Scout Notes

The Vardy injury latest as West Ham are thumped in Double Gameweek 24 opener

Leicester City 4-1 West Ham United

  • Goals: Harvey Barnes (£5.9m), Ricardo Pereira (£6.3m), Ayoze Perez (£6.1m) x2 | Mark Noble (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Pereira, Barnes, Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) x2 | Sebastien Haller (£7.0m)
  • Bonus: Perez x3, Barnes x2, Pereira x1

Jamie Vardy‘s (£10.0m) annus horribilis (no pun intended) continued at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday evening, as the well-owned Fantasy Premier League forward was forced off with a gluteal injury after just 41 minutes of Leicester City’s 4-1 win over West Ham United.

Having ended 2019 on paternity leave, Vardy missed out on the New Year’s Day win at Newcastle United because of a calf problem and then banked his one attacking return of this calendar year (an assist) in the defeat to Southampton.

A missed penalty at Burnley on Sunday preceded his first ‘one-pointer’ of the season, with Vardy now without a goal since the Gameweek 18 defeat to Manchester City.

The Leicester striker had pulled up after dutifully carrying out some defensive work for his side and, after an unsuccessful attempt to run his injury off, made way for Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) just before the break.

Many of us might have feared a hamstring injury and a possible lengthy spell on the sidelines à la Harry Kane (£10.8m) but there were some encouraging comments from Brendan Rodgers after full-time, with Foxes’ head coach saying in a television interview:

It’s not his hamstring, which is good. When he kicked the ball he felt a sharpness in his glute, so hopefully over the next couple of days that will ease off and he’ll be available and fit. But I’ll speak to the medical team in the morning.

Rodgers made similar noises in his post-match press conference, stressing that he didn’t yet have a timeframe on Vardy’s return.

The good news from a Fantasy manager’s perspective is that Leicester are in FA Cup and Carabao Cup action before they take on Chelsea in Gameweek 25, so we are likely to be provided with plenty of updates from Rodgers as he faces the media on multiple occasions over the next eight days or so.

Two possible beneficiaries of a Vardy absence both banked attacking returns with their teammate off the field.

Iheanacho provided the assists for both of Ayoze Perez‘s (£6.1m) goals, and it is the Nigerian who has been fielded as a centre-forward whenever Vardy hasn’t been around this season.

Perez has also shone when Vardy has been sidelined, with the former Newcastle man racking up three double-digit hauls in Gameweeks 20, 21 and 24 – all games in which Leicester’s number nine has either missed or departed early from:

In Gameweeks 20 and 21, Perez had been fielded as a number ten in a 4-2-3-1 and as a striker in a 3-5-2 respectively.

He looked far better when playing centrally in those two games than he has done when stationed on the right and it was no surprise that he amassed 23 points in the process.

Perez was back on the right of a 4-2-3-1 for this encounter but looked threatening when cutting inside and it was interesting to note that, even in the first half, Vardy was drifting to the left flank, opening up space infield for Perez.

That’s a tactic to watch out for when the premium forward returns, although Rodgers would surely want his 17-goal hitman as close to the opposition box as possible more often than not.

Perez also turned out to be next in line for penalties with Vardy off the field, which will have irked owners of James Maddison (£7.6m).

After Iheanacho had been felled by Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m), it was Perez who stepped up to confidently despatch the spot-kick and restore the Foxes’ two-goal cushion.

Iheanacho then teed Perez up for Leicester’s fourth with three minutes left.

Rodgers had words of praise for his back-up striker after full-time, saying:

Kelechi came in and he was very, very good. He wants to run in behind, he was powerful, his touch was good, he works ever so hard, and he always looks like he can create and score goals. I thought he came in and did very well.

The comfortable-looking scoreline belied a few nervy moments in the second half when West Ham had pegged their hosts back to 2-1.

This was yet another match without a clean sheet for Rodgers’ side, who have conceded in every game bar one of the last nine league fixtures.

Faith in Caglar Soyuncu (£5.1m) and co might have subsided even more, then, particularly as the Foxes next face Chelsea, Wolves and Manchester City in the league and then a possible blank in Gameweek 28.

READ MORE: When the Blank and Double Gameweeks could take place.

It was rather ironic that Leicester’s latest chance of a shut-out was ruined by a daft foul from Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m), whose recent absence many of us had lamented because of the security he provides his defence.

