.

Joining those two players and Ollie Watkins (£7.5m) in the four-man Villa attack was promising youngster Aaron Ramsey, although that selection screamed ‘placeholder’ given that Jack Grealish (£8.0m) and Bertrand Traore (£6.0m) have yet to return from international duty.

Ashley Young (£5.0m) was once again employed at left-back and curled an early free-kick narrowly wide (Buendia was also stood over the ball, suggesting he’ll play a part in dead-ball situations as expected this season), while Matt Targett (£5.0m) made his return from a minor injury on the hour-mark.

Aston Villa XI: Steer (Sinisalo 60), Cash (Guilbert 60), Bogarde (Konsa 60), Hause (Revan S 60), Young (Targett 60), McGinn (Hourihane 60), Nakamba (J Ramsey 60), Buendia (Philogene-Bidace 60), A Ramsey (Chukwuemeka 60), El Ghazi (Davis 60), Watkins (Wesley 60). 

ARSENAL 4-1 MILLWALL

Can Aubameyang prove a worthy FPL alternative to Bruno Fernandes? 6
  • Goal: Calum Chambers (£4.5m), Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m), Nicolas Pepe (£7.5m), Folarin Balogun
  • Assist: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.0m) x2, Chambers, Willian (£6.5m)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Arsenal’s win over Championship side Millwall on Saturday afternoon replaced their scheduled trip to the US, which had to be cancelled because of a coronavirus outbreak at the club.

Calum Chambers (£4.5m) pounced on a spectacular Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.0m) shot that hit the woodwork to tap the Gunners in front, with the full-back then turning provider for Alexandre Lacazette’s (£8.5m) headed second.

Nicolas Pepe (£7.5m) curled home a third after Lacazette dummied Aubameyang’s pass into his path before Folarin Balogun latched onto a Willian (£6.5m) through-ball to round off the scoring.

Aubameyang started the game up top, with Eddie Nketiah (£5.5m) on the left, but was pushed wide in the second half upon Lacazette’s introduction.

Playing in the hole of a 4-2-3-1 was Emile Smith Rowe (£5.5m), who wasn’t among the attacking returns but who was noticably more involved when it came to shooting opportunities, something that hopefully bodes well for the season to come.

The young playmaker indeed said upon the signing of his new long-term contract last week:

The manager always wants me to score more goals, I think that’s important for the position that I play in. So I just want to try and score and create more goals for the team, I think that will help us majorly, so that’s what I’m going to focus on in training as well.

The more defensive-minded Albert Sambi Lokonga (£5.0m) made his debut further back in central midfield, meanwhile.

Arsenal XI: Okonkwo (Hein, 46), Chambers, Holding, Mari (Cedric, 60), Tierney (Tavares, 60), Partey (Maitland-Niles, 71), Elneny (Lokonga, 46), Pepe (Willian, 71), Smith Rowe (Nelson, 71), Aubameyang (Balogun, 71), Nketiah (Lacazette, 46).

RANGERS 0-0 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Graham Potter provided injury updates on Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m), Danny Welbeck (£6.0m), Adam Webster (£4.5m) and Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) after his under-strength Seagulls side drew a blank in Glasgow.

Lamptey now looks set to miss the start of the season, with the Albion head coach saying:

It’s a little bit slower than we would like and probably he would like but with the nature of his surgery and the injury, we need to make sure that he’s right rather than putting any timescale on it. He’s making progress but not as fast as we and he would like.

It’s important that we just stay patient and do the right things for him, make sure we finish off this last stage of his rehab in a good way, because it’s not necessarily about being available for the first game, it’s about being available for as many games as he can in the season.

At this stage, I would say it’s unlikely [that Lamptey features in pre-season] but you never know. We’ll take it not necessarily day by day, but essentially, we have got a plan but we’ll see how he responds as well, that is important.

Webster and Dunk, like Lamptey, were not available for the draw at Ibrox on Saturday.

Their prognosis looks better than that of the young wing-back but Dunk still remains a doubt for the clash with Luton Town on Saturday, with Potter saying:

They’ve got a chance, Adam more so than Lewis. 

