Scout Notes

Wolves restrict heavily-backed Bamford as Meslier suffers freak own goal

Wolves 1-0 Leeds

  • Goals: None
  • Own goals: Illan Meslier (£4.7m)
  • Assists: Adama Traoré (£6.0m)
  • Bonus points: Rui Patrício x3 (£5.3m), Raphinha x2 (£5.4m), Nelson Semedo (£5.2m)

MESS-LIER

Owners of Illan Meslier (£4.7m) endured a cruel evening as Leeds opened Double Gameweek 25 with a trip to Wolves.

In a relatively cagey encounter, the Whites’ goalkeeper was slowly building an impressive score, registering five saves in the opening period.

However, a dreadful piece of bad luck robbed him of what could have been a solid start to Double Gameweek 25 in the 64th minute.

Adama Traoré (£6.0m) who had mostly been kept quiet by Leeds’ full-backs, found some space in the middle for a speculative shot that struck the crossbar and went into the net off Meslier.

Before the own goal, the shot-stopper was projected a 10-point haul courtesy of a clean sheet, one save point and three bonus. After it, Meslier was down to just one point.

While there could be more joy against Southampton, it is certainly a hard start to the round for his 5.8% ownership.

WHAM BAM

It was a similar narrative for Patrick Bamford (£6.9m) who did not enjoy the best of starts to Double Gameweek 25 either.

The striker may have been backed by 80% of the top 10k for the captaincy but he endured a quiet evening at Molineux.

Wolves three-man defence smothered him while the hosts’ wing-backs and central midfielders did a solid job of cutting off his supply lines too.

As a result, Bamford only had two real moments where he looked even close to scoring.

In the middle of the second half, he was left with the scraps of a Liam Cooper (£4.3m) rebound but could not get enough power on his header to trouble Rui Patrício (£5.3m).

And then in the final 10 minutes, after Tyler Roberts (£4.6m) had played him through, Bamford unleashed a rising finish across goal and beyond Patrício, only to see it ruled out for a tight offside.

RAPH WITH THE SMOOTH

Raphinha (£5.4m) owners were also subjected to a teasing performance, the mid-priced midfielder very unlucky not to come away with a clutch of attacking returns.

In the 19th minute, he found Cooper with a free-kick delivery from the right, the centre-back unable to get adequate purchase on the ball.

Just after the interval, Luke Ayling (£4.4m) crossed into Raphinha at the near-post only for Conor Coady (£4.8m) to make a timely block.

Then between the 62nd and 70th minute, the Brazilian midfielder watched Cooper spurn three separate opportunities from corners. 

Had they fallen to Pascal Struijk (£3.9m) or Bamford, perhaps it would have been a different story.

In the closing stages of stoppage time, Raphinha’s speculative ball forward was seized upon by substitute Hélder Costa (£5.0m) who snatched at the finish despite the space in front of him.

And seconds later, Raphinha’s near-post header was turned around the post by Patrício, ensuring a match that could have produced a big haul turned out to be his first blank (in terms of attacking returns) since Gameweek 19.

Still, his high number of key passes, compared with a swathe of off-target shots opened the door for Raphinha to claim two bonus points in his first Double Gameweek 25 outing.

LINE-UP LESSONS

With Wolves lining up as an unchanged team for the first time in the league since Gameweek 8, the more interesting formation at Molineux was Leeds’.

Having tried and largely failed to ask other members of his squad to fill in for Phillips this season, Bielsa went for a different approach entirely by not directly replacing him.

“It’s not the first time (Phillips) has been absent. We have played well without him. Of course, he’s a big player but we have to adapt.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Instead, the Leeds manager moved away from the usual 4-1-4-1 shape and opted for 4-4-1-1 instead.

Mateusz Klich (£5.2m) and Jamie Shackleton (£4.8m) played as traditional central midfielders on Friday night with the extra man not behind them, but in front of them instead.

Bielsa handed that role to Roberts who sat just behind Bamford and would have come away with an assist were it not for a VAR call.

With Klich and Shackleton in the middle, Stuart Dallas (£5.0m) was returned to the left-back position after a prolonged spell in midfield. Ezgjan Alioski (£4.4m) was the man to make way, appearing only as a second-half substitute.

Struijk’s pairing with Cooper at centre-back ensured Luke Ayling (£4.4m) returned to right-back.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-4-3): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Dendoncker; Jonny, Moutinho, Neves, Semedo; A Traoré, W José, Neto.

Leeds United XI (4-4-1-1): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Struijk, Ayling; Harrison, Klich, Shackleton (Hernández), Raphinha; Roberts; Bamford.

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1,404 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mee and Antonio to Vardy and 3.8 for free?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts anyone?

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would.

