Scout Notes

Rodgers offers Vardy injury update after Foxes thrash striker-less Man City

Manchester City 2-5 Leicester City

  • Goals: Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m), Nathan Ake (£5.5m) | Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) x3, James Maddison (£7.0m), Youri Tielemans (£6.4m)
  • Assists: Mahrez | Timothy Castagne (£5.6m), Nampalys Mendy (£4.5m), Maddison
  • Bonus: Vardy x3, Mahrez x2, Maddison x1

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers thinks that Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) “will be fine” after Sunday’s hat-trick hero walked gingerly from the field of play in the closing stages of a remarkable match at the Etihad.

Vardy took his 2020/21 goals tally to five in the Foxes’ 5-2 win over a shellshocked Manchester City but appeared to be in some discomfort towards the end of the match, eventually being replaced with five minutes to go.

Both player and manager confirmed that the issue was Vardy’s hip, rather than his groin as originally reported, that was causing him discomfort but Rodgers revealed that it was an ongoing issue and something that hasn’t stopped him from playing in the past:

Vardy was even more bullish when interviewed after full-time, telling the broadcast media:

I’ve just got a slight issue with my hip, I think it’s a bit of growth in one of the bones, it just clicks every so often and just gives me a bit of pain. It’s no issue. I’ll be absolutely fine.

Rodgers was also optimistic about two other Leicester players who were withdrawn because of injury issues.

Jonny Evans (£5.5m), who was only just back from suspension and a thigh injury, hobbled off in the final 10 minutes, while Dennis Praet (£5.5m) looked in some discomfort when being replaced midway through the second half.

Rodgers said:

Jonny [Evans] felt his calf tighten up, first game for such a long time. We’re hoping that’s all it is. Dennis [Praet], we’ll have to wait and see. A sort of twist of his knee, so hopefully that won’t be too serious. Hopefully, those three [including Vardy] will be OK.

FABULOUS FOXES

Given that Leicester limped over the finish line at the end of 2019/20 with four wins from their final 17 Premier League matches, there were understandable reservations about their Fantasy assets at the start of this campaign.

They have put those concerns to bed in the first few weeks of 2020/21, however, winning all three of their games to date and racking up 12 goals in the process.

Sunday’s win over Manchester City continued the renaissance and there were eye-catching displays all over the park.

Vardy was typically sharp off the ball and clinical on the rare occasions he was on it: only Ederson (£6.0m) of the 22 starting players had fewer touches than the Leicester man, while the 33-year-old striker had only three shots on goal – and converted them all.

Two of his goals came from the penalty spot after he himself had been fouled, while his second strike was a superb flick from a Timothy Castagne (£5.6m) cross.

Considering that only four of his 23 goals in his Golden Boot-winning year came from 12 yards, he could easily trump that total in 2020/21 should penalties continue to be dished out as freely as emojis from the FFS Twitter account.

CASTAGNE DELIVERS AGAIN

Castagne has now registered attacking returns in all three Gameweeks so far and is the leading points scorer among FPL defenders by some margin, having averaged nine points per match since his move from Atalanta.

Leicester may have changed to a back five and sat a bit deeper in this match but the Belgian right-back was still given license to get forward, bombing on to the byline to supply Vardy’s second goal.

It should be said that he has created only three chances all season but both he and James Justin (£4.7m) have really caught the eye, not just for their assist potential: diagonal runs towards the six-yard box brought them goals in Gameweeks 1 and 2.

Elsewhere, Youri Tielemans (£6.4m) was excellent – it’s easy to forget that he struggled for form last season and how much of an asset his slick passing was to Leicester’s front players when Rodgers first took charge at the end of 2018/19. If he has rediscovered that form, then that can again only benefit Vardy.

The Belgian “assisted the assister” for Leicester’s second goal and it was from his through-pass that substitute James Maddison (£7.0m) won the Foxes’ third penalty, a spot-kick that Tielemans converted with Vardy off the field.

Maddison had earlier curled in a superb effort from distance to put Leicester 4-2 up.

Missing out on the points was Harvey Barnes (£7.0m) but he too caught the eye, supplying the key passes that led to Leicester’s first two penalties and looking a real threat around the hosts’ box.

A home match against West Ham is up next for the Foxes and, as strange as it sounds, this might be the toughest test for Vardy, Barnes et al to date: so far Leicester have faced the division’s worst defence in West Brom, a Burnley team missing both first-choice centre-halves and then a Manchester City outfit that played into their hands on Sunday.

The Hammers have looked uncharacteristically solid since moving to a back three in Gameweek 2, allowing Arsenal and Wolves few clear-cut opportunities in their last two games.

WHAT NOW FOR MAN CITY ASSETS?

Manchester City haven’t become a bad team overnight; in fact, this was very reminiscent of their form in 2019/20.