Welbeck did actually make the Seagulls’ matchday squad for the game with Rangers but was an unused substitute, with Potter explaining:

I need to speak to Danny and the physios. He literally just had a feeling before he was about to come on, so we didn’t want to take any chances, we are at that stage where we don’t want to take chances. So we will see how he goes but hopefully nothing to worry about.

As for the action on the pitch, summer signings Enock Mwepu (£6.0m) and Kjell Scherpen (£4.5m) were involved as Potter utilised 22 members of his squad.

Mwepu was a stand-out performer even though Rangers created the better chances, with the Zambian deployed on the right of centre-midfield in a 4-3-3.

Mwepu looked to get forward throughout his 45-minute showing and said after full-time:

I’ve told Danny Welbeck, ‘You’re going to score a lot of goals this season. Just be ready for my assists!’ I’m going to set them up for him.

I love to play as an attacking midfielder, so (number) eight, right or left. When I look back, I was actually a winger but now I’m growing in the game more I prefer to play in position No 8 or 10 but I’m really adaptable to different kinds of positions. But attacking is my position, eight is good.

Albion first-half XI: Scherpen, Leonard, Duffy, Burn, Zeqiri, Mwepu, Lallana, Gross, Khadra, Maupay, Connolly,

Albion second-half XI: Steele, Furlong, Tanimowo, Ostigard, Tsoungui, March, Bissouma, Alzate, Richards, Andone, Tau.

IPSWICH TOWN 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE

  • Goal: Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m)
  • Assist: None

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Wilfried Zaha‘s (£7.0m) positive start to life under Patrick Vieira continued at Portman Road at the weekend.

Zaha won and converted a second-half penalty – admittedly with Luka Milivojevic (£5.5m) off the pitch – to notch the only goal of the game but was a threat from open play throughout, seeing a number of openings thwarted by last-minute blocks or interceptions.

Previous comments from the Palace camp about getting the ball to Zaha more were supplemented by Jairo Riedewald‘s (£4.5m) post-match soundbites on Vieira’s more attacking mindset:

This is something we worked on on the first day of pre-season: creating more chances and being more aggressive when we don’t have the ball. I think if you look at the first-half we had a 20-minute spell where we created a lot of chances.

So far it’s been good for me. Tactically I like the way he wants to play. I like his vision, with [Jeff] Schluppy and Macca [James McArthur] next to me. It’s good.

Also the centre-backs are stepping in as well and being more aggressive, and the [full-backs] are high up the pitch. So it’s clear this season we’re trying to be more aggressive and create more chances.

Those comments about the full-backs getting forward more often will be music to the ears of prospective owners of Tyrick Mitchell (£4.5m), who said of his link-up with Zaha down the Palace left:

He’s a quality player. We’re working well together. Every time I get it, I know he’s always showing for the ball to attach one-on-one, so it’s good to have him in front of me.

Last year. I was more defensive. I have it in me so it is good to show it on the pitch.

With Nathaniel Clyne adopting ‘Kyle Walker’-esque positioning and forming a back three with the visiting centre-halves when Palace were on the ball, Mitchell was allowed to bomb forward and provide width as Zaha roamed infield – something to watch out for when the real action gets underway in August.

Elsewhere, Jean-Philippe Mateta (£5.5m) did himself few favours with a profligate display, while Marc Guehi (£4.5m) made his debut at centre-back after his summer move from Chelsea.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita (Butland 64), Clyne (Ward 64), Kouyate (Kelly 64), Tomkins (Guehi 64), Mitchell (Hannam 64), Riedewald (Milivojevic 64), McArthur (Boateng 75), Schlupp (Wells-Morrison 75), Zaha (Banks 75), Mateta (Street 75), Ayew (Rak-Sakyi 75).

BURTON ALBION 0-0 LEICESTER CITY

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Leicester City’s pre-season got underway with a goalless draw at Burton.

Jamie Vardy (£10.5m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£7.5m) were back in tandem once again but there was a change to the starting formation and, consequently, the Nigerian operated in a slightly deeper role.

Brendan Rodgers had finished last season playing a 3-4-1-2 but he reverted to a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 hybrid here, with Iheanacho – who skied a spot-kick in Saturday’s end-of-game penalty shootout – playing just off Vardy as more of a support striker and dropping deeper, something we FPL managers obviously don’t want to see too much of.

