Scout Notes

Patience with Vardy wearing thin as Leicester attack continues to struggle

Leicester 0-0 Brighton

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None
  • Penalties saved: Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m)
  • Penalties missed: Neal Maupay (£5.7m)
  • Bonus Points: Schmeichel x3, Ben Chilwell x2 (£5.5m), Çaglar Söyüncü x2 (£4.9m)

There was a missed penalty. The end.

That’s how the match report for this Tuesday evening encounter should have gone but, luckily for you, we are committed to at least trying to find a lesson for Fantasy managers to learn as they start preparing for Gameweek 32.

Owners of Jamie Vardy (£9.7m), still 29.7% of managers worldwide, will be the most frustrated as his troubles in front of goal dragged on.

The centre-forward’s latest blank is his eighth from a possible 10 since Gameweek 19, registering just three attacking returns in that time.

There was even some captaincy interest in Vardy for Gameweek 31+ but his virtually anonymous displays against Watford and Brighton will have his owners already worried about the next two matches.

Everton host Leicester in Gameweek 32+ having kept three clean sheets from six at Goodison Park under Carlo Ancelotti, only conceding more than once against Newcastle in Gameweek 24.

After that, Vardy will face a Crystal Palace defence that did not give up a single goal between Gameweeks 27 and 30+.

Particularly concerning for Vardy is the fact that he has not been all that unfortunate to blank in each of his Project Restart matches.

In the first 27 minutes of Tuesday’s meeting with Brighton, the forward touched the ball just once with his colleagues unable to get him on the ball up against the visitors’ defence.

With two matches of Project Restart chalked off already, it is easy to see the problem for Vardy is not just his own but with the entire Leicester team, which looked especially sluggish against Brighton. It will be particularly alarming for Brendan Rodgers that on both Saturday and Tuesday, his side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, did very little with it, and gave up the bigger and better chances to their opponents. Perhaps that should not come as a massive surprise given the Foxes pre-lockdown form. Between Gameweeks 24 and 29, only Sheffield United, Norwich and Aston Villa registered few big chances than Leicester.

Largely out of necessity, Rodgers shuffled his pack following the draw at Watford. He benched Harvey Barnes (£6.2m), much to the chagrin of his 3.9% ownership, replacing him on the left-flank of attacking midfield with Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m).

Demarai Gray (£5.0m) came in for Ayoze Pérez (£6.2m) and, like Iheanacho on the other side, offered very little in the way of creativity. Even when Barnes and Pérez came on in the second half, they could not find a way to trouble Brighton’s defence.

“(The short turnaround) was one of the reasons (we rotated). It was Saturday/Tuesday for players just coming back. We wanted extra support in midfield with Papy Mendy, who has good legs. Dimi was very good at the weekend, and we wanted to put a striker in too. The two systems cancelled each other out, without scoring.” – Brendan Rodgers

James Maddison (£7.5m) also put in another disappointing performance, wasting his direct free-kicks and blazing over any efforts from open play too. He had one of Leicester’s best chances in the second half, receiving the ball on the edge of the box from a Vardy knock-down, only to fire it high and wide. It is particularly telling that, for all his set-piece duties, Maddison has not provided an assist since Gameweek 16.

In arguably one of the dullest games of the season so far, there was a silver lining for the neutrals in the display of Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m).

Coming in at right-back for Brighton, the budget defender should be handed credit for his role in ensuring Leicester struggled on Tuesday night, especially considering it was touch-and-go over whether he would need substituting in the first half because of a cut to the face.

A particular highlight for the youngster was when Vardy tried to burn him for pace out-wide, pushing the ball past the defender, only for Lamptey to match the forward and dispossess him easily. 

“I think you could see (Lamptey’s) attributes. He has got great speed. I thought he competed well, showed great courage because he took a heavy smash to the face and needed stitches. He had a big hole on the side of his face. But he played against some good players out there and I thought he was magnificent.” – Graham Potter

This result did, admittedly, make for one or two happy souls in the FPL community, notably those invested in the Leicester defence. Çaglar Söyüncü (£4.9m) and Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m) are still owned by 15.6% and 13.5% respectively, both keeping a clean sheet and the latter saving a Neal Maupay (£5.7m) penalty.

“(Schmeichel) is invaluable. He’s one of the best in the league. He studies the players’ penalties. He’s been very good in the two games back.” – Brendan Rodgers

“A clean sheet, fitness was good and subs tried to make an impact and we didn’t concede so we’ll take a point. We haven’t won the games, but we’ve showed a good mentality to not concede so much and hopefully, after more training, we can find the goals to get back to winning.” – Brendan Rodgers

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Chilwell, Söyüncü, Evans, Justin; Mendy (Tielemans 69′), Ndidi; Iheanacho (H Barnes 69′), Maddison, D Gray (Pérez 73′); Vardy.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-4-2): Ryan; Burn, Webster (Duffy 24′), Dunk, Lamptey; Mac Allister (March 58′), D Stephens, Bissouma (Bissouma 58′), Mooy; Connolly (Murray 82′), Maupay (Trossard 57′).

