Opinion

The Burning Question: Is now the time to revisit Leicester City’s assets?

For much of the season, Leicester City’s assets have been way off the radar of Fantasy managers, as their overpriced and under-performing stars failed to replicate the astonishing form that captured the Premier League title.

But last month Claudio Ranieri, the manager who guided them to 2015/16 success, was ruthlessly sacked and ever since the Foxes have once again become an invigorated force.

They have won all three league games under new boss Craig Shakespeare and also find themselves in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

But can we really forgive months of mediocrity and take the plunge for the final few Gameweeks?

We turn to a select band of Fantasy Football Scout contributors to ask the Burning Question: is now the time to revisit Leicester City’s assets?

Simon March (2014/15 FPL Champion) says…

Potentially, yes, in the short term at least.

Leicester’s back to back home fixtures against Stoke and Sunderland couldn’t be much more enticing, and their usual suspects – Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Christian Fuchs – all seem to have hit some form of late. They could definitely inflict damage and deliver returns in the coming Gameweeks.

However, while the next couple of away fixtures against Everton and Crystal Palace could definitely be worse, there’s that small issue of a Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid looming on the horizon. You have to assume that, from Gameweek 32 at least, Leicester’s biggest assets will also become their biggest rotation risks.

Then there’s the question of their mentality. Yes, they’ve rallied spectacularly in the past few weeks, but is that sustainable given how poor they’d been previously? We know how dangerous Leicester can be when their back is against the wall, but are they really up for it in the league now relegation is less of a threat? And just how much of a distraction will that Champions League tie be? These, for me, are all reason to think twice.

Leicester will have a double Gameweek, but it looks likely that it’ll pit them against Man City and Spurs, giving them one of the toughest schedules of all the teams playing twice.

For me, investment in Leicester is for those looking for a short-term opportunity. There’s hardly any scope for ‘bargain hunting’ and, with more consistent performers coming in at similar prices to the likes of Vardy and Mahrez, I think there are better options for those looking to build for the longer term.

Jonty says…

It hasn’t just been their woeful form this season that has put me off Leicester assets; it has also been their dramatic price hikes since their title-winning season.

While Jamie Vardy started this season at an eye-watering 10.0, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku could have picked up in Gameweek 1 for 1m less. Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez’s initial 9.5 price tag looks dreadful value compared to the attacking potential of Liverpool and Spurs’ cheaper midfield big guns.

Elsewhere, Christian Fuchs’ Gameweek 1 value of 5.5 was, incredibly, the same as Kyle Walker’s at the start of the season. As we approach Gameweek 30, 56 points separate the Spurs’ raiding right back and the Foxes’ flop.

Even with their turnaround in form and a slight price reduction, Mahrez and Fuchs still seem a little over priced to me

But as for Jamie Vardy, finally, he appears to be performing like a 10m striker, with three goals and two assists in his last three.

With Stoke and Sunderland at home and with my team currently without an enticing Gameweek 30 captain, it is the Foxes’ marksman that interests me.

Not only does he have form and fixture, he also offers me exactly the kind of explosive differential I need as I seek to catch up on my mini-league leaders. Still owned by just 10.6% of FPL managers, he already has the same number of double-digit scores as the 39.6% owned Diego Costa, who will probably be Gameweek 30’s top choice captain.

For others in my position, of looking for a quick boost in rank, I think Vardy is the ideal solution, especially if you hand him the armband against Stoke, and even against Sunderland in Gameweek 31.

Andy85wsm says…

During the 2015/16 season, I wasn’t able to attend one single Vardy party. Twenty-four goals he scored last season and I somehow managed to dodge every single one.

With the way the current season has gone, I hadn’t even looked for an invite until the Ranieri sacking. Two goals against Liverpool and suddenly I was looking at the Leicester fixture list once again, although too scared to commit early. It was the “eye test” that did it for me, while watching the second leg of the Sevilla game in the Champions League.

Leicester’s performance was reminiscent of the team that had won the league last year; they were pressing and fighting for every ball and once again looked hungry.

