Scout Notes

Wolves defence impresses as popular FPL forwards blank

Owners of attacking assets from Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers were left disappointed as the two clubs played out a goalless draw at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

We’ll assess how Messrs Vardy, Jota and Jimenez performed in our Scout Notes article below, as well as looking at the other Fantasy talking points – including a disallowed goal after VAR intervention – from the Gameweek 1 stalemate.

Leicester City 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Defences were on top at the King Power Stadium in a match that featured just three shots on target.

Of the two sides’ backlines, it was arguably Wolves’ that impressed the most.

The now-familiar back three of Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Ryan Bennett (all £5.0m) were imperious, limiting the hosts’ attacking trio of James Maddison (£7.0m), Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) to just one shot in the box all game.

Boly deservedly walked away with maximum bonus points as Wolves banked a well-earned clean sheet, with Rui Patricio (£5.0m) barely dirtying his gloves and only having to deal with one effort on target from the Foxes – an ambitious 25-yard effort from substitute Harvey Barnes (£6.0m).

The one glaring chance that Leicester had wasn’t even a shot: Vardy failing to make contact from three yards out when Youri Tielemans (£6.5m) fired over a low cross from the right.

The fact that Vardy had fewer touches than any of the 22 starting players in this match, and indeed one fewer than substitute Marc Albrighton (£5.5m) managed in a 14-minute cameo, was a testament to how expertly Boly and co handled the 32-year-old striker and his teammates.

Last week we wrote how Wolves had arguably underachieved on the clean sheet front in 2018/19 given their otherwise excellent underlying defensive stats, and there is every chance that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will crack double figures for shut-outs this campaign on the further evidence of Sunday.

Santo said of the game and his defence:

I think it was a very good game of football. Leicester are a very good team in possession of the ball.

It requires a lot of effort from us, playing together, in shape. We defended well and didn’t allow too many chances to a very good team, and we had some good chances.

Despite the Foxes having 70% of the possession, it was Wolves that looked the more likely to score.

Caglar Soyuncu (£4.5m) earned praise for his display at the heart of the Leicester defence but as a collective, the Foxes’ high backline was exposed on a handful of occasions by a direct Wolves attack.

Brendan Rodgers’ insistence on his side playing out from the back also led to a dicey moment or two.

Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) and Diogo Jota (£6.5m) both broke free of the home side’s defence early in the second half but made a hash of their chances, Jimenez dallying before producing a tame shot that was comfortably saved before Jota screwed an effort horribly wide when racing clear of Jonny Evans (£5.0m).

Jota had earlier dispossessed Ricardo Pereira (£6.0m) on the touchline but could only stumble into the turf when bearing down on Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m).

The Portuguese striker’s shooting boots may have been misplaced this weekend but he was by far Wolves’ biggest threat on Sunday, his now-familiar driving runs from deep causing problems in the hosts’ backline and leading to another chance for the recently reclassified FPL forward on 40 minutes.

Indeed, no Premier League player registered more successful take-ons than Jota in Gameweek 1.

Jimenez was relatively anonymous by comparison and certainly has much to do to convince Fantasy managers that he is worth one million extra than Jota in FPL, even if he does take the odd spot-kick.

Like Wolves’ strike duo, Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m) is owned by more than 10% of managers in FPL.

No Fantasy midfielder priced under £6.5m is owned by more FPL bosses and the budget Belgian almost rewarded those who started him in Gameweek 1 with the perfect gift, only for his 52nd-minute goal to be chalked off after VAR intervention following a Boly ‘handball’.

Boly would have been given an assist for that goal, had it stood, and the French stopper had earlier been in thick of the action when a Wolves set-piece caused havoc in the Leicester box.

FPL managers may baulk at the price rises handed out to Matt Doherty (£6.0m) and Jonny (£5.5m) – neither of whom, for once, was involved in the opposition box on Sunday – but Boly, who scored the same number of goals as the Irish wing-back in 2018/19, is an intriguing cheaper alternative.

Boly and his fellow defenders pretty much nullified all four of Vardy, Maddison, Tielemans and Perez, with Rodgers saying of the latter’s debut:

Just going to take that bit of time. Just that little bit of fitness, he’s a little bit behind because he’s missed a little bit of pre-season. But he’s always a threat, he finds the spaces and he’s always looking to link the game and he wants to get in and score. It’s just time with him.

The Leicester boss was perhaps wary of Wolves’ attacking threat, meanwhile, opting to start defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) over Albrighton and roll out a 4-3-3.

Explaining his formation, Rodgers said:

We played what would be 4-3-3 and that would put our front three up against their central defenders. Then, obviously, we looked to control that midfield area.