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Burnley & West Ham fixtures would definitely motivate me to sell.
      Vardy could be a good semi differential with everyone going Kane.
      Depends if your squad is strong enough that having a £3.8 non playing DF over a playing one is an issue.

  2. tuturututu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more in 26?

    A) Bamford
    B )Richarlison -4

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How much money though do you have tied up in Bamford?

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why not go for DCL?

  3. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better option?

    a) Raphinha and El Mohamady
    b) Pereira and Struijk

  4. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who makes way for Kane (no Son):

    1. DCL
    2. Bamford
    3. Ings

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

    3. chudbond007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings

    4. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings

    5. RobinKerr1987
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My same front three and subsequent quandary. I elected to ditch Ings

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ditto. And ditto.

    6. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks, you beautiful humans.

  5. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How does this plan sound lads

    Played WC25, Will BB26, no FH left

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Shaw Dallas
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Kane Ings Bam

    Martinez Barnes Rudiger Dier

    26 - Raph and Ings to Grealish/Neto and Watkins -4 (Gives me 7 GW29 players)

    27 - Salah to KDB

    2 FT until 29 to bring in GW29 players (gives me 9 GW29 players without hits)

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think 7 players in gw29 is more then enough, 9 is an overkill of players most would not want long term

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds good in theory, just beware of the rumors of grealish injury

  6. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Where are all the rumors of Grealish being out for the season coming from?

    B) Would you lose Sterling to Foden to free up funds for upgrading defense?

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

      A - ???
      B - See what KDB is up to

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He hasn’t been pictured in training and a few players/staff around the club have sold him from their sides if you buy into that theory

      1. Vlekz
          3 years, 1 month ago

          And the physio removed him from his team on 18th, and the rest did it on 19th. That's more or less conclusive

      2. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The Villa physio, three members of Villa staff and Matt Targett have all transferred Grealish out.

        Sorry, but he’s inured.

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Elmohamady nailed RB for Villa?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes until Cash comes back

      2. Carefree Crew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate.

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is it worth bench boosting this?
      4.0 Bamford Dallas White
      I know there’s a fodder and no dgw players but the sgw fixtures aren’t that bad but also thinking when else will BB be played after this week as I still have my WC so will be looking to make a cheaper bench once I hit that

      1. Carefree Crew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Don't think so.
        Guessing 4.0 is non playing GK so 0 points. Villa isn't a great fixture for Leeds players.
        Might end up only getting a Brighton clean sheet.
        Circa 10-12 points return would be my guess.
        If playing wildcard GW31, check fixtures next 5 weeks, guessing one GW might fall more kindly for you. Possibly the week before you play wildcard & punt on someone you don't have to carry?

    5. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KdB worth getting on WC as differential ?

      Assuming he passes eye test in the 2 matches leading to DGW 26

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I would as I’m chasing but also wouldn’t tear up my team for him either but would have to wait and see how he looks

      2. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Personally, no. Be honest, this season he’s been tripe. His shooting has been so slow. Missed a glut of chances. And assists way down.

    6. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez Pope
      Cancelo Dias Shaw Dallas* Coufal*
      Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
      DCL Watkins Bamford*

      Only option A below enables Bamford to be taken out for Kane while keeping the others for a BB. Not pretty though. Thoughts on whether worth it to keep DCL?

      A. Bamford, Pope, Dallas > Kane, Areola/Sanchez, Struijk -4

      B. DCL out instead

      1. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Missing Raph in the midfield..

      2. JollyGoodYellows
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have a very similar team but think DCL is definitely worth keeping for the double. I want Kane in but thinking I might have to make do with only Son.

    7. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Best fwd to trade in 10.1 or below that’s not Ings or Bamford?

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy vs Arsenal/Burnley.. I would punt on Werner if he had decent fixtures but they are the tough

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy dead on 10.1 last I checked

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yep. My trade thought at the top of the thread.

    8. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tempted to lose Bruno till GW30 for Barnes to allow Antonio to Kane (c)..

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        don't get why everyone's interested in Barnes, Leicester's fixtures aren't great

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Leicester looking good & Barnes in particular. Fixtures look great to me.

    9. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A-Kilman to Stones

      B-Kilman to Targett/Mings/Konsa

      C-Areola to Ederson

      D-JWP to Foden, Bamford to Kane and Rodriguez to Jorginho -8

      E-Bamford to Kane and Rodriguez to Jorginho -4

      1. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B. Don’t like the look of Jorginho

        1. baines is god
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          feel by only having 2 City players I'm just missing out on points a bit

    10. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez
      Cancelo Stones Dallas
      Salah Bruno grealish Gundo
      Bamford DCl Kane

      Pope Raphinha Coufal Holding

      Should I go Pope>Fabri and Grealish>Son for a hit this week? Or just possibly go Bamford>Watkins?