While I don’t agree with what happened to Ranieri, there’s no room for sentiment when it comes to Fantasy Football. Now Craig Shakespeare is in charge the question of “to Leicester or not to Leicester” is coming back into our minds and I think I’m in the “to” camp, at least in the short term.

Stoke (h), Sunderland (h), Everton (a) and Crystal Palace (a) are a good set of short-term fixtures. With Harry Kane injured, Sergio Aguero a little too expensive for my liking and Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended, I feel like we have room for Vardy in our line-ups, even if he is perhaps a little overpriced.

He’s shown he can still get the points, with three goals and two assists in his last three matches and at £9.8m I think he’s one to give another chance in our teams, and possibly even captain material against Stoke.

Mahrez on the other hand, is probably a step too far.

It’s not that I don’t think he will do okay over the same fixtures, it’s the availability of other midfielders performing who are just too difficult to sacrifice. Even with a 3-5-2 formation, I’m struggling to see how he fits in.

Beyond Vardy, my interest lies in Christian Fuchs who is priced at £5.2m and potentially much easier to fit in our squads.

With the next four fixtures I can see potential for both clean sheets and attacking returns: he has already managed four chances created and four shots in as many games. I missed out on Fuchs last season but am tempted to make a move this time; it’s just a question of finding some spare transfers at a time when there never seems to be enough.

Az says…

It’s such a shame that in the footballing world, the sunshine and rainbows from Leicester’s title winning run has been replaced with a big fat dark cloud.

However, in the Fantasy Football world things are quite different. Suddenly we have a team that has won all three of their Premier League games under their new manager, have a decent run of fixtures and a double Gameweek thrown in for good measure.

There really seems a buzz around the Leicester team now, and many of us are keen to tap into it. The main problem, though, for me, is who do we select?

In defence, Leicester are still leaking goals and Robert Huth and Wes Morgan are looking as ponderous as ever, I don’t fancy their chances of keeping many shut-outs in the near future.

However, the savvy manager will note that former Fantasy favourite, Fuchs, has dropped to 5.2 and has a goal and an assist in his last three. While I don’t see him picking up any clean sheets, he may just add to this tally in the coming weeks.

In midfield, Mahrez is the Hazard of last year, frighteningly bad all season but has seemed to be caught up in the improvement whirlwind that Shakespeare has summoned. But the Algerian still doesn’t look quite the player he was last season, despite his two goals in two games.

Plus, with the Liverpool midfield minefield, Alexis Sanchez and the Spurs options, is there really space for this Foxes maestro?

Elsewhere, Albrighton (4.9) appears to have regained his place and has two assists in the last three. He may be the man to consider in midfield if you are looking for a cheap enabler with some decent games and a double Gameweek.

Finally, up front, we have Leicester’s star man – Jamie Vardy (9.8). He looks electric at the moment: he seems to have recovered his blistering pace and looks capable of putting teams to the sword.

With a lack of firing forward options, his return to our thinking has come at a perfect time. I just wish I’d pulled the trigger last week to get his haul against the Hammers.

Applebonkers says…

Leicester’s new manager bounce looks in full-flight and right now their bushy tails are definitely up.

The same names as last season stand-out for me. Fuchs at the back, Mahrez in the middle and Vardy up top.

The latter looks particularly appealing as in attack is where options are currently most limited. Aguero has fixturitis, Zlatan is suspended, Costa has a brace allergy, Kane and Gabbiadini are crocked, Lukaku has no double Gameweeks, Defoe needs penalties, while Benteke is still Benteke – hugely frustrating.

Why not throw in some Leicester as pre-Wildcard punts?

Their immediate fixture list is so green it looks like one of these kale smoothies. A drink that claims to detox and reinvigorates after murky episodes like Gameweek 28.

Mark says…

I was always lining up an Aguero to Vardy trade ahead of Gameweek 3, but the cruel Seamus Coleman setback may just have put things back on ice.

It seems an obvious window to revisit Leicester. We have the convenience of their flourishing form, timed perfectly to coincide with our second Wildcard that, for some, could be put in play prior to Gameweek 34.