The pair had been brought on at half-time, with new signing Patson Daka (£7.5m) spearheading the attack ahead of number 10 James Maddison (£7.0m) in the opening 45 minutes.

A move to a 4-2-3-1 would not just have implications for Iheanacho but for Leicester’s centre-halves, too, with the three-man backline of late-2020/21 now competing for two spots.

Jonny Evans’ (£5.5m) ongoing injury means that it is not an issue at present but prospective owners of Wesley Fofana (£4.5m), who sits in 25% of squads, may want to bare the formation choice in mind.

Elsewhere on the fitness front, Harvey Barnes (£7.0m) was not involved but has now returned to training with the Foxes.

Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m) made his Leicester debut but it was his positional rival, Luke Thomas (£4.5m), who perhaps most caught the eye in a sun-drenched encounter in which minutes were more important than momentum.

Leicester City first-half XI: Jakupovic, Ricardo, Fofana, Soyuncu, Bertrand, Choudhury, Soumare, Ghezzal, Maddison, Maswanhise, Daka.

Leicester City second-half XI: Iversen, Daley-Campbell, Amartey, Benkovic, Thomas, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall, Sowah, Suengchitthawon, Iheanacho, Vardy.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0-2 BURNLEY

  • Goals: Jay Rodriguez (£5.5m), Lewis Richardson
  • Assists: Bobby Thomas, Rodriguez

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Jay Rodriguez (£5.5m) continues to make hay in the absence of Chris Wood (£7.0m) and Matej Vydra (£5.5m), with his positional rivals currently on international duty and on a post-EURO 2020 break respectively.

Rodriguez made it four attacking returns in two pre-season appearances, first tapping home from point-blank range from a corner-kick situation and then claiming the ‘Fantasy assist’ when young strike partner Lewis Richardson followed up his saved shot to score.

In a summer of turmoil elsewhere, Burnley are reassuringly still predictable: same manager, same 4-4-2 formation and largely the same personnel.

Sean Dyche said of his side’s display and missing players:

They had some good chances in the first half and didn’t take them but in the second half we showed enough there – like we should do – and I thought we were really sharp, so I was pleased for that and it was good for the supporters to see a couple of goals.

We still have Vyds and Woody to come back and Kevin Long and Popey so our group does get stronger and a bit deeper. We are probably one or two short so we will see how that goes in the transfer window.

Burnley first-half XI: Peacock-Farrell, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Gudmundsson, Cork, Benson, Glennon, Barnes, Richardson.

Burnley second-half XI: Norris, Lowton, Collins, Thomas, Taylor, Gudmundsson (Gomez-Mancini 70), Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil, Rodriguez, Richardson (Thompson 70).

299 Comments Post a Comment
  1. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    talksport NOW talking about who should be Chelsea's number 9.

  2. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So Lamptey out at the beginning of the season and White to Arsenal is kind of putting a dampener on that Brighton/Leeds 4.5 rotation. Arsenal/Spurs instead?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      the effect on Sanchez's prospects....hmmmm.

      after wk 2+3 (CHE, mci) Arsenal's fixtures get good really quick.
      this Chambers fella is having a decent preseason.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Cedric is apparently impressing too

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Boooooooo

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks. Will need to change my team.

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      What about Arsenal/Leeds? White + Ayling looks good enough to me.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yes, that now looks like a winning rotation.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I've now dropped Sanchez too after having him in all my drafts since the start.

          1. Boxwoods
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            White's departure is not news. Lamptey's a marauding wingback who missed all but 2 of Brighton's cleanies last year. Is Sanchez really a materially worse pick all of a sudden?

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah this is very nice too. I am just starting to think that Reguillon/Doherty @5m under Nuno could provide great value

  3. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A) Fofana, Sancho, Son
    B) Digne, Bruno, Buendia

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

      1. The Mighty Hippo
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        B

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

  4. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Best option out of these?

    A) Buendia & Wilson
    B) Buendia & Iheanacho
    C) Sarr & DCL
    D) Jota/Greenwood & Toney

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm on B

      But no problem with Wilson
      And I also like Greenwood

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

  5. Holteenderinthesky
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    First draft and I'm fairly happy. Seems pretty strong.

