Scout Notes

How Leeds restricted De Bruyne to unfortunate FPL blank in Gameweek 4

Leeds United 1-1 Manchester City

  • Goals: Rodrigo Moreno (£5.8m) | Raheem Sterling (£11.5m)
  • Assists: Ferran Torres (£6.9m)
  • Bonus points: Rodrigo M x3, Sterling x2, Liam Cooper x1 (£4.4m)

Owners of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) can feel very unfortunate after he recorded a second blank of the season in Gameweek 4.

The Manchester City midfielder struck the post with a clever free-kick inside the opening exchanges, while some may feel that his penalty-taking should have been called into action late in the game.

Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) looked to have been brought down illegally in the box by Leif Davis (£4.0m) but neither Mike Dean nor VAR were convinced it was a foul.

On any other day, the typically brilliant De Bruyne might have come out of either situation with goals to his name but, on an evening where Leeds eventually stole the show, it was simply not his day.

DEFENSIVE DE BRUYNE

It was also clear that playing two games in three days had taken its toll on the Belgian who ended up tasked with more defensive duties at Elland Road than his 44.8% ownership would have liked.

Thanks to Leeds’ spirited and open play, they ended up with more possession than Manchester City’s men (52.8% to 47.2%), more big chances (five to zero) and more shots on target (seven to one).

As a result, De Bruyne was bogged down in a midfield battle for large spells of Saturday’s encounter, unable to operate in the exciting number 10 position that Guardiola had cast him in for City’s last away trip (at Wolves).

Reprising such a role was not possible for the Belgian at Elland Road. His freedom at Molineux had been unlocked by a defensive midfield double-up of Rodrigo (£5.5m) and Fernandinho (£5.5m), but the latter was named on the bench for Gameweek 4.

Contributing to defensive duties at Leeds was a job that De Bruyne performed, unsurprisingly, offering greater work rate than those around him and winning more tackles than any other colleague on Saturday.

But it probably goes without saying that finishing top of that metric for the evening is not something De Bruyne’s Fantasy owners were particularly enamoured by. It was only after Fernandinho came on for Mahrez in the 77th minute that the Belgian was freed up to make more significant contributions to attack, but it was a little too late.

“They make a good build-up with the goalkeeper and they put a lot of players behind our midfield line. After our attack, they are quick with their fast players outside. It is not easy to play against them. We were there and made a good defensive game but we had to do that more than usual because they are good in the transitions.” – Pep Guardiola

“If you watch when Guardiola makes a defensive change, when Fernandinho comes on, this is when they started to impose themselves on the game once more. It was a very intelligent substitution and it had a big influence on the game, which indicates a lot of the time that you have to defend better so you can attack well.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Meanwhile, as was the case against Leicester, De Bruyne was asked to split corner-taking duties with Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m), robbing him of a complete monopoly over set-play situations.

STRIKERLESS MAN CITY

This is now the first time since 2010 that Manchester City have failed to win more than one of their first three Premier League games of a season. The ongoing absence of a recognised striker for the Citizens was a key factor behind their draw at Leeds.

Guardiola handed Mahrez the central role on Saturday but he was largely ineffective during his time on the pitch.

The Algerian international struggled to cope with the physicality of centre-backs Liam Cooper (£4.4m) and Robin Koch (£4.5m), robbing Manchester City of something to aim at when pressing forward.

While Sterling finally found his first goal of the campaign, it was not from a centre-forward position. He received the ball from Ferran Torres (£6.9m) on the left-hand side, made a jinking run inside, past two defenders and guided the ball beyond Illan Meslier (£4.5m) 

It was a passage of play that highlighted how much better Sterling is as a winger than as a striker – another dilemma facing Guardiola in the absence of Gabriel Jesus (£9.4m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.4m). 

Even still, the Englishman’s evening was largely littered with some poor decisions and propensity to run down dead-ends in Leeds’ defence, although operating next to an ineffective centre-forward in Mahrez probably increased the pressure on him to fashion chances via take-ons.

Owners of Manchester City assets may take some comfort from the fact they host Arsenal in Gameweek 5, after the international break. Guardiola’s men beat the Gunners 3-0 in this fixture during Project Restart with goals from Sterling, De Bruyne and Phil Foden (£6.6m). However, they did so on that day with the help of Jesus leading the line, who currently has an estimated return date of Gameweek 6…

Wham Bam

While Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) registered his first blank of the season, it was not for lack of trying against Manchester City.

The Leeds forward finished this match with more shots (four) and more shots in the box (four) than any other player on the pitch, an impressive achievement considering the opponents.

However, Fantasy managers should probably keep an eye on Rodrigo Moreno (£5.8m) following his impressive cameo appearance.

He came on for central midfielder Tyler Roberts (£5.0m) in the 56th minute and contributed to a change of shape for Leeds. Instead of a 4-1-4-1, they were able to operate with two forward men on the field – and it had the desired impact.

