Scout Reports

What can FPL managers expect from Claudio Ranieri at Watford?

Earlier this week, Watford appointed Claudio Ranieri as their new head coach.

The Italian, who turns 70 this month, most recently spent two seasons at the helm of Sampdoria and was the club’s top target following the ruthless sacking of Xisco Munoz on Sunday. 

He has signed a contract until the end of next season and will be joined at Vicarage Road by assistant coaches Paolo Benetti and Carlo Cornacchia, along with fitness coach Carlo Spignoli.

Ranieri will be coming in with fresh ideas, but what does it mean for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, and can he make their assets more appealing?

Our Scout Report takes a closer look.

THE HISTORY

What can FPL managers expect from Claudio Ranieri at Watford?

Following a 13-year playing career that included spells at Roma, Catanzaro, Catania and Palermo, Claudio Ranieri’s first major management role came at Cagliari, where he guided the Sardinian side to back-to-back promotions.

Stints in charge of European heavyweights Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia and Atletico Madrid followed, before he then moved onto Chelsea.

At Stamford Bridge, Ranieri led the Blues’ to their best ever Premier League finish at the time while also reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Although he didn’t win any silverware with them, he helped rebuild the squad, and brought in players like Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele. 

After his sacking, the ‘tinkerman’ returned to Valencia and lifted the UEFA Super Cup, before successful roles at Parma, Juventus, Roma, Inter Milan and Monaco.

Then, after a brief period with the Greek national team, he arrived at Leicester City, which is where he won his only top-flight league title. The Foxes’ had battled relegation the season prior to Ranieri’s arrival, but thanks to a simple approach that all the players brought into, they defied the odds and lifted the Premier League trophy.

As a result, the Italian tactician picked up a host of individual accolades, including the 2016 FIFA Best Men’s Coach award, the 2015/16 Premier League Manager of the Season award and the 2016 LMA Manager of the Year award. It’s also worth noting that during the title winning run, his team only conceded 36 goals through the season and had the best defensive record in the division.

Despite that success, the following season they struggled and he quickly departed, taking on short roles at Nantes and then Fulham. In the latter position, Ranieri lasted just 106 days, as he could not save the club from top-flight relegation, winning just three of his 17 matches in charge.  

However, his appeal to Watford is perhaps more evident in his two most recent posts.

At Roma in 2019, Ranieri stabilised results with the club in crisis after the resignation of director of football Monchi, plus Francesco Totti’s fall-out with the owners and Daniele De Rossi’s departure. Then, in his most recent role with Sampdoria, the Italian outfit were in the relegation zone upon his appointment, but he kept them in the division finishing 15th, before he built on that in 2020/21 and guided I Blucerchiati to a top-half finish.

THE PROSPECTS

What can FPL managers expect from Claudio Ranieri at Watford? 1

After seven Premier League matches, a total of seven points gained feels like a reasonable return for Watford after winning promotion. 

However, despite a kind opening schedule they have struggled going forward, while their performances have gradually been getting worse.

WATFORD’S KEY ATTACKING METRICS 2021/22:          
TotalRank v other Premier League teams
Goals scored713th=
Shots7020th
Shots in the box4518th
Shots on target2510th=
Big chances815th=
xG5.7620th
WATFORD’S KEY DEFENSIVE METRICS 2021/22:
TotalRank v other Premier League teams
Goals conceded1010th=
Shots conceded10513th
Shots in the box conceded5710th
Shots on target conceded3214th
Big chances conceded1414th
xGC10.0212th

This season, Watford are one of just two teams who are yet to keep a single clean sheet, while it’s also worth noting that six of their eight big chances arrived in one match against Norwich City in Gameweek 5. Remove that fixture, and they’ve mustered just 3.30 expected goals (xG) across six matches.

In their two most recent outings, they drew 1-1 at home to Newcastle United and lost narrowly at Leeds United on Saturday. In isolation, those results aren’t too concerning, but they were completely outplayed on both occasions, as they had been against Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the campaign.

Now the question is: can Ranieri give them a fighting chance of staying up, and in turn, make their FPL assets more appealing?

Firstly, the Italian is a defensive-minded coach known for his counter-attacking set-ups, who has generally favoured variations of a 4-4-2 formation. 

If he adopts a similar approach at Watford, Josh King (£5.5m) could do well as the focal point of their attack, while his use of a slightly deeper forward in a 4-4-1-1 may also promote Joao Pedro (£5.4m) as a cheap budget option.

Ranieri has also proven that he can get the best out of his wide players, like Riyad Mahrez (£8.7m), which could be good news for Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m), who has been Watford’s standout attacker in 2021, and perhaps even Emmanuel Dennis (£5.3m).

