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. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    With Pulisic and Ziyech out do you think its worth to get Mount for the next 2-3 games?

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

      Both of them could be fit for the next game

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

        If not ?

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

          Then it'd be a good plan, especially with West Brom next!

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

            cheers

    2. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Even if they were fit for the bench they are still not fit.. it would take them at least two to three weeks from when they can train properly to get fit again.

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

    Havertz owners. Keeping or selling?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Extremely undecided meaning probably keep since CHE are against WBA. JRod is the transfer in if I'm getting rid

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have no idea what to do with him. If I sell him then it will be only to get Son but maybe I will wait to see Ziyech Pulisic back and this may explode his potential if Chelsea score 3+ goals every game

    3. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rage selling

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

    On a WC, which 4 would you prefer?

    1. Jrod, Jimmy, Robbo & Martinez

    2. Podence, Werner, Trent & Guaita

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

      A

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

  4. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which transfer to make?
    A)Auba OUT Salah IN and captain him
    B)Auba OUT Sterling IN and captain him
    C)Havertz OUT Son IN and captain him

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

      B

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

      A

  5. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think that Podence will be nailed on?

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

      Hope so

    2. diabydoesgallas
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If he starts tomorrow I may punt on him as an ASM replacement. Could Semedo muddy the waters though?

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Semedo is Doherty's replacement. Traore should be nailed on.

        Think Podence/Neto fight for one spot.

        However, Wolves are being linked today with Douglas Costa.

    3. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not going to play 90 mins often, not sure he's such a great pic, more tempted by Leeds mids

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who'll play instead of him then?

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

    Would you do this -4?

    Aub Martial Soucek -> KDB/Raz Son Wood

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. diabydoesgallas
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure about wood

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

      Don’t ditch Martial after one game

    4. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd just do the Auba > City player move

  7. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Lamptey / Son / Bamford

    B) Saiss / Harrison / Jimenez

    C) Lamptey / Bamford / Jimenez

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

    Havertz > Son now before price drop + rise?

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

      On a FT, yeah.

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If nothing else pressing and you're priced out otherwise, go for it

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

    Auba ASM and lescelles

    To

    JamesR, Zaha, saiss

    Worth -4?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  10. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Jiminez has to be a must have for the nextv4-5 fixtures surely. Not the most explosive, but consistent as hell

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Correct.

  11. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who's the best 5.5 mid?

    A) Podence
    B) Diangana
    C) Praet
    D) Other

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek and change.

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What about Soucek? Do you think he's the best one?

        1. Dr. Rog
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          think he is the best value one, yes. especially at 4.9...

          1. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Already own him. He's got some bad fixtures.

            Don't you think it'd be better to upgrade him to 5.5, even for a hit?

            1. Dr. Rog
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              in isolation yes its a good idea to upgrade him. same with your 4.5 goalkeeper to a 5.

              problem is when you really really want say to squeeze Pulisic in your team and instead of doing something simple like JRod --> Puli you instead are contemplating selling Salah or TAA to fund the move... be careful how you spend your money on as its a finite resource and small decisions like this can end up costing a -8 to fix later on

              1. arndff_
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Agree. F*cked it up a bit last GW: went for Bruno, DCL instead of JamRod, Martial -- with the later pair I would've been more flexible.

                This is how my team currently looks like:

                McCarthy
                TAA Taylor Ayling
                Salah Auba Bruno Soucek
                Werner DCL Mitro

                Steer Mitchell Justin Bissouma

                0FT, 0.0 ITB

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

      Armstrong?

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saints are woeful.

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

  12. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    noob question

    if i take hits and wc before deadline the hits get cancelled?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They do.

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes - and thats the optimal way of doing it.
      you want your transfers to count towards price rises/falls up until saturday morning

  13. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sold Son and Ings on a stupid WC, should I buy them back? Or something else?

    Martinez
    Digne Saiss Dallas
    Salah KDB (c) Fernandes Prodence
    Jimenez Wilson DCL

    (Steer Soucek Justin Mitchell)

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings no because Jimmy is just a superior option
      Son possibly them fixtures are very nice, as long as you dont have anything more pressing to do - which it looks like you dont

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks would you do Bruno to Son? Got 1 mil itb

        1. Dr. Rog
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          or steal a match and double up on city, but im not a fan of that as you'll lament your captaincy choices.

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hang onto Jiminez, his fixtures don't get much better.

      If you can swallow your pride, get Son in. You can get him for 8.9 if you transfer tonight.

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        My original plan was to buy him back this morning after the price drop but chickened our. Would you swap him back for Bruno ?

    3. danlynch13
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I also got rid of son on WC last week don’t be too hard on yourself.. loads more goals and points to get back

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

    Please RMWCT
    Martinez Steer
    TAA Justin Saiss Taylor Ferguson
    Salah Sterling Son Hames Bissoma
    Jimi Mitro DCL

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

      or upgrade Justin to Marcal and downgrade TAA to Robo

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

    Is it worth doing Adams to Jimenez for a hit?

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

      i just did it now

    2. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      100%

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

      Yep, all day.