Back-to-back home matches with Stoke and Sunderland appear to present the platform for the Foxes to continue a run of three successive victories so, as short-term investments, they are exceptionally alluring. But the emphasis is on the short-term – I’d likely be looking at an exit plan as soon as Gameweek 32.

Fuch’s stock enjoys a boost in light of Coleman’s injury, although he will likely need attacking returns if he’s to repay our faith and, despite his recent goal and assist, I’m still not certain I trust him enough given the outlay.

Mahrez and Vardy are a different matter.

Involved in 45% and 50% of Leicester’s goals last season, not surprisingly, they are integral to the Shakespearean revival. Their incredible transformation following the departure of Claudio Ranieri leaves a sour taste and, while they still struggle to look good value, it’s difficult to ignore the form and fixture – Stoke and Sunderland at home in quick succession will surely offer further profit from the pair.

Much as my heart screams for me to be brave enough to move for Mahrez, the head says to stick with Vardy as a possible swap for Aguero.

But shedding Aguero, even with tepid form and two testing fixtures, brings me out in a rash and, with Coleman lighting a fire elsewhere in my squad, I’ve got a cast-iron get-out clause.

I want to be brave enough to see it through and perhaps even back Vardy with the armband, but there’s still several meetings to be had, and Gameweek 30 action points to be decided.

Truth be told, I’m still troubled by the scale of the transformation post-Ranieri and the fragility of the revival, with the Champions League still a massive distraction.

Paul Says….

If Vardy and Mahrez were priced similar to last year, I’d be more likely to consider them.

Those premium price tags are far too unpalatable and, looking at the underlying statistics; I just feel that there are a number of in-form alternatives with equally strong fixtures that merit my attention.

Leicester have somewhat flattered to deceive since Claudio Ranieri left. Vardy has scored three times from six attempts, and Mahrez’ frequency of shots and key passes have both slowed, despite his two goals. At the back, they have conceded more shots per match under Craig Shakespeare.

Granted, their morale is sky-high, and the upcoming pair of home matches with Stoke and Sunderland do look potentially profitable.

Of their options, Vardy is the one player that looks likely to sustain his form as the numbers also highlight that they are creating more “big chances” for him of late.

My 3-5-2 formation also factors into my thinking. I’m happy to hold Lukaku and then bring in Ibrahimovic next midweek rather than roll the dice on the Leicester man. The plan is then to switch to three up front, but that will only occur when Kane and/or Gabbiadini recover from injury.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

2,125 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Captain Vantastic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Funes Mori knee injury

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      This is bad but I don't even know which country he plays for

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Argentina. Stretchered off in 35'

        1. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Everton have suffered some big loses this week

          1. Ha.
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Holgate to the rescue 😎

        2. MTPockets
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Oh ffs (hope he's alright).

        3. Scratch
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Argentina 😉

      2. matiakez
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        What a wonderful 3 week punt he's been.

      3. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Karma

      4. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Fumes Mori

      5. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Holgate nailed on

      6. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Oh that's horrible...

        All aboard the Holgate-wagon!!! 😀

        1. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Mane(c)

    2. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Silva and Del boy scored for Spain tonight

    3. Scratch
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      The main argument for bringing in Leicester players - Sunderland.

      Following Sunderland and that hopeless Moyes around has paid dividends all season. I'd have even seriously considered buying Deeney this week but for other pressing injuries.

    4. makaveli123
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      @mods:
      Mobile version now working as normal.

      1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I can see the upvotes again. Confidence restored

    5. Totti
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Plz choose 1
      instead of coleman and crouch

      A) alonso and long
      B) alonso and negredo
      C) defoe and defender max 5.1 ( plz suggest )
      D) other suggestion

      1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I don't like the other forwards so C

        Boro defender?

        1. Totti
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          what about deeney?
          do u think he is a dood option?

          1. Totti
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            good

          2. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            No tbh

            1. Totti
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              so defoe 🙂

      2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Do Chelsea actually get clean sheets anymore? Alonzo is the best pick from Chelsea but yea I don't have confidence in them keeping many cs.

        1. Scratch
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          That's just dumb luck. They still give up very few decent chances.

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

          valencia then?