Interestingly, both feature amongst this season’s top 10 players for shots in the box:

However, in a 4-4-2, Moussa Sissoko (£4.5m) would likely be tasked with more defensive duties, which would limit his appeal.

Defensively, the numbers posted so far this season are generally mid-table, which is fine, and if Ranieri can keep things relatively tight while adding more threat in the final-third, Ben Foster (£4.0m) could offer value if he continues as first-choice goalkeeper.

Given their forthcoming schedule, it’ll be a big ask though. 

Ranieri’s first game in charge is against Liverpool after the international break in Gameweek 8. 

After that, things don’t get any easier, as they also face Chelsea, both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Everton and Leicester City during his opening eight matches, which takes us up until mid-December.

Ranieri is a capable manager, who has shown throughout his career that he can adapt to different situations and improve teams.

However, despite being known for doing well with underdog clubs, making a positive impact at Watford in the early weeks will be extremely difficult, and as a result, Hornets’ assets are probably best avoided until we have at least seen the ‘tinkerman’ in action.

224 Comments Post a Comment
  1. EffPeeEll
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    This link is generally handy

    you can find out if your email addy has been compromised

    https://haveibeenpwned.com/Passwords

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why would you give that website your password? Bonkers

      1. fusen
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        You shouldn't be sending your current password. The idea is more like you set a new computer generated password using a password manager and then try your old 'normal' human created password against the search.

        1. EffPeeEll
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Even if you check your password how would that be linked to an email address you're not pasting

  2. EffPeeEll
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    you check your email address not your password

    1. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      actually the link for email addy check is

      https://haveibeenpwned.com/

      1. EffPeeEll
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        although

        the password choice 1 2 3 4 5 6 has been breached

        24,230,577 times before

        amazing what folk use as a password

      2. fusen
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The joy of signing up to most of the large web sites over the last decade or so which have pretty much all been breached at some point and also having such a generic email address then other people sign up to random sites using it 😛

        Only so much you can really learn about the sort of result. Basically use a proper password manager for anything you actually care about.

        Oh no — pwned!
        Pwned in 32 data breaches and found 1 paste (subscribe to search sensitive breaches)

  3. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    WC thoughts, please.

    Sanchez/raya foster
    Taa rudiger cancelo white livra
    Salah raphinha son townsend luiz
    Hwang antonio lukaku

    0.4 itb.

    1. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      it's the new template dude

  4. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    anyone playing fifa 22 ? i heard its 59 usd from website, but it costs 41 usd for me

    1. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Do you come from a poor country?

    2. OLDHERMAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Me, mate. Having a lot of fun with a Longford Town career.

  5. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you go Christensen over Rudiger to use money elsewhere if you had Duffy and Livra as your 4th and 5th mids?

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      *4th and 5th def

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      yes, i went for christensen though i had brandon williams and omobamidele as sub. as a result i played with 9 man last week. decent 37 points. could have been more if i had subs

  6. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team? Plan for TAA would be Son down to Foden and one of Chelsea/City defenders to TAA

    Ramsdale
    Azpilicueta Dias Rüdiger Cancelo
    Salah Son Raphinha Smith-Rowe
    Lukaku Antonio

    Foster Mbeumo Livramento Scarlett

  7. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I've seen a few posts about this. There are a few simple standards you can follow to make you safer & more comfortable online & offline.

    - We'll usually use our email as the login, so passwords are your strength, so they should be tough. Use a sentence (with spaces) rather than a code -for example:

    ,,I F*cking h8te FF!! (that's 21 characters that's easy to remember, that will take 3 HUNDRED SEXTILLION YEARS to crack

    If a site you're using isn't safe (doesn't have a lock symbol/https) then you shouldn't exchange personal/sensitive information & should use a VPN to avoid 'man-in-the-middle' observation.

    I recommend using a password manager (PWM) app to ensure safe unique, encrypted pws across sites

    *Ensure your lock-screen password & PWM is tough. This is the gateway for Windows/Chrome and others to ALL other passwords.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Thank you very helpful.

      Https everywhere extension is useful as is ublock origin.

      Malwarebytes too

      Please correct me anyone tech savvy if this advice is out of date.

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You can use spaces in passwords?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        This bit was news to me too

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        In most and its strongly advised to do so

      3. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Most sites, yes. It makes a sentence (with special chars) a simple, but effective pw.

  8. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    The f in fpl stands for forcing things
    :/

  9. SpiritRising
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is anyone else taking a chance on Werner in light of these easier fixtures?? He came with a big reputation and seemed to lose confidence after missing a few easy chances. However now he is back in his favoured left side of the attack and it is now Lukaku who is the main man and getting most of the attention which should suit Werner.