The Nigerian, on as a substitute to replace the injured Nampalys Mendy (£4.3m) after half an hour, felled Sebastien Haller (£7.0m) in the home side’s penalty box to allow Mark Noble (£5.0m) to reduce the arrears on 49 minutes, with Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m) comfortably beaten by the West Ham captain.

Ben Chilwell (£5.6m) returned to the side after his recent omission but it was his opposite full-back, Ricardo Pereira (£6.3m), who caught the eye.

The Portugal international hadn’t produced an attacking return since Gameweek 7 and many of his previous owners would have jumped shipped during this barren run, with some no doubt bringing in a premium Liverpool defender ahead of Double Gameweek 24.

Pereira was a joy to watch on the ball, teeing up the equally impressive Harvey Barnes (£5.9m) for the Foxes’ opener and then being returned the favour when thumping Leicester into a 2-0 lead on the stroke of half-time.

Paying tribute to Barnes, Rodgers said:

Outstanding. Arguably his best game since I’ve been here. Getting better all the time, I think the goal against Burnley has given him confidence.

He’s improving, he’s developing, he’s got power, he’s got speed, he can go either way and, like I say, he’s getting goals and creating goals.

Anyone who invested in the West Ham defence was left disappointed, with all bar goalkeeper Darren Randolph (£4.5m) – who salvaged a save point from this mess – scoring zero or worse.

Few will be expecting much in the way of defensive returns against Liverpool next Wednesday, either.

Haller and Noble at least rewarded their owners with an attacking return apiece, although the West Ham striker did little else of note and didn’t register a single shot of his own.

Far more impressive was the fit-again Michail Antonio (£6.9m), who was thrown on at half-time and who caused the Leicester backline real problems on his introduction up front.

David Moyes’ side also posed a threat or two at set plays, with their penalty award stemming from a half-cleared free-kick.

Few will be interested in West Ham’s assets once Double Gameweek 24 is out of the way, though.

A home match against struggling Brighton a week on Saturday obviously appeals but the Hammers are then rooted to the bottom of our Season Ticker through Gameweeks 26-32, taking on seven clubs who are all currently in the top half of the Premier League table.

Reflecting on the game, Moyes said:

I thought the first-half performance was really poor, I was hoping we might scrape through to half-time at 1-0 and see if I could do something about it.

We did improve, we got better in the second half, they rallied and the introduction of Michail Antonio gave us something different.

First half we couldn’t get the ball forward, or keep it, have any attacks whatsoever but I thought second half we did much better.

It was more to do with the defending in the second half. While we’re at 2-1 I thought we started to get a bit open, chased the game a little bit, getting picked off easy, when I thought we should have waited and bided our time and take us closer to the finishing line.

Robert Snodgrass (£5.2m), the second-most-bought West Ham asset of Gameweek 24 behind Noble, failed to make it out for the second half, although it wasn’t clear if his withdrawal was linked to an early knock or purely tactical.

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Mendy (Ndidi 34′); Perez, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes (Morgan 83′); Vardy (Iheanacho 44′).

West Ham United XI (3-4-2-1): Randolph; Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Rice, Noble, Masuaku (Antonio 46;); Snodgrass (Fornals 46′), Lanzini; Haller.

Members Analysis

897 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KingZZ
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Maupay to Jimenez worth a -4?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think so, West Ham defence is awful

    2. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm waiting until 2-3wks time

  2. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Trent DFK goal and assist for VVD header please

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

      Did you just Triple captained him this week?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, I only got 1x TC chip this season 😉

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

          Nice pick. Good luck!

  3. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy & Maddison to Auba & Sarr for free? (If Sarr is fit obviously)

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Doucoure over Sarr because of the injury

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

      Prefer some other mid

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

    Who are you people get for Tanganga, from the bench?

    Raul is here.

    1. shaunyjames
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Holgate 🙁

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

      Stephens 😆

  5. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Posted on old article; Assuming Vardy is out, for -4, Vardy + mads to....

    A) Auba + Grealish
    B) Aguero + Fleck
    C) Auba + fleck
    D) Jimi + Son

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

      A

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

      I'm 99% doing A.

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, seems sensible just Auba/Arsenal don't fill me with confidence for some reason!

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

    Aguero's fixtures really arent as bad as at 1st glance - Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Leicester are hardly formidable games at the moment

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      When city are on form, their only tough fixture is Liverpool. The problem is how much game time Aguero gets in the league, I'd be wrapping him in cotton wool trying to win the Champions League now the league is pretty much over.

