Scout Notes

United set to face fragile Leicester defence ripped apart by Kane and Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Leicester City

  • Goals: James Justin (£4.7m) own-goal, Harry Kane (£10.9m) x2
  • Assists: Son Heung-min (£9.7m), Lucas Moura (£7.0m) x2
  • Bonus: Kane x3, Lucas, Hugo Lloris (£5.3m) x2

Leicester City and Manchester United will square off at the King Power Stadium in Gameweek 38+ and, depending on how the Red Devils and Chelsea get on in their respective midweek fixtures, it could be a case of winner takes all for a UEFA Champions League qualification spot next Sunday.

Those of us on a Free Hit or with a transfer to burn might be considering whether to ditch a United asset or two given the magnitude of the fixture but based on what we saw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could have plenty of joy against the Foxes.

Jose Mourinho showed his former employers how to do it: cede possession and hit a patched-up, plodding defence on the counter-attack.

Spurs saw only 29% of the ball in this match and had no penalty box touches in the second half, with Brendan Rodgers’ side registering more than three times as many shots over the course of the game.

But the damage was done by half-time, with all three of the Lilywhites’ goals scored on the break.

An in-the-mood Harry Kane (£10.9m) set Son Heung-min (£9.7m) free down the left flank for the hosts’ opener, with the Korean’s shot taking a telling touch off James Justin (£4.7m) and wrong-footing Kasper Schmeichel (£5.5m) after just five minutes.

Kane hit a quick-fire double as the game neared half-time, first rolling a finish past Schmeichel following a through-ball from Lucas Moura (£7.0m) and then curling a superb effort in off the upright after another pass from the Brazilian.

There could have been other goals and again, all of them came from quick passes from back to front, catching Leicester’s high line out all too easily.

Son forced Schmeichel into a save following a direct, 50-yard ball from Harry Winks (£5.2m), with the South Korea international later getting his feet in a muddle when played clean through on goal by Kane just after half-time.

Given Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) and Paul Pogba‘s (£8.3m) ability to spot a pass from deep and United’s capacity to break at speed, Sunday’s match in north London would have provided Solskjaer – and Fantasy managers – with food for thought.

Mourinho talked through his tactical masterclass after the game, saying:

I think it was an intelligent performance. I knew that for them to play with this back five is not a very comfortable situation.

I want to be honest with Brendan. I don’t remember that someone was so honest with me when I was playing without a striker, but I want to be honest with Brendan and it’s easy to realise that to play without Ricardo Pereira, Soyuncu and Chilwell destroys a backline.

So we decided to take away from them where they can hurt us, which is basically behind us. We took away from them our defensive depth, we control the game by positioning our defensive block a little bit lower than we normally do.

Then we gave the ball to them, to their back three, because we wanted them to bring the ball and we wanted them to feel quite comfortable, leaving their comfort zone, which is where they are not playing many matches.

Bennett and Morgan, we wanted to take them away from their comfort zone to try to explore the counter-attack and fast transitions. So when we scored three goals in the first half, I think the game is over.

As Mourinho mentioned above, Leicester were without three of their regular back four, namely Ricardo Pereira (£6.2m), Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) and Caglar Soyuncu (£4.9m).

None of that trio will be available for the Manchester United game, although there is a chance that Marc Albrighton (£5.1m) could return to take over one of the wing-back slots.

In their absence, a back three with a combined age of 98 years struggled with the pace and movement of Son and Kane, while teenage left-back Luke Thomas (£4.0m) – who impressed going forward – had a real baptism of fire from a defensive perspective on his first away start.

That ragtag bunch of defenders had performed well against Sheffield United in midweek but Chris Wilder’s side aren’t renowned for their pace on the break and played into the hands of the Foxes, something Mourinho evidently didn’t do on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) and Anthony Martial (£8.5m), in particular, will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Wes Morgan (£4.1m) and co next weekend.

Rodgers said after full-time in north London:

It was a strange game because we were really good in parts. The parts we weren’t so good in was things that we’ve spoken about: dealing with the counter-attack.

