Scout Notes

What Bournemouth’s shock win over Leicester means for Fantasy managers

Bournemouth 4-1 Leicester City

  • Goals: Junior Stanislas (£5.8m), Dominic Solanke (£5.1m) x2, Jonny Evans (£5.3m) own-goal | Jamie Vardy (£9.8m)
  • Assists: Callum Wilson (£7.4m), Diego Rico (£4.2m), Stanislas| None
  • Bonus: Solanke x3, Stanislas x2, Vardy x1

Where to start with – and how to make sense of – this one?

A bewildering evening on the south coast saw Leicester City implode spectacularly in a manner that conjured up memories of Brazil’s 7-1 thumping at the hands of Germany six years ago.

From Dominic Solanke (£5.1m) finding the net to the Foxes’ two centre-backs scoring a combined minus five Fantasy Premier League points, it was a scarcely believable watch.

The first 45 minutes went by pretty much as expected, with Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) opening the scoring in a typically opportunistic manner, Brendan Rodgers’ side utterly dominating proceedings, and Bournemouth looking fragile in both defence and confidence.

Leicester went into half-time having racked up 10 shots to the Cherries’ one, with Vardy responsible for five of them.

Only some last-ditch blocks kept the score down, with Nathan Ake (£4.8m) getting a vital touch onto a 36th-minute strike from the Foxes’ forward to deflect one effort up and over.

Based on the first-half evidence, and with Ake limping off injured, many of us would have expected a Vardy haul to materialise and no doubt began looking at options for a Manchester City triple-up in Gameweek 36+.

Eddie Howe switched things around at the interval, making two changes and moving to a wing-back system to match Leicester’s formation, but the first 20 minutes of the second half passed by without much incident.

The Cherries were better, with only poor touches from Solanke and Callum Wilson (£7.4m) ruining promising moves, but had still only registered two efforts on goal before the game turned on its head in the 65th minute.

A suicidal kick out from Kasper Schmeichel (£5.5m) led to Wilson being fouled in the Bournemouth box, with substitute Junior Stanislas (£5.8m) stepping up in the injured Josh King‘s (£6.1m) absence to level the scores from the spot.

Things unravelled from that point for the visitors, with Caglar Soyuncu (£5.0m) seeing red for a kick on Wilson immediately after Solanke had squeezed a shot under Schmeichel.

Jonny Evans (£5.3m) then deflected a Stanislas shot past his own goalkeeper before Solanke rounded off the scoring when pouncing on a dreadful Christian Fuchs (£4.2m) pass.

Substitute Sam Surridge (£4.3m) went on to waste two glorious opportunities in injury time as Leicester’s defence went AWOL.

How to process this result as Fantasy managers?

Firstly, Bournemouth’s admirable second-half fightback isn’t likely to put us off going big on Pep Guardiola’s side in Gameweek 36+, with the Cherries looking brittle at the back.

As plucky as the south coast side were, this was a freakish set of circumstances and Manchester City would unquestionably have swatted aside Howe’s troops had they provided the opposition in the opening 45 minutes.

Bournemouth look likely to be without their best centre-half on Wednesday, too, with Howe saying of Ake:

It doesn’t look too good. With such a short time left of the season, it looks like it’s going to be difficult for him to play.

But what of Leicester?

It’d be easy to chalk this game down as an anomaly from their point of view, too, and it’s unlikely that circumstances will again conspire against them in the way they did on Sunday.

However, the Foxes have taken only 14 points from their last 14 games and they are in serious danger of losing out on a Champions League qualification place that looked all but secured at the turn of 2020.

Soyuncu will now miss the remainder of the season, while the Foxes – who still have doubts over James Maddison (£7.3m) and Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) – ahead of Gameweek 36+ – also lost Marc Albrighton (£5.1m) to injury in the first half.

Luckily, Vardy keeps on scoring regardless.

This was his fourth goal in three games and he himself looks back to his best even if the Foxes continue to be hit and miss, with the support from Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) and Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) in attack working well over the last week.

All three of those players could have added to the Foxes’ lead in the first half and it made Rodgers’ decision to withdraw the Nigerian at half-time, sending on Dennis Praet (£5.2m) in his stead, look particularly odd.

