Scout Notes

Leeds fixtures bode well for Bamford’s impressive away FPL form

Aston Villa 0-3 Leeds

  • Goals: Patrick Bamford x3 (£5.8m)
  • Assists: Rodrigo (£5.8m), Mateusz Klich (£5.6m), Hélder Costa (£5.7m)
  • Bonus points: Bamford x3, Robin Koch x2 (£4.5m), Ezgjan Alioski x1 (£4.4m)

Pat-trick Hero

Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) proved on Friday night that he is more than just an early-season bandwagon, as he netted a spectacular second-half hat-trick at Aston Villa.

The Leeds forward made the perfect start to life in the Premier League with five attacking returns in the first three Gameweeks but had registered two consecutive blanks 

Just as comparisons with Teemu Pukki were incoming, Bamford lit up Villa Park on Friday night, terrorising what we thought was the best defence in the league to score three well-deserved goals.

Still priced below £6.0m, the former Chelsea man simply cannot stop offering exceptional value for his 24.8% ownership. As of Saturday morning, he has six goals to his name, behind only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) in that department among forwards, while Harry Kane (£10.8m) is the only player in his position with more FPL points.

That puts significant pressure on virtually every other forward in the rest of Gameweek 6, especially the similarly priced Callum Wilson (£6.5m), Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.9m) and Neal Maupay (£6.6m) to deliver – because, even after a couple of price rises, signing Bamford would still be an easy switch.

Thus far, away matches seem to be where he truly thrives, perhaps not entirely unsurprising considering the way Leeds excel in transition and on the counter-attack. Bamford is yet to blank on the road this season, 32 of his 49 FPL points (65.3%) coming outside Elland Road.

The Whites’ upcoming road trips between now and Gameweek 11 take them to Crystal Palace, Everton and Chelsea, who combine for just two home clean sheets from a possible nine this season.

Jack Rustled

While Jack Grealish (£7.2m) now has blanks in each of his last two Premier League outings, the 27.5%-owned midfielder was very unfortunate not to come away with attacking returns against Leeds.

Those not watching the game on BT Sport’s Box Office will have missed two of his glorious opportunities to find the net on Friday night.

In the first half, Grealish hung back to pounce on a loose ball in the box, firing a powerful left-footed effort back across Illan Meslier‘s (£4.5m) almost unguarded goal – only to see it cleared off the line by a last-ditch Luke Ayling (£4.5m) block.

Then, in the second period, Grealish won the ball in his own half, shrugged off Hélder Costa (£5.7m), put the ball beyond Robin Koch (£4.5m) and ran past him, danced beyond three Leeds defenders and finally concluded his skilful mazy run with a close-range shot saved by Meslier.

“Jack’s gone on a mazy run and forced a save from the goalkeeper. You have to make the most of those moments.” – Dean Smith

“It wasn’t (Grealish’s night). They’re the moments you need in games like this.” – Dean Smith

Considering how high a line Southampton have been playing recently, such close calls with the back of the net will surely encourage Grealish owners to fancy their chances in Gameweek 7.

Barkley impact on Grealish

Filling in for Phillips

Any Fantasy managers who had jumped on emerging £4.0m defender Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) for Gameweek 6 were left with perhaps the worst possible outcome known to an FPL asset.

In his pre-match press conference, Marcelo Bielsa unveiled the versatile 21-year-old as his chosen replacement for Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m), currently out for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury.

That was, of course, music to the Fantasy community’s ears. How often do we get Premier League managers revealing a £4.0m defender will play out of position for the next six weeks?

However, it was clear just a few minutes into Leeds’ trip to Villa Park that Struijk was somewhat out of his depth. 

With the Whites dominating possession but leaving themselves open on the counter, Struijk seriously struggled to keep up with the driving runs of Grealish, Barkley and John McGinn (£5.5m) when Villa were in transition.

He picked up a yellow card for a late tackle on Grealish in the 10th minute before crunching into another mistimed challenge on Douglas Luiz (£5.0m) just moments later, which he was lucky not to receive a second booking for.

With Struijk looking like a red card waiting to happen, Bielsa made the bold, but admirable, decision to substitute him in the 21st minute, replacing him with Jamie Shackleton (£4.8m).

“[Struijk] got a yellow card early on, and there was a lot of agility and mobility in the middle of the park. I wanted to take him off, as a result. After the yellow, he had another foul that was at the limit.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Such a disastrous evening is unlikely to do wonders for Struijk’s confidence. Given how well Shackleton played upon taking to the field, it seems unlikely Struijk will feature from the beginning in Gameweek 7.

Meanwhile, the other impact of Phillips’ absence was Mateusz Klich (£5.6m) assuming the Englishman’s corner-taking duties. Considering the mid-priced midfielder has three attacking returns from open play this season, as well as a penalty, the fact that he has set pieces to his name until Phillips returns seriously increases his FPL appeal.

Cooped Up

The fact that Leeds were able to keep a clean sheet against one of the form teams in the Premier League is certainly worth taking note of.

The achievement is even more impressive when we consider the absence of Phillips, Struijk’s terrible start to the game and the fact that first-choice centre-back Liam Cooper (£4.4m) also missed out, still carrying a groin injury sustained on international duty.

With the club captain out and Struijk used in midfield, Bielsa was forced to tuck Ayling into centre-back alongside Koch, while Ezgjan Alioski (£4.4m) deputised at left-back with Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) filling in on the left.

That rather necessary tactical tweak certainly tempered Ayling’s attacking potential compared to what he typically offers as a marauding full-back.

