November
01

The ScoutCast – Episode Eighty Six – Ghost Ship

Filed under: Fantasy Football Podcast - Posted by: Mark

Ghost Ship – a Fantasy Football team picked for the first Gameweek and then left to drift without a crew or rudder for the rest of the season. It would stand to reason that such a vessel would hit the rocks and sink without trace. Sometimes, however, they can navigate an unlikely route to glory.

Tell us about. This latest episode is a timely one given the time of year and it’s a “Ghost Ship” lineup, “managed” by the most unlikely member of the team to be up amongst the top ranks that takes up a good proportion of our time, leaving Granville and myself pondering the meaning of it all.

Around all that, we both manage to find the motivation to bring you the regular topics with the concept of “chasing points” coming under discussion, alongside “all aboard”, the weekend preview and a long tale of Granville’s injury list. Ouch.

Climb aboard this haunted vessel via this link, or use the handy player below to stream away.

About The Author

“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”

Mark

> See all posts by this author

  1. unitednations
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Begovic (mannone)
    rafael baines cueller (demel davies)
    nasri michu pienaar morrison cazorla
    rvp defoe (Ba)

    Have 0FT and 0m.

    Not sure how to improve this team (esp midfield) for this gw.
    A: nasri >> barfa for a hit
    B: nasri >> yaya for a hit
    C: Save the transfer
    D: any other options?

    2. thegaffer82
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Caz>Bale is what I've done (but I don't own Defoe)

    3. Le Kerfuffle
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      C. I think you're set for this week

    4. United_On_20
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Great team, wait on Ba's injury report before you do anything. Save the transfer and bring Barfa for Newcastle cover...

  2. thegaffer82
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What is your Fantasy Football biggest bugbear?

    Mine is definitely the way that this year, seemingly more so than other seasons, everybody is doing their transfers at the earliest possible time and driving up the prices of players to ridiculous levels.

    So in previous seasons I've always held out until friday evenings, but now I'm doing mine on saturday or sunday nights for the following GW to aviod paying 0.2/0.3 more for the same player.

    And by the way I am aware of the irony of my complaint, that I am indeed now part of the problem.

    I would happily sign up to an agreement whereby nobody does any transfers until friday dinner time

    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Yeah...this is only my second season playing FPL so I don't know what it was like before...but it does seem that this year...if you even blink you could miss out on players because their price will have rocketed. I think if you've not been paying attention to value/prices you're pretty screwed this year...seems like it's really important to do so.

      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Especially with the likes of RVP being so expensive...it means you need to squeeze value out of every area to make owning him or others appropriate.

    2. Jafooli
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      I think there is a fair degree of truth in this Gaffer. Only in my fourth season myself and have certainly noticed less time to make decisions.

      I think as the total number of players increases year on year, then statistically then number of people who prefer to make early transfers increases, as do the number of people unaware of the benefits of holding off (unless you're chasing price rises!).

      Personally I'd like to see a bit more skill brought into the game (transfer window each week), culling dead teams (not login in since GW1 for example), and a few others. At the moment, not enough respect to those dedicated to the game.

      Currently once you've got yourself into the top 100K, it is as much down to luck as anything, where you end up...

    3. Eddie
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I imagine it will calm down in the latter half of the season though. I for one have been jumping on bandwagons early in the week, occasionally for hits, just to secure a good overall team value. Now I'm starting to slow down and will wait until friday/save a transfer.

      1. ☆ Triggerlips ☆
        • Reputation Level: Scout
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member

        Dont agree with most of this thread.
        Have made only six transfers this season , have a fairly high team value , and in top 2k

        There is such a thing as too much micro management , for example how many have wasted transfers buying Tevez , then selling , then buying again , same with Berbatov

        People need to slow it down a little

        1. Smellbobs
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          I think you forgot to mention the fact you wildcarded a few weeks back so you have made numerous transfers.

      2. thegaffer82
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Yeh I hope so. It's the first week doing this have has bitten me, with Ba possibly out injured and Lambert likely to be rotated away, I'm now in a position where I could have just one striker playing. But I have already taken a hit this week (Guth>Morrison & Santi>Bale) so cant sort it out

    4. andy85wsm - I captained RVP…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Its always like that at the beginning of the season and then it tends to wear off as the season goes on. It's the risk you take!

    5. GreenandRed
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I need to go to a self help group to help me stop making transfers by Friday, seriously! Not fr tge price saving, no will power. A bit like the rush you get placing a bet.

      1. Le Chairman FPL Adjustment …
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Find it asap and let me know

        1. GreenandRed
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          :-)

    6. Joga Bonito Swans Owner
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I couldn't agree more, I've started doing it as well, just knowing that if I don't I'm spending another .1 or even .2. I think the further you go on in the season the more people are happy and settled with their teams and the less transfers people will be making.

  3. Le Kerfuffle
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Which of these am I better off doing -

    A) Nolan --> Gera /McAnuff for a 2 week punt (and to free up cash for a possible fletcher upgrade)
    B) Demel --> Cameron
    C) Save the FT

    1. ManofKent - boing boing
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      A, but I have concerns about how nailed on Gera is

      1. Le Kerfuffle
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        McAnuff a safer bet then?

        1. ManofKent - boing boing
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          I would...

          1. Le Kerfuffle
            • Reputation Level: Scout

            Cheers. I'm leaning towards that too but I'm concerned that my defence is a little week atm...

  4. thegaffer82
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Demel>Cameron then worry about Fletcher another day

    1. Le Kerfuffle
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Cheers. So you think I'm fine hanging on to nolan in spite of his shite fixtures?

