Scout Notes

Leicester capitalise on Southampton’s worst-ever defensive display

Southampton 0-9 Leicester

Goals: Ben Chilwell (£5.4m), Youri Tielemans (£6.4m), Ayoze Pérez x3 (£6.0m), Jamie Vardy x3 (£9.1m), James Maddison (£7.2m)

Assists: Harvey Barnes x2 (£5.9m), Tielemans, Chilwell, Vardy

Red cards: Ryan Bertrand (£4.8m)

Right then, where do we start with this one? 20 points for Jamie Vardy (£9.1m), 19 for Ben Chilwell (£5.4m) and -6 for Ryan Bertrand (£4.8m). What a night.

Leicester City’s 9-0 win over Southampton on Friday night equalled the biggest-ever win in the Premier League and set a new record for largest margin of victory for an away team in 131 years of English top-flight history.

Is that all you need to know about this one? Probably. Is that all we’re going to tell you about? Absolutely not.

Already, a debate seems to be forming about whether this anomaly of a result was caused by Leicester’s attacking guile or Southampton’s defensive ineptitude.

In truth, there was an element of both, but the opinion of this article’s author is that the most influential factor in the story of this game was indeed the shocking performance of the hosts.

They conceded 15 shots on target and nine of them (60%) ended up as goals.

Chilwell celebrates putting Leicester 1-0 up at Southampton

Yes, Leicester look good and have plenty of attacking potential – but they won’t be scoring nine goals in a Premier League game again any time soon.

That’s because Southampton put on one of the worst defensive displays I have ever seen at this level of football.

When writing these Scout Notes articles, I try my best not to exaggerate but I feel I would be remiss in my duties if I did not report just how dreadful Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men were on Friday night.

I don’t feel it’s too much of a reach to say, during my time reporting on Plymouth Argyle, that I have seen most League Two teams defend better than that. I’ve witnessed a better standard of defending in the National League and even in the Ceredigion Costcutters Division Two. For anyone unacquainted with the Welsh lower divisions, that’s a glorified pub team league.

Against Leicester, Southampton set up in the usual 3-5-2 system with Maya Yoshida (£4.4m), Jannik Vestergaard (£5.2m) and Jan Bednarek (£4.5m) in the middle, Bertrand and Jan Valery (£4.8m) the wing-backs.

But, to be honest, it doesn’t really matter what formation, system or tactics Hasenhüttl deployed because not one of his players turned up.

At no point at St. Mary’s Stadium did we witness Southampton attempting to mark their opposition, to apply any pressure on them, hold any defensive shape or display any spirit.

I would go as far as to say that the Saints weren’t even stretched out of position by Leicester. They were nothing but spectators as the visitors ran circles around them.

I’d like to say most Premier League teams should look as spectacular as the Foxes did when playing football without any opposition. That’s how bad Southampton were – it was as if they weren’t even on the pitch.

Southampton put on one of the worst defensive displays in Premier League history

This was most obvious down their right-hand side of defence where Valery was supposed to be stationed, although he spent much of the first half in a completely different postcode to both Chilwell and Harvey Barnes (£5.9m).

I don’t want to knock their credentials as attacking players, both are talented individuals, but anyone given the freedom of Southampton in which to operate is going to cause serious damage.

Before left-back Bertrand had even received his marching orders, Southampton were being carved up down Valery’s side of the pitch by Chilwell and Barnes, the pair finally combining successfully in the 10th minute.

“It would be easy to say that because of the red card after 10 minutes but… I think it’s not the moment to discuss every goal and every scene and the result. What I say is that I take 100% responsibility for this result today. It was a no performance from my team. This cannot happen in this way.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

The left-back pushed into the empty space and his shot across the box turned into a cross which Barnes collected and fired at Angus Gunn (£4.5m).

The Southampton goalkeeper failed to hold onto the effort though, allowing Chilwell to continue his run, unmarked and unopposed, into the six-yard box where he slotted in.