The Citizens may never have conceded five goals under Guardiola before but games against Norwich City, Wolves and Lyon last season were similar to this one, with their defence as capable of shooting themselves in the foot as they are racking up a string of clean sheets (they kept a league-high 17 of those in the season just gone).

Their Gameweek 4 match against Leeds could just as easily end 5-0 to City as it could 3-2 to the Whites, and that’s why our interest remains so keen in their attacking assets.

Given the ongoing injury crisis, the likes of Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) also face little threat of rotation at present.

With Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.4m) out for a month, Sterling started this game as the central striker in Guardiola’s 4-2-3-1, with De Bruyne supporting him in the number 10 role.

Time will tell if the lack of an orthodox striker blunts City’s attack but Sterling was peripheral and they created little of quality from open play, with their two goals – a Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) howitzer and a Nathan Ake (£5.5m) header – both coming from corners.

Phil Foden (£6.6m) was borderline anonymous, eventually being substituted just after the hour-mark, while the sight of 17-year-old Liam Delap (£4.5m) being thrown on early in the second half hinted at how desperate Guardiola was.

The City boss said after full-time:

We played really good in the first 30 minutes. We scored early on but I think they defended so deep, so it was not easy. In this situation, it happened many times, we have to control the counter-attack. The problem was that we put extra pressure on ourselves to score the second or third one when they just didn’t want to play.

They just wanted to defend and play on the counter-attack and in that position, we have to be more calm. We started to think we are playing bad. We told them at half-time they were playing good, try to be patient and the rest will be in our hands, but we were not strong enough to be stable and patient.

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Garcia, Ake, Mendy; Rodri, Fernandinho (Delap 51′); Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden (Torres 64′); Sterling.

Leicester City XI (5-4-1): Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Evans (Fuchs 80′), Soyuncu, Justin; Praet (Maddison 69′), Tielemans, Mendy, Barnes; Vardy (Iheanacho 89′). 


PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

2,161 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ohhhhh Gary Macca!
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Madness everyone wanting to ship Werner. Point chasing sheep

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He will haul against Palace.

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Can’t see it. Palace look a tougher team this year. Chelsea looking a bit sloppy in front of goal.

    2. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      much bigger issues than werner for me

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Admittedly it is still early on but at what point do you move on?

      1. Ohhhhh Gary Macca!
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        At least until international break imo

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

        Not before 2 home games against lesser opposition and Pulisic/Ziyech near returning. It is point chasing if you move him out now.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Aren’t we all points chasers?

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

            I just captained Fernandes so nah. I just play my own game and try to ignore noise.

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Fair play and great call

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

        After S(H) for me.

    4. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I don't blame people wanting to sell when there's 3 very good proven FPL options in Jimenez, Ings and Vardy - not to mention DCL as a cheaper option (but less proven) that are performing well for similar/cheaper. I'm holding onto Werner because of more pressing concerns though.

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If Podence is fit for the weekend does he just walk back into the team and who makes way?
    Hardly Traoré?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      walks back in, Podence provides that creative spark. How they'd line up with him is another matter, could shift back to a 352 with both Traore and Neto on the bench with Donk in midfield.

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

      Could easily be traore. He's gash unless he comes on against tired legs. Was horribly one dimensional and didn't cause whu any problems at all on his side

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd pick Podence over Traore in a shot. Traore has been an absolute liability.

  3. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Foden (343)
    B) Robertson (442)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B nailed.

    4. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice what to do here please?

    Martinez
    TAA | Digne | Dallas
    Salah | Bruno | Son* | Rodriguez | Soucek
    Kane | Wilson

    Steer | Mitchell | Davis | Buur*

    1FT, 0ITB

    *Clearly Son is the priority to sort, what I’m thinking is:
    Son to Pereira
    Buur to Robertson (bench Dallas vs City)

    But should I be targeting City cover e.g Mahrez or even Barnes for Leicester?

    Opinions appreciated.

    Thanks

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Proposal would be for a -4, unless I just do Son to Mahrez etc and start Dallas

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would get Mahrez

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez is a good short term punt. Can always replace him for one of the Chelsea boys when they’re all fully fit.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, I’m just thinking I’m terms of my overall team structure, maybe getting Robbo in for deadwood in Burr could be better long term?

        I need to know if Pereira is on penalties! I think that would decide it for me

  5. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Hold Werner

    B) Werner > Jimenez

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A this week

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Badluck Jonathan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B for me

  6. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM and Son > Barnes + Mahrez (-4)?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Look great moves to me

    4. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yay

  7. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which combo?

    A. Vardy & Castagne
    B. Ings & Robbo

  8. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah vs Mane weekly update:

    Gap now down to 3 points

  9. Thomas M.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    bottomed

    Son + Wood -> Vardy +

    A. Podence
    B. Klich
    C. Someone 5.6 or below

    worth -4?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A is good if he's fit

      1. Thomas M.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        need to do it today, exact money. 🙁

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B - Leeds a good attacking side and on pens

    3. Badluck Jonathan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would keep Wood

    4. Wheyyyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wood has Newcastle and West Brom up next.. Would hold if I owned.

