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

    The plan is to take a hit for Auba to Sterling later in the week. So how does this look after using 2FT
    I will have 1.7 to get the defence upgraded over the next week or 2 And maybe get Brewster for Davis.

    Ryan

    TAA Taylor KWP

    Salah Auba Rodríguez Barnes Podence

    Werner DCL

    Steer Lascelles Mitchell Davis

  2. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed hence reposting

    I am stuck and am keen to use at least one FT this week. Appreciate any suggestions.

    Steer McCarthy
    Trent robbo KWP Mitchell taylor
    Son salah hamez soucek Burke
    Kane Werner Mitro

    0ITB 2FT

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

      Keeper

      1. Puntillimon
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        To who? Martinez?

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

          That’s a fair question. As soon as I wrote that I realized I didn’t have a better long term 4.5 to offer you. Ryan seems okay but none have a great run

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

      You could downgrade Soucek to a 4.5 and get Saiss for KWP
      And deal with McCarthy the week after.
      Would need to go 433. Taylor is decent enough for fourth playing defender spot most weeks.

  3. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I wish I could erase some of my memory and re-watch the Spurs documentary, was a great watch and far superior to the City one. I tried watching the City one but it felt so artificial and sterile to me. Couldn't get past the first episode or so. Spurs doc was more gritty and of course Mourinho is far more interesting a character than Pep.

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Shocker how rude Danny rose was, and how entitled he appeared

      1. BenDavies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah that was surprising. The guy just isn't good enough at that level anymore. Zero self-awareness.

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

        The "I'll talk to Levy" was just embarrassing

        1. Puntillimon
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Did milan call? lol

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

    Willian -> Sterling/KdB

    For a hit?

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would

  5. Akshatjazz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    who do i replace ASM with ?

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

    is it crazy going without Salah on a wc..?

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

      more context: I'd want 3 fwds.

      Something along the lines of Jimenez, Richarlison and Werner

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing is crazy on internet

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

      No

    4. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Fair

    5. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't expect the support..!

      I'm liking how the Salah-less draft looks with strong balanced options available currently in the mids.

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

      I gg without salah but have sterling kdb and son.

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

        I'd only have 1 premium >10m in Raz/KDB.

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

          There is no right or wrong since many cheaper options are on fire now. Like zaha.

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

            Fair, thanks!

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

    Thought on Klich to replace ASM as 4th Mid

    Thanks

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good option

      1. Manumana
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thx

  8. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If you had to pick one right now, TAA or Robbo?

    (As a reminder, Robbo has outscored TAA since project restart, not just recently)

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Still TAA. He is on free kicks and looks for crosses/assists more than Robbo I feel.

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

    do you think replacing ASM with costa is ideal ?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing is ideal in this game but it's a decent replacement yeah

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

      ye either one of the Leeds guys or Podence it seems

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

        Can podence be the guy ?

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

      Went with Diangana.

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

    Hit WC or not?

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Doherty Justin Vinagre Mitchell
    Auba Salah Bruno Reed Bissouma
    Martial Mitrovic Adams

    1FT /0.5ITB

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No way

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

        Cheers

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

      Access after city

      I had better team but i just hit wc. I dont care.

  11. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GK Ryan
    DEF James, Saiss, Justin, Dunne, Mitchell
    MID Salah, Greenwood, James Rodriguez, KDB, Son
    FWD DCL, Mitrovic, Jimenez

    How's that looking for my wildcard? 0 left in bank.

    Thanks

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

      why greenwood..?

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think he's a starter when fully fit

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

      not sure about 2x 4m atb and no Liverpool there; decent front 8, not keen on Greenwood + no Chelski too

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yeah Chelsea gonna need some settling in time I think. Not convinced on werner.

        Dunne looks to be safe i thought with all the injuries?

        Cheers for the replies:)

  12. 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 for a -8

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

        How about 2? Because my defence and Attack look just fine.
        Only midfield is a bit weak. -8 can sort it out . Eh?

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

      what would you even wc there? Auba, Alli and Ayling? I would give Havertz the next 2 at least...

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

        True actually. Thanks.

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No. Keep havertz and Werner for west brom

    4. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B. 4 or 5 transfers should be enough.