It was in the build-up to this goal that Bertrand was pulled up by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for a high tackle on Ayoze Pérez (£6.0m) and promptly sent off.

Naturally, this exposed Southampton on their left, but given that huge problems were already present down the right, it should be no surprise that Chilwell and Barnes continued to run riot.

Tielemans got a goal and an assist on Friday night

Seven minutes later, former West Bromwich Albion loanee Barnes was, left Valery for dead opening up space to square a pass to Wilfried Ndidi (£5.0m).

This was deflected into the path of the onrushing Youri Tielemans (£6.4m) by the recovering Valery, who had time to collect himself and dispatch Leicester’s second.

Again, no pressing, no marking. Southampton’s three centre-backs, admittedly left horrendously exposed, stood there like statues to give Tielemans all the time in the world to hit the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Pérez burst through idle Southampton midfielders, played a one-two with Tielemans on the edge of the box and, unchallenged, fired his effort in for 3-0.

At this point, Hasenhüttl finally responded by switching to a back-four. Valery was swapped to the left and Bednarek pulled out of the centre-back three to try and stop the rot on the Saints’ right. It didn’t work. The four Southampton defenders lined up so tightly that all of them were inside the penalty box with nobody patrolling either flank.

Pérez, without a Premier League goal all season, scored a hat-trick against Southampton

In the 39th minute, disaster struck once more on the right. Chilwell would have been able to solve a crossword puzzle in the time it took Bednarek to come over and watch him deliver another cross.

Given the left-back’s undeniable crossing ability, especially when completely unopposed, it should be no surprise that his ball found its intended target: an unmarked Pérez dashing into the back-post to smash in a fourth.

Vardy then made it 5-0 on the stroke of half-time. Can you guess where this pass came from? Yes, that’s right, Leicester’s left.

Chilwell was again in yards of space, his deft ball into the box helped on its way towards Vardy by a poor defensive header from James Ward-Prowse (£5.8m).

Hasenhüttl tried to change things at half-time but continued to deploy the wrong personnel in wide areas

Hasenhüttl tried to change things around at half-time but could not come up with anything capable of improving on the opening period.

At this point, this was already Southampton’s worst half-time deficit in Premier League history.

Danny Ings (£5.9m) and Vestergaard were replaced at the break by Kevin Danso (£4.4m) and Jack Stephens (£4.3m) who took over at left and right-back respectively. Both of those players are centre-backs.

Despite his woeful first-half display, Valery was left on the pitch on the right of a four-man midfield while Nathan Redmond (£6.3m) ploughed a lone furrow up-front.

It should be no surprise then that Leicester continued to heap misery on their hosts in the second half.

Barnes was able to find Pérez with ease in the second half

Pérez scored the sixth goal just short of the hour. Barnes played a ball into the box to the former Newcastle player who just found it far too easy to find the net for the second time on the night.

Not only was nobody marking Pérez at this point, but he also had time to ghost between Danso and Yoshida, chest it down, set himself and shoot all on the edge of the six-yard box. 

Chilwell was at the ready to add his third attacking return of the night just moments later.

As you can imagine, he had as much time as he wanted to cross for an unmarked Vardy, who headed home as if he was on the training pitch. No scratch that, as if he and Chilwell were two children playing football in the park, waiting for other players to turn up – that’s how easy it was.

None of Southampton’s centre-backs were anywhere near Vardy for his second goal

James Maddison (£7.2m) owners were finally invited in from the cold when Vardy won a free kick on the edge of the box in the 85th minute.

It was inevitable that this would end up in the back of the net given Maddison’s skill from dead-ball situations and the fact that Southampton had effectively given up 10 minutes into this encounter.

Finally, the record books were adjusted by Vardy in stoppage time as he earned a penalty from a Stephens’ foul and dispatched it to complete his hat-trick.

So the question many of us will be asking after such a ridiculous match of football, is what can Fantasy managers learn?

