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. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez & Saka > Pulisic & Foden
    Yaaaaaay
    Nope

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yay!

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yay even for a hit

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

      yup

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers

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

    Worried about ings not starting next game

    Would u still get him for Nketiah or just play greenwood instead?

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

      Play Greenwood if you’re worried.

    2. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      play greenwood

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looked sharp tonight, I don’t think with GB up for grabs he’ll be rested..

  3. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    a) Jimi > Ings
    b) Mahrez > Dilva
    c) Mahrez & Rashford > Pulisic & Jesus
    d) KDB & Jimi > Sterling & Giroud
    e) None of the above

    (a or d would mean benching Greenwood or Rash)

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C imo

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

      B

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

    Toughest captaincy decision of the season...

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Punt

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Perfect opportunity to go different

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      i say that every gw lol

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

      I am tempted to still keep it on Raz

  5. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimenez to Ings a fine move?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think so for last 3

    2. L S P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chance of Ings being rested has put me off

  6. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On Free Hit:

    A) Antonio, Giroud
    B) Willian, Rashford

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B but tough one. No better choices?

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

        Have to drop one of Antonio, Willian, Bruno. Fernandes no pens so leaning him

        1. The Head-Ake
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Willians also on pens. Still a tough dec

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

      A

  7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Pat
    TAA AWB Doherty
    Bruno Martial Silva KdB Pulisi(c)
    Ings Vardy

    Bench: Jiménez Fernandez Kiko
    0.7m ITB, 0 FT

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

  8. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    which is the better team for this week please?

    A)
    Pope, (Martinez)
    AWB, Aurier, Saiss, (Ritchie, Reid)
    Sterling, KDB, Fernandes, Pulisic, Foden
    Vardy, Ings, (Greenwood)

    B)
    Kepa (Pope)
    Walker, VVD, Saiss (Egan, Lundstrom)
    KDB, Fernandes, Martial, Willian (Mcguinn)
    Vardy, Greenwood, Jiminez

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  9. SpagBol
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick 1 to bench this week:

    Salah (ars)
    KDB (BOU)
    Fernandes (cry)
    Mahrez (BOU)
    Willian (NOR)
    Jesus (BOU)
    Ings (BHA)
    Greenwood (cry)

    1. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      mahrez

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

      Mahrez/Greenwood/Ings

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

      Ainsworth

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

    Any of these moves worth a -4?

    A) Jimi —> Jesus

    B) Mane —> Salah

    C) Aurier —> Azpilicueta (Kiko 1st sub)

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe A but not sure

  11. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH 36 or 38?

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

      This is it

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

      2FTs sway me toward 38, don’t think you can go too far wrong with either.

      KDB droppers might get hurt.

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      36

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      36

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

    Worth a -4?

    KDB > Dilva
    Saka > Pulisic (C)

    Bench Greenwood

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

      yes

    2. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

  13. Jangofett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Question re free hit. Thinking of playing it this GW but have 2FT in the bank. Can I make my two free transfers (with last 2 GWs in mind) before I activate my FH for 36+ i.e. Will transfers made before I activate free hit still stand for subsequent GWs?

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

      nope

  14. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need help mates! 2FT 0.9 itb

    Pope
    Robo, Walker, Boly
    Mane, Martial, Bruno, Sterling, KDB
    Greenwood, Jimenez

    Button, Fernandez, Nketiah, fodder

    Walker Jimenez —> Egan Jesus??

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good

  15. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who starts?
    A. Tammy
    B.Giroud

    Cheers

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

      b

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers TOTTI

    2. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B apparently

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers i was swaying that way

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      98.2% B

  16. MOZIL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope or McCathy for the remaining games?

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

      pope

  17. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    People I need help

    This is the first time I have used Free Hit

    the question is
    does the price change for the players I'm knocking out this round?

    Soyuncu? Is it better to throw him out and use FT, or use FT with Soyuncu in my team?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes to the first question

      Didn’t understand the last one

    2. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you want to keep Soy in your team after this GW, second option.

    3. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Price changes - your team before FH will change in price (up or down)

      If you use FH this week, Soyuncu will still be in your team for the next gameweek

  18. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Richarlison worth getting now?

