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. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kean at PSG, when did that happen?

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

      Big shoes to fill at PSG.

    2. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Deadline day. PSG signed like 10 random players

    3. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bizarre

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

    Lads, a quick help here:

    Ryan / Walton
    TAA / Lamptey / KWP / Dallas / Mitchell
    Salah / KDB / Son / James Rodríguez / Harrison
    Jiménez / DCL / Brewster

    Can I hold and keep KDB? Would you sell?

    A. Hold
    B. KDB to Bruno
    C. KDB to Sterling
    D. KDB, Jimi to Pulisic (or Grealish), Kane (-4)
    E. WC

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

      C if KDB is out

  3. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best shot Martial managed all season. Nice to see he`s still got that killer mentality that you need for a striker.

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

      Come on at least troll properly. It was a header

    2. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      His strike against Lamela was pretty good

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

        True that.

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

    The bizarre non-chance surrendered by Rashford just after half time is going to cost United

  5. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martial's having a fun month

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

      It’s hilarious that start of the season all the talk of the great and the good of the FPL community was about how Martial was essential and a superb pick as a striker - oh how times have changed

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

    Rashford u were clear........

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

      Acting like a 22-year-old.

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

    what a stupid goal to concede that is. Hurts even more coz he's nowhere near good enough to get us back in this game at the moment.

  8. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Great cross from James.

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

    Rashford's decision making this game has been atrocious.

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

      Yeah

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Appalling

  10. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rashford's decision making is so poor in 1-1 situations

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

      He thinks too much these days. He's an instinct player.

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

      Let's not forget he's only 22. Still needs to develop. Last year was his first proper year playing. But it is annoying to watch

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He's young, yes, but hes been playing since 2015 and racked up 220 games!!

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

          And he's done well so far. Today is an off day for him

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

    Ziyech on finally

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ziyech coming on for Mount.

    Full strength Chelsea XI aside from maybe Kovacic over Jorghino, or Azpi over James

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

      Oo Kovacic on for Jorghino now

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kovacic and Jorghino are not part of a full strength 11

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

        Player of the Year, Kovacic?

        (In out current lineup it's two of Kante/Kovacic/Jorginho.)

        1. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          God help Chelsea!

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

    Martial is one of those players when he’s off he’s complete trash

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

      Yeah true

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

      He was looking unbelievable after lockdown. But yeah, bad form so far this season.

      Martial and Rashford are so inconsistent at the moment. When they're in form and confident they're superb players, but need more consistency.

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

        Yep, when he’s ‘on’ he’s brilliant, just glides past people.

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

    No need to give away that foul Fernandes

  15. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Already took a hit, play this team or WC?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Taa konsa mitchell (justin, holding)
    salah son hamez podence (stephens)
    DCL Jimi kane
    0.3, 0 FT.

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

      Team looks decent this week, no need to WC

  16. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How's Havertz and Pulisic looking?

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looking average as are Chelsea.....however Frank playing Pulisic on the right.....which is madness and when Puli comes over to the left he looks dangerous.......Werner shooting from everywhere and anywhere .......Chillwell looks good

  17. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A draw would be a good result for United tonight away to PSG tonight..

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

      Would feel like 2 points lost on the night though

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

    I'd rather see Donny on than Pogba. He doesn't have the workrate needed for this game.

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

      Same

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      When is Donny actually going to start a blog game...very frustrating 🙁

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        *bloody

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

        Rumour is Ole didn't actually want him

        1. Balls of Steel
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ya I've heard that he didn't have anything to do with his signing, figure that one out!

  19. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender under 5.1?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zouma, Bellerin, Dallas, Targett

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

    Ole going for it.

    Telles ➡ Pogba

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

      Wish it was Donny. Love seeing him play. Pogba too careless with the ball

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

      Risky changing the shape when 5 at the back has worked so well.

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

        Very risky. But working well so far.

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

        They seem to be doing better with 4 right now

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

          Really good open game tbf. Either team could quite easily have scored a couple more. Very happy with how United have defended though. AWB, Fred and Scotty have been class.

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

            Tuanzebe too

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

              Also impressive

  21. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA/Mitchell/Kilman
    Salah(c)/Son/Grealish/Zaha
    Kane/Werner/Maupay
    (Button/KWP/Taylor/Burke)

    GTG?

  22. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Naves wearing brogues

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

    Just noticed a few GWs from now I can do Salah, Pereira, Watkins to DeBruyne, Zyech and Antonio. I like it.

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

    If Maguire didn’t have that good performance against Newcastle he might struggle to get back in the XI. Tuanzebe and Lindleof have been great. The whole defence has.