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

      Cheers fam

    5. Sir_Dunc
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for a hit in my view. What is the rest of your team like? If it's in decent shape, can Adams wait one more week? He could easily have had 1 - 2 goals so far and has a seemingly leaky Burnley next. I would give it one more week, see how he does, then shift.

  16. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    after son hit
    i did auba-> son
    adams -> jimenez for -4

    wildcard this?

    ramsdale button
    arnold justin KWP dallas mitchell
    salah son bruno mazimin burke
    jimenez mitro werner

    any suggestions plz?

  17. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    All out with 43 (-4). Currently plunged to 2.2M OR. Hard to stay motivated when my 11yr old son is on 104pts with KDB and McBurnie still to play!

    Which option seems best to get me out the gutter?
    A) Auba > KDB (FT)
    B) Auba, ASM > KDB, Zaha (-4)
    C) Auba, KWP > KDB, Saiss (-4)
    D) Auba, ASM, Werner > KDB, Son, DCL (-8)
    E) WC now!

    1FT 0itb
    McCarthy*, Steer
    TAA, Davies*, KWP*, Taylor, Mitchell
    Salah, Auba*, Rodriguez, ASM*, Soucek
    Werner, Martial, Brewster

    Cheers

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

      A to son or KDB

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate

  18. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wood or Mitrovic?

    On WC

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

      hmm
      very tough
      will say wood

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

      wood

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

      I'm debating the same two. Burnlry's fixtures are great. Is Wood on penalties?

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure. But I think Wood for next 3, then back to Mitrovic for the 3 after. Looks juicy

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

    Not once have I thought about getting Havertz or Werner. Always a rule of mine to stay away from big money signings. They never settle quick enough really.

    Hazard was trash last season, Coutinho was trash at Barca, Dembele, Griezmann at Barca, Joao Felix, etc etc - it’s a weird

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

      Fernandes was such a anomaly in the grand scheme of things

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Aubamayang says hi

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

      Revisit this comment after Chelsea play West Brom

  20. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling or KDB? have to make the transfer tonight as part of a double transfer

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

      Sterling

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

      KDB

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

      Kdb

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

      KDB

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

      Sterling because he performs way bette with jesus up top and aguero out

    6. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      at least wait for tomorrows game

  21. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Looking at the fixtures Koch, Wood & Smallbone & will play with Ars soon

  22. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    These transfers are very appealing

    Aubam > Son
    Wilson > G Jesus

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

      Yes

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

    What’s the short and medium Term outlook for Leicester fullbacks?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pereira reported to have suffered a setback and may not return until end of October. Castagne playing pretty well though.

      Not sure if when Pereira returns, Castagne switches to left back. If he did, you thought he and Justin would be playing the other way around right now.

      And Leicester could always sign a Chilwell replacement of course. So cannot tell until transfer window closes.

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

        Pereira can also play RM to put Perez under a little pressure.

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

        Thanks

  24. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    People talking about a 'fixture swing' in GW10. Can anyone enlighten me what this is and why it seems a big deal to some>

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

      yes i want to hear this too

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      its a point in time when multiple teams fixtures swing from good to bad or vice versa.

  25. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys what are your plans for havertz?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      panic sell.
      ask questions later.

  26. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This for a -8 chaps? Any help appreciated as I would love to go to bed haha

    Adams Alli Auba > DCL Zaha KDB

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

      Yeah I'd do that. Adams and Alli not looking good with Zaha and DLC main men for their clubs attack

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

        thats my thinking mate, thanks for your help!

    2. Sir_Dunc
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For -8 points?! Shifting Alli I can understand, but I would not shift Auba or Adams for a hit on points.

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

    Werner going down in price with West Brom up next, mental!

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

      Just like son did before scoring 4 goals...

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

        This

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      wildcarders trying to cram in Son, JRod etc into midfield
      either TAA or Werner has to go.

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

      You would think they would learn

  28. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else having problem with the menu on this site on Safari/iPhone lately? For example pressing team news/predicted lineups doesn’t take me there. Nothing happens. Anyone?

    1. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      When using chrome it works fine

  29. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Did some very daft early transfers & took Son out! Should i wildcard or stick with the the current team?

    Current team:
    McCarthy
    TAA VVD Taylor Davies
    Salah Zaha KDB
    Mitrovic Werner DLC

    Subs: Reed, Bissouma, Justin

    WC Team:
    Ryan
    Robertson Sakho Taylor
    Salah Son KDB Zaha
    Mitrovic Werner DLC

    Subs: Anguissa, Mitchell, Justin

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

      No Villa players no party

  30. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think I've figured it out

    Guiata . 4.0
    TAA. Taylor. Saiss . Mitchell. Lamptey
    Salah . Sterling . Jamez . Zaha . Alzate
    Werner . Mitro . DCL

    Werner for the WBA demolition. Into Jimenez the following week. Upgrading Taylor/Lamptey, providing no emergencies

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      and what about the west ham demolition?

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      * upgrading Taylor/Lamptey the week after providing no emergencies. Probably to Castagne.