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Rodgers was also optimistic about two other Leicester players who were withdrawn because of injury issues.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

    Is Hamez to Barnes a good move for free?

    Obviously it doesn't seem necessary since Everton are in good form, but its very tempting to me personally having seen Barnes get so many opportunities.

    Stick or twist?

    Thanks.

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

      Stick

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. I think I might be overthinking things.

  2. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Made my moves early. Thoughts? 🙂

    Martinez
    Coady - KWP - Lamptey
    Salah - KDB - Mahrez - Podence
    Vardy - Jimenez - Ings

    Button - Bissouma - Taylor - Mitchell

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

      expecting Podence to play? Looks good otherwise

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sounds like a knock.

        Not taking a hit to move him as he should be fine after the international break.

        Taylor can step in from the bench if needed.

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

          Move Taylor up the bench then

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Nice spot

            Thanks

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

      What moves?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Son + Werner + Davis > Vardy + Ings + Bissouma

        Had exact cash and didn’t want to chance it as Vardy may rise suddenly

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

          Very nice

          Fingers crossed for Podence

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers

    3. yash
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good, For how many GW do you think Mahrez is nailed?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Jesus and Aguero need a month at the least to get back which covers his good fixtures. Will ditch him in gw 8 for Zaha/Hamez etc

    4. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lacks TAA

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Attack is where the points are at for now.

        Record number of goals scored.

        Liverpool not doing CS.

        Having said that, I have a plan to get him in gw 6 by saving the transfer next week

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey fam! Which option is better?

    A. Play Johnson/Mitchell and save FT

    B. Get Castagne

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

      B

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

      A

      2fts for int break is nice

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

      I would have liked the 2FT for the break but got Castagne with the free. Telling myself I won’t take a hit over the break 🙂

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers fam

  4. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Difficulty choosing between :

    A. Taa and Foden

    B. Robbo and Barnes.

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

      A

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B by miles. Foden is shite

  5. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Justin (WHU)
    B) Grealish (LIV)

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

      B

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

      A

    3. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      At first glance A, but rather play the attacker so B.

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

    Brave or foolish?

    Doherty + Martial -> Robertson(C) + DCL (-4)

    Robertson has scored or assisted a goal in seven of his last eight Premier League games for Liverpool. (Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54230354)

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

      Foolish

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

      Assuming you’ve got TAA, I wouldn’t. Just move Martial to Jimi, or to Ings if you have Jimi already

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

        Booooooring!

  7. King Carlos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who is your ultimate FPL boogey man player? Someone who scores, assists and has clean sheets whenever you don't own him and blanks when you do own him.

    My nightmare player has got to be Son. All my years playing FPL he has never brought me points when I've had him. This week I brought him in with my wildcard only to have him play for 45 mins... never again, my Son, never again will I have you in my team!

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

      Ings

      1. King Carlos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He is defo another player who only scores points for other fpl managers

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have probably had Callum Wilson for a totoal of about 25 GWs over the last 6 seasons and probably had about two goals out of him in total.

      1. King Carlos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lol. A boogey man for sure! Strangely enough, he did score for me in GW1!

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

          Same! Must have been my second goal ever from him.

          1. King Carlos
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wilson's first season w bournemouth... his injury after scoring six goals happened when I, and many other managers, brought him in. One of those things, man

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

              Yeah - you can go through his Premier League history and identify the points where he was brought in and the long spells of blanks that followed

          2. King Carlos
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Btw, love your name dude! "Say hello to Miguel Sanchez!"

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

              Was either that or Dr Nguyen van Phoc

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

      Maddison

    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Agree on son always done me dirty and my timing with robertson and TAA been off also. When I owned Robertson TAA was the one to have and the opposite when having TAA

      1. King Carlos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Last season I had them both in the beginning of the season, but they never seemed to have a cs... then transferred taa to upgrade elsewhere and he started to have those assists...lol

    5. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      maybe Vardy since last year

      1. King Carlos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Vardy is a good one! There's always another transfer to be made and vardy keeps on scoring...

    6. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba

      1. King Carlos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Auba's a great player... for my mini-league managers

    7. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Jimenez, he always looks far from points and a haul anyway but manages to tick over when I don't have him. When I get him then it's a series of blanks in easy games where he's playing DM for some reason

        1. King Carlos
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I transferred him in for gw 4... fingers crossed, although we all know what's gonna happen! Lol. Luckily avoided his own goal this past gw!

      • Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Son, can't believe the bad luck I've had with him. But this time I really thought he was a good pick.
        Foden. Should have learnt when I had him during restart. But hey, £6.5 for a City attacking mid... oh well
        DCL. Got him during restart for string of blank, so obviously avoided at start of season, despite good price and fixtures. Think I will still manage to stay away from his hauls.

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

        Son for me as well. Don't think he's ever scored me more than 5 points

    8. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Robbocop to outscore TAA this season ?