    11. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope
      Cancelo Stones Robertson
      Salah Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha
      Bamford DCL Ings

      Martinez Soucek Coufal Ferguson

      1. Soucek Robertson >> Son Shaw
      2. Soucek Bamford >> 4.2mid Kane

      It’s risky but I need to make the move now otherwise I’m priced out...

      Thanks all

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If you have used BB already I would go for 2.

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Not used BB yet, but if I BB I can’t have Son or Kane, soooo what do you reckon?

    12. JollyGoodYellows
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyway of getting Kane into this squad? Also not sure whether to use TC or BB in 26 bearing in mind I've already used FH

      2FTs 1.0itb

      Martinez Pope
      Dias Stones Digne AWB Dallas
      Salah Bruno Son Gundo Raphinha
      Bamford Watkins DCL

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not 100% sure on the maths, but how about: Salah —-> Barnes and Watkins —-> Kane

        If Grealish is out, Watkins isn’t as attractive.

        1. JollyGoodYellows
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers. My only problem with that is Watkins plays in 29, so taking him out would leave me a player down.

      2. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bruno out till GW30 for Barnes would be my preference

    13. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have exact money to do Sterling —> KDB, would you risk it?

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

    14. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would you wildcard this squad. 2 FTs and TC left.

      Pope Mccarthy
      Dias Stones Dallas Lowton Coufal
      Salah Fernandes Soucek Raphinha Gund
      DCL Ings Bamford

      Opinions appreciated.

      1. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2FT plus one or two hits is all you need, save your wc

      2. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No.

    15. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son triple captain looks lovely

    16. PogChamp
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DGWs are such a disappointment. Feel like I dodged a bullet only having 2 Leeds.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I wouldn’t go near their defence..

    17. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jorginho is clearly in penalties and is playing every minute for Tuchel.. Is he worth it for a bench boost to enable Vardy/Kane/Calvert-Lewin triple up?

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think he is underpriced. Yes.

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Go for it, he looks a really good enabler

    18. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It’s a bit strange having 10 double game week players in 26 and still needing to WC, but the money is in all the wrong places and I need Kane & Son ... probably means about 7 or 8 changes

      Don’t think the WC will give a huge advantage in GW 26 because most will have lots of double game week players, just perhaps not the ones they would prefer

      Going to challenge the template though, which is always good

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It is having Son and Kane and still having Salah and Bruno is where it gets difficult.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          and soon to be KDB maybe ... that is why I need to get back to a strong 11 and a budget but playing bench ... the bench boost team in 26 is quite tricky to pull together

    19. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go for it or this could really backfire?

      Grealish and Bamford
      To Barnes and DCL for -4

      Luckily this can wait as DCL is close to a drop and Bamford is close to a rise.

      Leaving a bench for BB of
      McCarthy Raphinha Soyuncu Holgate

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Worth a punt

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I think it might be - Grealish injury rumours to boot. But there may be nothing to that.
          Someone suggested I go Barnes over Grealish on WC but did I listen?
          Tbf it was all a bit rushed.

    20. Muscout
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings will surely go up 0.1 at least before 26 right?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No, he's being sold more than bought now.

      2. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not necessarily, no Sou double in 26. Many will transfer out for Kane

    21. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez*
      Dias*, cancelo*, digne*, mee*,
      Fernandes*, rashford*, gundo*, lookman*
      Ings, bamford

      Pope*, raphinia, antonio,

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Post fail... should I WC this? Final player is coufal. Could field 11 doubles with a -4 but could also pick up spurs, villa, Leicester, Chelsea and liverpool assets with the WC

    22. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope Chilwell and Ings
      To
      Areola TAA and Vardy?

      For a hit. For BB! And fixtures and nailedness all combined!

      Martinez first choice keeper too

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure about Trent

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Reckon he goes bezerk in this DGW mate. Robbo 2nd choice

    23. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Slim pickings but best option 4.2

      1. Alzate
      2. Burke

      Thanks

    24. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This is how team looks like setting up (-4 for Kane). Used BB but this gives 11 double players - does it look good enough - or take another -4 to get Son for Sterling

      Martinez
      Cancelo Konsa Shaw
      Salah Sterling Bruno Gundogan
      Kane Watkins Bamford

      Forster Raphinha Dallas Coufal

    25. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Early thoughts but how does this sound?? Ings, Grealish and Digne to Kane, Son and Konsa??

    26. Subzero (-4)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I can only get one of Gundogan or DCL for dgw 26. Which one is more of a priority? Can get both but it would require a -8

      Thanks in advance.

      1. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely monitor this GW. Not sure Gundo will even start and may be a risk to start both in the DGW.