    6. BenjaniMwaruwari
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Regarding the discussion about the Icelandic surnames which is confusing to say at least. I can try to explain the differences. In Iceland our surnames depend on our father's (occasionally mother's first name) so if your father's name is Sigurður your surname will be Sigurðarson or Sigurðsson (depends on your own preferences). They are all written with the Icelandic letter "ð" which is pronounced as a loose d. And it is a common name in Iceland so as a consequence many bear that surname.

      1. Scratch
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        So Swansea's main man's children will be Gylfisson?

        1. BenjaniMwaruwari
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Exactly!

          1. BenjaniMwaruwari
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Or sorry the males will be "son" and the females "dóttir". So either Gylfisson or Gylfisdóttir.

          2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Sylfi Gylfisson

      2. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        What is if your father's name is Sigurson? Will you be called Sigursonson. And your child Sigursonsonson. And your grandchildren Sigursonsonsonson?

        1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          First name. 😳

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

          Depends on the fathers first name, not surname.

        3. BenjaniMwaruwari
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Haha, the son of hypothical Sigurson would be f.x. Gylfi and the surname would be Sigursonson. And then his children Gylfisson.

      3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Do the surnames change if the DNA results prove unexpected on the Kyle Jeremysson show?

        1. BenjaniMwaruwari
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah there are examples of exactly that in our history

        2. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Hahahaha, that made me laugh!!!

      4. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Think I would call my kid onmehead

    7. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Is Luke Shaw likely to start this week guys?

    8. SH
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Southampton FC: Rotation Prone?

      Southampton FC faces 11 matches over the remaining nine gameweeks, means they will have two DGWs somewhere. They have two favorable home fixtures coming up next. Thus a lot of FPL managers are thinking of bringing in the Saints assets.

      So far the team is scheduled to play 6 matches in the next month. While they play four home matches in that run, the fixture is very congested.

      01 April: Bournemouth (H)
      05 April: Crystal Palace (H)
      08 April: West Brom (A)
      15 April: Man City (H)
      25 April: Chelsea (A)
      29 April: Hull (H)

      The last time they had such a busy schedule was in December, where they played 6 league matches along with a Europa League tie. In that period (GW14-19), only three players started all 6 matches: Forster, van Dijk & Boufal. While the later one was subbed out in all but two matches. I remember I brought Cedric in GW14 before his apparent good run of fixtures & soon found him on the bench missing out on two clean sheets!

      Minutes of some of our probable targets over GW14-19 (cry, MID, stk, bou, TOT, WBA) is mentioned here. As Yoshida wasn’t their main choice of CB back then, VVD & Fonte’s time is also cited.

      Tadic: 0 + 45 + 25 + 29 + 19 +73
      JWP: 90 + 90 + 90 + 0 + 90 + 16
      Bertrand: 90 + 0 + 90 + 90 + 90 + 0
      Cedric: 90 + 0 + 0 + 90 + 90 + 0
      Yoshida: 0 + 0 + 0 + 90 + 0 + 90
      VVD: 90 + 90 + 90 + 90 + 90 + 88(rc)
      Fonte: 90 + 90 + 90 + 0 + 90 + 0

      It seems that Claude Puel has a tendency of rotating his team in case of congested fixture. As Caceres is reported to be fit to start, even the center back positions are not fixed anymore. Be prepared to see some changes, especially in easy matches!

      1. SH
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Having said all these, I personally intend to get Gabbiadini if fit. And I will be monitoring the CBs.

        1. Scratch
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Austin will be fit again soon.

      2. MTPockets
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Interesting. I did the same with Cedric. Could be more tears then.

      3. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I seriously doubt we're going to make it to Russia 2018...

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Argies?

        2. VS10_
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Why is Dybala on the bench and why is Icardi not in the squad?

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

          Rely way too much on Messi ...

        4. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Argentina and Holland

          How the mighty have fallen

          C'mon Iceland

      4. CloudSky
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Holgate from 32 on looks decent.

        1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Everton will struggle to get clean sheets though without Coleman and FM

          1. CloudSky
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Still a 4.0 playing Everton defender. Beats Amat for that 5th spot at the very least. 😀

            1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Didn't realise he was that cheap now

        2. SH
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Got him on GW23, finally that move looks good!
          Now I have Alonso, Walker, Valencia, Holgate, Brunt*

          1. CloudSky
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            If that was Yoshida in place of Brunt, that would probably be my dream defence right now.

