Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Conte on Perisic and Doherty’s fitness

Roma beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday but Ivan Perisic (£5.5m) impressed in defeat, while Nottingham Forest handed Jesse Lingard (£6.0m) his first appearance in a 1-1 draw against Valencia.

We’ve got the goals, assists, line-ups and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from these matches in our Scout Notes.

Reports on the day’s other games are linked below, with more to follow.

FPL pre-season lessons:

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 ROMA

Match highlights

Spurs concluded their pre-season preparations with a narrow friendly defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Saturday.

However, Antonio Conte will take positives from the loss, with new signing Ivan Perisic impressing in his first start for the club.

The Croatian went close to scoring on three occasions and was a real threat in the final-third, although Conte did stress that he still needs further time to become “…the Ivan Perisic I know”.

“He’s an important player because he’s really good. He moves forward, good in one v ones, and then he can use both feet and he was before a winger which us why he’s good in one v one. But he has to continue to work because at this moment he’s not the Ivan Perisic I know. That is normal though, but I’m happy because he reduced the time to recover from his injury.” – Antonio Conte on Ivan Perisic

Fellow wing-back Matt Doherty (£5.0m) didn’t feature against Rangers last time out but started here and had a header tipped onto the woodwork before he was flagged for offside.

He also took up some encouraging attacking positions, but like Perisic, still needs to build up his fitness having only recently returned from a knee injury.

Doherty lasted 67 minutes before he was replaced by Emerson Royal (£5.0m), with new-signing Djed Spence (£4.5m) an unused substitute.

“It was the same (as Perisic) for Matthew (Doherty). I hope to see him like last season and now he’s working and he’s struggling. We need to have patience. We need to give time for these players to be really fit. In this moment we have two players, Perisic and Doherty, they have to continue to work and reach the peak of fitness because after a long injury they are struggling a lot. We need to have patience, but today it was positive to give them a lot of time to play again for Matthew and Ivan.

It will be very important for us (to get Perisic and Doherty fit), but then we have Sessegnon, that is a guarantee, also Emerson is good. There is the new player Spence. He is a guy who has to work a lot, because to go into Tottenham it’s different in the Premier League with Tottenham but in the end I’m happy.” – Antonio Conte on his options at wing-back

In a game of few clear-cut chances, a Roger Ibanez header proved the difference for Roma, but Harry Kane (£11.5m) was perhaps a little unfortunate not to return.

The England forward had the ball in the net just before the break only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, missed a late headed chance, while he also should have been awarded a penalty in the second half.

Elsewhere, Richarlison (£8.5m) also made an impact after replacing Son Heung-min (£12.0m), while Ben Davies (£5.0m) was back on the bench after injury.

“Richarlison I liked a lot the way he impacted the game. We need this type of player. Richarlison to start the game or go into the game, he can have a big impact. For us it’s very important. We need him behind Sonny, also Kane and Kulusevski. He is an important player because we have a lot of games to play.” – Antonio Conte on Richarlison

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-2-1): Lloris (Forster 67); Romero, Dier, Sanchez (Lenglet 46); Doherty (Royal 67), Bissouma (Bentancur 46), Hojbjerg, Perisic (Sessegnon 75); Kulusevski (Moura 67), Son (Richarlison 67); Kane


NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-1 VALENCIA

  • Goals: Johnson
  • Assists: Awoniyi

Match highlights

Nottingham Forest rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Valencia, with Jesse Lingard impressing on his debut.

The summer signing – deployed in a no. 10 role behind Brennan Johnson (£6.0m) and Sam Surridge (£5.0m) – showed glimpses of what he has to offer, taking on several shots whilst also being central to much of Forest’s attacking play.

“Thank you to the fans for a warm reception. I really, really appreciate it. I’m going to do my best for Nottingham Forest, don’t worry about that – 110% each game.” – Jesse Lingard

Brennan Johnson’s goal on 83 minutes ensured it finished even at 1-1, with substitute and record signing Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.0m) grabbing the assist.

And the pair almost combined again a few minutes later, only for Valencia’s ‘keeper to deny the Welsh forward getting a second.

Elsewhere, Neco Williams (£4.0m) looked lively in the final-third, while Jack Colback (£4.5m) started in central midfield alongside Lewis O’Brien (£5.0m).

That’s because Ryan Yates (£5.0m) has suffered another injury and is set to be out for a couple of weeks.

Nottingham Forest XI (3-4-1-2): Henderson; Worrall, Cook, McKenna; Williams, Colback, O’Brien, Toffolo; Lingard (Cafu 77); Johnson, Surridge (Awoniyi 62)


PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

2,358 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Concelo and Diaz (have TAA)
    or
    Robertson and Saka (have Jesus)

    1. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

  2. Maximum Density
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Sà / śarkić
    TAA Robertson Cancelo Lamptey / Williams
    Salah Saka Martinelli Neto / Andreas
    Haaland Jesus / Greenwood

    1. Bevan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Seems pretty template

    2. TheKeitaSuccess
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not keen on the Arsenal treble up at all. If they randomly don’t turn up one game that’s 50% of your attack not returning.

