Scout Notes

Recent defensive promise helps Saints stifle shotless Vardy

Leicester 1-2 Southampton

Goals: Dennis Praet (£5.3m) | Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m), Danny Ings (£6.7m)

Assists: Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) | Shane Long (£4.6m), Che Adams (£5.3m)

Bonus Points: Praet x3, Armstrong x3, Kasper Schmeichel x1 (£5.4m)

Southampton’s defence duly delivered on its promise to frustrate the masses of Fantasy Premier League managers who captained Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) for Gameweek 22.

The Leicester forward was backed for the armband by 52.3% of the top 10k and comfortably won our Captain Poll too – but finished Saturday afternoon without even a single shot to his name.

As we mentioned in our Captain Sensible article this week, Southampton had restricted their four previous opponents to Leicester to a total of just four big chances, the second-best in the league.

They carried that form into Gameweek 22, with the Foxes managing just five shots on their own turf all afternoon.

Admittedly, Vardy still managed to get himself an assist, playing an excellent ball across the box to opening goalscorer Dennis Praet (£5.3m), but to not even register a single shot is somewhat concerning, considering his underlying statistics this season.

Whether it suggests that his FPL usage has run its course remains to be seen and we must remember that Vardy is still on the comeback from injury. He missed two games over Christmas and had to receive treatment in the first half against Southampton. The fact he is facing an increasingly shaky Burnley defence in Gameweek 23 is an encouraging one for Vardy owners.

Perhaps the most important lesson to take from Vardy’s shot-less outing at the King Power Stadium is just how well Southampton have developed defensively recently. It now feels like centuries since writing arguably the most scathing match report of my career after the Saints were thrashed 9-0 by Leicester.

However, their defensive statistics coming into Gameweek 22 were already impressive, especially considering they were recorded in a period when they faced Chelsea and Spurs, but to stifle Leicester too indicates their defence may be ready for investment.

We’ve already seen roughly a fifth of Gameweek 22 Wildcards played among the top 10k select Alex McCarthy (£4.3m) and it seems likely that interest in him can only increase.

The Saints are about to embark on a run of incredibly appealing fixtures from a defensive perspective, hosting Wolves, Burnley, Aston Villa and Newcastle between now and Gameweek 30, while away trips to Crystal Palace, West Ham and Norwich also hold clean sheet potential considering the way they are currently playing.

The fact that Southampton’s back-four has been increasingly settled in recent months has also helped their defensive effort – and makes it easier for Fantasy managers to select one to invest in.

Jack Stephens (£4.3m) and Jan Bednarek (£4.4m) are very-much nailed-on at centre-back and seem to offer better value than their full-back counterparts Ryan Bertrand (£4.8m) and Cédric Soares (£4.8m).

By stark contrast, Leicester’s defence seems to have completely dropped off a cliff, perhaps bad news for owners of Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.1m), Ben Chilwell (£5.7m) and Ricardo Pereira (£6.4m), all of whom are in at least 11% of Fantasy teams.

Leicester did come into Gameweek 22 among the division’s bottom three for shots allowed in the box and big chances conceded over the previous four matches, although this was a run that pitted them against Liverpool and Manchester City.

But to see the trend continue against Southampton should ring considerably more alarm bells. Not only did they give up 16 shots, they also gave away a penalty, which was only overturned by a VAR call deemed Shane Long (£4.6m) to be offside in the build-up by mere millimetres.

It appears clear that Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m), who had knee surgery this week, will be sorely missed by Leicester. That said, Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m) was able to use the increase in shots faced to earn two save points and one bonus despite conceding twice and losing the game.

“I thought both parts of our game were not quite to the level of where we’ve been. Firstly, our defending, we weren’t aggressive enough in our pressing. And Southampton are a team that when they win it, they want to get forward early so you’ve got to try to stop that, and we didn’t do that well enough. You saw the number of chances that we conceded. That’s not us. Throughout the season, we’re normally very tight, very compact and press the game well. We lacked that energy and intensity in our defending.” – Brendan Rodgers

Danny Ings (£6.7m) arguably should have come away from the King Power Stadium with four goals on Saturday afternoon, his owners perhaps unlucky to only pick up five points from him.

Ings had a grand total of nine shots against Leicester, rather ironic when compared to Vardy’s tally (9-0), and went close with a number of them.

There was a 60 second period during the first half in which Ings hit the cross-bar twice and he later forced a world-class save out of Schmeichel in the second half when Southampton, once again, caught Leicester on the counter-attack.

“We had 16 shots on the goal and in an away game that’s not so normal. It’s a sign of how well we played. We pushed a lot of good buttons during the week. We never spoke about revenge or something, because we should be thankful for this result. We wanted to show everybody who was watching us that we can do it much better and that we have changed since then.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Southampton’s talisman Ings now has 10 goals in his last 11 games and can only increase in popularity considering how sustainable his output looks. After all, a total of nine shots in the box across one 90-minute outing is hugely impressive.