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

      If Axel wasn't injured last season, I'm sure he'd be nailed by now. Class defender, and comfortable playing out from the back.

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You honestly think £85m Maguire sits on the bench.

      No chance

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

        If Kepa can do it anyone can. And Maguire would partner Tuanzebe btw

      2. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A time comes when it's about what you bring to the team other than what you cost 2 years or so ago.

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

      Excellent performance. He's got badly needed pace too.

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

        The thing the United CB’s struggle with most!

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        But easier to defend when playing defensive and trying to counter

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

          United have been attacking plenty and are defending against Mbappe and Neymar. Some people just can’t give united credit where it’s due.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 5 months ago

              I'm not taking credit away, I'm just not using it to beat someone else over the head

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

              This. It's been an open game if you actually watch it. Our CBs have had to defend against a number of Mbappe counter attacks 1v1 at times which is the opposite of easy.

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  You're acting like de gea has been untroubled or something, they've sliced through like cheese at times. Again not having a go at any defenders but no need to go overboard either when there's 5 at the back and 2 defensive midfielders even if it's an open game

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

                    He literally said its an open game. That means chances both ways

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        3 years, 5 months ago

                        It's been end to end, utd have almost always had 5+ players deep in the box when psg are attacking. Psg overload while utd sit back, then it's counter in numbers

                        It's not utd being expansive even if psg are open to counter

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

                      They played with Wing backs and there defence has also been sliced open though?! Navas has had to make more saves actually if you were watching and take a look at the stats.

                      1. @persecuted_by_mods
                          3 years, 5 months ago

                          Yeah they're not that good a team bar the front 3 in terms.of who they've put out today

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

                            Both teams have a lot of injuries too. Tuanzebe had played only 18minutes of champions league football before tonight and had not played in so long.

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

                          *their defence

                          We had two 2v1 chances at the start of the second half. Nothing wrong with playing on the counter especially when you are 1 up.

                          1. @persecuted_by_mods
                              3 years, 5 months ago

                              I'm not saying there is, I'm not saying it's not a good performance, I'm not saying psg haven't been cut open. I'm simply saying it's easier to defend when the tactic is to sit back and counter

              2. Jdpz
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Dier to Kilman?
                Dier to Saiss?
                or save

                1. stu92
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  Kilman looked good the other night, but reckon he'll be dropped again once Marcal is fit. Decent enabler though.

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

                How bad does Zouma need to play to get dropped

              4. stu92
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                OUTGOING
                McCarthy, Nyland, TAA, Holding, Johnson, Pereira, Davis (66 points in last 5 gameweeks)

                INCOMING
                Martinez, 4.0, Mings, Ayling, Kilman, Salah, Brewster (142 points in last 5 gameweeks)
                or
                Martinez, 4.0, Mings, Ayling, Kilman, Trossard, Kane (175 points in last 5 gameweeks)

                Is this worth a WC? Already have a decent spine with Robbo, Saiss, Son, Bruno, JRodriguez, DCL & Jimi. Have neither Kane or Salah, and zero bench cover. I'm not usually one for chasing the points but I think this might be a good time for a WC...

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

                  I would check out what I could change with 3 transfers (-8). Only player that is probably important to bring in is Kane.

                  1. stu92
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    I can do McCarthy/TAA/Davis to Martinez/Mings/Kane, or McCarthy/TAA/Pereira to Martinez/Ayling/Salah.

                    I've taken -4 many times before and would take a -8, but is it worth just doing a WC now when I know I have a few transfers I want to make? Especially since this season first WC needs used a bit earlier by GW15.

              5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Mbappe out of form

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

                  Struggling to find the way out of Wan Bissaka's pocket

                  1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    Cant see the quality atm tbh

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

                McCarthy, Nyland
                TAA, Tierney, Dier, Justin, Taylor
                Bruno, Son, JRod, Podence, Bissouma
                Kane, Ings, DCL

                1 free transfer, 1.2M in the bank
                A) keep
                B) Podence to Barkley/Trossard
                C) TAA to Chilwell/Digne
                D) Dier to Kilman/Saiss
                What to do?

              7. Coys96
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                UCL fantasy players, what we on? Great start for me 🙂 69 from 10

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

                  55p from 6 players. Captain still to play.

                  1. Coys96
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    I thought u could swap captain every match day, no?

                    1. Coys96
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 5 months ago

                      Crap read rules completely wrong

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

                        I think you can

                2. KEN YA DIG IT
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  47 from 6

                3. Gazza2000
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  61 from 8 here, first time playing though.