Rodrigo pounced in the box to equalise when Ederson‘s (£6.0m) failed clearance clattered into Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) and saw an effort turned onto the crossbar minutes later.

It will be worth keeping an eye on how often Rodrigo features for Leeds based on his contribution to Saturday’s draw, although Jack Harrison (£5.5m) will be back in the picture for Gameweek 5 – he missed this match as he was ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester City.

“Progressively he will begin to show the great quality that he has. Today, he had a very good start and perhaps the pace of the game hindered him towards the end of the half. When he is able to play at a good physical level for us I think he will make a difference.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Koch, Ayling; K Phillips; Alioski (Poveda-Ocampo 46′), Roberts (Rodrigo M 56′), Klich (L Davis 77′), Costa; Bamford.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; B Mendy (Aké 71′), Laporte, Dias, Walker; Foden, Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Mahrez (Fernandinho 77′), Sterling, Torres (B Silva 65′).

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3,043 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Digne Ings Jimenez to Chilwell Wilson Kane?

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, I wouldn't

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not feeling it, feels like there are similar points in both sides.

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

      I feel like they have form and fixtures, and will be going up quick

    4. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yey

  2. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy - Steer
    TAA - Davies - Justin - C. Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - KDB - Hamez - Podence - Bissouma
    DCL - Jiminez - Adams
    (2.9 ITB - 0 FT)

    A) WC this lot
    B) Jiminez -> Kane for -4?
    C) Hold and stick out the price rises :/

    Cheers!

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. Aubamewho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  3. Willmissudimitrypayet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My knee pressed the WC button for me : )))

    What lessons have we learned from the first few weeks?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing apart from dont wc

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The FPL sponsored by Covid can affect any Team's defences at any time.

      1. Willmissudimitrypayet
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Haha, yes indeed. West Ham has looked solid, I guess they are up next for a beating? (get in my SON ;))

    3. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      don't kneejerk is the main one

    4. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      the WC is cursed

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just gone through the painful realisation that I’d be no.1 overall rank had I saved this week and not made any transfers 🙁

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So did 153,567 others.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I guess, still annoying though - all Jose’s fault!

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That is pretty crazy. What an amazing start to the season you're having. I should have trusted Spurs more.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It’s all downhill from here!

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          In that case, see you on the way up. 😉

    3. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I can feel your pain, but you deserved it, no way selling Wilson against Burnley at home.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah possibly a bit silly in hindsight, I just I felt I needed DCL long term and would have been priced out otherwise

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

    Anyone starting to believe in Leeds attack?

    1. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I do believe, just don't know which one to pick.
      Has bamford so far

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Well done for picking up Bam

  6. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Maupay or Watkins?

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      maup

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maupay

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m going Maupay mate.

      But I’m useless, so you should probably go Watkins!

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        As useless as 4.1m OR? 😛

  7. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you rather get out?
    R James or Zaha?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      RJ

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks!

  8. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I just noticed the two players I was thinking of selling for Kane/Son are my current C & VC. Maybe it's time to step away 😆

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nope. Get them now. Mourinho could win the league. The guy took the United team to second.

  9. robredo10
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any chance the Season Ticker will be updated of the IB?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What kind of update is needed?

  10. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Maupay or Watkins for the next 4? (Already have Trossard)

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would want watkins

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Maupay on pens is making me struggle though.

        1. ItOnlyTook9Years
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Maupay and Grealish I reckon

    2. Willmissudimitrypayet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Have Maupay myself. Wilson and Antonio also look really good.

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

    Which one would you do and would you do it now before price rise/drop?

    A) Bruno —> Son
    B) Adams —> Watkins
    C) Davies —> Chilwell/Lamperty

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C to Chilwell no brainer.

    3. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

  12. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy Forster
    Trent robbo Taylor kwp Mitchell
    Salah son soucek Burke foden
    Jimenez kane Mitro

    1FT 2.0 ITB

    Good time for a wildcard? I’d prob only keep forster son kane Salah Jimenez(maybe)

  13. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson or Mitro for the next few?

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

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

    Your thoughts are appreciated. 0.5itb

    -Current Team:

    Mccarthy
    Justin | TAA | Davies | Mitchell
    KDB | Salah | Zaha | Jrod | Mahrez
    Vardy
    (Martin, Vinagre, Davis, Vassilev)

    -WC Team:

    Mccarthy
    Justin | Aurier | Chilwell
    KDB | Salah | Zaha | Jrod | Son
    Kane | Watkins
    (Martin, Mitchell, 4.1, Davis)

    A) Go for the WC
    B) Hold (-8) Mahrez,Davies > Son,4.3

    1. raff97
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure about keeping Justin in a WC. He was only ever meant to there for a few weeks before we WC and Pereira takes his palce

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

        Thanks mate.