Chilwell will probably never enjoy as much space again

In my opinion, there’s not a huge deal we can take from this. We knew Leicester had attacking potential coming into this one, but it is pretty clear that against most other opposition they will not get as much joy as this.

It must be said that this was not the first time that the flanks of defence have caused issues for Hasenhüttl this season.

Think back to Southampton’s 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth, also played under the Friday night lights.

The Saints manager made the strange decision of deploying left-footed centre-back Danso on the right, allowing both Josh King (£6.3m) and Dominic Solanke (£5.4m) to reign supreme.

In fact, as Neale pointed out in Big Numbers this week, Southampton had conceded 46 chances down this side of the pitch this season, more than any other side.

Southampton have been particularly weak on the right all season

That is excellent news for options such as Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) and Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) who will be likely line-up on the left of Manchester City’s attack at the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 11.

It also bodes well for Everton, Watford and Norwich, the next three sides to come to St. Mary’s. Since Hasenhüttl arrived on the south coast, only Fulham have failed to score when visiting Southampton.

That said, given the lack of progress made under Hasenhüttl, his position at the club will certainly be under heavy scrutiny in the coming weeks.

“I think it’s not the moment where we discuss the players or how they acted today. I’ve never had an such an experience in my entire managing career. I’ve always thought that something (like this) could happen but it has.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

As for Leicester, will they face a much sterner test in Gameweek 11 when they travel to face Crystal Palace?

Almost definitely.

The Eagles have boasted one of the best home defensive records of the season so far. Going into Gameweek 9, they have conceded just once in front of their own fans in four matches.

After that round of action, this figure had risen to three in five, as Manchester City were restricted to just a two-goal winning margin.

Schmeichel and his defensive colleagues maintained a professional approach even at 7-0 up

I might even go as far as to suggest that this 9-0 win said more about Leicester’s defensive assets than it did their attacking ones.

There was a period of about 10 minutes in the second half where Redmond and substitute Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m) started to venture forth and ask questions of the Foxes’ defence.

With the score at 7-0 at this point, Brendan Rodgers’ side would have been excused for relaxing at the back and taking the rest of the day off.

However, both Jonny Evans (£5.0m) and Çaglar Söyüncü (£4.7m) maintained their professionalism and threw their bodies in the way of Southampton shots as if they were fighting to hold on to 0-0 draw.

That mentality helped earned Leicester’s away first clean of the season, which had been a long-time coming and bodes well for favourable fixtures against Palace (away), Brighton (away) and Everton (home).

“Of course, you can lose your concentration in games like that, and we gave them virtually no chances and defended very, very strongly as well. It’s a great testament to the work of the players and how they have been working, so it’s an unbelievable scoreline.” – Brendan Rodgers

Southampton XI (3-5-2): Gunn; Vestergaard (Danso 46′), Yoshida, Bednarek; Bertrand, Højbjerg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Valery (Armstrong 70′); Redmond, Ings (J Stephens 46′).

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Chilwell, Söyüncü, Evans, R Pereira; Ndidi; H Barnes (Albrighton 72′), Maddison, Tielemans, Pérez (D Gray 74′); Vardy.

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1,640 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So how did perez played? Is he still an alternative to having vardy?
    Need to take a hit to afford vardy but mahrez to perez/tielemans is an option

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Perez basically played similar to how he's been playing the last couple weeks, just with better finishing. Maybe this will kick off his form. Of course he got more chances than usual, but Southampton helped

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Had a good night but will not conclude further

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        who seems to be more involved from that midfield? needs to ship out mahrez

    3. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Go maddison unless you can rely on bench and be ok with price drops

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      How do you think the guy who scored a hatrick played?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Think he means what was the difference in his performance and how he played that led to 3 goals compared to every other match this season

          1. Wally banter
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            yes

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Doesnt play against 10 man Southampton every week.