  3. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which one??

    A) Salah + Neto + Ederson
    B) KDB + Rashford + Alisson

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Salah Neto and don't waste good team slot on a GK

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        He is a great value. don’t think it’s a waste

        1. Sanchit
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Great value? We have historically seen 4.5 keepers not being much away in terms of points?

          1. House Frey Wedding Planner
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Historically yes there have been great 4.5 keepers over the years. This year is different as it's a world cup year so I'd imagine most are looking to wildcard around gw6-10. Having the keeper that you think will score the most for the first 5 or 6 games is more relevant this year and then wildcard to a cheaper keeper after we've had a few games to assess them.

            There's value in picking Alisson/Ederson this year, priced at 5.5 instead of 6.0, both nailed, plus Pool and City have the best set of opening fixtures and is an easy route to their defence.

            Also the selection of 4.5 keepers are somewhat underwhelming

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              What if Pool or City player you don't have scores well and now you are stuck having to use a trade on a GK to free up a team slot. Not interested. There are perfectly fine 4.5m GKs who more likely to get save points than LIV or MCI GKs

  4. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    hii
    do you think perisic will start gw 1 ?
    thank you

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      yeah

  5. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Neto/ BrunoG/ Bailey..?
    B. Cash/Trippier/Zinch..?

    1. FlamingMoe
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

  6. jia you
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Was waiting on KDH to start last night (he also scored) to finalize my BB team.
    I really like it and can navigate GW2 easily then reassess:

    Meslier Pickford
    Trent Robbo Walker Peri Bot
    Salah Marti Bailey Neto KDH
    Haaland Jesus Wilson

    Pen down for me, looking forward to the new season on Friday, best of luck for GW1 everyone!

    1. FlamingMoe
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think there are many good options, none perfect except in hindsight. I like your team. Don’t know much a KDH but am interested to hear more. What formation are you starting with?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Starting with a BB then after 2-3 GWs I might WC and focus on a strong XI for remainder of season.
        I don't rate the Bench Boost chip at all really, find it hinders decision making later in the season, so I like to get it out of the way early.

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Will end in tears

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Same every season, then most managers complain about the por return from their BB after all of the planning around DGW probably losing points along the way during the planning process. But each to their own, I also get the upside potential of saving the chip for DHS. GL for the season mate!

      2. jia you
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        KDH is a 5.0 starting midfielder for Leicester who should be a very solid option for the price as 4th or 5th mid that can be played or benched in a given GW

    2. svgcr
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Like the Wilson pick.

      Seems you’ll be leaving too much money on the bench each week though

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I will wildcard after 2-3 GWs most likely mate

        1. svgcr
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          An additional reason to go all in with your starting XI

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I don't play conventionally, like aggressive plays, usually doesn't work out lol but some season it will haha.
            Tbf the season I finished top 5k I benched boosted in GW1, went for differential captains most GWs and took 88 points worth of hits so an unconventional style can do well.
            I am however going to try and play a little more conservatively this season (maybe).

            1. svgcr
              • 11 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Fair enough. GL mate

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                Cheers, same to you and more importantly enjoy the game (it's a free 'game' that should be fun, so many on here forget that haha)!

  7. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Ramsdale, Justin&RAN rotation

    B. Raya, Perisic (neco 1st sub)

  8. tom66
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Sancho missed both weekend games through "illness".
    Risk of starting next weekend?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yeah risky but tbh, and as a MUN fan who has watched all of our preseason games, I would wait and see with MUN assets

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        can see Brighton coming and dominating the midfield in GW1, it's a sad state of affairs!

  9. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Rate a different draft!

    Raya
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Perisic Doherty
    Son Diaz Mount Saka
    Jesus

    Fodder Bench. 2m ITB

    1. FlamingMoe
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      2m itb is a waste

      1. Sanchit
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Suggestions on upgrades?
        One of the 8m miss to Sterling?
        Doherty to James?

  10. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Who do you prefer, A) Mount or B) Mahrez?

    1. FlamingMoe
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Week 1 mount, week 2 mahrez

    2. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Bevan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mount is steady. Mahrez is explosive. Depends on how much game time you think Mahrez will get in the new look city.

  11. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which is better:

    1. Martenelli & 4.0M Def on the bench
    2. Peresic & 4.5M Mid on the bench.

    Have Jesus.

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Martinelli slightly more likely to start than Perisic imo so 1

  12. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Best option:

    1. James + Rashford
    2. Dalot + 8m Mid

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Neither really...not convinced by either Chelsea or Utd and they are very much wait and see before investing in their players.