    Bachmann, Foster
    TAA, Shaw, Digne, Fofana, Manquillo
    Bruno, Salah, Buendia, Sarr, Brownhill
    DCL, Watkins, Wilson,

  6. Fletch69
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Question on subs.

    So assuming your 10 outfield played each miss a couple of games per season (on average) through knocks/suspensions etc. That means you'll need a sub for 20 or so games (assuming you use your transfers for those that are out for a prolonged period).

    Having one decent sub could be worth quite a few extra points a season over a team with rubbish subs.

    Am I over thinking it or does that seem like sense??

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I agree a decent sub is important, but unless you have a zombie team, most of your outfield players and subs will be subject to transfers. It's uneven anyway - a player like Maguire plays every game he's fit for, whereas anyone who plays for City is subject to a heck of a lot of rotation. If you have City or Chelsea players or others who are liable to being rested or rotated, you need more active substitutes. There was one horror GW near the end of last season where I had 3 city players and NONE of them started!

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I think I only owned max two City players since Pep and if I had two one of them was a nailed on defender.

        Torres price point tempts me this year though. Even with the odd benching.

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      4m keeper
      4m defender
      4.5m defender guaranteed starter
      4.5-6m mid/att depending on options available and team comp. I'd prefer to get it close to the 4.5m but they have to be playing every week.

      That's how I usually set up.

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Off topic but do you get Digne or DCL? Asking because know you've watch almost Newcastle games under Rafa.

        My opinion, Digne + DCL perfect suit Rafa philosophy rather than Ancelotti

  7. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    There are a lot of biased people on here who can't look at Man Utd objectively (either positive bias or negative bias). But signing Varane and Declan Rice would make their first team damn good, IMO:

    Henderson
    AWB Varane Maguire Shaw
    Rice McTominay
    Sancho Fernandes Rashford
    Cavani

    Serious amount of quality there and most of them all 28 years old or younger.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Indeed. If a world class CDM is signed then he should be able to drop Fernandes and Pogba into a 4-3-3 and that would be even better on paper.

    2. Fletch69
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Solkskaer seems like a nice fella but tactically he's no Pep/Klopp/Rodgers.

      He's still the weak link for me

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Agree, Varane would be a nice addition. Rice is very overrated and may not upgrade from Fred.

  8. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez steele
    TAA, Digne, Fofana, White, Kelly
    Bruno, Salah, Sancho, ESR, Douglas Luiz
    Toney, Watkins, Antonio

    Whats your say?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Template and that is a good thing as the template pick good players. Although I prefer Gilmour or Brownhill as the £4.5m midfielder.

  9. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any issues?

    Henderson
    TAA, Digne, Shaw
    Salah, Fernandes, Raphinha, Buendia
    Watkins, Antonio, Toney

    (Foster, Brownhill, White, Ayling)

    Was looking at Son in for Antonio with a few downgrades elsewhere but Antonio preseason form looks good.

    Cheers

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Solid team.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, no issues brilliant team that imo!

    3. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers both. Considering Henderson, Digne, TAA, Buendia, Raphinha (White/Ayling) -> Sanchez, White/Ayling, Robertson, Sancho, Harrison (Manquilo) but think I'll stick...for now...

    4. Fletch69
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Template again, but as others will tell you that's not a bad thing.

      My only concern relates to my question on subs. Nobody worth more than 2.5 PPG on the bench. If you have to use one every other week that might cost in the long run.

      I have very similar but downgraded Digne to Coufal and put Mings on the bench. I then have a decent sub and can rotate between them when West Ham play Utd or City etc

  10. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any love for jota?
    Is he gonna start the first few?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Absolutely. Salah-Jota double act for me.

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Hi McGinn etc,
      Are you a Villa Fan? Creating a team and subs for a fantasy league (not FPL), where you pick and keep a team and subs for the whole season without any transfers at all! As he is really cheap I am looking at Jacob Ramsey as a makeweight sub, not expecting him to get any points, but by being cheap enabling me to pick better players. I realise unlikely to play very often, but is he likely to stay or go on loan, do you think?

      1. mcginnntonic
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I am! Jacob Ramsey will get game time, but there’s a lot of youth who are expected to play with the first team this season. He’s top of the pecking order from our academy tho.