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

      Too expensive for a non captaincy product

  7. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ok, so as a Trent and Salah owner, with Firmino (sc) I guess I want no CS, nothing from Salah, negative Mane points and a Firmino haul

    Wish me luck 🙂

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

      Good luck... My entire season pretty much hinges on a Salah brace and wolves goal... And I have two Liverpool defenders. How has it come to this?

  8. HTL
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Done a stupid thing in trusting FPLstats while people were mass wildcarding last nighy. Soyuncu and Vardy didn't drop so now it's looking like a daft early -4

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Should be fine, just pray for no injuries.

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

      Will be dropped sooner or later

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Could have been worse - you could have WC'ed yourself.

  9. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Early thoughts, Vardy Mahrez (17.9) to:

    1. Kun 6.0
    2. Auba Grealish
    3. Someone Son

    ?

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

      lol why selling mahrez now

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

        I guess because:
        1) He needs funds to get Auba in
        2) In the next 8 games MC plays Spurs, Leicester, Arsenal, MU, Chelsea, Liverpool

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

          Auba / Kun / another premium forward *

        2. OPTA FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          so why get Kun with 2)

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

            I’m simply trying to guess here:)

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2, but wait until after EFL cup games. I wouldn't want two players who blank in GW28.

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

    Any ideas? Got 2 free transfers and 1.1 in the bank. Time to get rid of Soy and Vardy?

    Guaita Button
    TAA Soy Lund Sidibe Reid
    Mane Salah KDB Grealish Hayden
    DCL Vardy Ings

    1. Roysgotnoboys
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm on similar but without 1.1 ITB.

      Soy and Vardy out for me for Auba and a bench fodder.

      Guess you can get Aguero?

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Getting Aguero would kinda ruin my future plans so not too keen on him. I'd like to keep Vardy until the extent of the injury is confirmed but he is dropping soon

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Leicester play twice before next GW. If you ideally want to keep Vardy, you'll have to play the waiting game and take any price drops on the chin.

          1. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            True. Do you have a guess when they reveal the extent of Vardy's injury? Leaning towards getting auba today

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Leicester play in the cup at the weekend, so at minimum there should be a presser tomorrow. Hopefully some other info will come out today though.

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

              We might hear more ahead of their FA Cup tie, but the litmus test for good news will be Vardy showing up for the EFL Cup semi.

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Vardy faked that injury...

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

      Vardy and Haller to

      A Aguero and Martinelli or Greenwood (or max 4.8m) to rotate with Cantwell
      B Aubameyang Maupay ( or max 6 m)

      1. balint84
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        a

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

        A with Long can work

        B is probably better since it gives you a captaincy option

    3. balint84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      which option gives me more points next week?

      A) Auba+McCarthy
      B) Jimenez+Pukki+Henderson

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

        2 Vs 3?

        1. balint84
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          oh yes, B is a -4 option, while A 3-5-2, B 3-4-3 lineup

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

            A

    4. Roysgotnoboys
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy & Soyuncu > Auba and Williams for free? 0.0 ITB so may need to move fast or get a 3.9/4.0 defender

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        thinking of doing it for a hit

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

      Wc team A / B / C

      A)
      Henderson Button
      TAA Lascelles Lund Stephens Williams
      Salah Grealish KDB Mane Fleck
      Ings Auba Jimi

      B)
      Henderson Button
      TAA Lascelles Lund Robertson Tanganga
      Mahrez Grealish KDb Mane Redmond
      Ings Auba Jimi

      C)
      McCarthy Button
      TAA Lascelles Lund Baldock (3.9)
      Salah Grealish KDB Mane Fleck
      Ings Auba Jimi

    6. Party time
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I will take a Mané Hat trick, Salah brace, Trent assist, Jimmy goal /assist & run away

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

          Anyone would take that 😀

          1. Party time
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Mané TC to save our beloved gw 🙂

          2. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I hope I win the lottery

            1. Party time
                4 years, 2 months ago

                🙂

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

            Dyche defending Ole after the game. Cynical and self serving, knowing ole's united will be a guaranteed relegation candidate in the year to come which might give burnley a few more too flight seasons...

            1. Party time
                4 years, 2 months ago

                United looked toothless. No attack creativity. Bunch of numpties

            2. StoichkovFPL
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Better combo:

              A) Maddison + Auba (Madds out next GW)
              B) Fleck/Traore + Aguero -4

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

              Not one for early transfers, but I just pulled the trigger.

              3xLEI out for Egan, Grealish & Auba.

              Hoping it pays off!