    5. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kept the captaincy on KDB over Sterling after looking at midweek UCL minutes. Then got smoking high and forgot Friday deadline to decide after captaincy article. Hope the pep comment on Sterling amazing regen doesnt come to bite me

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        It will fella.
        Sterling should start.

      2. HNI
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Damn Mahrez played full match as well. Guess time to hide behind sofa and hope.kdb assists all the goals

    6. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If Sterling blanks today im probably never going to captain him again this season

      That would make it 4 captaincy blanks in 4 against (BHA nor WOL AVL). Would be Totally unaccepatble. Agree?

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        The week you don’t captain him he gets 30

      2. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sure, he plays soton at home after this

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Probably be benched for that game

          1. HNI
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Not if he is benched today and plays 70midweek

          2. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            More likely to be benched for the midweek soton game

      3. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep

        He’s shifting into mane for gw12 anyhow

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thinking same. unless he get some good hauls in next 2 matches

      4. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Perma captain
        Don’t worry. He will beat Vsrdy’s Score

      5. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        He'll haul today IMO.

      6. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        That would make 5 captain blanks for me...

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          would invite you for a drink then 😉

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

        You do know he played 180mins in last 6 days right? Although I have concerns he may get double digit scores he may easily blank. After soton is best time to remove till after hevtic new year

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

        No. I'll captain him if I feel it's right in a future fixture too.

      9. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Agree but I ain't picked right captain since GW2.
        So whatta I know

    7. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy party is over - by the end of this GW he’ll be 30%+ ownership

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Good for those this week 😉

        Differential big hitters is always the dream

      2. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Vardy party started two weeks ago
        Differential is over. But the price rises will be tasty

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

        It's ok the CHO party is about to get started.

    8. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jamie Vardy essential now? Trying to think how and whether i need to accommodate him in the following team

      Pope
      Taa Digne Lundy — Tomori Rico
      Sterling Kdb Dilva Mount — Cantwell
      Pukki Rashford Tammy

      - Have 0.8m itb to do Rashford > Vardy for free but only brought Rashford in last gw so seems wrong to bin him after one gw especially if he doesn't score

      - If Rashford scores, then Pukki the only way to get Vardy but will involve a hit before pukki bri,WAT....would that be advisable

      - Or just ignore Vardy till i WC in gw13

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Rash to Vardy

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        He will be 9.4 by then if not more if he continues.

      3. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Buying Rashford was a bad mistake. Reverse that.

          1. OleGGMU
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Made the same rash mistake way back in gw4.....even as a lifelong utd fan....NEVER AGAIN..NEVER EVER.....AGAIN.

            Rash to vardy fullstop mate
            Bin pukki next gw

      4. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Looking for a cricket score in the city game with kdb(c), raz and dilva..hope villa don't sit back and frustrate them for a long period

        1. HNI
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          So you also had both sterling kdb and captained kdb? You think Sterling will be benched?

          1. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Not really, I expect him to start..just that kdb has been terrific at home this season and will probably get more mins than raz this gw

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          City will probably win but would not underestimate Villa.

        3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Way this season is going its 0-1

          1. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            The way i run, wouldn't surprise me

      5. HNI
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        How to fit in Vardy! With mid of salah sterling kdb its impossible to unless I sacrifice defence and play Cantwell every week. After Liv vs Mancity I am looking to go with Salah Mane Kdb as Liv have amazing run. Just cant decide if Sterling to CHO is worth Greewood to Vardy come Liv vs Citt gw...

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Wait a week. Palace away isn’t easy, and then city’s fixtures turn so might be an opportunity to shift your funds upfront

      6. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Can’t wait for next week...palace 1 Leicester 0 and everyone moaning about getting Vardy/Perez/Chilwell for a -8

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Chasing cars

          1. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Snow patrol?