        1. Tambling5
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks for replying! Very useful info!

    3. Kristobal
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely.
      He is in my team for sure.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I am torn between Jota and Wilson atm (4-4-2 / 4-3-3).

    5. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Jota won't be 100% firing at the start of the season for sure. He had some issues at the Euros, he played through the tournament with an niggle. Salah and Mane are sure starters that other attacking spot is not clear yet

  11. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Really tempted to go for ESR and play 352

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      i am

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly what I'm doing. Dropping him for GW2-3 though.

  12. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Kane in City, good or bad for fpl ?
    Most will have him and captain in majority(all?) games which on the surface its pretty boring.
    However should we also own Salah and one of the United attackers then suddenly our remaming budget will be quite low which means in order to beat Kane's ownership we'll need to find cheap gems and keep switching them - that's we're good managers will have their chance to shine by spotting low owned talent and buying ahead of the pack.

    It also means that my season will be miserable.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Has he actually moved?

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        No.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Will Kane rotate like other city assets?
      Does that mean he won't be worth the 12.5?
      Maybe he drops deep and plays in Foden/Mahrez/Sterling?

      Maybe he's nailed for first half then becomes a CL / Cup player more than a League player?

      He won't be able to play all the time - he's not built for that.

      Still enough unknowns to not feel like he's required buying...it's not like he's a 8.0m player.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Think of him like Aguero when he was fit.

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Many question agreed but it will take a very brave man not to own Kane should he join City.

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Good, more variables

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Teams will likely become very hourglass shaped - more big hitters, more cheapies to enable them, and not much in between

      It'll basically kill the middle section of the price structure as options for a lot of folks

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not certain about that. Most of us here would probably just drop Bruno for Kane. Others would try with all those three big hitters. So there would be two "templates" competing.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          For FPL purposes generically - I’d imagine Kane’s ownership would jump to around 50% from its current 29%

          And can’t see Salah or Bruno starting the game with less than their current 49/40% ownerships

          Something will have to give and for a lot of teams it’ll be the midprice assets

          Even specifically on FFS (which is a tiny, tiny slice of the FPL pie) I’d imagine there’ll be many, many trying to fit in the extra premium at the expense of two midprice assets

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Would rip ut the template!

      1. Fletch69
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        He will play less minutes for City than Spurs. Pep is comfortable putting out a team without a striker and won't run him into the ground like Spurs do.

        1. Fletch69
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Taking into account he got 23 goals and 14 assists last year, might be tough to repeat that in under 30 games

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            I'd expect him to start all PL games before festive period.

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          He won't join City unless he is promised enough game time. If not 90 mins, 75 probably at least. And perhaps less running backwards might help him.

          1. Fletch69
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Don't get me wrong I think he's a great pick. Just not sure he's any better at City than Spurs. (23 goals & 14 assists is hardly shoddy).

            If you want to put him in should he join City then you should maybe be considering putting him in even if he stays at Spurs.

        3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          He will score more goals. Guaranteed!

          1. Fletch69
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            I would take that bet. Guaranteed!!

    6. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      not mine
      Sanchez
      Robertson, Shaw, fofana, lamptey
      Salah, De Bruyne, raphinha, Sarr
      Kane, Watkins
      Foster, hoever, gilmour, perica

  13. Kristobal
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Tierney?

    Anyone got any indication or think that he will be more attacking this season?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Great player, but in Arsenal unfortunately..

      1. Fletch69
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        What he said

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      About the same level of attacking as the last half of last season, perhaps in a team that's a bit better at attacking than the last half of last season.

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      when healthy, really good.

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks goid

  14. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Heavy midfield

    Bachmann (Foster)
    TAA / Cash / White (Ayling / Manquillo)
    Salah / Sancho / Havertz / Mahrez / Buendia
    Watkins / DCL

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      (Obafemi)

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Only thing I don't like is the bench

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Is Obafemi better than Davis? Please explain, I don't know the reasoning.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Currently both will only get a few minutes off the bench - occasional 1-pointers.
          If Abraham goes to Villa, Davis won't get a look-in.
          If Ings leaves Saints, Oba might get more gametime off the bench.
          But it hardly matters. FWIW, I've gpot Oba sitting at the end of my bench where hopefully he'll never be called upon.

