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Rodgers was also optimistic about two other Leicester players who were withdrawn because of injury issues.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. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Already did Martial to Jimi...

    Mccarthy
    TAA Taylor Justin Davies
    Salah Son* Hamez Zaha
    Jimi Werner

    Button Egan Bissouma Brewster

    A) Son to Bruno (-4)
    B) plus Davies to Sais for another -4
    C) WC

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

      C

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

    Any thoughts with my team?
    McCarthy
    Soyuncu/Coleman/James
    Son*/Moura/Barnes/Kdb
    Richarlison/Werner/Kane

    Steer McCarthy/Targett/Douglas
    1ft 0.3itb

    a)Son+Kane/Werner->Salah+Mitrovic/Wilson/Maupay(-4)
    b)Son+Kane+Moura->Salah+Jimenez+Podence/Trossard(-8)
    c)Son+Kane+Werner->Salah+Jimenez+Ings(-8)
    d)something else

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B with Trossard imo

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

        cheers

  3. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For everybody selling Son, he will miss next game and then there are 2 weeks until the next GW when he may well be back. Why bother? Has it been confirmed how long he will be out yet?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hamstring + comments about 'out for a while' + his price point means it's more sensible to sell IMO
      Did this before with Martial I think where I held and he took longer than expected to start again

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        agee here. I would rather get him back once he actually starts again and looks ok. I've been guilty.of holding and losing points when I could have got the player back in the futue

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hmmmm food for thought. I will consider it later in the week. Cheers both.

    3. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sell 9.0 ain’t a 4.5 Biss

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not if it is just for 1 GW, sorry.

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

    Barnes or Foden?

    1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Foden looked shite, Barnes was good on the pitch but no points...

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

    Keane or Coleman?

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

      Coleman for old time's sake

      1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        haha he's still in my display name

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

    Do you think Son will drop by more than 0.1 this week?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      May do over the IB break if enough people sell on wildcard etc.

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

    WC team. Any changes you would make?

    Martinez - Steer
    TAA - Robbo - Justin - Lamptey - Mitchell
    Salah - KDB - Klich - Trossard - Stephens
    Jimenez - Ings - DCL

    0 ITB

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

    Barnes stats are good, lots on target. But not converting his chances though. Not seen the games... are they weak shots? Straight at the keeper?

    Debating Trossard or Barnes, to allow an upgrade in defence.

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

      He's not a good finisher

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

        Yeah that’s what I was wondering. Reckon trossard a better option if it allows Saïss to say Robertson?

    2. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Misses the easy ones and scores the harder ones!

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

        Ah one of them!

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

      Trossard is very good value

    4. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Are we sure we're talking Barnes here not Salah? 😉

  9. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son-->
    A) Barnes
    B) Zaha
    C) James Rodriguez ?

    1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D) Pereira, for his price and somewhat consistency 🙂

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I considered D but went for Barnes and will monitor D he does have good fixtures tho soon

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve gone with Trossard and Pereira

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

      A - would have him if I could afford

  10. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anything worth a hit? 2m itb. Thanks!

    Martinez
    Saiss Semedo James
    Salah KDB Barnes Foden Havertz
    DCL JImi
    Steer Lamptey Mitchell Brewster

  11. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) ings
    B) dcl
    C) richarlison

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Robertson 442
    B) DCL 343

    Thanks folks

    1. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one ..B but close

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

      B I think

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks

  13. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any changes necessary? I'm really happy with this:

    Martinez (Nyland)
    TAA Digne Saiss Justin (Lamptey)
    Salah KDB Zaha (Klich, Stephens)
    Jimenez Richarlison DCL

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      WC? Nyland to Steer if so

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nope, used WC on GW1

    2. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate!

    3. Vamos Los Celeste
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Multiple accounts?

  14. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one
    a) Vinagre vs FUL(H)
    b) Justin vs WHU (H)
    c) KWP vs WBA (H)

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

  15. Wob
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Activated WC:
    A. Podence;
    B. Klich; or
    C. Another 5.6/5.7m Mid?

    1. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      B

  16. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    2.8m after gw1
    600k today

    My team was built for the first 8gws and it works without hits (but failed captains)

    1. Cymro
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wow 600k is so low. What are you doing?

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oh cmon it's not that low. I'm improving gw by gw with simple steps

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

      better luck next time

  17. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Really hate my team, 48 last week now 42 this week. Probably wise to wait for international break to WC.

    Best midfielder 5.6mil or below for ASM:
    a. Podence (flagged?)
    b. Klich
    c. Costa
    d. someone else

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

      B

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

      B

  18. ankj70
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best mid under 4.5? Bench fodder but need to raise some cash...

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

      I’ve got Stephens currently for the extra 0.1 but Burke is a decent option

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

      There are only two of them to choose from. I say Stephens!

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Burke

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

    A. Auba to Salah (-4)
    B. Mitro to ing (-4)
    C. Mitro to DCL (-4)
    D. Go to bed

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

      A followed swiftly by D

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

      D

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

      Mitro probably scores a goal in the next 2 games. I would personally go for A

  20. Zrinkec
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Should i keep Ayling for next week i would need to use him vs City or take hit for Semedo? Also should i get Barnes for Son also and take another hit or use Bissouma for week and wait SOn? Though this second question depends a lot on how much Son will be out. If only one game i wouldnt change then.

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

      Yes keep Ayling. I agreed with you about Son.

  21. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son to

    A) Bruno/Rashford
    B) Zaha
    C) Mahrez but own sterling

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno

  22. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best Son replacement;
    Barnes or Zaha?

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pulisic but .... After the break

  23. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Took a hit Watkins + Son -> Jimenez + KDB. I m now wondering if I should take one more hit or team looks gtg, this GW went amazingly badly.

    McCarthy
    Justin Castagne Reece J.
    KDB Salah James R. Pereira
    Kane Mitrovic Jimenez

    Martinez Dier Reed Targett 0 itb. Gtg or any other hit worth it?

  24. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bench Justin or Taylor?

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

      Taylor

  25. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think James Rodriguez is a diamond at 7.5
    He is an attacking midfielder who bangs MOTM performances every gw. He is simply class. It's about time to get more end product of his attempts.

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

      Unfortunately we don’t decide that.

  26. Jape
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Evening!

    What would you do with this? If anything.

    McCarthy / Nyland
    TAA / Davies / KWP / Justin / Mitchell
    KDB / Salah / Bruno / Podence / Stephens
    Jimi / Mitro / Adams

    Just used the FT to swap Werner out for Jimi.
    1.3ITB

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

    ASM yo who for a hit?

    A) Foden
    B) Barnes
    C other (7.3m max)

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  28. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just seen the score today!

    TAA and Robbo saving my week!

    Season keepers set and forget from day 1.

    Still the same!

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, Trent is supposed to be "out of form" yet he has 5 points per match against Leeds, Chelsea, & Arsenal, with better fixtures to come.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yup. Two spots I simply dont have to worry about.

  29. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Torn between
    A) Saving transfer and start Justin as 4th defender
    B) Do Son -> Barnes for free

    Any input is appreciated

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

    Keep selling Werner. I will drink your tears after the Palace game.

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

      I’m keeping Werner too, interesting how psychology is driving people to lose him because he hasn’t scored yet.

      I won’t keep him for too much longer but you’ve got to think Lampard has to try something different to keep his job.

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

        I'll be selling after Southampton regardless of how well he does but it's still ridiculous to sell now.

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

      A Son > Barnes
      B Son & Greenwood > Barnes & Zaha/Maddison -4

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

        Reply fail