            1. SH
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              I will transfer Brubt out. But probably for a Middlesbrough defense, due to their DGW

              1. SH
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                *Brunt

            2. Big_Andy_GAWA
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Will FM be out for a while by the looks of things...?

              1. CloudSky
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                Looked like knee so I would guess yes. But obviously wait on pressers.

      5. Captaincy: Form v Fixtures
        ekul the lokonga enthusiast
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I read a FPL article today about the worlds #1 and how he's stayed at the top for so long

        To summarise, he said captaincy is key but the twist is that he captains good/inform players on away fixtures. Looked at all of the top 10 for each position and he's actually onto something!

        Whats your thoughts on this theory? Its clearly worked for him!

        Might give it a go and captain King away to Saints

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Luck basically. Getting the captaincy right is one of the biggest luck aspects in the game.

          1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            I really don't believe that it's luck. He had a theory and it worked for him. You cant constantly get lucky. He's been at the top for a while.

            1. dark91
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              I'm sure there are many others who have tried different theories over the season but it didn't work for them. So i would also say that luck had a big role in this, it could have gone in an opposite direction for him

              1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                But it constantly didn't go in the other direction for him. Proving his theory worked more time than it didnt is my point

                1. dark91
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  Yes that is true

                2. Numb
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  If 4m people toss a coin 20 times, there will probably be a few people who toss 20 heads.

          2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            If I captain Lukaku vs Hull, it isn't luck is it? Its sense and playing the odds.

            1. Numb
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              You said captaining players away from home - that is going against the odds not playing the odds. There is no magical formula.

              1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                I didn't say that it's a magical formula. I said that it's working. Away game = captain him. Not magical.

                1. Numb
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  But that is actually less likely to work on average. It might be working for him this season but that emphasises even more the luck he's having.

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Hot topic?

          1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Ermmm I think I saw this on the FPL twitter page

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              No, I mean it should be a hot topic. Great post. Interesting idea.

        3. Dr Dream
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          We expect that and away match may yield no goals and lean heavily on home games...however...

          For the past three season the most common score for each season has been 1-1, 1-1 and 0-1...true stat.

        4. Amateur Pundit Zan
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          You need to nail your captain most weis to win FPL. With 4m players someone is going to. He has had a good season where by luck and some decent judgement has worked out well for him. If it wasnt him someone else would be talking about what they did.

          In terms of away form cataincy you have to look at the team, fixture and player. Sanchez has been a great choice away from home due to the way Arsenal counter attack. Lukaku more of a home flat track bully. I dont think its a broader trend.

          1. Numb
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Yep, I just said a similar point.

            1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              So it's a constant coincidence?

              1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                I think it is happenstance

                1. Numb
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  Spot on!

                  1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
                    • 7 Years
                    7 years, 7 months ago

                    Thanks Numb 🙂

              2. Numb
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                Yes. He's picking the right players consistently but not because he's worked out some revolutionary way of picking captains. Law of averages, someone (or a few people) out of 4m are going to win the Captain lottery.

        5. SweepaKeepa
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          It could be a good theory (there is some merit to considering opposition defences will be less defensive at home), but not 100% convinced on the causation. Could be he's top because his 1 strategy (out of the 4.5M out there) was the one lucky enough to align with the highest scores recently.

        6. Donhush
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I have tried different tactics over the last few seasons ie captain ffs top pick, captain form regardless of fixtures, captain based on fixtures, captain based on gut. Bottomline is you would get some right and some wrong at the expense of the popular picks nailing sometimes.

          I have found best way for me is to play safe and go with popular ffs pick while I pick differential players.

          Bearing in mind also the top ffs pick is sometimes still a differential.

        7. Hurricane Gilbert
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Correlation does not imply causation. Not even sure if it's a correlation in the first place. Besides it is wrong to generalize this guy's away captaincy scores into a theory.

