Scout Notes
22 September 2025 140 comments
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We recap two more of Saturday’s matches as we continue to rattle through our Gameweek 5 Scout Notes.

This time, it’s Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Leeds United and Fulham 3-1 Brentford.

STACH HAULS AS LEEDS FIND CLINICAL TOUCH

Leeds had impressed defensively in the opening four Gameweeks, keeping two clean sheets and being minutes away from a third against Fulham. Reservations about the Whites had instead been about their attack.

Before Saturday, Leeds hadn’t scored a single goal from open play. Their only strike, indeed, had come from the penalty spot in Gameweek 1.

So what an indictment of Wolves’ backline that Daniel Farke’s side were able to score three goals at Molineux without breaking much sweat.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.5m) nodded in from Jayden Bogle‘s (£4.5m) fine cross to equalise after Wolves’ opener. Anton Stach (£5.0m) lashed in a superb free-kick to give the visitors the lead. And, finally, Noah Okafor (£5.5m) latched onto a Stach pass to round off the scoring. Three summer signings, three first Leeds goals.

Those goals constituted half of the Whites’ six shots, the fourth-lowest total of Gameweek 5. They had only one attempt in the second half, albeit the onus wasn’t on them to attack.

So, forgive us for doubting that Leeds’ attack turned a corner. Wolves are dreadful right now, the worst side in the league, and this result owed a debt to their sheer awfulness. Farke’s troops go from facing 20th on Saturday to 4th next weekend, so let’s see how they fare against high-flying Bournemouth.

What is less in doubt is Stach’s appeal as a budget asset. He’s been on our Watchlist for several weeks now and, going into Gameweek 5, he was the only FPL midfielder to reach double figures for shots and chances created. On corners and free-kicks, possessing a fierce shot and able to rack up defensive contribution (DefCon) points, his all-round ability earned him 15 points in Gameweek 5. He probably won’t reach that score again this season (his two returns came from 0.14 xGI on Saturday!) but he’ll chip away nicely with 4-5 points on a semi-regular basis.

CAN £4.0M DARLOW KEEP HIS PLACE?

Karl Darlow (£4.0m) again performed solidly between the posts on Saturday, making five saves. His best was a sharp reflex stop from Marshall Munetsi (£5.5m) to keep Leeds 3-1 up.

Will he be lining up again between the posts come Gameweek 6? Lucas Perri (£4.5m) is not guaranteed to be back; all Farke said last Friday was that he would “have a clearer picture” on the Brazilian goalkeeper after the Wolves game.

If Perri is fit, it’ll be interesting to see if the Leeds boss takes out a goalkeeper who has performed very well in Gameweeks 4 and 5.

Meanwhile, Farke might be forced into changing a member of his defence for the first time in 2025/26 in Gameweek 6. Bogle limped off with a foot injury late on, so James Justin (£4.0m) will be on standby.

‘OOP’ KREJCI SCORES + STRAND LARSEN RETURNS – BUT POSITIVES END THERE

Wolves gave another start to FPL defender Ladislav Krejcí (£4.5m) in central midfield and the young Czech netted his first goal after finishing off a fine team move. That was very much out of keeping with what was to follow…

Ropey at the back and lacking creativity in attack (there were 16 shots but only one ‘big chance’, Krejci’s goal), it’s difficult to know how Pereira gets Wolves out of this rut.

He’s already used more players (22) in his starting XI than any other Premier League club. One of just three ever-present starters, Emmanuel Agbadou (£4.5m), is having a rotten season after looking so good last year. It was his giveaway that led to Leeds scoring their third.

“If I ask what our best first XI is, can you say? I am trying to find it. I’m trying to find the balance in the team.” – Vitor Pereira, via the Express and Star

A boost was Jorgen Strand Larsen‘s (£6.4m) return from injury as a substitute but even he looked lost in the second half.

SILVA HAILS KING DESPITE ERROR

Saturday’s match at Craven Cottage was a thoroughly deserved win for Fulham. Even the early goal they conceded to Brentford, dispatched by Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.9m), was self-inflicted, thanks to a horror pass from Josh King (£4.5m).

Goals from Alex Iwobi (£6.5m) and Harry Wilson (£5.4m) soon overturned that lead, with an Ethan Pinnock (£4.4m) own-goal rounding off the scoring. Fulham even saw a fourth goal, lashed in by Rodrigo Muniz (£5.5m), harshly disallowed. Brentford barely summoned a response thereafter.