The threat that they have is that when they win it, they get two strikers through the middle and they spin out off that

I thought, in all fairness, that the players coped with it well. Cags (Soyuncu), who came in, I was really pleased for him.

Members Analysis

Leicester City XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Chilwell; Ndidi, Tielemans, Choudhury (Barnes 61′), Perez (Albrighton 76′), Maddison, Vardy.

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Neves (Saiss 81′), Jonny; Jimenez, Jota (Cutrone 76′).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

890 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Robinson --> McGinn ? Im thinking first transfer ? liking the look of Villa

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      🙂

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Oh I’m thinking the opposite re Villa - very on the fence after week 1. They offered very little after the break and that’s making me wary of a mid there right now. Key test is how they cope with Bournemouth who are a very bottom 8 side really - can they pull out 90 minutes? Will they play keep pressing on?

      Spurs away was always a tough fixture for the team of course.

    3. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      don't waste a FT on that. Save and reassess next week with 2FT. You will probably have more urgent transfers to do

    4. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Robinson is a good option for the next 2. Hold

      1. Angin out the Begović
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ok GW1 jitters, Cheers lads ! Managed to pull off a 95 pointer though!

  2. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pukki, Jota or Kean in for Deulofeu??

  3. Polar_Bear
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Rashford now #1 for pens?

    1. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No they rotate so probably, whoever wins it out of Rash, Mart, Pogba, Lingard

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sounds about right

      2. Polar_Bear
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really? Sounds like a weird approach. Since when is this in place or why?

        1. BoomXhakaLaca1
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Rashford said after the game to do with confidence and to keep keepers guessing

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      OGS said Pogba is on penalties. He (Pogba) gave it to Rashford who won it. That's why Rashford took the penalty.

      1. Polar_Bear
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        OK so it may be an once off. Thanks

  4. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane was on 18.9 an hour ago on fplstatistics
    Now back to 12

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thresholds adjusted after no overnight rises or falls.

  5. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Currently sitting on 92 points after the first gameweek! Nothing to complain about

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A good score from a high scoring GW that should keep those pesky GW2 teams behind you for the rest of the season.

  6. Fnug
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Well my Guilbert punt didn't work. Who's the best 4,5 DEF to replace him with?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Montoya/Dunk

    2. The Poor One
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Soyuncu or dunk

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

      Mings

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not much to pick between, but some you´ve got suggested underneath, Lowton is on to consider?

    5. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mings looks good

    6. juho
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Need more data to assess

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

    Since Pep came, all the MC vs Spurs @ Etihad
    21 Jan 2017 2-2 (PL)
    16 Dec 2017 4-1 Sterling x2 (PL)
    17 Apr 2019 4-3 Sterling x2 (CL)
    20 Apr 2019 1-0 (PL)

    Sterling (c) anyone?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Im realy thinking, because he will be top scorer this season

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not a terrible shout.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Vc. Salah v the woeful Saints defence needs to be factored in as well.

    4. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't argue with his form!

    5. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd captain Sterling if Salah was my only other choice.

    6. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sticking with Salah. In theory Spurs have a better defense.

  8. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Pope and Robertson to Adrian and Laporte worth a -4 hit ?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. mike09
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No!!

    3. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not at all

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Surprised to see the 7 next to your name

    5. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely not.

    6. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Come on, Robbo out for -4pts ?? stay away from your keyboard, you are about to make a mistake

    7. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      yes

    8. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No. At least -12 to make it worth it.

    9. Sugar Kane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

  9. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Are H2H leagues still updating rankings..?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should be sorted now

      1. EgyptianKing
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        True!

        Thanks mate

  10. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anything worth a free transfer here or hold?

    Ryan

    TAA, Digne, Robertson

    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Moura, Perez

    King, Jota

    Button, Greenwood, Rico, Lundstram

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hold

  11. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Didn't watch the game and I appreciate people say he wasn't great but as an owner I was encouraged by the type of goal martial scored yesterday. When I got him in my fear was whether he could score the centre forward no-frills finish.

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      OGS said exactly the same

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'll be keeping for a while. I think he'll match Rashford for goals and Ole will keep faith.

  12. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Where was vertonghen at the weekend?

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      in the stands

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dropped for tactical reasons according to Poch

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Strange considering his calibre. I could understand the bench, but completely out of the squad? I think something going on behind closed doors.

    3. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Injured

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not according to the report here.

        1. thepeen555
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Dropped because not good enough for that match? Lol even though it’s Aston Villa at home

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Shame wish he started

      2. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nope

  13. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wow neither Ederson or sterling rose in price last night

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nor Sane or Allisson falling. Strangely sluggish start to transfers.