          1. Hurricane Gilbert
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Certain players may or may not perform better away from home. On a group level it's pointless to claim anything, if you don't have the statistics to back it up.

        8. the Penman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Of course it worked for him so far; that's why he's #1.

          Doesn't mean it'll continue to work. That's a fallacy.

          However, the point for FFS readers is this: don't assume a home game will be more rewarding than an away game without considering all the other factors - like form, which can override home advantage.

      6. IWR
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        When is it safe to bring in Walker?

        1. Magic Bean
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Couple weeks imo

        2. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I think its safe now

      7. Zlatan Time
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Respect to Rio, so brave to do that documentary...

        1. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          +1

      8. 824545201
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Vardy and Sanchez in for Kun and Sane?

        1. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Next week

      9. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        The Burning Question: Is now the time to revisit Leicester City’s asshats?

        1. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          lol

      10. Jazz!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Argentina not gonna make the WC are they...

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah - they'll get a couple of dodgy decisions in crucial matches to sneak through.

        2. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          That's criminal, so many world class attackers not there 🙁

        3. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Messi not in the WC? UEFA will call it off it that happened.

          Cant have a tournament without their cash cow

        4. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          that would be sad

      11. Cruz88
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Play two:

        A) Vardy
        B) Llorente
        C) Lukaku

        1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Not Llorente

          1. Cruz88
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Even with Lukaku away from home against Liverpool?

            1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Liverpool are poor defensively
              Lukaku is on fire

              1. Cruz88
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                True. Thanks. So how about Eriksen or Llorente? Burnley good at home normally

                1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  I don't know, glad I have De Roon to make it easy

        2. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A) and C)

      12. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        0.1m off doing Coleman and Coutinho --> Holgate and Sanchez over the next two GWs...

        ffs, so close 🙁

        1. ChristoBisto
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Fantasy football scout so close!

          1. Lawrø
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Haha! 😀

        2. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          That sucks 🙁

      13. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Worth doing Brunt -> Valencia today? He is going up.

        Heaton
        Maguire, Alonso, Chambers*
        Alli, Coutinho, Siggy, Sanchez
        Costa, Lukaku, Llorente

        Grant; De Roon, Brunt, Baines

        1. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yes

      14. Dr Dream
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Ince agrees with me about video refs taking the passion out of the game...well some of it anyway. Sadly I think we'll be in the minority by far when it comes to deciding whether or not to take the plunge.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Video evidence is long over due. The standard of the officiating makes a lot lose passion for the game . It has to happen. It needs to happen .

          1. Dr Dream
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Football seems to be doing very nicely exactly as it is, controversial and stuffed full of incidents. All I'm saying (as is Ince) is that video refs will have a price to pay for the game and it's a part of the game most people probably don't even realise they like.

            1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              The problem is the money in the game now has made it impossible for refs. They have to be right more than ever. They in a no win situation and they need help. I think the standard of officiating is abysmal personally and I'm pretty much the heart on sleeve type. Bad inconsistent refereeing decisions really anger me and so does the bias towards certain teams. If this helps stop that then my passion for the game only gets greater. I'd rather have no controversy at all ever myself. This puts the game on the right path.saying that i do see your (and Ince) concern of such a big change and maybe I would regret saying this one day. At the moment i dont see it. Its been coming for years and only blatter and platini stood in the way

            2. Yank Revolution
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              When your favorite team loses because of a blown call we can all see, check with us how you feel then.

        2. Team Bobcat
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I disagree.

          A passionate cheater who gets his way is the hardest thing for me to accept in the sport at present.

          Needless to say Barcelona comeback (whatever you want to call it) was not and will not be celebrated by me ever.

          But thats just me. I am passionate

        3. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          As a football player in my youth I can agree with your view

      15. BenjaniMwaruwari
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Another deranged fact is that Sigurðarson (the scorer of the first goal in the game against Kosovo. Has three brother that all have scored and played for the Icelandic national team. Bjarni Gudjonsson, Joey Gudjonsson and Þórður Gudjonsson. (All have the same mother).

        Does anyone know what's the record for multiple brother's scoring for a national team?

