Scout Notes

Budget FPL assets shine for Leeds and Fulham but Bielsa highlights lack of creativity

Leeds United 4-3 Fulham

  • Goals: Helder Costa (£5.5m) x2, Mateusz Klich (£5.5m), Patrick Bamford (£5.6m) | Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m) x2, Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Bamford x2, Klich | Joe Bryan (£5.0m), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m), Kenny Tete (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: Mitrovic x3, Bamford x2, Costa x2

Patrick Bamford (£5.6m) rewarded his growing Fantasy following with a double-digit haul in Leeds United’s second seven-goal thriller of the week.

The forward’s goal in Gameweek 1’s 4-3 loss to Liverpool prompted nearly 365,000 managers to buy him in for the Fulham game.

Seasoned Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bosses, and many a Leeds fan, would have considered the move optimistic at best as Bamford has plenty of previous for missing his fair share of chances.

But the striker struck again on Saturday, finishing with aplomb when released by a Mateusz Klich (£5.5m) pass early in the second half of the win over Fulham.

His boss, Marcelo Bielsa, was quick to play down the side’s eye-catching start to the season:

This won’t be a constant all year. It is very difficult to maintain the efficiency we have had in these first two games. The characteristics of our game is to create goalscoring opportunities. In these two games we have created very little, but we have scored all our chances.

He might as well have been talking about Bamford, who has now scored from two of the three chances he has been presented with this season.

That has tempted another raft of managers to back the striker. He’s currently in the top three transfers-in for a Gameweek 3 trip to Sheffield United and a Yorkshire derby that should be, to use a technical term, proper tasty.

Whether his fine form is sustainable is highly debatable.

FPL has indulged plenty of fine early starters who failed to deliver consistently over a season – Norwich’s Teemu Pukki is the most recent example of that, while Manchester United striker Anthony Martial (£9.0m) is another who hit the Premier League ground running before being reduced to a stagger within a few weeks.

As we detailed in pre-season here, Bamford has never been the most clinical of strikers, missing 34 (77.3%) of the big chances he had in the Championship last season.

For now, however, it would be churlish not to bask in his point-scoring glory. He also had two assists against Fulham, earning a penalty when he was pushed in the back by Joe Bryan (£5.0m) and then setting up Helder Costa (£5.5m) on the break to make the scoreline 4-1 with barely ten minutes of the second half played.

Add on two bonus and the forward ended with 14 points on the day –  a total he shared with Costa as the midfielder opened the scoring when he picked up a loose ball from a corner and smashed it in off the bar with five minutes on the clock.

Costa also earned two bonus points and has now hauled in both matches for his 1.6% ownership.

But spare a thought for the 4.6% with Klich in their squads. He also scored in Gameweek 1 and was on the score sheet against the Cottagers when he rolled home the penalty Bamford had earned.

Such was the madness of the match, a goal and an assist were not enough to bring in any extra points for the Poland international. In fact, the maximum bonus award didn’t even go to a Leeds player at all.

That honour was reserved for visiting striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m), who marked his first start of the season with two goals and 12 points.

The Serbia international was a very popular pick heading into the season and the 20%-owned forward was quick to reward his followers when he blasted in a first-half penalty, awarded when Robin Koch (£4.5m) mistimed a slide tackle on Bryan.

He then headed in from a fine Kenny Tete (£4.5m) cross to make it 4-3 with just over 20 minutes left to play.

Fulham’s other goal was a sweet one, with the impressive Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) playing a beautifully-weighted pass through to Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.5m), who shot across Leeds keeper Illan Meslier (£4.5m) and into the far corner.

Both Meslier and his Fulham counterpart Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) were, unsurprisingly, busy boys on the day and the pair picked up a save point apiece for their efforts.

Two players who were rather less involved were Leeds playmaker Pablo Hernandez (£6.0m), who suffered a groin strain in the warm-up, and the club’s record signing, Rodrigo (£6.0m), who replaced him in the starting line-up.

The striker was peripheral at best playing as a number ten behind Bamford and he was hooked at half-time, although that was more an indication of his lack of match fitness as Bielsa, who has very high standards in that regard, was quick to point out post-match:

I was under the impression that he lacked a bit of energy to show his qualities. I think that has something to do with the physical effort he used against Hull (in the EFL Cup). That’s why I decided to sub him.

The coach also gave an update on Hernandez:

Pablo had a small knock in the warm-up. We don’t think it’s very serious.

Fulham boss Scott Parker had understandably mixed emotions about an away game in which his team had 55% of the possession and scored three goals, but still lost:

We showed some real quality in possession at times. We showed a real impetus and caused Leeds a lot of problems. On the flip side we gave away easy goals today and left ourselves a mountain to climb.

He also made it clear that he will chop and change his side this season:

The players who did not play today are vital and will play a vital part this year. As I showed last year I will make changes for matches that give us the best chance of winning.