        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Ralph said he wants to give him and Tella more game time this season.

          https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/transfer-news/michael-obafemi-southampton-future-plan-5670155

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Well if he hauls, he'll still be at the end of my bench!

          2. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Thx. Perica and Mebude are other options. i have zero knowledge of them. Davis is probably the most likely to lose value first, but Mebude who is only 0.8% owned might be an option. But perhaps the chance of needing 3rd sub makes Obafemi better pick 😉

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Very nice.

      1. Fletch69
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        One playing sub worth 2.63 PPG last year. I think that's a risk personally.

        Especially with Havertz & Mahrez rotations and Sancho being new to the league.

        Could he amazing some weeks, but not sure it's going to be every week

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          True. If this becomes an issue I can downgrade cash to a 4.5 and upgrade Manquillo to a 4.5 then I've got two playing bench players

  15. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy + Nacho team

    Bachmann
    Trent Digne Shaw
    Salah Son Raphinha Buendia
    Vardy Nacho Toney

    (Foster Ayling Brownhill Omobamidele)

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      idk seems too much imo

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Kane and Son seemed too much last season 😉

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          If we could have 10 different teams then taking that risk would be clever idea. Vardy is getting older and had 10 consecutive games without goal last season. But yes, that might be the way to win this game 😉

  16. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A) Cresswell + Toney
    B) Coufal + Antonio
    C) Tierney + Nacho
    D) Suggestions welcome

    1. luke
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

  17. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Not sure whose in team but notice Wolves 2-0 down at the moment in their game in Las Palmas

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Gibbs White just scored

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Oops. No he didn’t- changed to Hoever

        1. RogDog_jimmy
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          that's 4.0 Hoever....

          Ait-Nouri started at left-mid again.

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Tomorrow's 4m defender in every draft!

  18. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    The keeper spot is a real headache for me - feel this yr more than ever requires more investment- but struggling to release funds

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I finally ditched Sanchez. Found that extra 0.5. On Pickford now.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I think 5.0 is the way to go

        Henderson if he appears nailed
        Pickford
        Meslier
        Fabs
        Leno

        Can’t see a 4.5 scoring more per mil than that lot

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Leno could end up sharing with/lose out to Ramsdale. I think Hammers will fade/be overstretched by Europe.
          But the top 3 yeh. I say I'm on Pickford - that's to exploit the early fixtures. On my WC I switch to Meslier.

      2. cravencottage
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        As did I- went with Meslier though

  19. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    We're like, certain certain Hendo starts over DDG?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Probably? Yes
      Certain? Nope

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ole said as much. But it only takes a couple of howlers...

  20. Cornholi0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What`s your thoughts on this ?

    Sanchez (Foster)

    Chilwell, TAA, Shaw (Fofana, Manquillo)

    Mount, Smith Rowe, Fernandes, Salah, James

    Antonio, Watkins (Davis)

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Who is that James?

      1. Cornholi0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        James Rodriguez. A gambling that might last 3 weeks 🙂

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I thought he had issues with manager and wasn't expected to stay.

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Have you seen his shirt? It says "Hames" 😉

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      super similar to me - I have Torres and Jota in the Mount/James price points.

      I'm not convinced I have the right two, but get the sense there will be 2 in the 7.0-8.0 range that work out.

  21. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Draft number 37(?)

    Sanchez / 4.0
    TAA, Stones, Shaw, Digne / White
    Salah, Bruno, Jota, Buendia / Brownhill
    Watkins, DCL / (Obafemi or Davis)

    There is something dull in this team... What is wrong with it?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Possibly the formation
      But it is a nice 4-4-2!

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Perhaps so. 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 looks always sexier, but I like my defenders. They all have attacking threat and if I downgrade any of those 5.5:s to 4.5 I get only 5.5 mid. Downgrading two of them to get Sarr, Raphinha or Toney just isn't for me.

    2. schlupptheweek
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It's not dull, there's some risky picks like Stones, Buendia and Jota. You might be thinking it's dull because of Twitter and the Everton guys. If your bored by it there's always a downgrade of one of the 5.5M defenders to 4.0M and upgrading to Sarr, especially as one of Shaw and Stones might not start GW1.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        What's risky about Buendia?

