Scout Notes

Can £4.0m defender Kilman nail down starting place in Wolves defence?

Leeds 0-1 Wolves

  • Goals: Raúl Jiménez (£8.5m)
  • Assists: Max Kilman (£4.0m)
  • Bonus points: Kilman x3, Jiménez x2, Romain Saïss x1 (£5.2m)

A View to a Kil

Max Kilman (£4.0m) has made a meteoric rise to the top of the budget defender pool with a second successive start and second successive points haul.

The Wolves centre-back has only played two from a possible five matches this season but has already scored 21 points, the joint-most of any defender priced at £4.5m or below.

Incredibly, the player has secured maximum bonus points in each of his two performances so far and he added an assist in the 1-0 win over Leeds.

“He deserves (the man of the match award). He’s been brilliant. He’s been with us for years. He’s listened. He’s a great lad. He gives us a bit of balance on that left-hand side. All the time. He loves having battles with Adama. Nobody goes near Adama in training but he full-on fights with him.” – Conor Coady

“He has become stronger as time has gone by. I’m proud of the response he has given and the credit goes to him. When the chance comes, you have to respond, and Max did that.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

The question facing Fantasy managers is now whether or not Kilman can nail down a regular starting berth in the Wolves side.

Even though he has been praised by captain and manager alike, unfortunately, it is difficult to say with certainty that Kilman will retain his place. This particular issue certainly one that requires more data.

The reason why Kilman has enjoyed starts in each of the last two Gameweeks is that regular centre-back option Romain Saïss (£5.2m) has been forced to cover the left wing-back role in light of injuries to Jonny (£5.4m) and Marçal (£4.9m) as well as the departure of Ruben Vinagre (£4.3m).

With the arrival of Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m) and Marçal returning from his knock on Monday night, there are more options for Nuno Espirito Santo to choose from in that position moving forward.

While Saïss has enjoyed his time bombing forward as a wing-back, which we’ll highlight in more detail shortly, he has looked exposed at times playing in a wider role, caught out by the pacier wingers and full-backs.

Therefore, with left wing-back reinforcements on the way, Nuno looks set for a tough decision between Saïss or Kilman to start in the back-three alongside Conor Coady (£5.0m) and Willy Boly (£5.5m) long-term.

Do as the Romains do

While there remain uncertainties about Wolves best back-five, Saïss continues to offer excellent value for his increasing ownership.

Nuno’s men have kept a clean sheet in three of their five matches this season, and the Moroccan has walked away with bonus points on each of those occasions, even though he only has one attacking return to his name. A total of six in that department puts Saïss behind only Lucas Digne (£6.2m) on seven among defenders after five Gameweeks.

That has taken him to a tally of 31 points for the season thus far, more than any other defender and sure to induce more price rises ahead of home meetings with Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Saïss was unfortunate not to walk away with attacking returns at Elland Road, whose incredible rifled effort into the bottom right-hand corner of Illan Meslier‘s (£4.5m) goal was chalked off for an offside in the build-up.

He was also denied an assist in the first half when Leeds’ youthful goalkeeper produced an impressive stop from a Daniel Podence (£5.6m) effort.

However, while Saïss has looked exciting in the last two matches, we have to bring Wolves’ selection dilemma at the back into the conversation. If Aït-Nouri or Marçal slots in at left wing-back against Newcastle and Saïss returns to the back-three, he will almost certainly enjoy much less time in the opposition half.

Dear Podence

Podence owners were asked to show a little more patience once again as he proved one of Wolves’ most dangerous players at Elland Road but came away with a second successive blank.

His powerful first-half shot forced an impressive save out of Meslier, who sprawled to stop a left-footed curling effort in the second half too.

While neither of those chances went in, the fact that a Newcastle that has conceded seven goals in the last two Gameweeks is up next for Wolves is perhaps enough to hold Podence. 

That said, he was replaced by Adama Traoré (£6.4m) in the 64th minute with Pedro Neto‘s (£5.5m) involvement continuing until the 89th.

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Struijk (Hernández 75′), Koch, Ayling; K Phillips; Harrison (Raphinha 82′), Rodrigo, Klich, Costa (Poveda-Ocampo 71′); Bamford.

Wolves XI (3-4-3): Patrício; Kilman, Coady, Boly; Saïss, Moutinho (Neves 82′), Dendoncker, Semedo; Neto (Marçal 89′), Jiménez, Podence (Traoré 65′).

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LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 5

1,379 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rashford needs to take the next one. Took a good one for England.

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

      I guess Bruno will always pull rank

  2. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What a joke

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why?

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not really happened De Gea against spurs two weeks ago. That’s the rules

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

        I think against Palace

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yes, apologies.

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

            Haha no need to apologise 🙂

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

    Bruno goal

  4. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    lol

  5. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Shite pen second time - lucky!

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

    BRUNO back on Pen 😉

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

    Looks like he keeps penalties then 🙂

  8. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I wonder if Rashford is going to start seeing some pens!

  9. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Navas was off his line again lol, what an idiot

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

    Was exactly the same penalty second time round

  11. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Nice. Time to hit on the counter.

  12. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Shame, I like to see those hop, skip and a jump penalties missed

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

      Somehow really annoying

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

        Not even related that I support Pool 😀

  13. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I need some help on this sorry mess.

