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.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

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

    Pick one pairing...

    1. Robbo & Reece James
    2. Trent & C Taylor

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

      1.

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2

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

      1

    4. Captain Hindsight
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

  2. 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?

  3. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son vs Werner for the next 3?

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking this one over myself.

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

      It's a tough one I'm looking at the same.

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

      Son for me
      Chelsea lacking a midfield and service to Werner

    4. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Som

    5. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      (CFC fan)

      Son

      Werner looks good but rest of team not clicking

    6. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son

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

    Has any player EVER scored 4 goals and NOT got 3 bonus points? I’m thinking not! Wow.

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      iirc that has happened over the past year or two, but can't think of the example (atm)

  5. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How did Havertz look today? Still off the pace?

    Not sure whether to ditch or keep for West Brom away..

    1. DrunkPhilosophy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He could have had an assist if Werner finished his chance, but yeah still adapting I guess.. Taking him out before Mount with Ziyech and Pulsic to come.. It makes me think he could be eased in more maybe now?

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

      The words barge and pole spring to mind

  6. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How’s it looking?

    Martinez,
    Saiss, TAA, castagne,
    Kdb, salah, Son, Hamez
    Jimi, DCL, Bamford

    Subs. Steer, Mitchel, Dunne, Alzate

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

      2 x 4.0m defs is risky on wildcard.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I know, but that defence looks great

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

        Yeah bench is only worry but starting 11 is great! Nice team

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

      Wouldn’t go with McCarthy on my wildcard

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

        Martinez instead? Or who you reckon?

    2. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ditch McCarthy

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

      Ryan?

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

    Lamptey or Justin on a wc?

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

      Justin

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lamptey, Justin's starts will dry up soon.

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

      Lamptey

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

      Lamptey

    5. Captain Hindsight
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lamptey

  9. Origi-nal
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kevin or Raheem?

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

      Sterling

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

      Team Raheem

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

      It's like Mane vs Salah.

      Pick one and stick.

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

      Tomorrow hopefully will clear this, I'm leaning Raheem for now with Augero out for a while..

  10. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Reckon this could pay off long term?

    Kane, Pereira, Auba --> Rich, KDB, Son

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

    Whats the deal with Robertson and bonus points? A few seasons ago he was always battling for the 3, but not anymore, whats changed?

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

      Mané with 2 goals and Alisson penalty save though

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

        But in general, he VVD and TAA seemed to have edged ahead over the last season in terms of Bonus.

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

    Bissouma could be only missing one prem game instead of 3.
    One game is a cup game against Preston and if they beat them the 3rd game will also be a league Cup game.

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good info

  13. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wc thoughts? 0.8itb

    Martinez button
    Castagne saiss taylor dunne Mitchell
    Salah sterling son podence Reed
    Werner jimi dcl

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think dunne and Mitchell are great shouts for 4.0

  14. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think I’m absorbing a potential .2 fall on Havertz and ignoring a potential .2 rise on Son

    This can’t be a sensible strategy

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I understand the decision.

      There’s no chance in hell you sell any attacker before they play West Brom.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe looking for a Chelsea haul against WBA with Havertz involvement.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not tempted by a wildcard, Az?

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

      Havertz turn next week, Son will not play Southamptons high line every week.

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I get that but son has scored goals season after season against different types of defences

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

      Looking forward to watching Blackbox this week!

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      well chelsea do play west brom who I believe are usually worse at home than away under bilic

    6. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think seeing Haverts when Pulisic is back is important

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

      Can prevent you from getting the players you want in the mid to long term. TV could be important this season with so many options.

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

      I did Son to Rashford as you suggested AZ!

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

      Its painful but understandable.. Worried Havertz could start from the bench next game with Ziyech/Pulsic back?

    10. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Daft, very daft.

      Lots of potential buyer's remorse, but not with Havertz. He could be playing a Year 4 girl's team and I wouldn't have him atm

  15. Captain Hindsight
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice would be welcomed

    Guaita
    TAA / Castagne / James
    Son / Rodríguez / KDB / Zaha
    Jiménez / Bamba / Jesus

    Forster / Mitchell / Lamptey / Anguissa

    1.5 ITB

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

    W/C team thoughts? Opting for double MCI and no MUN - a mistake?

