Scout Notes

Bamford bags again as Sheffield United remain without a goal ahead of tough fixture run

SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-1 LEEDS UNITED

  • Goals: Patrick Bamford (£5.7m)
  • Assists: Jack Harrison (£5.5m)
  • Bonus:  Illan Meslier (£4.5m) x3, Bamford x2, Harrison x1, Luke Ayling (£4.5m) x1

The Patrick Bamford (£5.7m) bandwagon is set to continue rolling after the Leeds forward’s late headed goal saw the Whites triumph in Sunday’s Yorkshire derby.

In a pre-planned link-up the striker nodded home a Jack Harrison (£5.5m) cross, having put two headed efforts wide in the opening half.

“This one came off my nose but I’ll take it! I was a bit disappointed I didn’t score a header in the first half.

“Before the game I said to Jack, I’m going between the middle centre-back and the far one so put the ball there. First half he did it, I didn’t score.

“Second half he did it, I got the goal. Fair play to him for putting it on the money.” – Patrick Bamford

Having highlighted Leeds’ lack of creativity in the opening two Gameweeks, Marcelo Bielsa was happier with his side’s build-up play at Bramall Lane:

It was a just result. The first half was pretty even, we could have scored and conceded. Second half was a lot better for us.

We managed to attack well, we had six or seven opportunities. In that sense, the offensive animation was better.

While Leeds have scored eight times on the way to earning six Premier League points, Sheffield United have neither a point nor a goal to their name with three Gameweeks gone.

The Blades face trips to Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, along with a visit from Manchester City, in the next five Gameweeks.

“We’ll be glad to see the back of September. Fresh start in October at Arsenal away. I can’t fault a lot of the things the players have done this afternoon. It was a really tight game.

“I’ve been told you gave the man-of-the-match award to the Leeds United goalkeeper; we’ve got to take our chances in the Premier League. That’s the top and bottom of it.” – Chris Wilder

As Wilder alludes to, this game was almost a tale of two goalkeepers before Bamford’s late winner.

Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) – who was well on his way to a monster haul before conceding – racked up seven saves from a combination of good stops, poor finishing and long-range efforts.

While Illan Meslier (£4.5m) made three fewer saves, the Leeds keeper’s stops were arguably more impressive.

All the same, John Lundstram (£5.4m) will himself feel he should have rattled the net just shy of the half-hour mark.

The midfielder was afforded a big chance just before the half-hour mark, as Ben Osborn (£4.9m) broke to find David McGoldrick (£5.4m) in the box.

The striker’s flick arrived at Lundstram’s feet from six yards out but the midfielder was unable to convert as Meslier managed to push the close-range effort around the post.

The 20-year-old then somehow managed to get a rangy left hand to George Baldock‘s (£5.5m) stinger, produced after the wing-back had rolled Harrison to make shooting space in the area on 37 minutes.

Bamford had signalled his intent in the opening period, heading over twice from a Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m) free-kick and a Harrison cross.

Stuart Dallas (£4.5m), who saw a looping effort tipped over by Ramsdale in the first half, was almost on the scoresheet in the second period.

Ramsdale had Chris Basham (£5.0m) to thank for clearing a Dallas effort just before it went over the line.

The Leeds full-back had rounded the stranded stopper after a mistake from Ethan Ampadu (£4.5m) allowed the ball to run through.

A surging run from Dallas then saw subsitute Rodrigo (£5.9m) head wide, before Bamford just failed to connect with a whipped ball from Harrison with 20 minutes remaining.

The Blades almost took the lead from a late corner as Jack Robinson (£4.4m) skewed wide with his weaker right foot from point-blank range after Oli McBurnie (£5.9m) just about failed to get his head on the delivery.

Bamford then stole the show and all three points for Marcelo Bielsa’s men, with the striker earning praise from his manager post-match.

Asked about suggestions that the budget FPL forward might struggle at the top level, Bielsa responded:

There are a lot of people who thought contrary to what you say.

The league season is very long. Hopefully he can continue to show his obvious qualities.

The enigmatic Leeds boss was also pleased with his side’s first clean sheet in the league:

It is an achievement we were looking for, to not concede. I think we defended well, with few errors.

Having said that, our rivals did have opportunities. We grew.

On taking off Rodrigo, who had been brought on for the second half, Bielsa explained:

A few minutes were left, I had to substitute Bamford or Rodrigo. Bamford is a very useful player on set pieces against.

But it wasn’t a good decision because Bamford was tired. I should have kept Rodrigo on the field.

Wilder, for his part, is fretful over the Blades’ lack of sharpness in front of goal.

They found a bit of quality at the end. But I think it’s a foul on Sander Berge [in the build-up to the goal] yet again. I think there’s a couple of things that haven’t gone for us the last two or three games, from a decision point of view.

I’ve just seen Marcelo is going to walk right across me right now…no, he’s not, he’s swerved me because he might be on the receiving end of a tackle if he did!

We have to be more clinical. The best chances fell to us. From John Lundstram, George Baldock, Oli McBurnie, Jack Robinson. Four or five really good chances.

The first goal is so important in the Premier League, as we all know. I thought the shape of the team was good. We know how Leeds play, we understand how they play. High energy, high tempo. It was a really quick game.

