Scout Notes

West Brom’s shortcomings bode well for Everton as Vardy defies the stats again

West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Leicester City

  • Goals: Timothy Castagne (£5.5m), Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) x2
  • Assists: Dennis Praet (£5.5m), James Justin (£4.5m)

No penalty box touches in open play, no shots in open play, fewer touches of the ball than West Bromwich Albion’s 69th-minute substitute Rekeem Harper (£4.5m) – no problem.

It’s now generally accepted that Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) doesn’t really do underlying statistics and assessing his Fantasy potential through cold numbers is a flawed approach.

Armed with a goal conversion rate that is consistently among the best in the division, the Leicester City striker possesses the admirable ability to be able to deliver an attacking return even when defences have kept him muzzled for 89 minutes.

Even by his standards, though, Sunday’s display at the Hawthorns was a quiet one and his 13-point haul owed a great debt to his role as the Foxes’ first-choice penalty-taker.

Both of his goals came from the spot, the first after he himself had been brought down and the second after James Justin (£4.5m) had been felled.

His only real sight of goal from open play came in the first half, when he broke clear of the hosts’ defence to test Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) with a stinging shot – only to be flagged for offside.

Stiffer tests await in the coming two Gameweeks, with two of 2019/20’s three best defences for clean sheets lying in wait, although he did score against Burnley and Manchester City in the corresponding fixtures last season.

Brendan Rodgers said of the 33-year-old striker after full-time:

Jamie is peerless. He’s super-cool, he’s clinical, you’ve seen his pace, he’s still got that running ability.

It’s a great start for him personally to score two goals and really good for the team.

BARNES LIVELY – BUT PROFLIGATE

Altogether more prominent was Harvey Barnes (£7.0m), who was responsible for almost half of the shots in the box that Leicester had.

With Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) struggling for match-sharpness down the right after a disrupted pre-season, Barnes looked lively – perhaps no surprise as he had racked up more minutes in the Foxes’ warm-up games than any of his teammates.

The familiar strengths and weaknesses were again in evidence, with the winger a threat with his driving runs and ability to get into dangerous positions but far from clinical when chances were presented to him.

Three opportunities went begging in quick succession on the 30-minute mark, with one of them classed by Opta as a ‘big chance’ that Johnstone repelled.

Barnes was then presented with another decent opening in the 78th minute, curling narrowly wide of the Baggies’ goalkeeper’s left-hand post.

Security of starts is sometimes an issue (he made more substitute appearances than starts in the Foxes’ nine post-lockdown fixtures) but this was a promising opening-weekend display from the young wide-midfielder.

MADDISON RETURNS

Having only recently recovered from a long-term injury, James Maddison (£7.0m) was among the substitutes for this Gameweek 1 clash.

The England international was thrown on as a 75th-minute replacement for the impressive Dennis Praet (£5.5m) and got quarter of an hour under his belt, as was the plan, according to Rodgers:

He’s moving much better now, he’s trained with the team this week. He’s obviously been out for a long period, he’s worked ever so hard to come back.

My idea was to get him on for 15-20 minutes, just to get some game-time in his legs, and he’ll feel better for that and motivated for next week’s training.

NO ISSUES FOR MAKESHIFT DEFENCE

Given that Leicester were without three of the four first-choice members of their 2019/20 backline either through injury, suspension or a summer transfer elsewhere, there was understandable trepidation about whether the Foxes could be as good defensively as they were last season.

In truth, it’s probably too early to say as they won’t face as many straightforward tests as this.

The Baggies made a bright start to the game, with Justin going into the book for a late tackle after 15 minutes as the hosts exerted some early pressure.

With only three shots in the box registered all game, and just two efforts of any variety recorded after half-time, Albion’s initial promise was short-lived and the pre-season concerns we had about a lack of goals from Slaven Bilic’s side became apparent.

Full-backs Justin and Timothy Castagne (£5.5m) showed willingness to get forward, at least, with the Belgian producing a Matt Doherty-esque dart into the six-yard box to nod in Praet’s cross and Justin’s penalty box presence leading to the visitors’ second spot-kick award.

Three at the Back

Having played a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 for pretty much the entirety of last season, Bilic sprung a surprise by naming a 3-4-3 on Sunday.

With the 4-2-3-1 perhaps too gung-ho at this level and a lack of central midfield options alongside Romaine Sawyers (£5.0m) and Jake Livermore (£5.0m) limiting his ability to operate in a 4-3-3, the Baggies boss opted for a safety-first approach.

It was a largely successful move at first, with Vardy nullified and the game still goalless at the break, but the Foxes became more and more dominant as the match went on.

Current and prospective owners of Everton assets will be eyeing up the Gameweek 2 meeting with West Brom with great interest and the space that Barnes was afforded might be a good omen for Richarlison (£8.0m), who occupied a left-wing role in the Toffees’ win over Spurs.