        1. Dr Dream
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Surely it must be them.

        2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          One of the little pacific island nations maybe?

        3. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          lol

      16. okan58
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        1FT:
        Bank: 3.7

        Heaton
        Walker - McAuley - Alonso
        Firmino - Eriksen - Sigurdsson - Hazard
        Defoe - Llorente - Lukaku
        Subs: Jakupovic, Ake, De Roon and Rannochia.

        What do you think of my team?

        1. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Its beautiful

      17. conew
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Heaton/Pickford
        Walker/Alonso/Evans/Funes Mori/Amat
        Sanchez/Mane/sigi/KIng/Carol
        Kun/Carol/Lukaku
        0,8 in bank
        1. Funes mori and Mane to valencia and alli
        2. funes Mori to another playing MU defe i can afford
        3 Mori and sigi to valencia and Son
        4 Stick and i next GW Funes Mori and Kun to Valencia and Ibra

        Or you have any other solution

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Keep Funes Mori, he has some good fixtures coming up and should start most games

          1. CloudSky
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Injured.

            1. conew
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              so what i schoud do? Mayby Funes to holgate and evans to valencia for -4 ?

      18. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Lol @ Andy's injury ravaged defence?

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Someone's still hurting over their snub!

        2. George Sillett
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Put the boot in.

          1. Numb
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            It's actually disgraceful the way he's been treated.

            1. George Sillett
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Indeed . His army of 76 upvoters will have been gutted this evening. It's almost discrimination against virgins.

      19. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Worth doing Kun to Vardy for free? I'll prob stick the armband on either one.

        Heaton
        Alonso / Valencia / Baines
        Mane / Alli / Sterling / Sigurdsson
        Kun / Lukaku / Llorente

        Jakupovic / McAuley / Maguire / T. Carroll

        1ft, .5 itb, WC and BB available.

        1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          No

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

          I probably am. Feel in the mood for some party.

        3. Slam
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Don't think it will be worth it. Your call

      20. Stokelona
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        mahrez is cheaper by almost a mil, outscored vardy last season, on pens, and in midfield gets an extra point for a goal and clean sheet. I'm happy everyone else is going for Vardy just because there's fewer options up front. Ibra will be back soon. Vardy has looked sharp in recent games tbf, but I think Mahrez is a better pick and bigger differential

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          You getting him in?

          1. Stokelona
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Got him last week on WC, wish I'd got Vardy too but never mind

        2. Dr Dream
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          He had very much a split season last year between the first half and the last half. He's far from impressive if you look from the second half of last season onwards.

          1. Stokelona
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Hmm, true, didn't Vardy tail off too though, in fact Leicester went into 1-0 mode for a couple of months just to see the job through. Vardy's a decent pick too though

        3. ViperStripes
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Siggy > Mahrez?

          1. Stokelona
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Not before Siggy plays Boro at home! Stoke are much better than Boro. Surely you have a better use for a transfer? Maybe next week when Siggy has Spurs and Mahrez Sunderland.

      21. Vinyl78LP
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        How's Costa's injury? - Has the armband at the moment, but will give it to Sanchez or Siggy if there's any chance he'd only make Chelsea's bench?

        Last week of him anyway before Ibra is back in.

      22. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A. Coleman > Valencia (Play Capoue)

        B. Antonio > Pedro / Tadic (Play Pieters)

        C. Coleman+Antonio > Cedric+Alli (-4)

        Swaying towards A listening to the PodCast 🙂

        1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A

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

          B.Tadic

      23. Big_Bear
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Coleman to....
        A) Valencia
        B) Alsonso

        1. Aiden Mcgeady 😆
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A

        2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A

          1. Big_Bear
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers gents. I wanted to bring in Alonso but looks like Valencia is going to get the nod.

      24. fridge
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Used my free transfer on Coleman to Walker to get the below

        Jaku (Foster)
        Walker | Mawson | Mee (Pieters) (Evans)
        Pedro | Mane | Siggy | Coutinho (Capoue)
        Lukaku | Carroll | Costa

        Anything worth a hit? Or save

        A) Coutinho to Alli