  10. Ronaldo 7
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bamford or Castange in for a -4?

    1. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      None for a minus 4. Unless u gt no playing defender

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

      Neither.

  11. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts here? Was thinking Mitro to Ings/Jiminez & Davies to Mitchell for - 4

    McCarthy
    TAA VVD Justin Taylor
    Salah KDB Zaha
    Mitrovic Werner DLC

    Subs: Reed, Bissouma, Davies

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner->Jimenez for me.

  12. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Sais, Fernandes, Ings
    B) TAA, Fernandes, Mitrovic

    A or B?

    Have Salah, Jimenez and DCL, at the moment but no United.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B, just

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  13. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Completed Werner > Jimenez kneejerk. But what to do with Son now: Take the hit, or reassess after international break?

    Team for gw4 if I avoid the hit:
    McCarthy
    Trent, Justin, Saiss, KWP
    Salah, KDB, Podence, Soucek
    Jim, Ings
    (Nyland; Mitchell, Davis, Son)

  14. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What would you use a transfer in to improve this squad? Or gtg provided Podence fit and no mid week injuries?

    Martinez
    TAA James Saïss
    Salah KDB (c) Foden Podence
    Jiménez Ings DCL

    Forster Lamptey Mitchell Burke

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Like you said would see what the Podence situation is, other than that would keep

    2. Mirakuru FC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I took the hit - price drop and need some extra points if the punt works out.

  15. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez steer
    Coady Saïss James Mitchell Lamptey
    KDB Foden Zaha Salah Burke
    DCL Vardy Jiménez

    Good to go for next week or would you make any changes?

    1. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gtg

  16. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son to

    A) greenwood
    B) Barnes
    C) trossard

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  17. Over The Mounié
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Jota essential?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not even close.

      He's backup for front 3

  18. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    what's up with fplstatistics?

  19. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Evening,

    My double up of robbo and trent finally paid off after 3 games.....

    Anyone else keep faith with double pool or is anyone considering it going forward?

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Also had Trent and Robbo since the start, no other Liverpool players in my team. Don't see any reason to get rid of either with decent fixtures, and got far more pressing issues in my team anyway haha

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think we all have issues!

  20. Poison Apple
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy (4.0)
    TAA Doherty Taylor (Mitchell Dallas)
    KDB Auba Zaha Foden (Bissouma)
    Jimi Adams Mitro

    Used my FT for Jimi. Anything for a -4 or should i hit the wc?

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think the balance off the team is a bit off. Think need DCL up top by downgrading Auba. Save up 2ft then make the moves imo

  21. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can I save this week?
    McCarthy
    Trent Justin Taylor
    Salah Soucek Bruno Kdb
    Ings Mitrovic Dcl

    Mitchell Stephens Vinagre
    1.5 in the bank.
    Do I need to do anything.

  22. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which do we prefer going Saïss or Reece James?

    1. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss

      1. Gideons Rolling Another One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        James created loads of chances: 8 so far! None for Saïss, 3 goal attempts though

    2. Over The Mounié
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do you mean going out from your team (ie which is worse) or going forwards (ie which is better)? I think Swiss is better

      1. Gideons Rolling Another One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah sorry, didn’t explain myself very well... I meant going forward, as in game weeks, not up the pitch

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Neither, both losing their spot soon

  23. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who keeps more clean sheets in their next four, Wolves or Leicester?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ndidi-less Leicester are historically dodgy defensively so I say Wolves

    2. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves for me

  24. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone with advice on BDavies...
    Should I sell for -4 to Digne before his price falls
    When do you think Regulion takes his place?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would, think Reguilon will start

  25. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do I really need to sell Son this week?
    I did Werner to Jimenez before the Spurs game leaving me with 0ft
    I can play Vinagre instead of Son and them take him out for a ft after GW4
    I've had Son since GW1 so if he goes down by just 0.1 I will be unaffected
    Thoughts?

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

      If you have Vinagre on bench then no.

  26. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Vinagre
    Salah KDB Podence Soucek
    Werner Martial Mitrovic
    (Steer, Shaw Bissouma Ferguson)

    A) Martial -> Jiménez
    B) Save
    C) Other

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  27. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son to:

    A) Barnes
    B) Mahrez

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B if you have a solid 1st sub, A if not

  28. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM > Foden for a hit?

  29. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best captain choice this week?

    Sterling, KDB, Mahrez or Salah?

    Need to replace Son wih one of the above...

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

      KDB - city will be back flying against a poor Leeds defence, Kdb on pens and just a great long term pick in general

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I hope he scores a hatrrick after failing me this week

  30. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best defender for 6.3 or under?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Digne or Castagne

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        The nyehs have it

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

        Cheers. Think I’m moving towards Castagne currently

    2. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Digne or Castagne for me