The Leicester boss said of that change:

[Iheanacho] wasn’t having one of his better games. The issue for us defensively was on the side of the pitch, because there was a lot of space for Wilf [Ndidi] and Youri [Tielemans] to cover.

So we pushed Ayo [Perez] on, he was playing well, and added an extra midfielder in to help cover.

But the defeat wasn’t tactical, it was about the spirit.

Turning his ire on his players and Soyuncu, Rodgers added:

I didn’t see it coming. We didn’t have personality in the second half. I would say an apology to the supporters, that was unacceptable for a Leicester City team, the reaction to the red card. We lacked the spirit and attitude.

It’s disappointing because we’re already without three of our key players. We don’t have a big enough squad.

It’s a stupid reaction [from Soyuncu]. His covering position could have been better. It was reckless.

Saying that, we have to defend better. We didn’t show the right spirit when we went down to 10 men.

While Vardy’s own form isn’t in question, that of his team is and the Foxes have three tricky-looking games remaining, starting with a match against a Sheffield United side who look back to their best defensively.

The Golden Boot may be enough to keep his existing owners interested but there’ll be fewer FPL managers looking at him anew, while the rest of the Foxes’ squad will likely be given short shrift altogether.


Bournemouth XI (4-4-2): Ramsdale; Stacey, Ake (S Cook 40′), Kelly, Rico; Brooks (L Cook 81′), Gosling (Billing 45′), Lerma, Danjuma (Stanislas 45′); Solanke, Wilson (Surridge 90′).

Leicester City XI (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Justin, Evans, Soyuncu; Albrighton (Bennett 16′), Ndidi, Tielemans, Fuchs; Perez (Barnes 70′) Vardy, Iheanacho (Praet 45′).

Members Analysis

FPL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GAMEWEEK 35+

4,127 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Unlucky United.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, awful second half.

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashy chance says it all

    3. Fpl_Juggernaut
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A moment of silence for all the United fans who made fun of other teams even before playing their game

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Must have missed that

  2. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Southampton are a decent side

    Play some decent football

    1. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Was just gonna say. They look like the best lower half-team by far.

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      When they don't lose 0-9 at home I agree

    3. Netters2018
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Like to think were a mid table team!!

  3. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Should have just saved my hit this week!

    Jimi (8) --> Vardy (7)
    DCL (2) --> Greenwood (2)
    AWB (0) ---> Keane (0)

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Me to. Jimmy to Vardy.

  4. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Greenwood(C) locked!

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For Palace? Might join you, or Bruno

    2. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m benching him!

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        lol

      2. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        For who?

        1. DMP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Im benching Antonio.

  5. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    David Silva (c) punt for me this GW. Hovering at 100K

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Another great captaincy option!

  6. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DCL to Ings for free?

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Even for an hit!

    2. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On the same move myself but worried about Ings getting a long overdue rest.

      I'm tempted by Giroud

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hassenhuttl said Ings will start remaining games because of golden boot

      2. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This mythical Ings rest is the reason I’ve not owned him all season

        He never rests and he always scores!!!

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He didn't score today

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just did it for a hit.

  7. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lads, if you had to pick 3 key players going into GW36+ who would they be?

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva, Bruno and Pulisic.

    2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Being different from above...

      Martial, Sterling, Willian

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings Martial Pulisic

    4. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling, Jesus, Martial

  8. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    TAA AWB Saiss
    Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez Foden
    Greenwood Vardy

    Henderson Lascelles Connolly Lundstram

    1FT, 3.2 itb

    1. Connolly >> Ings (bench Mahrez 36+)
    2. Mahrez >> Pulisic, do 1. next week (risk no Mahrez v wat in 37+)

    Thanks

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1

  9. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you prefer next 3 GWs?

    A Martial
    B David Silva

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial defo

  10. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any changes you’d make to this FH team next week - happy to hear anything!! Is KDB too much of a risk?

    DDG
    Digne/ james/ Christiansen
    Sterling/ KDB/ Willian/ Martial/ Antonio
    Kane/ Jesus

    Greenwood/ Aurier

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't like the defense at all

      1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Only for one week....

        2 x Chelsea v Norwich at home?

        1. yakirh
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Prefer Pulisic+Alonso+Willian/Giroud

      2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could change KDB to silva and afford anyone at the back?