            1. Wally banter
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              one of my favourite song during college days

        2. Whats the Huth
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          It’s the type of game that Madds will excel in ad the rest do nowt

        3. HNI
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          So many times in last few gws tried Pukki to Vardy but he is so expensive and settled for Jiminez as cant remove TAA Salah Sterling Kdb after their good recent form

        4. OleGGMU
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Super sour grapes hey...sucha pity you didnt get the invite to the vardy party...dont hate because you missed out...the box of tissue at the gate are for people like you

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Haha you alright?

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

        Had captaincy fails since GW3 but still top 50k oh what might have been.

        1. fusen
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          What's your team link?

      8. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        So back to reality today or a total goalfest?

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          We are due a big gw after last two horrendous gws. here's for hoping

          1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I think this horror weather makes for goals

        2. Whats the Huth
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Sterling hatty upcoming

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

        Need Vardy, which one sounds best?

        A) Auba to Vardy
        B) Ota Wilson to 4.5 Vardy
        C) Wilson Maddison to Vardy Perez/Tielemans

        1. Citizen Kane
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Probably B mate

          1. Pinturicchio10
              4 years, 5 months ago

              A

            • Atimis
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Could go with Willems as 4.5 def

        2. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          So Mark doesn't own vardy yet then? Rigged and pathetic

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Andy Goddard having another blinder with his triple Leicester

        3. afsr
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          A - Pukki, Cantwell -> Connolly, Jimenez, Rico (-4)

          Pope
          TAA, Tomori, Lund
          Mane, Ster, KdB, Mount
          Abraham, Pukki, Vardy

          Button, Cantwell, Dunk, Hanley
          1 FT, 0.1 ITB

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

            sorry, post fail

        4. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          5 big hitters - Sterling, Aguero, Mane, Salah, Aubameyang.

          The key to FPL at the moment appears to be picking two of them that are going to haul in each GW. Last GW they all flopped though so it wasn't too bad.

          Which two this GW and which two next GW?

          1. Arse Craic
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            KDB and Sterling next two weeks

            1. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Don't see KDB as a big hitter. Not because of his points potential, but because everyone has him. He is a core player that most FPL managers have along with Abraham, Mount, TAA etc.

              The big hitters, IMO, are those players who have greater than 20% ownership in the Top 10k and are over 10.0m in price. Their performance (or the performance of the ones you don't own) can be the rank gainer / killer.

              FWIW, I think Sterling and Aguero are the big hitters to have for GW10 and GW11. GW12 is tough due to Liv vs Man City and Lei vs Arsenal.

              1. FrankieTheGent
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                What's KDB's ownership in the top 10k?

                1. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  78%. Most owned player in the Top 10k. Lundstram (67%), Abraham (66%) and Mount (60%) are next. Liverpool defence has an ownership of 100% (i.e. the Top 10k have one Liverpool defender - one of TAA, Robbo or VVD).

                  Which is why I distinguish the big hitters in my post. The five I mention are owned by between 25% - 45%. Getting the right two every GW makes a big difference.

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

                “... Don't see KDB as a big hitter ...”. KDB is a “big hitter” because he has the highest EO atm.

                1. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Everyone has KDB. He does not influence your rank significantly (ignoring (c)).

                  KDB's EO this GW is just over 100%. If you own KDB, but not captained him then he isn't hurting you OR wise. What hurts you this GW is not owning Mane and Mane hauling.

                  Mane's price is such that you have to sacrifice another big hitter to get him, but his EO is high enough that a haul damages your OR if you don't have him.

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

                    :). Best of luck mate.

        5. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Remarkable night: Chilwell scores once, assists twice and gets a clean sheet - yet only 1 bonus point.
          Not sure what to think - Foxes fan and only player I had (Soy) was first on the bench. Dropped 200K. Never mind, real football wins and you team doesn't win 9-0 every day. 😀

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Similar to otamendi the other week when city won 8-0! What a result tho. Exciting times again being a Leicester fan

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Yes indeed. Before the season started I hoped for us to have a really good run in the cup, but it looks like we might do well in the league too. We feel very fortunate at the moment - football success is cyclical (with a particularly long cycle for non major clubs) so it's important to enjoy it while we can.