    Ryan / Button
    TAA / James / Justin / Lamptey / Mitchell
    Salah / Son / Sterling / Anguissa / Klich
    Jesus / DCL / Wood

  17. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    As Adams is dropping tonight I need to make my KDB or Sterling move now

    A) KDB
    B) Sterling

    I get every 50/50 wrong so you can decide for me 🙂

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

      I’m going Sterling.

      But I always get 50/50s wrong too!

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

        We can both be wrong together?

        I am leaning Sterling as I’m 3m rank and already feel like a need for a differential!!

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

          I’m 1.6m and thought the differential would be good too. He always seems to perform without Aguero

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

            1.6m is dizzy heights, I was 500k after GW1, absolute car crash this week!

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

      Sterling.. who you getting for Adams? He's rotting my team as I have to deal with ASM first..

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

        I planned ahead this week and downgraded elsewhere so can do Adams to Jimenez

        If I was around that price point then I guess Mitro or Wilson at 6.5

        1. DrunkPhilosophy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Nice! Just kinda risky getting 2 players still with a game to play this week.. Don't get me wrong I would have done it too.. GL 🙂

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

            I know, didn’t want to have to do it tonight but Che Adams missing about 8.4xG today didn’t help 🙂

  18. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth wildcarding this lot guys??

    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA, KWP, Doherty (Taylor, Mitchell)
    Salah, KDB, Rashford, ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner, Adams, Mitrovic

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yip

    2. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doesn’t look bad enough to me, ASM to Podence/costa is enough

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

      Really not I think..
      -4 or -8 and you should be okay I guess..

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

    Gah, someone help me pick? Changed my mind 100 times today..

    1. Trent, Son & Bamford
    2. Robbo, Podence & Werner

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

      2

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

      Log off for now and come back on Thursday 🙂 Else you'll screw up your WC and your head!

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

      1

  20. PaulParker
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TTA - Holding - Davies
    Auba - Salah - JWP - Soucek
    Wilson - Werner - Kane

    Steer - Taylor - Mitchell - bissouma

    2FT...
    A) Auba - KDB?
    B) JWP - who?

  21. Robbie Slater
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy Ryan
    TAA Davies Lewis Taylor Justin
    Salah Auba Traore ASM Bissouma
    Werner Martial Brewster
    1FT

    WC?

  22. Kurtinho
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone know Ville Ronka's team link?

  23. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who do you reckon could be going up and down tonight?

  24. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone doubling up on Liverpool defence and going without Salah/Mane?

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

      No defence too expensive for me and salah/mane rotate well with other big money assets like KDB/sterling and Auba

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

      I don’t think it’s a great plan if im honest. Personally believe you need at least one of Salah/Mane going forward.

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

      Already on Pool double defence + Salah. Ques is to go without Salah and double up on MCI for next few weeks...

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all. I can get Werner (after price drop) + Zaha over Salah + Brewster in a 343, but it would mean benching one of Saiss/Justin/Digne each week.

    5. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep I’ve got Trent n Robbo

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

    Team has the following issues, worth WC to ship them off?

    McCarthy/Justin/Davies/Auba/ASM/Adams/Wilson

    Rest:
    TAA/Salah/Bruno/Werner

    1. Steve
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why is Justin an issue?

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

        Man City next, don’t have a sub to play instead of him and will soon lose his position

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

        Pereira back soon

  26. Steve
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lots of people want to ditch McCarthy.

    But who are you replacing him with?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      exactly, theres no great option at that price point

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

      I like Martinez

    3. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez

      1. Steve
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But really? Villa?

        Not exactly clean sheet merchants are they?

        And what when heaton comes back?

    4. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone. I wouldn’t get him if he was 4m

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

      Guaita with an extra 0.5 probably

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

      Ryan

  27. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Yay or nay....Auba & Antonio -> Zaha & Kane. Banks 0.9m for an ASM upgrade.

    McCarthy
    TAA, VVD, Bellerin, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Auba, ASM
    Vardy, Antonio

    Steer, Holding, Bissouma, Davis
    Bank 0.0m, 2FT

    1. DrunkPhilosophy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably yes, I would be tempted by Rodriguez instead of Zaha

  28. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Richarlison & H Costa
    B. Wood & James Rodriguez

  29. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kepa is fast becoming biggest frauds of EPL history.

  30. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will dune be playing for a few now? I need another 4m defender to accommodate Werner