  11. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rio Ferdinand tweets Ole at the wheel post Villa and Utd drop points next game. Like clockwork

  12. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lads,

    Patricio
    TAA / Doherty / Aurier/ Holgate / Lascelles
    Salah / KDB / Bruno / Mahrez / Pulisic
    Jiménez / DCL / Greenwood

    A. Is Doherty, Mahrez, DCL out / Egan, Martial, Ings worth a - 4?
    B. Do it, but bring in Foden/DSilva instead of Martial?
    C. Something else?

  13. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Double transfer tactical genius....

    Son (13) & rashford (7) -> martial (13) & vardy (7)

    Worth the effort.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ha ha

  14. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial 40
    Bednarek 32
    Rash & Armstrong 28

  15. Wiltonj
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Midfield dilemma this week.

    Have got sterling foden bruno martial salah.

    However i am chasing so im thinking of picking puli willian or dilva. Or probaly two of the 3.

    But who to ditch?

  16. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    C the right option?

    A) DCL, Sarr + TAA to Greenwood, Salah and Taylor -8pts
    B) Sarr + TAA to Sterling + 4.3m defender -4pts
    C) DCL to Ings - Free

  17. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    -1 for United defence with no Ings involvement is lovely.

    Took a BAP from Rashford too.

  18. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rashford vs Greenwood

    Rahsford will score more points right but is Greenwood still the pick given the price difference?

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, since you can fill your midfield with Martial and Fernandes.

    2. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you’re getting him now, I’ll say yes. Not worth a sideways move. Or maybe, depending on the upgrade

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      go away

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol - greatest bait ever as a title

    3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dude, please....

    4. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2 days old buddy, keep up

    5. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nonsense

    6. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      LOL.

    7. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Poor effort

  19. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jiminez to Jesus for next 2 GW?

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yup

  20. pranavs9
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pls suggest TC in the coming 2 gw’s. Options are:
    1. Sterling- City vs Bou
    2. KDB- City vs Bou
    3. Ings- Sou vs BHA
    4. Bruno- Cry vs Utd
    5. Martial- Cry vs Utd

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn’t use it on Ings as he plays behind Adams

  21. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden or Dilva for next 2 only?

  22. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    "I don't want top 4. You take it"

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Let’s be clear, given the current teams United deserve top 4 - they’ll have a right good go at champions league next season

      Imagine that Chelsea defence playing against Barcelona....

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That Chelsea attack looks decent next year though! One or two proper good signings and they will be very good next year I reckon.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          They need 2 central defenders and a keeper to have any chance

          A striker who can score 20+ a season would also help because Tammy isn’t it

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Werner is decent I guess

      2. thomashl
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think they’ll prove to be better than Chelsea in the fa cup matches.

        Wouldn’t want to see us playing barca with Lindelof at his current level though - has some good involvement, but makes dangerous mistakes too often

    2. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      4 teams battling relegation. 4 wins.
      3 teams fighting for Europe. 2 losses and a draw.

  23. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How would you order this bench?

    1) Ritchie (TOT)
    2) Taylor (WOL)
    3) Connolly (sou)

    Already playing Pope. Thanks

  24. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Well played Southampton ...
    Chelsea Liverpool
    United Leicester

    These games are huge now 😀

  25. Yippeekiyay Mertersacker
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Called it!

  26. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    EVERYONE wrote us off. Get in.

    Well done martial owners/ cappers

  27. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Team gtg for next GW?
    Pope
    Doherty - Justin - TAA
    Salah - Foden - KDB - Bruno - Martial
    Jesus - (R)ash

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No Chelsea might hurt you, otherwise G2G

  28. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Where's that United glory hunter Amey who was walking a lot before this game?
    I guess back to his cave. Funny how these glory hunters start thinking they're the best in EPL after beating injury-hit Sheffield, Villa and BOU and then can't beat SOU or Spurs lol

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Shots fired

  29. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does this FH look guys? I’m chasing

    Lloris

    Azpi Doherty Mendy

    Martial Pulisic Foden Fernandes

    Jesus Ings Rashford

    Subs: Button, Willian Saïss Cathcart

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It’s got all the ‘punts’ in there but it has huge potential

      I love it as an all or nothing chasing team

    2. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mendy is a bit risky, I'd get Ederson in and downgrade Mendy to a Burnley defender

    3. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not so sure Mendy will play buddy. More likely Zinchenko imo