Not that Fulham rotation will be a major concern for most Fantasy managers, with Mitrovic by far and away the most likely to be drafted in for a good schedule from now until late November.

As for Leeds, they currently have the dubious honour of being an even worse defensive unit than Fulham, having conceded seven goals to the Cottagers’ six.

But in Bamford, Costa and Klich, they have three in-form and very nicely priced assets who will surely find their way into many FPL teams over the next few weeks.

The Leeds rush might have to wait, however – after that derby in Sheffield, Bielsa’s men will host Manchester City in Gameweek 4.


Leeds United XI (4-4-2): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Koch, Ayling; Phillips, Harrison, Klich, Costa; Bamford (Alioski 70), Rodrigo (Roberts 45).

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Bryan, Hector, Odoi, Tete; Reed (Lemina 70′), Zambo Anguissa; Kamara (Kebano 58′), Onomah (Decordova-Reid 58′), Cavaleiro; Mitrović.

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2,659 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any changes at all to this? Think I’m sorted...

    Martinez (Steer)
    Trent - Taylor - Saiss (Mitchell & Ayling)
    Salah - KDB - Son - Jrod (Reed)
    DCL - Jimmy - Bamford

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

      Looks great! Maybe Justin over Taylor?

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I'd go Justin

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

          Been priced out because he’s now 4.6, not 4.5... any ideas?

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

            Maybe Lamptey but indier of rotation with rest of your defenders

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

        Can’t, Justin is 4.6 now so I’m .1 short if I try swap from Taylor?

    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't you have Werner in your earlier draft?

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

        I did, but I was trying to fit Son in & it was literally impossible without losing one of my forwards!

        1. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Still think i'd include Werner. wba and Southampton to come. If it doesn't work out, its an easy switch to Jesus, Martial, Lacazette, or downgrade to a 6-7

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

            Would you drop Son then? Only real way of keeping Werner in the team?

            1. Drip Doctor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Its your call. Son is a great pick, but can you trust Spurs? Especially when they are about to have a ridiculous schedule.

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

      I'm thinking werner instead of son.

      Means I can do werner to Jesus week after for double City at Leeds

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

      I have a very similar draft but Werner & Podence over Son & Bamford.

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

    Adams -> DCL worth -4?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  3. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Enough reason to WC?

    McCarthy
    TAA Digne Saiss Ayling
    Auba Havertz Alli
    Werner Jimenez DCL

    Tierney Reed Bissouma

    Pick one

    A WC and save 7-8 price drops

    B Sterling and Mahrez in for Auba Alli...

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For a -8 it is.

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

    Some help please?

    A. DCL & KDB or Sterling

    B. Rodriguez & Kane

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

      I have Son if that matters at all.

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

      A

    3. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hard to say until we see more of City and well, all the teams, could make a case for both. A probably just edges it for me.

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

      A by quite some distance for me

    5. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  5. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    With the impact of Covid-19 on football schedues, a lot more fans/'casuals' are being given an opportunity to watch/assess the performance of individual teams and players. I think we can expect a higher proportion of established fantasy football 'experts' to struggle to maintain their high standards this year.

  6. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son saved my GW, on 68 all out, got no United, City or Wolves so looking at WC. How does this look?

    McCarthy (£4.0)
    James Saiss Justin (Mitchell Taylor)
    Sterling Salah Son Zaha (£4.5)
    Jiminez DCL Ings

    Of those I currently own: McCarthy, Justin, Mitchell, Taylor, Salah, Son, Ings

    So still a fair few changes. Thoughts?

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not bad - you must have made peace with going without Pool defence

      1. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, I feel like no TAA opens up a whole world of possibilities and he’s not looked the same and not on corners, obviously could all change very quickly!

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why McCarthy?

      1. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’m not entirely sure, I’m just on him at the min, that team only leaves me with £0.3m ITB - who would you go for at £4.5m?

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Tbf the options aren't great, but Ryan seems to be doing better and I feel like Martinez will make more saves.

  7. schlupptheweek
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have had a good gameweek but Pulisic's injury problems are very irritating.
    I have an obvious transfer of Auba and Pepe for Sterling/KDB and Pulisic before Pepe drops in price tomorrow (probably).
    Pulisic has such great fixtures and is such as good player, is he likely to be fit for West Brom squad. Even 20-30 min vs West Brom could be enough!

  8. MaYeR772
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    guys welp harrison or costa and why ?

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

      Harris ineligible v city FYI

  9. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    have hit the wc button and have no clue what to do apart for keeping salah.

  10. ol3andre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Trent + Robbo + James Rod

    B) Trent + Saiss + Son

    C) Robbo + Digne + Son

    Thoughts on this?

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

      B

  11. Gatsby
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba, ASM & Adams -> Sterling, Podence, Wood (-4)

    I have exact amount to do this tonight so ASM or adams dropping would screw it.