The first one we’re disappointed with because we’ve got to have a better pressure higher up the pitch. Instead, Harry [Kane] turns and makes the pass in behind and they get a bit of luck.

The other two: obviously a breakaway from a corner and a great finish. That individual quality hurt us today, but it was strange. It didn’t feel that we should’ve been 3-0 down.

There was a bit of encouragement at the other end, at least, despite the blank in front of goal.

Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) had a number of early sighters before seeing an inventive backheeled effort strike the feet of Hugo Lloris (£5.3m), while the lively Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) drew two flying saves out of the Frenchman and substitutes Demarai Gray (£5.0m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) both saw efforts from range repelled.

Lloris emerged with two bonus points to his name but the Spurs clean sheet was as much to do with the players in front of him, with the Foxes not registering a single ‘big chance’ despite all of their possession.

Serge Aurier (£5.1m) and co have now banked four shut-outs in the last seven Gameweeks, more than they managed in Mourinho’s first 18 matches in charge.

With an out-of-form Crystal Palace to come in Gameweek 38+, there could be joy to be had for Spurs assets at either end of the field.

Certainly Kane, for all our initial reservations about the premium forward ahead of the restart, appears to be hitting levels we haven’t seen in a long time, combining the deeper role we came to be suspicious of with the hitman status of yesteryear.

He may not be the classic ‘number nine’ of yore, but maybe a ‘nine-and-a-half’ is enough at present.

Members Analysis

View all the player and team data from Spurs v Leicester here

FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

693 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rover
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have only Sterling from City now and had always planned to get 2 City attackers in alongside based on minutes over the cup semifinal and GW37, but now am considering just getting one and Salah instead.

    Is it worth not maxing out on City attackers with the likes of Salah, Auba, Kane, Antonio, or even United mids, Wood, Ings?

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends who else u can get.i have 3 city and 4 of those u mentioned in my team 2 comments below

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

        I probably should have mentioned that I'm not on a free hit, so I can only get any 2 from City mids, Auba, Salah without taking hits

    2. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They’re playing Norwich man

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Everyone assume they will trash Norwich but city have nothing to play for . Players won't want to be injured b4 champions League. Is it really going to be the 5 or 6 nil everyone predicts ? Just wondering 🙂

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

          D Silvas last game....Norwich are truly shite....Pep never lets a team ease up

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

        Yes, but also Salah is playing a depleted defence Newcastle, Auba is playing a broken Watford, Kane is playing an injury ravaged Palace.

        And all 3 of the above players are on penalties for their respective sides and likely to get 3 bonus with returns.

        I'm not on a free hit so it's either 3 City + 1 of the above, or 2 City + 2 of the above.

        1. Dreaming of glory
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Pool have kinda been sleeping since restart so not sure on salah

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

            Yeah, I had him last GW on free hit but that didn't work out too well. I will definitely monitor for the Chelsea game before making a decision. Ideal scenario is that he looks hungry and threatening but still blanks.

        2. FPL Trinity
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I have the same conundrum in my team. 2FT and no FH. I already own Sterling and KDB but don't own Salah, Auba or Kane. I like Salah but have to come in place of City mid. I can add Jesus by taking out Vardy from my team. But is 3 City too much? Alternately, I can bring in Auba or Kane (no Salah) by downgrading elsewhere in my team. Oh man wish this season was over soon!!

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

            That's a tough decision. If KdB is rested (or comes off early) tomorrow then I would keep him, but otherwise between Auba Salah and Kane, right now I'd prefer Salah but let's wait to see the remaining GW37 games.

  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Auba or Kane ?

    Thanks

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not much in it, prefer Aubameyang

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      One wants his hatty of braces

    3. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane. Red hot form at the moment

  3. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Taa - azpuil - Pieters
    KDB - dsilva - sterling(c) - Bruno - Antonio
    Ings - auba

    Greenwood, bardsley ,fodder

    Any changes to the 11? will review after midweek games, mainly post city game

  4. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Mendy Bardsley Taylor
    KDB Sterling Fernandes Martial Saka
    Vardy Ings Greenwood

    Bench boost. 1FT. 1.9ITB. Any suggestions?