King has been the only reliable £4.5m starting midfielder in 2025/26, and he’s seen his ownership go up fivefold since Gameweek 1.

This error might have given his owners jitters but the youngster bounced back well enough and was given backing by Marco Silva after full-time.

“I like the way the players support Josh King straight away. It was a difficult moment for him. The reaction from him was top.

“I’m very pleased with him. He knows the trust we have in him. He’s working very hard. He’s a top talent. I like his maturity, as well.

“He’s playing because he deserves it.” – Marco Silva on Josh King

It was maybe no surprise that Iwobi put in such a good shift, either, with potential positional rival Kevin (£6.0m) so impressive in a cameo last weekend. The two can still be accommodated in the same team, of course, with Iwobi versatile enough to play on the right, as a ’10’, or as an ‘eight’.

Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) meanwhile banked DefCon points for the fourth time in five Gameweeks.

As for the Bees, this was probably their worst showing of the season in the circumstances, as the Gameweek 1 loss at the City Ground featured a second-string frontline.

Such inconsistency is to be expected with a new manager in charge and an attack trying to adapt following the loss of Messrs Mbeumo and Wissa. Igor Thiago (£6.0m) is certainly yet to convince he’s going to fill those boots.

140 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    So it is 6 goals + assists in 6 matches for Salah in all competitions in a new look attack.

    Do you think we will see more Salah involvement over next 6 gws as the team continues to gel?

    There were signs against Atletico.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Im keeping him, only other options right now are Bruno or Mbeumo, he should of had another assist if Wirtz was on it v Everton, big chance.

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Honestly no other premium mid above 8.5 million appeals to me at the moment

        Can easily own Salah and Haaland with a frontline of Haaland Gyokeres and Pedro.

        Plenty of good mid priced midfeilders to chose from

        Semenyo Ndiaye Rjeinders Kudus Stach Bruno/Mbeumo

        1. Warby84
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Gyork is awful

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    The Def con Star!

    (S)enesi (T)arkowski (A)ndersen (R)ichards

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Must avoids:

      (C)unha (U)garte (N)diaye (T)ielemans

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Haha, Ndiaye is a good option tbf

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Ndoye* works

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      My Defense is literally an ARSE 😀

      Andersen
      Richards / Rodon
      Senesi
      Esteve

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Haha, so close to being a Star(fish) made of chocolate 😉

        1. HurriKane
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Defcon loving ARSE paving way for the big boys in attack.

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Yep ARSE is still good

  3. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Best MID up to £8.5 to trade in for Salah, to fund Haaland (have Semenyo, Gakpo and Grealish)? Cheers

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Mbeumo

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Rjeinders. Dont let the price fool you. He's like city's main goal threath after Haaland.

      In games city dominate position most of the time you can see him box crashing for cutbacks from likes of Doku and Bilva on the wings.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Yeah or him(i own), box to box mid, nailed on, 90mins, got goals, assists and defcon, what's not to like

    3. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Caicedo for the defcons.

  4. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Lacroix to Tarko for free? Feels like Palace fixtures turning bad and they failed to keep cleanie at west ham

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Big Tark

    2. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Yes, I would..considering moving Munoz but I dont have the FTs

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Thanks. Think it's a classic case of Palace defenders being in vogue on WC4 and Tarky being the one in WC6.
        Palace haven't been as tight as I'd hoped plus Tarky is a set piece threat against West ham.

        1. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Don't understand the logic here. You want to move off a guy who has conceded 2 goals because "Palace haven't been as tight as you'd hoped" and bring in a guy who's conceded 5 goals and has a date with Erling Haaland on the horizon. Strange.

          1. MissouriMarten
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            This.

          2. Jet5605
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            The logic was attacking Palaces fixtures in 4-5. Their fixtures are turning bad, European games stretching them and their thin squad.
            One game v Haaland isn't a big enough reason IMO as I could bench him that week. Tarky is the Salah of DC. Good use of a FT IMO

  5. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Gakpo Paqueta to Ndiaye Reijnders/Doku/Foden?

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Yes with reijnders

  6. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Are Arsenal mids a no go apart from Saka. Really wanted Eze on WC but not so sure now.