      But out of those two I'd go with James & Rashford

  13. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    hii
    does chilwell fit for the start of the seasion?

    1. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Doesn't look like. Didn't get any mins in the pre season

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        do we know that he is injerd??

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) not only omitted from Friday’s first-choice XI but clearly still needing to recapture some match fitness after a rusty-looking display with the second string on Saturday morning.

    2. Oscar Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm sure he took a bit of time to get fit at the start of last season as well.

  14. Man Chest Hair United
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Pretty much template but im ok with that.

    Thoughts on this squad?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James Peresic
    Salah(C) Dias Martenelli Neto
    Kane Jesus

    4.0 Andreas Nico 4.5

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I have very similar but not using up Arsenal spot on a GK

  15. chambers
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Think I think I have almost settled:

    5.0 - 5.5 m Defender:
    Decision: Still unsure...
    Given I will be playing an early wildcard, fixtures are important to maximum points and value. Gabriel, Doherty, Zinchenko and Perisic seem to stand out in this bracket.

    Saka vs Martinelli :
    Decision: Martinelli - The extra 2 million represents far too much value, particularly when considering the price rise when they both score similarly. Saka will likely need to outscore Foden, Mount, Mahrez and Diaz to get a similar price rise.

    8.0 Midfielder:
    Decision: Mount: Mount has good pre-season form and provides some Chelsea attacking covered. Concerns over Foden and Mahrez playing time so I have left out. Diaz locks out a valuable third Liverpool slot prevent transfers of Nunez or Robertson. Saka seems like a good pick but tripling up on an Arsenal attackers doesn't seem wise strategy and locks out an Arsenal defender (Gabriel) or goal keepers.

    1. svgcr
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Trippier or Perisic for me

      Martinelli +2.0

      Don’t think Mount is explosive enough. Still think it may be the best option for that slot given the early sub of Mahrez in the CS.

    2. Bevan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Zinchenko for me.

      Salad is worth it if he's on pens.

      Depends on your approach to risk and how players will do in the he new look city. Mount is steady.

      1. Bevan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Salad*

        1. Bevan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Saka*

  16. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    So much love for walker

    1. svgcr
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saves so much cash to downgrade from Cancelo. If City don’t sign a LB, I might go with him

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm starting with him because he looks nailed to begin with and such a cheap route into City defence. He'll almost definitely be upgraded to Cancelo when I wildcard though.

  17. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on playing 532?

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Feels wrong

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Agree. But they are all good options

        TAA, Robbo, Cancelo,James, Perisic

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Couldn’t do it.
      I don’t even like having 4 defenders, let alone 5. 😆

  18. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    So how does the DZ rate my 3mium I wonder…

    Sanchez
    TAA / Perisic / Gabriel / Kristensen
    Salah / (S)on / BrunoG / Bailey
    Haaland / Jesus

    Ward / Neco / Andreas / Archer

  19. No Salah
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Stuck between below two:

    A. Darwin - that I really like as a differential and go with 4-3-3
    B. Robertson + 1.5 to upgrade Bailey later - sensible and proven and good with 5-3-2

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I was on Darwin yesterday for a while (as he really impressed when coming on in the CS) but it just doesn't feel right going with him over Robertson...can always go for him later

  20. Chris_l25
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Help please...?

    Henderson
    TAA, XXX, Dias, XXX
    Salah, Mount, Diaz, XXX
    Kane, XXX

    A. Cancelo, Ait Nouri/Jonny, Almiron, Jesus

    B. Chilwell, Trippier, Martinelli, Wilson

  21. mpjtmufc
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Morning all would appreciate some advice on this:

    Ederson
    TAA Dias cash Martinez
    Salah sancho kulu
    Jesus martial Haaland/kane

    Lis colback pereira vestergaurd

    Temptation is to swap salah for kdb or more probably Son for GW1 and keep the extra £1m spare to put salah in or swap salah for Dias and go with Kane and Haaland upfront instead of martial and leave me with an extra .5 to spend.

    TIA for input

  22. FPL_Spartans
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    1. Walker + KDB + Martineli or
    2. Cancelo + Saka + Diaz ?
    Thank you 🙂

  23. tai31YNWA
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    a)robbo+neco
    b)6mil+cash/trippier
    if b which 6mil should i go?

    1. Olaniyi
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B
      Martinelli easy my guy.

  24. ZiZou10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Martinelli or Bruno. G?

  25. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I'm starting with Rashford over Reece James. Probably swap for GW9, hopefully make some profit along the road.

  26. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 6 months ago

    Brighton in ECL would be something

  27. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 5 months ago

    Salah + Firmino -> Saka + Kane worth a -4?

    Would be happy to hold both till WC