However, Ings’ owners will, of course, be fuming at his conduct after finally finding the back of the net on Saturday afternoon. Scoring what proved to be the winning goal, Ings ran over to the travelling fans and promptly removed his shirt and, in the process, one Fantasy point for the yellow card and the chances of any bonus!

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Chilwell, Evans, Söyüncü, R Pereira; Choudhury; H Barnes (Iheanacho 58′), Maddison, Praet (Tielemans 77′), Pérez (D Gray 67′); Vardy.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Cédric; Redmond (Romeu 90+2′), Højbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Djenepo 78′); Ings, S Long (Adams 78′).

Members Analysis

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

Everton 1-0 Brighton

Goals: Richarlison (£8.1m)

Assists: Lucas Digne (£5.7m)

Bonus Points: Digne x3, Richarlison x2, Mason Holgate x1 (£4.4m)

Richarlison (£8.1m) continued his impressive start to life under Carlo Ancelotti by scoring his eighth goal of the season against Brighton.

Once again, the Brazilian was deployed as a centre-forward, this time in a 4-4-2 system, and reaped the rewards of such an advanced position.

Both he and centre-forward partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m) helped Everton dominate this game, each of them enjoying a handful of chances to score.

Out of the two, Richarlison has arguably been the more clinical in the last two matches, as he netted an excellent goal in the first half.

Receiving the ball from Lucas Digne (£5.7m) inside the box, he used some dazzling footwork to get around Adam Webster (£4.4m) and place a curled effort into the bottom corner of Mat Ryan’s (£4.8m) goal.

Grabbing what was the only goal of the game, as well as a clean sheet, helped Richarlison add some additional points to his tally.

However, those who invested in Calvert-Lewin can probably feel somewhat unlucky and possibly hard-done-by too as he managed just a solitary point against Brighton.

It was not for lack of trying, though. Just like Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin was a busy member of Everton’s attack, with his best chances coming in the second half.

In the 64th minute, his point-blank effort was well-saved by Ryan and just a few moments later, he was through on goal and unleashed a powerful drive from just inside the box – forcing an even better stop from the Australian goalkeeper.

Later on, Calvert-Lewin even had the ball in the net, bundling home in a scrappy goal-line exchange. However, somewhat harshly, VAR overturned the goal for a handball and ordered that he be issued with a yellow card for his efforts.

Meanwhile, Everton’s control of the game helped continue to boost the credentials of their defensive players.

This latest clean sheet means the Toffees are yet to concede at home in the Premier League under Ancelotti, particularly encouraging considering that Newcastle (Gameweek 24) and Crystal Palace (Gameweek 26) are the next two sides to visit Goodison Park.

Djibril Sidibé (£5.4m) was the option we were most positive about in the build-up to Gameweek 22 although, against Brighton, a few others helped further the case for their inclusion in Fantasy squads.

Mason Holgate (£4.4m) has become nailed-on at centre-back in this team and emerged with one bonus point on Saturday afternoon, while Digne got the assist for Richarlison’s goal.

Everton XI (4-4-2): Pickford; Digne (Mina 85′), Holgate, Keane, Sidibé; Bernard (Delph 72′), Sigurdsson, T Davies, Walcott (Coleman 74′); Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-4-3): Ryan; Dunk, Duffy, Webster; Bernardo, D Stephens (Murray 72′), Pröpper, Montoya (Groß 62′); Trossard, Maupay, Jahanbakhsh (Alzate 62′).

Members Analysis

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

1,497 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance that Lovren will start when fit?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      .
      .
      .
      Why?

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Next to zero

      Gomez place to lose, Matip is his back up

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't let Lovren play for any PL club, think he's brutal. Just thinking about rotation.

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How was Traore yesterday?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Trapre

    2. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He was okay - should’ve had an assist. I want to take him out but no one else really looks better in his price range.

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

    What’s the best front three, now?

    Rashford, Ings, Vardy

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That’s what I’ve got currently. DCL another good option, looked lively yesterday and some nice fixtures to come

    2. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      yeah for sure

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford Abraham Vardy

  4. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Watching relays. That Almiron goal was an excellent team goal with the one touch passing, Liverpool esc..
    Is it possibly Newcastle are better under Bruce or is this still from all the Rafa work before he left?

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That was their only attack the whole game.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        You're saying they never missed a chance? 😉

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yesterday they didn’t. At least not a halfway decent chance.

      2. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        They played a good side though. They are playing much better under Bruce

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bruce is getting a better tune from some of them.

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah agree, esp Almiron and Longstaff brothers. Enjoyed Little Matty firing against United

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      4x100m or 4x400m?

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That was their only shot on target, wouldn't be too quick to jump on attacking assets, glad I lost my CS to an xG of 0.20.

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lol no not looking at bringing any toon players in.. #justsaying

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I'm starting to absolutely hate them, they seem to turn up defensively whenever I captain someone against them.

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            But msube deepdown you could admire Bruce for his 'pragmatism'. No-one was giving him a chance when he signrd up especially Toon fans.

            1. ‘Tis the Season
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Kudos to Bruce

            2. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              They were throwing them in at Old Trafford when I didn't own anyone! The only conclusion that I can possibly come to is that Steve Bruce hates me for saying that he looks like Mrs Doubtfire once.