              1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Old Man, we're finishing 3rd! Letssss goooooo back to the CL where we belong

                1. Old Man
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  That would be a wonderful result - fingers crossed!

        6. JustPark
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Just don't knee jerk, lads.

          1. Whats the Huth
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Vardy isn’t a knee jerk.

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Just a jerk

        7. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I can afford Vardy by selling Wilson for a hit but for some reason dont fancy doing it...
          Should I just follow the herd and get him ?

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Watch today's game first fella. Re-assess after Wilson's performance.

          2. Whats the Huth
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Why you asking the herd if you should follow them?

        8. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          We thought Ings was on fire.
          Turns out the entire f***ing club's on fire.

        9. Jamb0
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Is Bertrand’s -6 the worst ever gameweek score? Can’t think of any worse!

          1. bench boost for every gamew…
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            that´s painful if you got one, -1 or 2 is sometimes happening but -6 that is awful.

        10. El Matador
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Looking forward to Vardy (c) GW12 v Arsenal 5.30pm live on Sky....!

          1. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            2x2=4

        11. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Where can we find out about EO? Anybody know what it is for KdB and Sterling? Thanks

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Top 10k EO

            KDB: 107%
            Sterling: 64%
            Aguero: 53%
            Mane: 52%

            https://www.livefpl.net/top10k

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Holy KDB

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

                Exactly. EO is king.

            2. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Thanks!

          2. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Livefpl.net

        12. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Who do you think I should replace to make room for Vardy?

          A) Auba
          B) Wilson
          C) Tammy

          Disclaimer: I will of course not do anything before all games have been played.

        13. It's Andrew Forey's Account..
          Legomané
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Impressive play this week by the current World No.2 Andrew Forey.

          Chilwell, Maddison and Vardy TRIPLE CAPTAIN and 87pts 😯

          An OR rise from 325 to cruise into contention - now just 2pts back from No.1 spot held by Nick Tanner.

          The stuff of dreams 🙂

          https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/4731491/history

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Wowo - TC a sub 10.0 forward in a random away game...

            To me that’s (a bit) like going all in with your mortgage on 7-2 off suit against someone with pocket aces and then the flop coming up 7-7-7...

            Yes you’ve won big - but was it a good decision?

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              r/r

            2. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Of course it was a good decision, look at the pay off.

              Was it a good decision going with Vardy based on statistical likelihood? No. Did it pay off? Yes

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                I guess I’d disagree - I’d say going all in on 7-2 off suit is that reckless that it can’t be considered quality decision making

                1. IRBOX ⚽
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  The problem with decisions is they are always obvious in hindsight. The odds weren’t great.. but with the outcome you have to applaud the decision

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    I don’t agree with that at all though - the outcomes of (single) decisions in poker, FPL and other luck management games are too heavily influenced by variance to be perfectly, strongly (or even remotely in some cases) correlated to the quality of the logic that underpinned the decision

                    If you make enough of those type of decisions, you get bad results - which the OR history in his case kind of resoundingly endorses

                    I’m not being negative here btw - fair play to the guy, but I think this is more the “buying a winning lottery ticket” end of the scale than some manifestation of god-like clairvoyance at predicting the outcome of a random sporting event

                    1. IRBOX ⚽
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      By that logic: based on the stats, people also won the lottery just by owning Vardy and him doing well. Yet they proclaim to have knowledge other than statistics and pat each other on the back over it. Give the lad some gratitude. OR 2 is incredible!