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      FPL change their algorithm every year. FPL Stats are still on last year's algorithm, they need a handful of risers and fallers to calibrate onto this years algorithm.

    3. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Guess FPL have readjusted the calculations for price rises, so FPLstats were wrong

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        They don't want the casuals talking about it at work and seeing moves already out of their reach. Early discouragement, less advertising revenue.

  14. GetupStandup
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dunk for Walker Peters, good idea?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Did you get KWP for just one week?

      1. GetupStandup
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, better not

      2. Shaw must go on
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Like alot of People did with Moura...weird aproach on spurs players ...

      3. GetupStandup
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

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

    I honestly can’t wait for next gameweek, was so good to have fantasy back!

  16. Rohirrims
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    It seems you can't see others' transfer histories, ITB or TV this season. Is this browser specific?

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nope. Asked a lot. It's gone.

  17. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Want both rashford and martial but can't

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tony all the way

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really why?

        Rash on pens could be gold no? I say that as someone who sold him very very early last season before he really started to fail.

        I have Martial but don’t especially fancy him. Rashford is teachers pet.

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          He is a streaky player. Ride the streak while it lasts

        2. The Wise Owl
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Rashford only took the penalty because he won the penalty. OGS said Pogba takes penalties.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Ah that makes a difference

      2. mike09
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

      3. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        already have him

  18. The Station Kitchen Dorset
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 2 out of..

    Rashford, Pogba, Martial..

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Martial Rashford

    2. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pog, Rash

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If price doesnt matter to you then probably this

      2. The Station Kitchen Dorset
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really want all 3 but would have to lose AWB..

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Rather keep AWB

    3. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rash / Martial

    4. Sugar Kane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Martial, martial

  19. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any Palace fans here?Cahill likely to be first choice?

  20. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Has FPL removed transfers made and money ITB from showing?

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Asked a million times already including 3 posts up.

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Was too lazy to read anything before posting

    2. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not on mine!!!

  21. Batchain
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So what do we think about Origi? Will he get those sort of minutes each week, or was that just because Mane was away. 5.5M not bad for a Liverpool attacker.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What do you honestly think?

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Will Salah Firmino or Mane regularly stay out of team? That's the answer

    3. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      10 mins a week unless there is an injury

    4. Batchain
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think he's a good player in a good team that doesn't have an out and out striker (apart from him).

  22. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RM OR out of 10, don't hold back.

    3,632,054

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      3/10

    2. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      4

    3. Sugar Kane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Delete your team and never play again

    4. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks 3 and a 4 is good!

  23. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Going forward....

    Fraser to Martial

    Or

    Fraser to Mcginn which could then mean Vardy to Kane.

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Martial

      1. Sugar Kane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        +1

  24. Shaw must go on
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    anyone reckon james will play ahead of Lingard next game??

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think either James or Mata

      1. Shaw must go on
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        if he grabs a place he will be united best asset

  25. Batchain
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm thinking I might need a Man U player (or 2). But who? What do people think is priority order?

    A. Rashford
    B. Wan Bissaka
    C. Martial
    D. Pogba

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kind of depends doesn't it but all things being equal and available
      ACBD I guess?

    2. mike09
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      CBAD

    3. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      none is a priority...your priority is making sure that you have 11 starting players next game...but prob Rashford

    4. Sugar Kane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C

    5. Batchain
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks for replies. No love for Pogba going on here.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Pogba was atrocious. Highlights will show a couple of sumptuous passes, but not all the bread-and- butter ones he gave away. The defence was good, so AWB is a decent pick, and the speedy attack deadly, so Rashy and Tony are good picks.

        CABD

  26. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan, Button
    TAA, VVD, Lepotre, Zinchenko, Kelly
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Trossard, Dendonker
    Wilson, Jimenez, Greenwood

    0.5m ITB

    Is Trossard and Jimenez to Martial and Pukki for a hit too knee-jerk ?

    1. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      why not wilson to pukki and rashford for jimenez and then upgrade trossard

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Trossard not starting's is my main concern, to upgrade him and do the other 2 would be a -8.

  27. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is there a tool to see expected price rises/falls before they happen?

    1. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      fpl statistics

    2. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fplstatistics.com

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Does the price change when it reaches 100?

        1. Andy'81
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not always, these are just guides (very good ones but guides nonetheless.)

  28. MikeBravo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pep Roulette.
    Potter-y Wheel.

  29. BHA_Seagull
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Moura - Martial
    Kane - Auba

    Worth a - 4 ?

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      For long-term, yes.

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

    3. Sugar Kane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

  30. Tubayyeb
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 6m or below replacement for Barkley...???

    1. Sugar Kane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dendoncker