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Rodgers was also optimistic about two other Leicester players who were withdrawn because of injury issues.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

    Mane or salah if on wc?

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

      Salah

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pens are a real thing this season so has to be Salah (feels easily worth 0.2 more if not 1.2 more)

  2. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed.

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA KWP Vinagre (Justin, Mitchell)
    Fernandes JRod Auba Traore (ASM)
    Jimenez Ings Mitrovic

    1.8 ITB, 0FT

    a) Mitrovic > DCL (-4)
    b) Traore > Bergwijn (-4)
    c) Stick

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

  3. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Maddison starting ?0

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

    Gtg?

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Justin
    Mahrez KDB Podence James
    Vardy Ings DCL

    Martin Holding Bissouma Mitchell

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes sir

  5. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA + Robbo double up back on?

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

      not for me

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

      It's been on since week 1 and it will be on week 38

      Set and forget.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same.

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Easily, will be top two scoring defenders once again

    4. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd say so. It was never really off. Kicking myself that I removed then both on WC thinking wolves could cover them for 5 GWs

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I dropped Robbo on WC last week, but kept TAA and Salah. Brought in Brewster. Really hoping he gets transferred to free up the 3rd Liverpool spot. Def want Robbo given how poor Wolves looked

      2. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same mate...started with both but I removed Trent for double Wolves defence on WC...feels like a horrible move atm but a CS v Fulham might cheer me up a little

        1. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah could still work out over the 5 weeks but hasn't started well!

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            -1, have to lol but the next 4 GWs should yield 2xCS as long as Wolves get their act together which I'm confident that they will under Nuno (if not it will be a total disaster)

    5. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      After Everton for me.

    6. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes.
      The fact they got 7 amd 10 points in a game in which they conceded is the very reason why they are so popular.

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

    Son > Barnes is looking like the prevailing wisdom around here, from what I've seen.

    What if I have funds for Bruno? That any better, or spread the wealth via Barnes?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno over barnes,

      Leicester scored 5 = Barnes 2pts

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

        He's due and should have had more than 2

      2. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That's really really not how it works.

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

        Leicester score 4 the previous week = Vardy 2pts.

        Doesn't work like that mate.

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

      Mahrez for me, only because I have Vardy.

      Mahrez or Barnes good calls.

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

      I'm in the same situation but Bruno's stats are really worrying for me. Obviously he has the pens and set pieces but his stats and heat map other than that doesn't look great.

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

        Pens are the attraction at the moment. And with everything being a handball this season...

    4. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno over Barnes
      But is Rashford a good call over Barnes ?

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

        Considering him, too. Bruno on pens is the only hesitation, I suppose.

  7. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you do Traore to Soucek if a price drop prevented you from getting Robertson next week? Looks like Adama will fall some point this week.

    Traore has the fixtures, but not the form. Meanwhile Soucek looks dangerous, but has terrible fixtures.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would Keep Traore, could easily explode with good fixtures

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I could see him getting benched. Didn't link up at all with 30m Semedo. Seems like he has the physical abilities, but lacks that mental sharpness. Neto on RW and Podence on LW.

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

          He's a terrific sub, he's a lousy starter. May well get benched.

          1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I agree

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

    Early C thoughts for next GW?

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

      Bowen

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KdB or Raz for me...Leeds will concede a few in that one!

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

      Jimi, Ings, KDB, Raz, Salah

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jimi

  9. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Robertson scores and now everyone wants to double up on pool defence?

    1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      hahaha exactly. me included

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

        they didn't look too good defensively though!

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          he's more attacking than ever this season though tbf he's playing like an out and out attacking left winger!

        2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          aside from a few scary counters (against Auba, Pepe, Willian, Laca, etc), they dominated is Arsenal's half. I think they'll start to tighten up on those counters. For example, i'd rather have Robbo or even Digne over James Rodriguez.

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Points magnet

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

      Too pricey.

  10. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How long is SON sidelined ?
    Any idea ?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      lengthy absence with hamstring injury but no timeline as of yet

  11. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not too sure what to do here before Son's drop guys. Quite willing to take a hit also.