When it opens up you have to take your chances; we haven’t. We ultimately get punished by a fantastic ball and a great header.

When you look at our goals or when we do create chances, they’re well worked. We haven’t got the players in the group to do something out of the ordinary. We have to really work hard to create our chances, which we did in the game.

After three consecutive defeats, Wilder is “hopeful” more signings will arrive before the transfer deadline:

The longer it [the losing run] goes on, it becomes more concerning. There’s still plenty of belief and fight in us.

Despite being taken off after 73 minutes, FPL midfielder Oliver Burke (£4.5m) put in a decent audition for FPL bosses seeking bench fodder.

The ex-West Brom winger had two shots, one inside the box, while creating three opportunities for his team-mates.

Defender Robinson might be one for the watchlist, with the left-footed centre-back possibly set for an extended run in Wilder’s defence due to Jack O’Connell‘s (£5.0m) knee injury:

“Things are not going for us at the moment. Obvious disappointment with Jack’s injury. Massive disappoint for the boy, he’s worked extremely hard to get to where he has and he’s been pivotal to our rise.

“He’s going for an operation on Wednesday, so minimum six months.” – Chris Wilder


Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Robinson, Ampadu, Basham; Stevens, Osborn, Berge, Lundstram (Norwood 63′), Baldock; McGoldrick (McBurnie 73′), Burke (Sharp 73′).

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Koch, Ayling; Phillips; Harrison, Roberts [Rodrigo 46′, (Alioski 90+1′)], Klich, Costa (Poveda 65′); Bamford.

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

1,392 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Much love for Mahrez? With Jesus and Aguero out, surely he gets a run in the team now

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

      Considering him or Rash for Son. Not unlikely that I will wildcard after next round, so guess Mahrez could be a good punt.

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wouldnstick with KDB

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

    tempted by wildcard. Done Martial > Jimenez and Son > Mahrez and took a -4 already for the latter (rage transfer) but looking at my team I have some issues I want to fix and WC would allow me to do that. Shaw and Doherty can go, Mitchell and Justin are on borrowed time and want to upgrade striker Davis while Foden and Mahrez are also rotation risks but perhaps less so with Jesus out. I could go for a safe long term team but worried Man City assets might punish me if I get rid of them. Want to get Everton and Leicester attacker. Thoughts?

    This is my team as it stands

    Mccarthy Steer
    Mitchell Justin TAA Shaw Doherty
    Foden Mahrez KDB Salah Periera
    Mitro Jimenez Davis

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      To much city, downgrade doherty shaw for bruno

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

      Team is fine. Keep WC until things settle down. Triple city will come good

  3. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My WC:

    McCarthy
    Robbo, TAA, Justin, Lamptey,
    Salah, KDB, Mahrez
    DCL, Bamford, Jimi

    Nyland, Walker-Peters, Bissouma, Anguissa,

    1.2 itb

    What do you reckon?

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

      I like that a lot. Maybe Justin to Castagne?

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Downgrade TAA/Robbo for Bruno in mid

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

      Not sure if I would get Mahrez on a wildcard.

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

    Anything worth a hit?

    McCarthy
    Trent • Justin • Taylor • Vinagre
    Salah • KDB • Mane(C)
    Jiminez • DCL • Adams
    (4.0 / Mitchell / 4.5 / 4.5)

    Will Vinagre start? Planning on GW6 WC

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

      another fan of the 433 this year? I like!

      Nothing worth a hi, but you wanna get Adams out soon

    2. AD105
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Save the transfer, team looks good for next week then you can reassess after the int. break

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

    Vardy or barnes? I hear rodgers saying he will be fine

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

    Vardy ings dcl, choose one to drop while on wildcard?

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

    Considering the amount of goals scored so far and how few clean sheets there have been, are people moving their money away from defence? Or only picking defence based on pure attacking potential?

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

    thinking of saving the transfer for this week and do a double transfer next week to get rid of wardprowse and werner for kane and someone. what do y'all think?

    mccarthy (steer)
    justin-reece james-TAA (ayling-ferguson)
    podence-kdb-salah-bruno-wardprowse
    werner-adams(Davis)

  9. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one? Taking out Son & Werner:

    A) Bruno and Ings
    B) Vardy and James Rodriguez
    C) Other

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A looks good to me

  10. Hairy Potter
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Still can't believe this team has only managed 8 points so far this GW

    Ryan
    TAA Saiss Coady
    Salah KDB Greenwood Foden Wijnaldum
    Werner Jimi(c)

    Steel Lamptey, Mitchell, Davis

    Is it really that bad or just unlucky this week?

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

    Title : "Bamford bags again"
    Hardly surprising seeings Bamford is on first page for goal strike rate in the championship, if you order by all time strike rate, considering Beisla's approach.
    All we get from FFS is : 'Bamford not worth it because he has a bad shots per goal percentage'.

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

      Being led astray I think.

      I wonder how many FFS pundits have Bamford ?

  12. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    2FT and 0.4ITB. Kind of lost. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated 🙂

    McCarthy
    Davies | Justin | TAA | Mitchell
    Son | Salah | Havertz | KDB
    Werner | Mitrovic

    Martin | Bissouma | Walker-Peters | Davis