Bilic may have been hinting that he will stick with a wing-back system when interviewed after the game, mentioning that a reversion to a back four didn’t work:

Based on what we have in the team I wanted to be solid, I wanted to have numbers but also have our front players in a good situation when we get the ball and be positive on the front foot.

I think it looked really good up until the first goal. After that, because we wanted to equalise, we went to four at the back but unfortunately, it didn’t work good.

I was really pleased the way we played up until their goal. Let’s say up until the first goal it was a really good performance for us, with the ball and without the ball.

I’m very disappointed with the result but the biggest thing I’m really disappointed about is our reaction after the goal. Our mentality was not the same. It wasn’t the right mentality.

All of [the goals] looked stoppable. What we have to do is to stretch this 50 minutes to 95 minutes and then that would be a massive step for us. Because it looked really good against a really good side.

West Bromwich Albion XI (3-4-3): Johnstone, Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea, Furlong (Harper 69), Livermore, Sawyers (Edwards 68), Gibbs, Diangana, Robinson (Robson-Kanu 60), Matheus Pereira.

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel, Justin, Ndidi, Soyuncu, Castagne, Mendy, Perez (Albrighton 67), Praet (Maddison 75), Tielemans, Barnes, Vardy.

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927 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Interested to see which 2 of these three most of you prefer ? Personally I’m leaning towards Bruno & Martial

    Bruno, Rashford & Martial

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1. Martial
      2. Fernandes
      3. Rashford

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

        This

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno, martial and Rash

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Really not keen on keeping ASM (esp from gw3). Exit suggestions? 1.5m

    Mccarthy
    Taa • Justin • Ayling --- Vinagre Lamptey
    Salah • Auba • ASM • Son -- Bissouma
    Werner • Mitro • Adams

    A: Salah + Adams >> Rash + Marital + 1m and ASM > 6.5m in gw3
    B: Salah + ASM >> Bruno + Havertz...but double che vs pool in gw2
    C: Save FT and do a mini WC in gw2....this means no utd player in gw2

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Similar situation with Salah + Wilson. I'm saving.

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son, ASM to Greenwood, Rodriguez?

  3. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy 4
    Digne James Justin/ayling 4
    Salah Auba Kai soucek 4.5
    Werner martial dcl

  4. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Could do with vinagre getting that start tonight or it’s Ayling off the bench for a blank

  5. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    so my move of going heavy in the back and having a balance FOR and a relatively sub-par MID backfired, ASM and Souchek weren't impressive at least to me.

    Auba-Mo-ASM-Souchek-Reed
    Werner-Adams-Martial

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      thinking whether to transfer out for a strong GW2 team and then WCGW3 or hold transfers

    2. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That mid still got you 30 odd points (not including captain) that pretty solid.

    3. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      At least you had Salah lol

    4. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The first GW isn't even over yet.

  6. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Antonio > DCL for free? Will wait til after the cup games

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Perf

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good on paper. I wasn’t that satisfied with my dcl pick though on the basis of that game rich is the one to own

  7. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings + Bissouma -> Rodriguez + Davis

    Worth a hit -4 for GW2?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Absolutely not.

  8. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm pretty sure I'm doing Ings to Martial, I have exactly 0.5 in the bank. Should I do it now or wait, keep an eye on price changes and collect as much info as possible?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Did Ings played that badly? Or is it Utd fixtures pulling you to Tony?

    2. D-Fens
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This is my dilemma at the moment too. I always had the transfer planned so I see no reason not to do it after an Ings blank. Just think 2 FTs next week could be great

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'm thinking this too - 2FT and decide to get Bruno or Tony then

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

      Do it now

    4. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think many of us have the same plan. Martial price unlikely to rise tonight so I am holding in case anything happens to Werner

  9. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Stevens haul too much to ask for?

    1. D-Fens
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, think smaller

  10. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings Son to Bruno DCL?

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

      Hits are wild this early.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If you're taking hits to sort problems out early is the best time.

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

          Ings and Son aren’t problems, they just didn’t score and panic has set in.

          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Correctomondo.

  11. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Chances that ManUtd don't get off to a great start?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      36%

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      16.298%

  12. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How did look Vardy? keep or sell for Martial

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep imo

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

        Thanks, Think that I better wait to see how Man U will perform before I go Martial

    2. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep until GW 5 or 7 then look to move. He has some great fixtures upcoming.

  13. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bamford at +82.3...wtf!

    1. D-Fens
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Crazy year continues

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I hope it continues, if the nutters are doing that there's less chance of them doing daft stuff causing prise rises elsewhere.