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 5 months ago

                        I wouldn’t agree with that at all (that Vardy owners made bad decisions to identify his potential for FPL points and act on it by transferring him in ahead of a huge run of scoring)

                        Not only are stats but a single factor amongst a multitude of others that should an FPL selection decision.... but they are also backward looking and explanatory - not forward looking and predictive

                        There is a huge difference between the importance of statistics and the importance of the conclusions that a manager arrives at regarding selection decisions

                        And I already have given the lad some gratitude above (twice!) I’ve said he’s won big, and fair play to him 🙂

                        1. IRBOX ⚽
                          • 7 Years
                          4 years, 5 months ago

                          You’re just contradicting yourself now

                          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 5 months ago

                            How so?

                            1. IRBOX ⚽
                              • 7 Years
                              4 years, 5 months ago

                              In one instance you’re saying playing the odds poorly in poker is a mistake (of which I agree). Yet you’re also saying that when looking at statistical analysis and the most powerful metrics we have in FPL (xG), that it’s irrelevant. So which is it? Do statistics and probability matter or not?

                            2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                              • 14 Years
                              4 years, 5 months ago

                              The odds in poker are mathmatically objective

                              XG is a theoretical construct that is not designed to inform FPL management decisions

                              Do you see the difference?

                            3. IRBOX ⚽
                              • 7 Years
                              4 years, 5 months ago

                              It’s a theoretical construct based on copious amounts of data to create an accurate mathematical probability

                            4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                              • 14 Years
                              4 years, 5 months ago

                              Is it a theoretical construct? Yes... Is it fed by large amounts of data? I’ve no doubt it is... Does it guarantee an “accurate mathematical probability”? The statement is too broad to even be relevant for FPL purposes

                              Ultimately XG is still a theoretical construct that was not designed to be used for FPL decision making - that’s not the same thing as saying that using it for FPL guarantees failure btw - which is where some of the confusion arises - akin to a placebo effect

                              Similar to triple captaining a sub-10.0 forward in a random away game - you might win big (and kudos once again to the guy on landing a monster score) - but that you of decision making in the long term usually trends the other direction 🙂

                            5. DantheManinaPan
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 10 Years
                              4 years, 5 months ago

                              Glad to see the ratio of +1s reflecting the quality of arguments.

                              Very nicely explained, Maximus

                            6. Smurf
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 14 Years
                              4 years, 5 months ago

                              Ibrox doing nothing but digging a hole. Maximus is correct all the way.

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

                              This. For every Vardy (TC) this week, there will have been a few with Aubameyang (TC) a head of Bournemouth at home, or Kane (TC) against Cardiff last season. The outcomes of those matches don't make the Auba or Kane decisions worse than the Vardy one.

            3. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I think to get that high in rank, you need to make those possibly bad decisions on paper and have some luck.

              1. fusen
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                "some luck" :X

                I don't get why people treat the luck in FPL so negatively or with such shade. We should all be embracing the luck needed to do well in this game. it makes the wins that much more special.

                1. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  As they say - it is better to be lucky than good.

                  Most of the big payoffs in life usually arise because of a fair portion of good 'luck'.

            4. fusen
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Look at his previous season ranks.

              He's in the top 500 because of good luck and is currently 2nd because of immense luck.

              That isn't a negative for him, it's just the truth

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Thought the same thing myself - that kind of recklessness invariably generates 99 instances of top 2 million OR’s for every 1 instance of a top 200 OR

                Fair play to him though - but not to be cynical, I’ll be very interested to see his next few moves

            5. Legomané
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Everyone is looking the other way with City assets dominating the discussion this week.

              Benchable/Rotatable City assets that Pep could 1-point cameo us with in theory.

              I think it's madness, possibly absolute genius, or oblivious sheer dumb luck!

          2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            World number 2 has never finished in the top 500k, mostly 2m or less. If results keep being outliers then peeps like Andy will keep doing well otherwise back to reality

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

              People on here really like to piss on people's success don't they. What a week for the guy!