That said, Ayling did come close to an assist even playing at the heart of Leeds’ defence. In the second half, he lofted forward a through-ball from the Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) or David Luiz (£5.5m) playbook. This connected with Jack Harrison (£5.5m), who cut inside and troubled Emiliano Martínez (£4.8m) with his powerful effort.

The Aston Villa shot-stopper managed a total of six saves in Gameweek 6, a welcome silver-lining to his conceding three goals, leading to a three-point score.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; Barkley, D Luiz, McGinn; Grealish, Watkins, Trézéguet (B Traoré 66′).

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Alioski, Ayling, Koch, Dallas; Struijk (Shackleton 21′); Harrison, Rodrigo (Hernández 79′), Klich, Costa (Costa 83′); Bamford.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 6

508 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KdB starting on the bench is interesting. Good news I guess since I sold him in a few teams.

    Foden not starting sucks but we all knew the risks.

  2. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to Sterling now seems like a wise move

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would've been a lot better last week.

      Now he's on the bench, that means he'll be back in the starting XI next GW. So, if you bought him over Sterling in the first place... why change to Sterling now?

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Points my friend, said in an earlier post I expect both to rack up points going forward but what’s the point of KDB on the bench another week when I can get sterling points

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wise? It’s the complete opposite

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      how come?

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

    Same team as Porto, good ol' reliable Pep

  4. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Fodenfreude - when you derive perverse pleasure at others Foden ownership.

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

    Foden still stays for next GW probably

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

    Foden and KDB gonna be subbed in for sure, they only have 3 attackers on bench.

  7. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden going for me this week, better things I can do with the money. Shame I waited one week too late.

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

      You could hold for GW and replace with Bowen afterwards.

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

        This is a great plan

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      keep for Sheff United?

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

        Unlikely that he starts if Gundo and Bilva show their class today

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

      Interestingly I would have gone foden —> grealish which would have not been great either. Depends on who you have gone for I suppose

  8. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Monster City front 3 come on Raz

  9. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well chuffed I got rid of Foden last week.

    But, I guess I'd better hold back the gloating until I see Podence starting v's Newcastle.

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

    Chasing in my MLs,

    Time to bring in Aguero as a differential?

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

      Yes & perma cap for 3-4 games

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden goal off the bench imminent

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      STOP PRESS amendement: Foden point off the bench imminent

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden will match Grealish point tally this gw.

    Zaha probably the one to own in that price bracket.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha... erm no thanks!

      No pens, no points!

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

      Bowen

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden owners gone from "ill take 2 starts out of 3 for that price in a city attack"

    To wanting to sell him when actually does get his benching

    Worse than casuals

  14. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would quite like a sterling hat-trick please

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

      YES

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

      Never needed a Sterling haul as much as today with no Salah & Kane

  15. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    And there's me taking a hit for Aguero and Foden in, hoping of a massive haul. Still have Sterling C and Aguero playing. Hoping for some returns, because if they blank, I'll go down couple of million places...

  16. Party time
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Foden against tired legs

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

        KdB against tired legs.

      2. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        KDB, Torres & Zinc will come on

    • jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lets do this City!!
      Hoping KdB(C) starts, Foden my vc.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        GL with that 🙂

        Or should I say 加油?

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          🙂

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

      Wouldn’t it be typical for West Ham to bounce back and beat City

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Won’t be surprised I can already picture the confused look on kuns face

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

        Bounce back from a draw and two wins?

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

          😀

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

        Bounce back from?

    • Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts on Foden, now that Kun is back, pushing Sterling out wide, Torres impressing and Bilva back from injury?

      And CL midweek games back on the calendar too.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Him being benched says a lot about him as an optiom

      2. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Big rotation risk.

      3. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        My thoughts are, I sold him last week.

        Good player, but he's part of Pep roulette and has an as yet undefined role in the team

      4. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Unless he comes on and does something special he'll be gone by this time next week. I'm staring another big red arrow in the face.

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Almost did Barnes to Foden. Barnes 2 pointer incoming

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

        Might best Foden's score.

      2. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I got rid of Barnes this week, so far more likely to haul I'd say.

        Honestly, Barnes is really top talent. But Leic are looking ropey in attack and I can't be bothered to ride that storm out with him taking up a spot in my team

        1. Andy'81
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Aye, his returns have been pretty unspectacular since I brought him, I'll probably look to shift him this GW as well as long as no injuries/suspensions pop into my team.

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

            I got his only haul, then sold him right after.

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Let's see how Bowen does

    • RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Foden to Mahrez?

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Rotation worry to rotation worry.

        Not for me

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I think Mahrez is one of Pep's first picks as an attacking threat...

          I'm sticking with him

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Do people never learn?

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

          No, we don’t. Promise you I won’t do this move, then 😉

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

        50% chance of starting out for 60%

    • The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Phew! Dodged a bullet with Phoden

    • ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gundogan starts cos he scored during midweek? Fraud pep

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

        World class midfielder when fit and playing consistently

      2. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Points chaser Pep

    • jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gw going well.. 5 from martinez and mcginn.

      Foden and kdb to tear it up at lunch.. oh wait.

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

        Its a living nightmare.

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

        It’s one of those weeks

    • Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      From each pairing who scores more this gameweek?

      A - Saiss
      B - Semedo

      1 - Aguero
      2 - Mahrez

      Thanks.

    • jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Listening to Andy'd LTFPL deadline stream and I swear he's had 8 pints before coming on the way he's slurring his words lol

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

      All Foden owners can hope for now is City take a comfortable lead and he's in off the bench with 30+ minutes to go!

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

        Aguero sub i suppose

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

          Yep

    • PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Watching Puli and Havertz for Foden replacement

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

      I think pep has accidentally handed in last Wednesdays team sheet.

      Dont worry he'll realise soon.