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Feel like Saka minuites will be managed with Madueke. Arteta cant afford saka to get injured again

    2. Over Midwicket
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      I have Eze. Have been getting away with it but am selling asap. He never even shoots.

  7. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Saliba nailed now?

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      yep

  8. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Will u put guiu in your wildcard team or too risky for his price to keep on dropping?

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Too risky. Rejig for a cheap starting fodder mid.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        I am talking about striker??

        1. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          I know you are. Saying you've more chance of getting gametime from a cheap mid than from Guiu so go 4 mids, fodder mid and 3 forwards instead of 5 mids, 2 forwards and Guiu.

      2. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        This. Josh king is a gift playing number 10. The potential is there

        Giving Andreas Pereira vibes in 22/23 season where he got 10 attacking returns as a 4.5 mid

  9. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Who's the biggest threat to Botman being nailed on?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      He isn't nailed. Schar and Burn are first choice and Eddie doesn't tend to play 3 atb.

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Cheers. Fair point. He played 3 at the back v Leeds and Bournemouth, 2 clean sheets. Trippier in such good form he's unlikely not to start but he did play Livramento RB, Schar, Botman CBs and Burn LB before. Maybe Livramento or Burn most undroppables at this stage? Not getting Pope but their defence looks very good at this early stage.

  10. Over Midwicket
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Am I crazy for avoiding Arsenal defence?

    Current defence:
    Tarko, Senesi, Diakite, Lacroix, VDB + Vicario GK

    Looking at VDV -> Burn this week. Newcastle are statistically the best defence this season, can easily grind out a 0-0 home to Arsenal then it's smooth sailing. They have about fifty massive guys and all they do is defend.

    Could do Lacroix to Gabriel next week mind but feels like a luxury move.

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Not Crazy. Plenty of cheap defs hitting defcons and great value for money

  11. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Best watkins replacement here under 11m?

    gakpo semenyo enzo reijnders anderson
    haaland watkins pedro

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Gyokeres

    2. Over Midwicket
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Gyokeres but it's slim pickings

      I still like Mateta

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Richarlison too punty?

        1. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          No. In good form.

          2 puntier punts:

          Isak.

          Calvert Lewin.

          🙂

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Solanke is back in training and may be available against Wolves so tread carefully as Richarlison may be a minutes risk. Monitor the pressers and see what Frank has to say later in the week.

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Ya true. Might just give watkins one more gw and transfer to gyokeres

          2. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Solanke made of glass, Richa banging them in, if you are manager who starts?

  12. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    For Gw6, best option:

    A Start Gakpo (worried about Xmins)
    B Start Stach
    C Gakpo to Ndiaye -4, lets me do Munoz to Gabriel for a FT in GW7

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      A

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      A.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      A

  13. hnmfm
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    You ever stay patient thinking the variance will play out eventually then it just doesn't, guess it's time to wildcard, how's that looking? any obvious mistakes, other than Isak minutes risk

    Petrovic
    Gvradiol Gabriel Vdv
    Salah Bruno Semenyo Kudus Raindeer
    Isak JP

    Dubravka Tosin Esteve Guiu

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Haaland

  14. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    On a wildcard. Which 5M max midfielder to bring in?

    A. KDH
    B. King (save some money)
    C. Xhaka
    D. Stach

    Thanks

    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      King playing in the 10 role I reckon

  15. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Wildcard time?

    Sels, dubravka
    Senesi, porro, cucurella, Hartman, de crypers
    Salah, Reijnders, rogers, Semenyo, Ndiaye
    Watkins, Bowen, wood

    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        2 months, 14 days ago

        I think so mate, I’m having to pull the trigger this week, I have Watkins and Wirtz far too much time to perform

      • RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        You’re fine if getting Haaland for Watkins, and Saøsh out for cheaper mid

    2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Any suggestions for final midfielder in below WC draft? 8.7 in the bank, currently on Foden but not fully convinced:

        Raya/Dub
        Gabriel/VVD/Guehi/Rodon/VDV
        Xavi/Semenyo/KDH/Caicedo/?????
        Haaland/Gyok/JP

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Bruno

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Kudos, Saka

        3. chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          I think Mbuemo is going under the radar a bit. Excellent xGI, sharing set pieces, most advanced player, will play 90mins every week (last game was a game state one off), return to Brentford next

          1. LC1
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Yeah completely agree with this. Would've had a goal had Sanchez not fly kicked him. Would've scored had Donnarumma not pulled off an absoltuely phenomenal save the week before.