    Martinez
    Saiss - Robertson - James
    Son* - Foden - Salah - KDB - Hamez
    DCL - Jiminez
    ______________________________
    Forster: Mitchell: Dunne: Brewster

    Some ideas are:

    A) Son > Barne
    B) Son > Mahrez
    C) Son + Brewster > 5.0m mid + Ings (-4)
    D) Son + Brewster > 4.5 mid + Martial (-4)
    E) Son + Brewster > Maupay + Barnes (exact money -4)
    F) Son + Hamez > Bruno + Barnes (-4)
    G) Something else

    Open to any advice here as options galore, this season is a shambles so far 🙁

    Cheers guys.

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A or B

    2. Oliver Tockman
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      E, F

    3. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like E. Maupay is somehow still off most people's radar.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah it was an idea i just came across and Brightons fixtures are ok plus get a penalty taker in there also.
        Dunno wether to go all in on City but never know when Mahrez is gonna start.

  12. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Saiss taa james kwp
    Salah kdb barnes
    Jimmy ings richar

    Subs:steer jorginho mitchell stephens

    How about this for WC?

    Richar over dcl because of penalty or still dcl better?

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

      I’m sticking with DCL myself. I’ve never had much luck with Richarlison. Pens won’t lure me.

  13. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Between Vardy and Jiminez at the moment ... but might end up on KDB ...so no at the moment I guess.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Reply fail.

  14. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I want some Man U coverage on my team. Should I go Bruno or Rashford?

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rash prob

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

      United. Penalties? Yeah, you get the penalty taker.

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno

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

    Transfer advice? 1ft 1.0 itb

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Doherty Justin Vinagre Mitchell
    KDB Salah Bruno Reed Bissouma
    Martial Mitro Adams

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gtg
      save FT to have 2 Fts going into international break

    2. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd upgrade Doherty to Digne.

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

      save

  16. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best Son replacement :

    A) Rashford
    B) Barnes
    C) Other

    I don't have any ManU or LEI cover

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like Zaha and Barnes. Probably not Rashford, don't know how many of the teams that he faces soon will actually allow United to counterattack them, which is when they look their most dangerous.

      1. Garam MOSALAH
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C) Bruno

  17. Oliver Tockman
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Pereira
    B) Trossard
    C) Traore

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely not Traore. Trossard will probably finish the season with a better points total assuming they both stay fit all season, but Pereira has much nicer fixtures.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    I think I'm gonna eat the Son price drop as I don't want to commit tonight with Cup matches to play this week and more info needed. If Maddison's fit to start this weekend or Mahrez doesn't play much on Wed I might punt on them over Barnes. Anyone interested in Zaha? He's about to go up so that would be a .2 swing...

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't get Maddison over Barnes, no reason to do so.

  19. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Shaw-> Robbo + Son -> Mahrez (-8). 0.6m ITB.
    2. Son -> Bruno. (0.5m ITB). (-4).

    McCarthy.
    TAA, Justin, Shaw.
    Podence, Son, KDB, Salah.
    Jimenez, DCL, Adams.
    Button, Bissouma, Mitchell, Ayling.
    0ft, 2.0m ITB

  20. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Liverpool defense essential? I went without it on WC and got burnt..

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

      One of TAA and Robbo absolutely worth it.

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both TAA and Robbo are closing 200 by end of season. No brainer.

  21. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I kneejerked in Rashford last gameweek before Son haul and punched myself for it 🙂

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

    Bruno or Rashford?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno for pens

    2. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno for pens

  23. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When are price changes?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      About 45 minutes away.

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers Waldo

  24. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno or Rashford

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno

  25. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Taa james kwp digne awb
    Salah kdb son
    Mitro werner

    Subs:nyland asm rice davis

    Will you wc this team?

    1. Oliver Tockman
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Then what will you do?

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Sell sonand mitro for ings and foden for -4?

    2. Ayling Buyers Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Then what do u suggest?

    3. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You're a bit defence heavy for my liking. No reason AWB can't become a 4/4.5m

  26. Oliver Tockman
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Trossard
    B) Pereira

    (own Lamptey)

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

    I have exact funds for Son to Bruno... go for it tonight or choose a cheaper option. Also any chance Son doesn't drop with his flag?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If 2FTs definitely go for it, if not, maybe re-think.

  28. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain vardy guys?

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I currently am, might captain de Bruyne if I get him in for Aubameyang though.

  29. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Son+Saiss> Barnes+Robertson worth a hit?

    1. Oliver Tockman
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dont take out Saiss

  30. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody wc this gw?