        1. schlupptheweek
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Not risky in terms of starts but might be 60-70min player and there's a question mark if he'll get enough goals at PL level. Every player has a certain risk, I do like Buendia though.

        2. LangerznMash
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          He didn't register an attack return in the last friendly so he has instantly gone from hero to zero on here.

  22. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Partey could be worth the extra 0.5 on your 4.5 midfielder if you want a bit of prime beef on your bench.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm looking at Nuno. There's an outside chance Hojberg could pass the ball forward.

  23. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Hi....keep coming back to this team....any views? Is lpool defensive double up worth jt? Thanks

    Sanchez
    Taa robbo shaw ayling 4m
    Salah Bruno buendia sarr brownhill
    Watkins antonio toney

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No, not worth it for me.

      Very template side, not much else to say.

  24. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just got 3 spots left in team. What do we think? 11 ITB with Aarons, 11.5 with Johnson

    Meslier | Gunn

    TAA | Digne | Webster | Llorente | Aarons / Johnson

    Salah | Son | Sancho | Buendia | ______

    Watkins | Antonio | ______

    *Aarons rotates nicely with Llorente & Webster (when both have an iffy fixture)

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Was thinking about a rotation, Rashica / Welbeck is quite nice & Pukki / Mbeumo (I fancy Norwich in GW1)

      Or just go Bowen / Raphinha / Barnes & 4.5

  25. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any Sheffield United fans around? What do you think of Ramsdale? Is he actually really good? Or is he more like a Pickford kind of really good that is quite similar to really bad?

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Solid enough to replace Leno if he lets in some howlers

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        How they must regret letting Martinez go.

        1. Indpush
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          No idea. Loads of internal things go on including financial considerations that we don't always hear about. No doubt you could be right though, so far.

  26. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Gibbs- White has now scored for Wolves in their friendly in Las Palmas.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He is the one to have at 4.5m an AM , just need to see how many minutes he will get

    2. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Even if Wolves preseason unveils some standout value players, you still can't touch them until GW4 because of their terrible opening three fixtures.

  27. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Buendia or Raph to start the season with?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Raph

  28. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Too cute chasing differentials right away or..?

    Schmeichel - Virginia
    Dias - Shaw - Young - Coufal - Keane
    Salah - Bruno - Buendia - ESR - Willock
    Richarlison - Iheanacho - Toney

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      The most obvious differential is no Salah, Bruno and Shaw. It strikes me that that would also be less risky and pointless than picking Richarlsion and Willock, but time will tell 🙂

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not a fan.

      Schmeichel had the 2nd worst PPG from GW20 besides from McCarthy. Young won't play. Willock won't either (should he stay at Arsenal). Richarlison is at the Olympics, Iheanacho isn't completely nailed and Toney is unproven and has tricky fixtures.

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks like you have 4m itb

  29. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Assuming Ben White signs for Arsenal....is Tierney worth an extra 0.5?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      For sure.

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, but you still may as well go Chambers at 4.5

      1. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Surely White at 50 mil will be much more nailed than Chambers

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Chambers will play RB according to Arsenal fans

          1. BobB
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Soares seems to be the competition. White for 4.5 nailed on at Arsenal is value. May have Tierney too.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      White, like Fofana, Webster, Dier and others gets you CS but no attacking returns. Tierney will get you some assists, that's what you pay the extra 0.5 for.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      How much more CS friendly will Arsenal be with White included? White is quality, no doubts, but they weren't so such a CS machine last season.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Well you say that. Leno kept 11 CS which is not shabby at all. And yet the eye test says 'not sure about them'. I share those doubts and am watching rather than jumping in. If I have any Arsenal from the off, it would be ESR, not a defender.

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Depends too on when their CS drops. If he goes 4 or 5 games without a CS and no attacking returns interest will drop. Or he could make that defence more solid. Leno can be great but prone to the odd mental blip. I don't think there are many good defenders in their back line, modern day defenders good on the front foot. The midfield will need to up their defensive contribution to make them difficult to score against. Hopefully Arteta will improve them overall, I like him, doesn't talk as much sh!+€ as some coaches.

  30. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    latest 26/7

    sanchez
    trent/fofana/robbo
    tella/bruno/salah/esr
    toney/watkins/wilson

    bachman/coufal/raphina/gilmour