              1. ‘Tis the Season
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Did he drop his teeth in your whiskey?

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

    From next week onwards...

    A) Rashford
    B) Martial + 4 points

    1. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      rashford

    2. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Prefer Rashford and on oens

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

    Zaha a good fourth mid?

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

      Sarr Grealish better at the mo

    2. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me though goo fixtures coming up. Possible good differential.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He's turned plenty of good fixtures into bad fixtures. Work around him if you can.

  7. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to drop to get either TAA/Gomez/Robbo in? (preferably 2)

    Would like Ings and have 2FTs this week & 1.2 in bank.

    McCarthy
    Rico, Soyu, Lundy
    Salah, Martial, KDB, Maddy
    Vardy, Rashford, Jimmy
    Gazza, Aurier, Dendo, Kelly

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

      Aurier Gaza Söyüncü

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier and Rico

    3. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks though need to downgrade mids/forwards to get them in.

  8. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Tanganga likely to get much gametime?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Essential to Jose's new brand of attacking football

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hard to say yet, may come in for aurier tho

  9. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which plan:

    A)
    GW23: Fabianski & Aubameyang >>> McCarthy & Firmino
    GW24: Save
    GW25: Firmino & Martial >>> McBurnie & Salah

    B)
    GW23: Fabianski & Aubameyang >>> McCarthy & Haller/DCL/Maupay
    GW24: Martial >>> Salah
    GW25: Aurier >>> Baldock/Joel Ward

    Other two Pool assets are Trent & Mane. Have a sneeky feeling Firmino will score most in dgw (best away stats). If you look at the games Firmino has scored in this season, they are very very similar to those in DGW...

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why Haller/DCL/Maupay if you bring them in this week, but McBurnie week 25?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Mcburnie great fixtures from gw25. Haller could play in dgw, maupay has nice next 2 fixtures and DCL has nice next 3...

        A or B?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          C

    2. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B because salah dgw

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

        1. fgdu
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          also you end up with baldock which i think might be a winner

          1. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yeh , can get him as long as he doesn't rise

  10. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    It’s such a strange feeling when you have to change plans because your players are exceeding expectations! I was supposed to get of Ings weeks ago. Likewise getting rid of Rashford seems Iike madness now!

    Gonna have to rethink my Liverpool triple up strategy!

  11. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ake starts

  12. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mane and Ings or Son and Firmino?

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico benched

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Third on mine to be precise

    2. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ce’la’vie

  14. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    No Rico and Ramsdale.

  15. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth doing Soyuncu, Maddison & Sidibe > Holgate, Sarr & Robertson over the next couple of GW's for free?

  16. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I need to sort out my defence

  17. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Current team:

    McCarthy
    TAA Soy Sidibe
    Salah Mane KDB Martial
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    McGovern Lund Simpson Hayden

    0.0m ITB. Got here via a GW22 WC

    Thinking of rolling the FT, then a sneaky miniwildcard for GW24: Jimenez + Soy + Sidibe => Rashford + Holgate + Williams

    Could then sell Martial later for someone cheaper and improve bench over time if need be. The market movement says this is possible price-wise, and I have Holgate/Williams replacements in the plan if they aren't starting by then. TC a coin toss between Mane and Salah, but will happen

    Stupid or...?

  18. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico dropped?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, he’ll never play A pl match from now

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good to know. Thanks!

    3. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico to BWillams locked in

  19. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    BOU: Travers, Steve Cook, Aké, Francis, Adam Smith, Harry Wilson, Fraser, Gosling, Lerma, Callum Wilson, Solanke
    Subs: Boruc, Rico, Simpson, Surman, Billing, Lewis Cook, Surridge

    WAT: Foster, Masina, Dawson, Cathcart, Mariappa, Sarr, Doucouré, Capoue, Chalobah, Deulofeu, Deeney
    Subs: Gomes, Holebas, Dele-Bashiru, Pereyra, Quina, Success, Gray

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      solanke again 😯

      Howe wants the sack

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If they can't beat Watford he deserves the sack.

  20. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale out of squad!???

  21. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale not even in squad.

  22. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Callum make me proud !

  23. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico and Ramsdale fail

  24. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Did Ramsdale to Ryan before this GW.

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  25. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Watching out for Sarr today. He's one I want.

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

    Travers essential. Rico dropped after horrible displays lately. Rico -> Tanganga

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Or Williams

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tanganga or Williams?

  27. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    All I need now is Mahrez benched to complete the worst gameweek of all time

  28. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico no show and Donkey advances one spot on my bench 😀

  29. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What happened to Ramsdale????

  30. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which moves are better?

    A. Alli + Jonny -> Ozil/Lucas Moura + Robertson
    B. Alli + Jonny -> Maddison + Van Dijk

    McCarthy McGovern
    Digne Jonny Lundstram Kelly Rico
    Mane KDB Alli Grealish Dendoncker
    Vardy Rashford Abraham