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Ings on pens now?

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

      Yes

  14. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best ASM replacement?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Prodence or the Leeds ones

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Take your pick out of the Leeds mids or Trossard

  15. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah rise 🙁

  16. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Worth taking a hit to replace Wilson. Not great fixtures and there’s plenty of other good options

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

      not for a hit tho... who would you get in? not too many options in this bracket

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Wood. Has a great next 3 and scores when he plays. Bamford the other option if I get priced out

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

        Mitrovic, Bamford

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

    ASM, Vinagre, Davies, Adams, McCarthy.

    good order in terms of transferring them out?

  18. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    KDB or Sterling...... I feel KDB will be a more consistent points scorer just steadily bringing home the bacon but Sterling's ceiling is higher and he typically does better away which when combined with Salah for home games, gives me two good captaincy options.

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Watch how sterling does against wolves. Sterling is better for captaincy when he’s on form. KDB will likely outscored him over the season but his hauls are harder to predict

  19. Defochibe
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Costa or Klich?

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

      Klich

  20. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    waiting to see how manc do against wolves. everyone going kdb or sterling?

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

      Raz b/c stats w/o Sergio and (C) option

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

      Probably both, will add Kevin first though

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on how they look

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

    McCarthy.
    Shaw, TAA, Ayling.
    Auba, Salah, Son ASM.
    Werner, DCL, Adams.
    Button, Bissouma, Mitchell, Justin.
    2ft, 0.5m ITB.

    Thinking- Auba -> Sterling (Maybe KDB) + ASM -> Foden atm.
    Anything else I should consider?

  22. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Current team (total 140 points from 2 GWs):

    Lloris* - Button
    TAA* - Justin - KWP* - Pieters* - Mitchell
    Bruno* - Auba* - Son - ASM* - Reed*
    Mitro* - Vardy* - Adams*

    Looking at the following WC:

    Johnstone* - Button
    VvD* - Justin - Taylor* - Dunne* - Mitchell
    KdB* - Mane* - JRod* - Son - Anguissa*
    Kane* - DCL* - Bamford*

    Am I just point-chasing or is this actually worth doing?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Uff no idea,only you can decide this.

      Go with your gut,i WC GW2 glad i took out McCarthy,KWP and some others.

    2. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like all the proposed moves except Anguissa.

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

      I would get werner he was the only chelsea player who looked like scoring even with 10 men

  23. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Very tempted by Bruno + Soucek > Son + Barnes (-4) thoughts?

    Looks more attacking and Soucek drop will outprice me

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait for Bruno's haul vs Brighton

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He will get points but think Son + Barnes outscore them longer term.

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

      Basically chasing points. Wait for next week.

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Digne Saiss Ayling
    Auba Havertz Alli
    Werner Jimenez DCL

    Tierney Bissouma Reed

    Would you wildcard this defence to get funds off the defence and put them into midfield?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would WC yes,dont want any of those 3 in my midfield

  25. ace3.1415
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 5.0 or below defenders? (already have saiss and lamptey)

    1. Bielsa Murderball
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      justin

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        this

    2. ChuckN
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      James

  26. Beautiful Game
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 gk?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Guaita

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He is 5.0m, not 4.5. I would go with Martinez

  27. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is James nailed on? I'm thinking with the fixtures he's still a fantastic pick.. Frank has played him v good/bad opponents so he seems safe.

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

      Once Chilwell and Silva are fit he could change the back four - he's got a big alternative option for James...

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This, and Azpi won’t be on bench all season

  28. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best of these?

    A. Zaha+Jesus, 343
    B. Mahrez+DCL, 343
    C. KDB+5.5(Podence or Costa), 352

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

      B

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

        b a c order wise

  29. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If Salah can't return against Alonso and Kepa, he may never break that away day hoodoo.

  30. Defochibe
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone here dropping TAA? so many options in midfield and forward, need some funds.

    1. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He’s been dropped by a fair few.

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

      I didn’t have TAA in my team a handful of times last year and he hauled everytime. I think he looked a bit better this week than last. He needs about 8-10 awful weeks before I would consider taking him out.

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

      I wouldn't drop now. Why would you?