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FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 31+

822 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hitmonlee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The way my team is set up is forcing me to bench boost in 32+

    I’m just concerned with the FA cup fixtures..
    What advice can be given and what teams should I aim for to reduce rotation risk?

    Thank you

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      avoid city - maybe 1 citizen

      1. Jekori
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Avoiding City might be ok because they play Pool, but not because of rotation i think. Albeit Pool will be champions, can't even see Pep not playing his best players in this match. KdB and Mahrez are fine choices if already owned.

        You can target/keep Spurs, Wolves and Pool players. I wouldn't mind owning Watford and Palace players. Dunno what you already have as a team but with those teams i guess there will be less suprises

  2. Cahill
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    if you had both which would you offload first?

    a) Kane
    b) Vardy

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy. He's looked clueless out there.

      1. Cahill
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        kane not great either but maybe the goal gives him confidence?

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          At least kane's teammates are playing better than vardy's. Shd keep getting chances

          1. Cahill
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            true - thanks guys

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Well Spurs are looking at least a bit better than Leicester going forward.

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kane - he scored
      Vardy - isn’t getting the chance to score

  3. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Vardy ➡ Rashford a no brainer..?

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      think so

    2. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Appears so....Let’s see Utd first tho

  4. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Keep Alli after last night's glib performance? Or trade him for same price Richarlison if tonight goes well for Toffees?

    1. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Have a look at Sarr

      1. olidooley
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Eye test I mean....stats slightly favour Doucouré in fact but Sarr is a monster. I hope Liverpool buy him

        1. Jekori
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Loved how he gave Chilwell the runarounds. Only bad thing was his hick-up on the 90th minute attack from which Chilwell eventually scored. Fatigue got to him, not suprisingly tho putting so much labour in the match. Think it's better for him to be the star player in a team another year before going elsewhere. So he can stay at watford if they stay up of course.

  5. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    KDB and Sterling double up for rest of the season?

    1. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rotation will put almost everyone off Sterling. A lot will hold KDB because of value.
      Both should score very well though. Depends who you are willing to go without from the ‘template’

      1. EL tridente
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Will not have Salah or Mane

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Why?

      1. EL tridente
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        City clearly the best team and have easy fixtures for the rest of the season

  6. Lav
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Almost able to have this front 8 on WC + TAA & Doherty.

    Mane KDB Son Bruno Foden
    Rash Jimi DCL

    1. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm tempted by Mahrez over Son. Higher risk of benching but higher ceiling I think. Plus saves some cash and I think there are similar points coming for the rest of the season from those two.

  7. Ian J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just a mental health note
    After such a high from last week’s bumper points haul, don’t be surprised by a low score this week, and the depressed feelings.
    I’ve already had a Vardy (c) failure, but am keeping my chin up for the rest of my wild card boys, which I’m hoping for good results from over the next few weeks, if not this one.
    Good luck everyone and remember have fun, it’s just a game 🙂

    1. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sometimes it's fun to rage 😉 But kuddo's for you for keeping very positive. Good luck to you too.

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Very good advice, I had 114 last week and trying to recalibrate myself to be very happy with 60 points this week, which is a good score in any given week 🙂

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mental health and FPL should not be in the same sentence dude.

      FPL is simply a game that is fun most of the time, and in just over a month from now, the decisions we make will have no relevance at all cause the new season will be round the corner.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yet players records are analysed and scrutinised to determine their FPL ability and quality of advice. It very much impacts mental health and those who take the game very seriously can attest to that

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Shouldn't do. It's only a game which has high elements of luck. People in this world have very serious mental health issues, and doing well on FPL should not have any affect on one, other than to have fun. In fact, for me, FPL is a way to try and forget about issues and just enjoy watching football and hopefully my players doing well.

  8. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What should I do?

    McCarthy
    Trent Doherty Lascelles
    KDB Bruno Martial Son
    DCL Jimenez Vardy

    Leno Justin D.Luiz Lund.

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      you should score for my team tonight..hatty pls

    2. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      d luiz to maquire nice and easy

      1. Jekori
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        it's the aston villa midfielder, not the arsenal defender. Luckily

  9. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Come on Jimi boy. Reward us for capping ya!

    1. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Seconded!

  10. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If you have Salah/Mane + TAA + KDB irrespective of what happens this GW, what are your plans when City face Pool. Are you planning on benching any one or selling ?

    1. Saint Channon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The plan was KdB to Son but not sure now.Probably keep all of them

      1. french holiday
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Keep all and start all?

    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not really a helpful reply - but I think it's really difficult to predict what that game will be like. I suppose it could be cagey but I it could equally be open and high scoring. What you do will depend on your personal view on what is more likely

      1. french holiday
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Personally think it could be a 0-0 like the Merseyside derby with both managers respecting each other.

        1. Mambino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          maybe and if so you could keep TAA and play him, bench one of and sell another of either Salah/Mane/KDB (maybe depending on any respective value lost by doing so) and bring in Arsenal/Spurs/Man U alternative?

  11. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Scenes when Harvey Elliot starts tonight and steals the show like Foden did for City.