    McCarthy
    TAA C Taylor Lascelles
    Salah Bruno Podence KdB*
    Jimi* Wilson Brewster

    Steer Burke Davies Mitchell

    1FT and 2.5itb

    A. KdB to Sterling/Son
    B. KdB and Jimi to Sterling/Son and Kane
    C. Jimi to Kane
    D. Wild Card

    Thanks in advance.

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

      That absolutely needs wildcarding.

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No Spurs, no Everton, no Villa. Didn't think such a specimen existed

    3. Zalk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd agree on the wildcard, but if you don't want to do that you need a Spurs player. I would probably do
      KDB and Brewster -> Son and DCL
      or maybe
      KDB and Wilson -> Rodriguez and Kane

  14. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Telles on corners

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

      Interesting. Could get him then when united improve defence

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hopefully Shaw stays LCB.

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Or they continue with a back 5

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            * 3 and WB’s

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

    Just get him lads

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

    Telles on corners

  17. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone watching Chelsea v Sevilla? How's it going?

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

      Same old chelsea. They starting to play long balls to werner now.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        How high is Pulisic compared to Havertz?

        And how high is James compared to Chilwell?

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

          James is more forward than Chil. Pulisic got a through pass to werner who was offside.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks 🙂

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      0-0

    3. FPLVegard
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      0-0 after 27 min... Chelsea has had no goal attemts so far

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I can see the score and stats. I was looking for some insight into how Chelsea are playing.

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

          Havertz more involved than Pulisic so far

  18. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    i just dont understand why defenders try to nick the ball in the box like that, and then why does the goalie cheat by stepping forward

  19. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Telles looks like he really good and as if he has been in the team for a long time.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Few bad first touches in the first few minutes but seems to have settled down. Great deliveries!

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's weird seeing a United playing competent at attacking the flanks. Been a while.

      Shame there's not Sancho doing the same on the RW.

  20. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thumb-sucking celebration? Creepy!

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

    United have 10 penalties in last 14 games all competitions. Pretty scary stuff not owning Bruno

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Missed 2 of his last 3. Could be risky owning 😉

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

        Well second miss was retaken so technically only 1 miss 😛 but all penalty takers miss yeah. Upside much higher than downside tho

    2. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      exactly

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

      Yet still in 15th place in the EPL...

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        With a game in hand...

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

          They’ll be there after the next 3 fixtures, could you honestly see them winning more than 1?

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Definitely in with a chance of beating any of them.

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 5 months ago

              It's fpl, they can lose every game with Bruno scoring a pen in each and possibly taking the 3 bonus

              Man utd being crap isn't hindering his points

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

                Didn’t say that. I own him currently. But they won’t get as easy chances playing the next few.

                1. FPL Blow-In
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  Against Chelsea?!?

                2. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    That's literally what you said, that you couldn't see them winning more than 1? They could win 0 and still be worth having Bruno

                    Maybe not but Chelsea can't defend, arsenal can but only when ultra defensive, Everton can't defend either

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

                      I was replying to the comment of them being 15th, nothing about Bruno.

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

            1 less game played than everyone else plus the problem is defence so don't see what that has to do with fpl and brunos scoring potential

            1. FPL Blow-In
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Think he’s just got an attitude 🙂

        2. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Messi pen made too.

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

        bruno penandes. How many of Bruno’s man utd goals have been penalties? Penalty merchant.

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          what do you want him to do? not score penalties?

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

            Funny seeing Man Utd fans hype him up when he’s a 10.5M milijeovic.

            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Did you watch the game against Newcastle?

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

                Ignore the troll

              2. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Martial wasn't playing so he was more advanced?

            2. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 5 months ago

                The only thing worse than biased utd fans is fans like you that are biased against them

                Two sides of the same coin

              • SackWenger
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Strange comment

        2. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          So

          Many

          Pens

        3. Steevo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Best free transfer?
          A) Jiménez -> Kane
          B) Burke -> Grealish
          C) James -> Robertson

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

            Tough. Wouldnt lose Jimi this week, NEW defence is dump. James > Robertson then prioritize Kane.

          2. Botman and Robben
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Close between B and C, anyhow, C.

          3. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            C is your weakest link?

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

          Did they appeal Martial’s red card in the end? Or does he still miss the next 2 league games?

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

            He'll be red flagged in PL: if still out

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

              Yes just wondering if not updated yet

        5. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Very naive from De Gea there. He had a great opportunity to mortally wound Di Maria as he was offside

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Harsh 😀

          2. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            He just doesn't have that ruthless streak some players have,like Pickford for instance. 😛

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

              Pickford’s is more an incompetent streak

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

            Sh!t that made me laugh out loud 😆

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

          United are on course for a 50+ penalty season across all competitions

          Penandes owners in dreamland

        7. Eric Banternaaa
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          What’s your thoughts lads? Need to decide before TAA drops tonight.

          Martínez Steer
          TAA Robertson Lamptey Mitchel Dunne
          Salah Sterling Barnes Stephens Mendy
          Jimi Ings DCL

          Stephens, Dunne, Mendy, Mitchel & Lamptey all not guaranteed starters.

          2FT. Thoughts on TAA & Mendy > Regulon & Barkley?

          Would leave 0.7ITB to upgrade one of the others next week.

          1. Hulk Smash
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Stay away from Spurs defence. Take the cheaper Saiss or even Chilwell if you fancy him. Also TAA may drop, but it has been predicted for about the last week and not happened.

        8. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Actually think that’s a penalty, won the ball thanks to a two handed shove

        9. mookie
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Mount might cost Lampard his job.

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

            Southgate's as well

          2. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Love is blind