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy > auba

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Was thinking the same, or Kane

  5. Going For Last
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this? I need to keep a core of Pope, TAA, KDB, Fernandes, Salah, Ings due to mini league rivals. Benching headaches but means I should definitely get 11 out?

    Pope
    TAA - Robertson - Pieters
    Salah - De Bruyne - D. Silva - Martial - Fernandes
    Jesus - Ings

    Button - Greenwood - Egan - Guehi

    All money spent.

  6. MysticMac17
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What would do here for the last gameweek? 1.3 ITB and 2 FTs. Thinking Pulisic and Bruno to Dilva and Mahrez but open to ideas.

    Lloris
    Aurier TAA Diop Alonso
    Salah (C) Mane Bruno Martial Pulisic
    Ings

    Subs: Greenwood, Nketiah, Basham,

    1. Going For Last
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      David Silva definitely. Any reason Basham is so far back on your bench?

      1. MysticMac17
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure to be honest. Who would you start him ahead of?

        1. Going For Last
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Would put him ahead of Nketiah at least.

  7. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which option scores more next?
    A)Long(Def) + Martial
    B)Aurier + Antonio

    Thanks!

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Leicester set to face fragile united defence ripped apart by Chelsea

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And what about Leicester's world class back 4?

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

        I think the point is that was referenced in the title

    2. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only keep Martial in my team atm..

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      😆 DDG

      Dave Does Gaffs

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

      So 2 fragile defences playing each other with a golden boot leader on one side and an in-form trio on the other. Cue 0-0

  9. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one -

    A) Salah, KDB, Cresswell
    B) Mane, Sterling, Diop

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

      A

  10. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth a -4 if we get leaked Man City lineup:

    Vardy, Pulisic >> Jesus, Dsilva ?

    Cheers.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Well, maybe just the first move

      • Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Who is gonna be your GW 38 captain and why? Sterling here I think

        1. Going For Last
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          David Silva. Farewell game and without the fans you'd assume he won't get hooked early for a non-existant round of applause.

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Between Sterling/Jesus/Salah.

        3. Moose™
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Dilva©

        4. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sterling/Jesus, think only one will be in the final team.

          Still tempted by Salah tho

        5. Oscar Slater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Tuesdays game could possibly throw a bit more light on things. A KDB or a Sterling sitting on the bench for 90 minutes could sway things.

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

          No idea! One of Slah, Sterling, Kane or Auba - actually leaning towards Kane at present but will wait to see who needswhat on the final day.

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

          City as they play norwich. But pep roulette will be fun

        8. MattysFantasyFooty
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Aubameyang

        9. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Currently on KDB as the safe pick. But will probably change it to Sterling as a more explosive option.

      • FPLHaggis
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No free hit, how do these look with 2 FTs?

        Alonso & Jimenez > Pieters and Jesus

        Pope
        TAA AWB Pieters
        Salah Sterling Bruno Willian Foden
        Jesus Ings

      • Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Morning all. Not doing this now but just early thoughts on below moves please?

        Patricio
        Doherty - TAA - Kiko
        Mane - KDB - Mahrez - Bruno
        Vardy - Jimi - Greenwood

        (3.9m) - Saka - Holgate - Lascelles

        Lascelles + Bruno + Jimenez > Pieters + Antonio + Jesus

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Thats for -4

      • Sterling Archer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        still no tv schedule for last games? Presume they are waiting to see which games will hold the most importance to relegation/euro spots?

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

          Think they will all be televised in the UK but just working out the split between Sky, BT, Amazon and BBC

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

            Will be a serious device layout then

      • el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I hate Harry Kane and his art of disguise.

      • YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hows this looking?

        Martinez
        Pieters Bardsley Cresswell
        Salah KDB Sterling Silva Antonio
        Auba Ings

        Martin Nketiah KWP Thomas

      • R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Bruno to Son for free?