              1. fusen
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Yeah, great score for the person. It'll be awesome for them that their gamble paid off. It was a gamble that was more likely to fail than succeed though. And I think the posts you are referring to are more about trying to get the overall tone of conversation in a more realistic place than a lot of praise is doing

                It wasn't a genius masterstroke to TC Vardy. It is absolute luck and good fortune that it paid off. Congrats with the outcome but let's not pretend it was a genius masterstroke.

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

                  I don't think he cares, he's probably very happy right now. This site is such a buzzkill. Don't care about genius, luck or whatever. It's a game, enjoy it!

                  1. DantheManinaPan
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    On the one hand, I get you.

                    On the other, we're on this site to try and improve your ability at FPL, and so it makes sense that people are looking at what we can learn from this.

                    And what we can learn from this is that the guy got lucky, and if we want to do well we shouldn't imitate him.

          3. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Amazing! Imagine watching that game with Vardy triple captain

          4. Free Hat
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Well deserved with those moves Id say

          5. dansmusen
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Also no Pool payaer yet in ant GW. What a genius.

          6. Arteta
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Top stuff.

          7. ivanthemerciless
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Fella in 19th overall also triple captained Vardy.

          8. HNI
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Looking at such random.knee jerk, check his rank slide come Jan

          9. Bouncebackability
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Imagine the boner he had watching that game yesterday with his team selection!

          10. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            95% sure it's this guy (who is now OR 1) https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrew-forey-21317155

            Used to work for Vodafone, and all of the traceable people in the only ML he is in are either current or ex-Vodafone.

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Ok...... why the stalker behaviour?

            2. Forza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              So he was in a great position to hack Rebekah Vardy's phone in order to influence how Jamie played... genius!

        14. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Imagine how fuming you would be if you owned Bertrand. -6! Must be some kind of record.

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I was seriously considering him as a differential some week back. Ended up concluding he was too expensive thankfully.

        15. afsr
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Post fail above. Need to get off the Pukki train

          A - Pukki, Cantwell -> Jimenez, Rico (-4)
          B - Pukki, Cantwell -> Connolly,

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

            Something wrong with posts today

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              A good workman never blames his tools

              1. *sigh*
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                You can only wee with the willy you’re born with.

        16. Champ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Got up to watch the rugby. Had a crazy dream last night that Leicester scored 9 goals!

          I really need to stop eating grilled cheese sandwiches late at night.

          Soy my only Leicester player...

          Come on England!!

        17. Silecro
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Some serious cs potentials next week, is my team in correct order or should any of the bench players play instead Jimenez/Wilson (ars/mun)

          Ramsdale
          TAA/ Lundstram / Montoya
          Sterling/KDB/Salah/CHO
          Tammy/Wilson/Jimenez

          Bench: 4.0/ Soyoncu (cry), Lowton (shu), dend

          1. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Soy over Montoya

            1. Silecro
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              yeah, montoya pick is mainly due to playing lately very poor norwich at home, but will probably asses it further

        18. rodragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Hoping kun is benched so that I get vardy as captain.. .. .

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            But he would come on, so really you want him to start

            1. rodragon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Yea that's there but last week he was completely rested

        19. Party time
            4 years, 5 months ago

            ... even huddersfield never lost 9 nil in the PL. Rest in Peace Southampton

            1. Stockport Hatter
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Lost 10-1 to City in division 2 (now the championship) though in the 80s

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  What happened in the 80's stays in the 80's 🙂 Southampton is a very quiet city today

              2. fusen
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Two records were broken. Joint highest winning margin, best ever away winning margin. Those records aren't just best this season but are decades/centuries old. This was basically the biggest outlier there was and we are unlikely to experience it again while this website is active

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    😆

                  • Stockport Hatter
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    The biggest ever league win in English league football was Stockport 13 Halifax 0. 2-0 at half time. The premier league didn't invent football. It's just a name change and cash cow for the league.

              3. Stockport Hatter
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Lost 10-1 to City in division 2 (now the championship) though in the 80s.

                1. Stockport Hatter
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Reply fail

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Seen buddy 🙂