    Worth doing?

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

      Adams is dropping, other ones look OK

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

    Kepa (Mccarthy)
    Davies, TAA, Lindelof (Justin, Mitchell)
    ASM, Dele, Zaha, Auba (Stephens)
    Werner, Wilson, Kane

    Already used my FT on dele to James 1.4 in bank, do I HAVE to WC with asm going down and regulion confirmed?

  13. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    2 more minutes for Lamptey surely would have sealed his 2 bonus, what a nightmare.. But glad I have, looks a very exciting Prospect..

  14. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is podence nailed? ASM must go, looking for someone up to 6m

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      klich 100%

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

        Why? Because the penalties?

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

      seems not

  15. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    on wildcard - what is better

    A...son

    B..werner

    If B id keep for wba and then swap to Jesus to give 2 x City attacker for their game leeds

    Thanks

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

      You'd transfer out Werner before consecutive home games against Palace and Southampton?

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

        possibly as city may score more..

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son

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

      A, he is against Newcastle

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

    Best 5m defender? Are we think oh James or Saïss or is there better?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss imo.

    3. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss. Wolves fixtures are great and they are such a solid team defensively

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

    What is wish all the Justin love around here?

    I have him and I am looking to transfer him out soon

    Surely he will lose his place in the team in a couple of weeks when Ricardo Pereira returns from injury?

  18. McGowan
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy Ryan
    Mitchell Gabriel TAA James Cody
    KDB Son J.Rodri Zaha Foden
    Werner DCL Mitro

    How does this look chaps?

  19. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, is Lamptey's injury serious? Or is he expected back next week?

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

    Expected points for Wood next GW (SOU)?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      9

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    thoughts on castagne? nice fixtures. havent seen leicester play, is he attacking? thanks

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      By all accounts he is very attacking. Good few fixtures coming up, I’m seriously tempted but means I need to do TAA > VVD to afford it

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

      Firmly tossing between him and Justin who will probably be replaced by Ricardo in a few weeks but Cast is a nailed starter.

    3. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He looks pretty mustard. Only seen him play once tonight but he’s involved going forward A LOT.

  22. Michu stole my mojo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Had a horrendous weekend (33) after a fairly decent start (63). Itchy trigger finger but haven’t committed to the WC yet - should I? Fee like I have a lot of fires to put out...

    McCarthy / Button
    TAA / Robbo / Justin / Mitchell / KWP
    Alli / Salah / Auba / Soucek / Bissouma
    Martial / Adams / Wilson

    Thanks

    1. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Auba and Ali out sorts your team out and keep WC. See how the games go tomorrow before moving though.

      1. Michu stole my mojo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hmm you might be right...

        Auba + Alli > Sterling + Son?

  23. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What should I do ??

    McCarthy Steer
    Trent Ayling Justin Taylor KWP
    Bruno Auba Salah ASM Soucek
    DCL Werner Wickham.

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Watch the City game and then decide

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

      2. adams_6
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good advice.

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

      Get Kane back Tony! What happened?!

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I am idiot Kap 😐

        I knew damn well he’d come good but decided to ignore him!! 🙁

        STRAIGHT back in if I wildcard and captain.

  24. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you wildcard this team:

    McCarthy 4m
    TAA Justin Doherty KWP Mitchell
    Auba JRod Son ASM Bissouma
    Vardy Adams Werner

    Opinions appreciated

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, I think just lose Auba and ASM.

    2. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Absolutely not

  25. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba, Vinagre to KDB, Lamptey worth a hit? Otherwise I have to play Justin away to City.

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

      Just do aube to kdb, lampety isnt worth a hit

  26. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC or not?

    (1FT/0itb)
    McCarthy*
    Justin* - TAA* - Davies*
    Salah* - Bruno - Auba* - ASM*
    Adams* - Wilson* - Werner

    (*) = hard fixture next / out of form

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

      As per your own analysis, you got 9 *s... Think it's WC worthy 🙂

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

    Best gk on a wc?

    1. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ryan.

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

      Martinez

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

    Could really do with a hand on this.

    A) Kane, JRod, Zaha
    B) Sterling, Podence, Richarlison

    If A is superior, need to move tonight.

    Would you?

    (If I move on A now, means a -8 before midweek games + no City assets)

  29. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on WC team?

    McCarthy, Nyland

    TAA, James, Taylor, Justin, Mitchell

    Salah, KDB, Son, Rodriguez, Reed

    Jimenez, DCL, Bamford

    1. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks nice.
      2 more weeks and it could look dreadful. The perils of early WC.

  30. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Good moves for -8 or not worth the hit? Auba + Taa + ASM > Sterling + Zaha + VVD. Thanks.

    McCarthy
    Justin - Davies - TAA
    Auba - Salah - Hamez - ASM
    Ings - Mitro - Werner

    (Nyland) - Lewis - Stephens - Johnson