        1. AJ24
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No - Bruno will punish you

      • AJ24
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I am 40 points ahead of ML rival for £500, with Free Hit in GW38. Do I:
        A) Mirror his team (which I dont think is great for GW38)
        B) Try and smash the lights out and pick a great GW38 team, to try and improve on Overall Rank of 36k and win the league...

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          B

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            This but cover 2 or 3 main sources of his potential points.

        2. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Just play your game

        3. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Definitely don’t do A but cover some bases from his team (big hitters with a good fixture he could captain). Make sure pick 3-4 different players who have a great fixture. He’s likely to make couple of changes anyway

        4. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          B all day long - theres a reason you are ahead so keep doing what you are doing

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

        A Doherty goal tonight and cs would be sick

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

          Actually screw the cs, concedes another penalty and prevoke a fight between saiss and pat

        2. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          i'd definitely take that

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

          You want an attacking return and no CS
          Wolves defence EO is 115%!

      • The Neville Wears Prada
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Going to transfer Doherty out for a Burnley defender to go along with Pope. Is Tarkowski the best option?

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          yes

        2. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Tarkowski, Bardsley and Pieters are all good shouts. If budget allows I’d go Tark

      • Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would you keep Mane for final GW? If i swap him for antonio i can then upgrade Jimi to Kane or Auba

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

          I'd keep, I am tempted on FH but the Salah fear is real

      • R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pick 2 players to bench

        1. Greenwood
        2. Tarkowski
        3. Pieters
        4. Ings

        1. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Tough one but 1&3

      • Moose™
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        My team: 26 points lead + 7 players left + FH chip

        Main ML rival : 5 players left + BB chip

        I should mirror his team or play my own game?

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

          Depends if you can look yourself in the mirror afterward

          1. Moose™
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Man.. Im scared.. Haha

      • Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        How does this look for a -4?
        Vardy and Foden to Auba and Dilva?
        Gives me this for 38. Any obvious weaknesses?

        Pope
        TAA Aurier Doherty
        Sterling Dilva Martial Bruno Pullisic
        Jesus Auba
        Martinez Greenwood Diop Fernandez

      • R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will Brighton score against Burnley?

      • MattysFantasyFooty
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Which scores more GW38

        A. Kane, KDB, Tierney
        B. Jesus, Sterling, Diop

      • DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A) Vardy+Doherty
        B) Kane+Tierney -4 points

        1. MattysFantasyFooty
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          B

      • Moose™
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Which chip stronger for GW38+?

        A. FH
        B. BB

        1. MattysFantasyFooty
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Depends on your team but definitely FH I’d say, BB is terrible in SGWs

          1. Moose™
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I had FH chip meanwhile my main ML rival had BB..

            Lead my ML with 26 points atm with 7 players yet to play.. He had 5 players left.. I guess I should play safe and match some of his players to secure my ML?

        2. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          FH

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Best FH38+ defenders?

        1. Rock Papiss Cissès
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Digne,TAA, Burnley, B.Williams

        2. MattysFantasyFooty
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Burnley, West Ham, Arsenal is what is looking at so I can go all out in attack current defence is

          Martinez
          Bardsley Pieters Tierney or Diop

      • Rock Papiss Cissès
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        At 33k with 1FT and 2.1itb, Top10k possible?

        Pope
        Doherty TAA Justin
        Mane KDB Fernandes Martial
        Jesus(C) Greenwood Ings

        Martin Davis Lascelles Ngakia

        Sensible move seemed to be Lascelles to Digne but won’t get into 10k doing that, plus last day is notorious for goals on goals.

        Help please, not averse to a hit or 2

        1. MattysFantasyFooty
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Top 10k is out of reach

          1. Rock Papiss Cissès
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Just confirming what I already thought but denial’s denial.

        2. Going For Last
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Think you'd do well to make up 23k places at the top end, in one gameweek, unless you've got a spurious captain this week who goes postal. How far off the top 10k are you at the moment?

          1. Rock Papiss Cissès
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            44 points :,(. So just the “diet” transfer of Lascelles to Digne then?

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

          Can't see it, particularly with no differentials