    His stats look good especially in the limited minutes he has played so far. There is definitely a chance of rotation and a decent squad is needed but I am hoping the manager will reward his form and think he is worth a risk over these next 4-5 fixtures. I am going to double him up with Luaku and hope Chelsea can help me climb the table.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ok, you do that. GL!

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Auf keinen Fall

  10. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which option sounds best?

    1) Ronaldo, Townsend, Duffy - bench Sarr
    2) Ronaldo, Townsend, Foden, -4 - bench Duffy, Sarr sold
    3) Kaku, Foden, Duffy -4 - bench Sarr

    1. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      How safe is this new widespread love for Townsend when Richarlison and DCL return?

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He plays on the wing

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Can get away with 1 I think

  11. InRafaWeTrust
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Wildcard thoughts?

    Ramsdale Foster
    Livramento Cancelo Trent Tierney Rudiger
    Son Salah Townsend Raphina Brownhill
    Lukaku Iheanacho Hwang

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty good. Tierney and Hwang, if he carries on as he has been, too good to bench though.

  12. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I've seen a few posts about this. There are a few simple standards you can follow to make you safer & more comfortable online & offline.

    - We'll usually use our email as the login, passwords are your strength, so they should be tough. Use a sentence (with spaces) rather than a code -for example:

    ,,I F*cking h8te FF!! (that's 21 characters that's easy to remember, that will take 3 HUNDRED SEXTILLION YEARS to crack

    If a site you're using isn't safe (doesn't have a lock symbol/https) then you shouldn't exchange personal/sensitive information & should use a VPN to avoid 'man-in-the-middle' observation.

    I recommend using a password manager (PWM) app to ensure safe unique, encrypted pws across sites.

    *Ensure your lock-screen password & PWM is tough. This is the gateway for Windows/Chrome and others to ALL other passwords.

  13. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I wouldn't be suprised if the Scout also sells our data.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The fees at Eton for Joe's six kids don't pay themselves you know 🙂

    2. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      no indication they sell it but hints they may share it?

      5. DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA

      We may have to share your personal data with the parties set out below for the purposes set out in the table in paragraph 4 above.

      External Third Parties as set out in the Glossary
      Third parties to whom we may choose to sell, transfer, or merge parts of our business or our assets. Alternatively, we may seek to acquire other businesses or merge with them. If a change happens to our business, then the new owners may use your personal data in the same way as set out in this privacy notice.
      We require all third parties to respect the security of your personal data and to treat it in accordance with the law. We do not allow our third-party service providers to use your personal data for their own purposes and only permit them to process your personal data for specified purposes and in accordance with our instructions.

  14. Third Eye Vision
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Some talk of Doucoure and Gray on the previous page.

    Look at the lineup for Saturday. DCL replaces Rondon and Richi replaces Gordon in that lineup.

    Richi and Gray can interchange positions. I can see a downturn for Gray, but I think that Doucoure will continue getting into these scoring and assisting positions.

  15. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On a WC:
    Azpi and Hwang Or Christiansen and Toney

    To fit in here:

    McCarthy Foster
    *** Rudiger Dias Cancelo Livramento
    Salah Son Raphinha Mbueno Luiz
    Lukaku Antonio ***

    The Toney pick for me allows more flexibility over Hwang, but Christensen not nailed, and so I'm leaning towards 2

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The former

  16. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So all the people(who got their accounts hacked) were serious FPL managers who really love to play this game. Really Sad.

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not quite. I got hacked too.

    2. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If these sites are taking payment details they should be considering 2 factor authorisation perhaps.

      Then again, with so much free info out there i don't know why folk are paying £20 or so a year to end up with these homogenous sides.

      This swathe of RMT posts are indicative of the talking heads influencing players en masse.

  17. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thinking start sarr over Toney due to new manager at Watford makes sense?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sarr has had good game vs Liverpool last time he played them at home, so why not

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

  18. Grande Tubarão
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Will be interesting to see the impact of Ranieri on Watford if he’s still in charge at the end of the international break.

  19. Cpthavoc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    anyone know when the scoutcast is?

  20. zon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    WC. Settled with this atm, looks good right?

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Cancelo Rüdiger Duffy Livramento
    Salah Raphinha Mbeumo ESR Brownhill
    Lukaku Vardy Antonio

    Vardy, Mbeumo, Cancelo could be Toney, Son, Laporte

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Like it

  21. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry if stupid question but who are the mods?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The moderators

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Oh ok thanks

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      We are the mods, we are the mods, we are we are we are the mods!

  22. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Current team

    Sanchez foster
    Shaw christensen ayling White livra
    Salah raphinha benrahma sarr gilmour
    Ronaldo Antonio lukaku

    A) save ft
    B) wc to

    Raya foster
    TAA cancelo christensen White livra
    Salah foden raph saka mbuemo
    Lukaku antonio Armstrong
    0.1itb