            4. Mind över Mata
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Vardy and Schmeichel -> Aguero and Hendo (-4)

              Yay or nay? Thanks

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

                Why Aguero over Auba who you can possibly get free too?
                Kun always rotation risk with not easy fix as Auba nailed with nice gix.

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

              How is everyone else lining up for the rest of the GW? I am playing a traditional 3-5-2.

              Noble
              TAA, TAA, Salah
              Mane, Mane, Salah, Salah, Salah
              Salah, Salah

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

                Hopefully Salah X3 remains fit for 2nd game 😉

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    5 goals from Mané tonight will send my morthaforkin team to jupiter

              2. Phlajo
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Sooo... Gazza, Tammy and Vardy in my team, and obviously the first has to go..

                Got 1FT and 0.1itb

                A) Gazza, Tammy, Vardy to Henderson, Auba and 6m striker (Maupay or DCL) - This is a huge -8!
                B) Gazza to max 4.7 GK (Pope og McCarthy)

                Obviously I'd like to wait, but I'll probably be priced out of A tonight!

              3. Do I Not Like Orange
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                GW28 is looking like a potential pain in the backside with some combination of Auba, City, Grealish, Sheffield Utd and/or Leicester/Norwich blanking. Annoying in that it seems to be taking out popular bench options as well as premiums.

                1. Now I'm Panicking
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Chaos is good 😉

                2. Party time
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Well, I like oranges so fork gw 28

                  • Holmes
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Glad I dont have many

                  • linkafu
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Free hit has been created for that case

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

                  Today is the day

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Wolves 2 nil win looking likely with the way the gw has been

                  2. The Man Pastore
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    I have exact money for Vardy + Abraham + Maddi --> Aguero + Wood + Grealish for -4pts.

                    YAY or NAY ?

                    That would give me :

                    Henderson Button
                    TAA VVD Lund Targett Kelly
                    Mane KDB Mahrez Grealish Cantwell
                    Aguero Wood Maupay

                    1. JT11fc
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Looks good to me

                  3. Big boy Bowen
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Morning, what to do here?

                    McCarthy
                    TAA | VVD | Lundstram
                    Salah | KdB | Martial | Grealish | Cantwell
                    Aguero | Vardy

                    Button | Williams | Greenwood | Reid

                    1FT, 0ITB

                    Thanks

                    1. JT11fc
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Wait on Vardy news, if fit then Martial out

                      1. Big boy Bowen
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Thanks, for?

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

                    Leicester only have 1 league game in the next 3 weeks

                    I'm pretty inclined to hide Vardy on the bench for GW25 rather than use a FT on him

                    Unless Brodge says he's gone for more than 3 weeks of course

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

                    Hoping for a proper Rogue Wave performance from TAA tonight

                    Two attacking returns and a Cleansheet

                  6. FPL Maldini
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    How realistic do you think it is that Salah gets 15+ more points than Mane or Firmino this gameweek really?

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

                      Hard to put a percentage on it but it could definitely happen

                      All bets are off when it comes to predicting what will happen in an individual game, the variance is off the charts

                      1. Old Man
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        nervous for tonight?

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

                          Over the last few weeks I've realised that watching a defence in which you have all three players is honestly one of the most nerve wracking things you can do in FPL 🙂

                          When it's a double gameweek... And one of those three players is also your captain...

                          It could be brown trouser time 🙂

                    2. Make Arrows Green Again
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      a.) Base points or factoring in b.) captaincy/c.)TC?

                      a.) unlikely b.) likely c.) very likely

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

                      Its possible but tough to say.

                      Even someone like Wijnaldum can outscore them

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

                      It wouldn't surprise me if both games are won by a single goal from Wijnaldum and Henderson.

                      1. Old Man
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        my worst nightmare

                  7. WD27
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    When people wildcard is it worth bringing in as many risers as possible until the deadline then changing your team to what you want? Does this ever really work to get some extra cash?

                    1. Marty McFly
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Used to work a treat years ago, now not so much. You might get a couple of double risers, but not many.

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

                        yeah, no so often these days, you'd be lucky to get more than 1 double-riser

                        1. WD27
                          • 5 Years
                          4 years, 2 months ago

                          Cheers lads. Thought as much.. presume prices rised quicker previously?

                    2. Klein
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      You may get some double risers. Not many. Plus sometimes you end up selling somebody you will want in your team for a riser and end up buying them back for more money than you sell.

                  8. Marty McFly
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    A) Vardy + Grealish
                    B) Aguero + Fleck
                    C) Auba + Perez