  14. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    hows this looking?

    mccarthy
    taa, justin, lewis
    salah, kdb, willian, soucek
    werner, martial, dcl

    steer, kwp, alzate, mitchell

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is this a WC team? GG if not because that's very close to what I'm considering on WC lol

      1. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        it is a WC team

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek out. Maybe you can find 0.5 to upgrade to Klich

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

        No one mentioned Klich at all, he scores on goal and he's everywhere.

    3. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If on wildcard would suggest looking at sterling, aguero, mahrez.
      Ownership is less than 5%
      If you are going to completely change your team why change it to the template when you can go for some big value differentials

  15. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Preferably would include both Bruno and Martial however, it is not possible as wanna keep Salah while Auba will become KDB/Sterling.
    That leaves me with either only Bruno, or Martial plus Rashford (In place of Son in ~2 weeks, need 0.5 more). Said that, having Bruno would allow me to bring DCL - Everton's fixtures look really exciting.
    Thoughts?

    McCarthy
    TAA/Davies/Justin/Vinagre
    Auba/Salah/Son/ASM
    Werner/Ings

    Steer/Mitchell/Bissouma/Brewster

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've definately made DCL a priority, Kean hasn't convinced (que cameo hattrick next fixture!) and he has started scoring again. Only Bruno or Martial OK I think (I mean I said this very recently last season and was wrong but Bruno's high ownership was to much then), i'll be going for Martial with Greenwood or other more cost effective. Gives us option to hold Mo like you suggest.

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      More or less the same transfer plan as me

  16. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Poll.....

    Are you on WC?

    Y/N

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Undecided. Waiting for the last 2 games.

    2. D-Fens
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ask me again at 10pm

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for a while yet, inshallah.

    4. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, really hard to see who is worth bringing in at the moment, think there is an argument to WC week 3 post City/United

      1. OneDennisBergkamp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Whos hard to see? City/United players will score lots in GW2

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

          City aren't going to score "lots" at Wolves.

        2. ilikewud
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Surely it's not worth a WC to bring 2/3 UTD/City players in

    5. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Shouldn't be as doing it before Utd and CIty play is a nightmare but yes I am. Taking a chance to gain some ground with Everton/Utd and CIty assets.

    6. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn’t WC until I had at least 6 players I needed out...if you are in that position at week 2 then you are gonna struggle

  17. UnluckyXI
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do we think.

    A) Salah & Barnes out for Bruno & Havertz. No hit IF I can time it right
    B) Trtake 4pt hit things week to do Trent, Son & Barnes out for Bruno, Havertz and 4.5 Def who'll need to rotate with 2 other 4.5s and Mitchell as 3rd Def,

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i wouldn't get rid of salah

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for not hit if either.

    3. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am not sure how many times I have to tell people, never, ever, ever have a single GW without Salah.

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

      Best Wildcard team revealed for GW2!
      https://twitter.com/Denniezy_/status/1305526163247435777?s=20

  18. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is TAA a must have ?

    Digne 6.0 - next 3 West Brom, Crystal Palace & Brighton

    TAA 7.5 - next 3 Chelsea , Arsenal , Aston Villa

    Trent is probably the best defender in the league but is he worth 1.5 more with those next 3 fixtures ?

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

      Honestly, I didn't even think about Digne preGW1. I had Pickford for a bit but now I'm seriously considering TAA out for Digne for 2 GWs and then bring him back in. I want to play aggressive this year as the ML is competitive and my slow starts have hurt me.

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m going Digne for time being. It allows me to have martial as 2nd striker without sacrificing Salah, Auba, Havertz or Werner.

      Wildcard plan is wk4 can reassess then.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Trent isn't a good defender, great midfielder imo.

    4. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No on TAA until at least GW 4

  19. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pogba

    Honestly think he could be amazing Value if UTD are set up well.

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Going to be deeper than the other options though

  20. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kane & Willian
    Or
    Son & Werner

    1. SJP08
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait till after Chelsea's game tonight.

  21. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any other gangsters in the 3m+ rank?

  22. SJP08
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What's the sits with Mitro... Rate he'll start gw2?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ye he starts 2

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He came back late from playing for Serbia I believe. So GW2 he is good to go

    2. Jay Arell
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully, Kamara wasn't impressive

  23. Jay Arell
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Tried to be clever with Alli, now really wanting to get rid. Really hate it as I was only planning Ings to Martial this GW, but would you do Ings -> DCL and Alli -> Rashford for a hit and just be finished with the speculation?

  24. Bielsa's Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The only saving grace from this is if Vinagre stays on the bench and I get Mitchell cleaning

  25. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Afternoon All,

    So there are 46 entrants to the PLS FSS Old School League.

    A number of entrants haven't confirmed their FPL ID though. Please email me at djasatate@yahoo.co.uk if you haven't already done so!

    I then do not have to publish FPL names when I do the league updates 😉

    Mo