  15. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to replace for Son?
    a) Soucek
    b) Barnes
    c) Podence

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

      1. DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I thought so too. Cheers guys

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

  16. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden to Grealish too kneejerky? Its 6.5 ManCity mid, ok they havent start well and he isnt nailed.

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good move IMO.

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Foden hasn't looked great and other players coming back now.

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    4. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good move

  17. Lionac
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Brewster going to be starter?

    Which is better option?

    A) Werner & Bissouma -> Brewster & Son (-4)
    B) Werner & ASM -> Watkins & Son (-4)
    C) Werner, ASM & Vinagre -> Brewster, Son, Chillwel (-8)

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm doing something similar to b.

      1. Lionac
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kind of afraid Watkins is classic knee jerk...

  18. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any Def currently costing 4.0 or below that are likely to play?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell. Kilman started today for Wolves though not sure if that was a one off

  19. Serendipity
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I have a theory that a lack of a crowd gives the attacker less to be distracted by and better decision-making/less pressure when shooting increasing the number of goals scored we are seeing... plausible?

    What else explains the craziness?!

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      See I could go along with that but we already had 8 GWs or whatever last summer and I didn't notice a massive uptick in goals.

      I agree though, it is just crazy.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think the main reasons are:

      1) VAR/handball/players looking to get caught for penalties
      2) High defensive lines

      2 has flabbergasted me

      1. Serendipity
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        These make the most sense!

        A couple of red cards such as Everton v West Brom and Spurs vs Man Utd also didn't help their causes in keeping the score lines close.

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      But during the restart we had a crazy amount of clean sheets. None of it makes sense

    4. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lack of pre seasons and new rules

    5. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's affecting every position less pressure.

    6. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, Liverpool were just awful in defence and not due to Adrian. Lacazette had sitters last week too, but he missed them under pressure, so it's not the lack of crowd.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He missed them under no pressure I mean

  20. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who is the priority to get rid of?
    R James or Podence?

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      RJ

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you!

  21. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How's this for a WC?

    Martinez / Steer
    Digne / Saïss / Lamptey / KWP / Mitchell
    Salah / KDB / Son / James Rodriguez / Harrison
    Jiménez / DCL / Brewster

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      who knows anymore, could 10 points a GW, or 100 points

  22. bryant
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I am rather aggrieved as a GW1 Antonio owner that his price has dropped by .2 even though he has 2 goals and is 4th in ICT index for forwards and 10th overall

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Keep, you'll end up with profit in the end. He'll get to 7.0 no doubt.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He'll go back up after gw8

  23. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Are Kane’s/Son’s underlying stats good?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  24. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I have 2 ft. Wondering if i should wait out the IB, and then do my transfers. The players that have performed well now, will probably rise in price during break.

    my main players to get after this weekends display looks to be:

    Defence: Chilwell
    Midfield: Grealish
    Forward: Maupay/Kane.

    exactly which players i get, and who they replace will need some thinking.

  25. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martial and Werner to Kane and DCL (-4) seems a no brainer right?

  26. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Man United managers usually fail in the second year and don't get the transfers they wanted. This may affect their FPL assets.

  27. DeathAngel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    It looked to me that Barkley's shot for his 'goal' was way off target and it was instead a Barkley assist and a Trent OG.

    Also, it looked like Keita just about got his shot off before the ball rebounded to Salah for the first Liverpool goal, but no assist has been awarded to him.

    Your thoughts on either of these?

    1. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Totally agree with both.

      1. DeathAngel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        How can FPL get this so wrong? Do they not review each and every goal to check that they have it right as per their own rules?

  28. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    One week I'm on 30p, week after that 90p and just when I think I've cracked the FPL code I get 25p hahaha, awesome stuff this year! Bring it on!

  29. GuillermoDickero
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    In amongst all this madness I am tempted by KDB and ings out for son and kane.

    The latter are in great form and those next 4 fixtures look like they could make some serious returns....

    Guess the idea of binning off KDB seems mental but I guess to do well in fantasy, you have to take risks.

    What are others thinking?

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

      Both son and kane on form and double up could work

      1. GuillermoDickero
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The only thing that holds me back is that against Newcastle they managed 1 goal.... and none in week 1.

        It seems that Southampton and United put on two horror defensive displays and seem to have made spurs look better than they are maybe?

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes certainly looks good on paper. The only warning to this is those next 4 fixtures the teams against Spurs will be quite deep, so Son in particular could suffer.

  30. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to downgrade to afford Podence to Son move for a hit?

    A. TAA to 5.4 Def
    B. Jimenez to Antonio or 6.4 fwd
    C. Havertz to Son (no hit)

    1.4itb 1ft
    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Taylor Justin
    KDB Salah Podence Havertz
    Jimenez DCL
    (Peacock Ayling Bissouma Vassilev)