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

      Based on?

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Aston Villa and Bournemouth at home coming up

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

          Two teams fighting for survival while Everton are on the beach. Would be careful but you can get lucky

  19. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why was Pulisic taken off on 65 last game? Tactical, fatigue, underperformance? He could be one of those vulnerable to rotation no?

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

      Willian is more likely to be rested v NOR.

      Pulisic will start imo

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

        Based on?

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

          William played the full 90 whereas Puli got a rest last gw.. I think both will start, i just mean out the 2 i think William more likely to be rested.

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

            Got it

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Coz the game was lost and Lampard didn't want to keep him on the pitch for a lost cause.

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

        Fair logic

      2. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        24 minutes and 2-0 down, I highly doubt that was the reason. Just was one of those days for him.

  20. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    RP:

    Pope
    Robbo - Egan - Aurier
    Salah - DSilva - Bruno - Martial - Pulisic
    Jesus - Ings

    (Button - Greenwood - Saiss - Lascelles) & 1.4ITB and WC.

    How does this look for a WC team? I changed Son to Martial after the game. Thoughts on this team as a whole?

  21. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah(c) anyone?

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

      noway

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

    A lot selling Vardy, could it be a mistake?

    - Surely Leicester will have a positive reaction after that sh*tshow?
    - He still managed to score with bonus and had 5(!) shots in the box
    - Golden boot, why would I transfer out a forward with 23 goals
    - Is in form and known to score in patches
    - Fixture proof, usually thrives vs tougher opponents
    - Plays for a good team fighting for top 4
    - On penalties

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They have 3 very difficult fixtures.
      He hasn't thrived this season under top opponents.
      Could be a mistake, but imo the risk is worth it and would be a bigger mistake keeping.

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

        The risk of a Jesus haul?

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

      Had exact funds for Vardy to Jesus and with Jesus rising in price tonight, I pulled the trigger on the move

    3. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leicester are a shambles at the moment and Sheffield are back to their best defensively. Can’t see him hauling like Jesus potentially could

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

        Each to their own, if Jesus was nailed on it would be different

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

          And shambles is a bit harsh because of one bad performance

  23. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free Hit 36+ vs 38+

    Assuming almost everyone has 3 Man City, 3 Man Utd

    In 36+
    1) You get 3 Chelsea vs Nor .... u don’t want Chelsea after that
    2) You get to choose your City 3 attackers ...get foden/D. Silva and get rid of KDB who likely won’t start.
    3) Rest of the changes probably don’t add too much value according to me

    In 38+
    1) You get 3 Liverpool
    2) Same argument for City - choose the more predictable starters
    3) Get rid of the 3 Man Utd ... as playing Leicester (if you expect a low scorer)
    4) More teams on the beach - potentially higher scoring games

    On the balance 38+ wins out for me, but depends on your team ...

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going for FH 37

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On balance of what you said 36 makes more sense.

  24. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Saiss AWB Cresswell
    Sterling Bruno Mahrez Antonio Dilva (c)
    Ings Rashford
    Krul DC-L VvD Gomez

    Would you promote anyone from the bench in this bunch?

  25. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free hitters - what’s your front 7??

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

      Cant decide lmao. too many options

    2. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wish it would stop changing and I’d tell you.

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not a free hitter but would be

      D.Silva Sterling Pulisic Bruno Richarlison
      Jesus Ings

      Would get Abraham for Richarlison if he starts!
      Richarlison could be Willian/Martial

    4. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Atm

      Pulisic (C) Willian Bruno Sterling Foden
      Jesus Rashford

      Debating switching Foden to KDB as I can afford to

  26. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is this crazy?

    TAA > Boly
    Jimenez > Jesus

    Already have KDB and Mahrez.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No!

  27. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any reason not to do Kane > Ings ?

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

      Ings playing a lot of games in close proximity.

  28. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy to Jesus -4?

  29. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is it too late to have one more lol @ Man Utd fans?

  30. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free Hit best option?

    A) Jesus, Willian
    B) Giroud, Dsilva

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A