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

        yep

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

        Probably not, but it will be close

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

        I think so

      4. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hes looking very good tbh.
        Looked more attacking yesterday than taa.

      5. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No

      6. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        TAA non owners hope so.

    9. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Swap or hold

      A. Son/Mitrovic > Barnes/DCL (-4)
      B. Son/Mitrovic > Barnes/Richarlison (-4)
      C. Son > Barnes FT

      DCL or Richarlison on a good run of scoring but the later takes the pens.

    10. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A) Barnes or Zaha?
      B) Trossard or Pereira?
      C) Ings or Richarlison?

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

        Barnes
        Trossard
        Ings

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

          This

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

          Thanks! Unanimous for Ings over Richarlison. Wasn’t expecting that!

      2. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        what MS said

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

          Thanks!

      3. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Barnes
        Pereira
        ings

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

          Cheers. Think the real toss up is between Trossard and Pereira for me.

    11. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bench one:
      a. James
      b. Keane
      c. Lamptey

      thx

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

        C

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

      1. Shaw + Son -> Robbo + Mahrez (-8). 0.6m ITB.
      2. Son -> Bruno. (0.5m ITB). (-4).
      Fancying the Liv def double up so may go with the 1st option.

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

      1. nisag17
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        1. - Don't like Bruno. He really doesn't look like doing much right now apart from penalties. Even with the large volume of penalties this season, I think it'll die down soon enough and revert to normal or of course a bit higher than normal but not like right now.

    13. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo worth a punt? Or stick safe with Saiss? Never saw the West Ham game so not sure how Semedo is going to play, only want to pay the extra if he’s likely to get extra attacking returns.

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

        Not sure how safe Saiss is - lot of Wolves fans calling for Dendocker to return at CB

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Hmmm. A lot of other people in my mini league have Coady, I want to get in on Wolves cover but not the same as everyone else. Vinagre/Marçal seems a risk, Boly is that bit more expensive without the added attacking threat.

    14. RohanVaswani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1) Mitro to Che Adam’s and plus 343

      Or

      2) Davies to Semedo with double wolves defense and play 442

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

        A

        Double Wolves defence not looking too good right now.

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          It was one game...

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

      Any idea why the RMT tool favours Salah for captain away from home this week (at least compared to the other options I've got)?

      Villa are fairly good at the back these days, especially with Martinez.

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

        Well it's Salah isn't it.
        Probably going to be my captain. Hard to look past really.

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

        Bookies favor him too

    16. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez
      Robertson James Saiss
      Salah KDB Son Foden
      Werner DCL Bamford

      Steer Taylor Mitchell Alzate

      0.3m itb 1ft

      A) son and Werner to podence and vardy (-4)
      B) son to Barnes (vardy next week)
      C) Werner to Jimenez (blocks vardy)

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B, I’d give Werner another week as he’ll come good eventually.

    17. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Maddison or Barnes?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Barnes

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

        Barnes for now. Was playing so high up against City and has great stats.

        Bit of a coin toss though, assuming Maddison starts from now on. Both should do well.

      3. Bees4Lyf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Barnes looks great

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

      Big swing weekend. Started well, a lot of flattery to deceive. Eye test A-OK. I wait on the cup games in case of injury or suspension, bank the FT if nothing major. Going to tough it out.

    19. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Time to take a hit!
      Werner -> Jimenez
      Son -> ?

      McCarthy
      TAA Justin Vinagre
      Salah(c) KdB Soucek Son
      Mitro Werner Ings

      Button KWP Mitchell Bissouma

      1ft 0.4itb

      1. nisag17
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mahrez maybe. He looks nailed until Jesus or Aguero comes back which might not even be after the international break.

    20. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m tempted by Allison.

    21. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is Allison a waste of 6m ? Can’t see anyone out scoring him. McCarthy seems a waste.

    22. Tashriqm
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez (McCarthy)
      TAA Justin KWP Mitchell (Bernado)
      KDB Bruno Rodriguez Son (Bissouma)
      DCL Jimenez Bamford

      Option 1: Transfer Son for Mahrez or Barnes
      Option 2: Transfer KDB for Salah & Transfer Son for Mahrez or Barnes -4 Hit

      What do you guys think?

    23. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Last night I went full George Constanza by doing the opposite of my FPL instincts. Welcome to the team Zaha!

    24. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      ASM should be back this gw right?

    25. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What looks best from below
      1) Save FT play Justin vs WHM and hope Son is involved but miss out on some upsides below
      2) Son to Rodriguez
      3) Son to Mahrez
      4) Son to 4.5mn and Vassilev to Jiminez (-4)
      5) Son to 4.5mn and Justin/RJames to TAA (-4)
      Currently on 4th as feel Jiminez should repay over next 4 easily and have doubts Podence+Foden playing with Mitchel only bench option

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

        i like 3

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        1