            I'm bringing him in instead of Bruno

        4. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Jaidon Anthony

      • DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Do you think Calafiori is nailed. Everytime I see him play he looks good. But noticed he gets hooked off around 70 mins apart from yesterday.

        1. chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          He is but he’s also injury prone so don’t be suprised if that reoccurs soon

      • SpaceCadet
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Bruno or Ndiaye?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Bruno

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Thanks

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Ndiaye. Better value.

      • Obi 1 Kenobi 0
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Further to the above which would you prefer?

          A. Reijnders & Isak
          B. Foden & Jp

          1. DavvaMC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            A.

          2. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            A

        • RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Good morning!

          Watkins, Dango my issues, think I’ll keep Salah for now.

          Who would you bring in for 2 FTs?

          Dubravka
          Williams VdV Cucurella
          Salah Semenyo Dango Kudos Rejinders
          Haaland Watkins

          Subs Verbruggen Diof Esteve Guiu

          1. chilli con kone
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Can you do Dango to Stach to get Williams up to Gabriel/Saliba?

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 14 days ago

              I can do that, Cucu, Dango, Watkins to Gabriel, max 6.1 mid and Pedro for -4.

              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                2 months, 14 days ago

                Sorry, max 7.3 mid. Would like to sell Watkins this gw and get Pedro or Caicedo in, problem is number of che players in my team

        • Salahbrate
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Do you think Sarr will play next game?

          1. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Which Sarr??

        • Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Good morning all. A or B? I will be bringing in Tark or Chalobah this week and the other def of combo next week.

          A) Tark and Richards
          B) Chalobah and Burn

          1. chilli con kone
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            A for me

          2. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            A

        • SpaceCadet
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          LMS safety score?

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            34

            1. SpaceCadet
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 14 days ago

              Close! Got 36. Cheers

        • chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          ?????/Dubravka

          Saliba / Tarkowski / Senesi / Anderson / ?????

          Salah / ????? / Semenyo / Reijnders / Stach

          Haaland / Pedro / Guiu

          A. Mbuemo, Petrovic, Gudmundsson

          B. Ndiaye, Raya, Richards

          On wildcard and already bench boosted. Cheers

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            B

        • SpaceCadet
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Better option this gw?

          a. tc haaland
          b. bb dubravka anderson munoz gudmundsson

          1. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            A

            1. SpaceCadet
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 14 days ago

              Cheers mate

          2. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            A

        • Lord of Ings
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Romero or tarkowski on wc?

          1. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Tark

        • cescpistols1
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          What changes would you recommend? 2FT, 0.0 ITB.

          Holding Salah for the next couple of matches. Feel a haul is around the corner. Best replacement for Barnes?

          Raya
          Frimpong Senesi N.Williams
          Salah Kudus Barnes Elliott
          Haaland J.Pedro Mateta

          Dubravka King Guehi Gudmundsson

          1. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Caicedo

        • MrAnderson
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Quick one.im right in saying playing bench boost doesnt affect transfers. IE if Im bench boosting this week but dont make any transfers, one will roll over giving me 2 next week?

        • SharkyT
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Road to Haaland:
          3FT 2m ITB

          A) Salah + Guiu > Ndiaye + Haaland
          B) Watkins Rogers Munoz > Haal King Anderson

          Leaning towards A but leaves nothing left ITB to move Watkins to Gyoceres GW7.
          B feels a bit weak but keeps Salah

          1. OptimusBlack
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            B just to get rid of Watkins

        • g40steve
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 14 days ago

          Play TC Haaland (any better weeks) or BB?

          Next week changing keeper or Cucu > possibly Pope/Raya & Timber/Burn

          Sels
          Cucu, Senesi, VDV,
          Salah, Semenyo, Kudus, Reijnders,
          Pedro, Haaland, Richarison

          Dubs, Statch, Gudmund, Guehi,

          .5

          1. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            TC

            1. g40steve
              • 7 Years
              2 months, 14 days ago

              Thx

          2. mookie
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 14 days ago

            Wednesday we'll find out who Palace are playing in the next round of the Carabao Cup. If they go through, they and their GW17(if I recall correctly) opponents will have a blank and a double.