      1. thegaffer82
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Yep, your MF is strong enough to leave him on the bench for his more difficult fixtures

  5. AliQew
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    thoughts on this team

    begovic
    rafael hangeland clyne
    hazard michu bale C pienaar
    aguero RVP berba

    sterling, jenks demel

  6. Deicide
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Foster Bego
    Clyne Ridgwell Baines Cuellar Demel
    Fellaini Hazard Cazorla Sterling Michu
    Rvp Ba Crouch

    1ft
    1 in the bank
    Saving my ft

    Suggestions?

    What should be my priority for next gw?

    Ditch Demel for someone else?
    What's gonna happen with Ba? When will he play again?

  7. Last Resort...
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    HBA/Aguero to Taarabt(or 5.6)/RVP -4?

    A go, or should I hold off. HBAs form is bothering me, even though his fixtures are nice.

    1. Eddie
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      personally I'd hang on to HBA, less you have Ba. But then I have RVP already.

    2. thegaffer82
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Any transfer that includes getting RVP can only be a good move :)

  8. Rossoneri4Ever
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Foster

    Cuellar, Hughes, Cole

    Hazard, Bale, Fellaini, Cazorla

    Ba, Berba, Tevez

    Jussi, Demel, Michu, Rangel

    0.3 in the bank. Squeezing my brain on what transfers to make, don't think I need to, but with Ba and Cole doubts, a bit worried. Any of you lads give me some help on this please?

    1. thegaffer82
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Demel>Wilkinson

      1. McTown
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        this seems a fine move, if not very glamorous

  9. Toonzie
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    yaya or hba + aguero -> rvp + mcanuff

    yay or nay? :)

  10. Acquafresca
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    REPOST

    Captaincy.

    RVP 10/11
    Bale 7/5
    Tevez 10/11

    Odds are for anytime goalscorer.

    1. "1MATA"-I BLEED B…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I am going with RVP Aqua, so better stay away!
      My Captain hasn't clicked 7 out of 9 times this season! :-(

      1. Acquafresca
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Yet your rank is beautiful :)

  11. gunnerboy
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    This is my current team for the weekend:

    Begovic

    Rafael Baines S Taylor

    Michu Cazorla HBA Lennon

    RVP Tevez Pog

    Still got 1 FT, where should I use it? Im willing to take a hit too if you have any suggestions.

    Thanks very much

    1. McTown
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      might require a huge team overhaul but would advise moving pog on. i too have saylor but is he even gunna play?

  12. lfcserg
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Who to (C) Bale or RVP?

    1. gunnerboy
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      RVP

    2. McTown
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      have this choice and currently on RVP but will change multiple times before the deadline

    3. creeola
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I've gone for bale

  13. thegaffer82
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Have I got the right set-up for this GW? Also any suggestions for improving my squad in the coming GWs?

    Foster (Fed)
    Hang Baines Cuellar
    Morrison Bale(vc) Haz Pie Sterling
    RVP(c) Ba

    Bench: Lambert, McCartney, Gibbs
    Bank: 0.4m (already took a 4pt hit too)

    Not overly happy with my team (know it's not terrible either). Need to replace Lambert, Hang, Fed and do Haz>Mata at some point. Would like some Stoke DF coverage & Tevez coming in the other way.

    1. McTown
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      your plans seem solid if nothing else comes up, good team for this week

  14. McTown
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What do people reckon in the morrison/lallana debate? need a replacement for gervinho this week, cheers

    1. Yoda
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      lallana. See his stats. Also Morrisson played as a DM last match

    2. thegaffer82
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I bought Morrison this week. I'm hoping that he's in for a solid few weeks but as mentioned above there is a question over his role in the side.

      However, football isnt as black and white as that, and I think that whatever his role in the team, he will still be a threat on the pitch. It would just be a lot more helpful if Clarke plays him in the hole again instead of Gera.

      1. Le Chairman FPL Adjustment …
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Two goals three assists

        Women lie, men lie, numbers don't :)

        1. ColeHole
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Are you a number? Or are you a free man?

  15. GreenandRed
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Surfer Rosa -

    Begovic
    Johnson, Ivanovic, Cuellar
    Sterling, Pienaar, Mata, Cazorla, Bale
    Fletcher, Rooney

    Foster, Mirallas, Gorkss, Clark

    1. Le Chairman FPL Adjustment …
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Haha sure, planning on getting him in soon

  17. I don't even watch foo…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Here's my current team. Do you guys approve of these transfers?

    McCarthy; Jaaskelainen

    Hangeland; Ivanovic; McAuley; Shawcross; (Demel --> Rafael)

    Santi; Cazorla; Pienaar; Walters; Michu; Hazard

    Lambert; Tevez;Torres --> Berbatov

  18. Le Chairman FPL Adjustment …
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Ba, Crouch, Tev
    Morrison, Mata, Bale, Lallana
    Baines, Shawcross, Kolarov
    Krul, Begovic

    Subs: Boyce, Lallana, Barnett

    Ba listed as doubtful, wanted to go 8pt hit get RVP, Baird and Leigertwood for Kolarov, Yaya and Ba

    Is it worth it?

    Plus any one think Lukaku might outscore RVP this weekend?

    Plus, will Lukaku start over Shane Long?

    Thoughts?

  19. xxxiang
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    hey guys

    ivanovic/cameron/mcauley/jenkinson/nelsen
    sahin/nolan/bale/mata/sterling

    used my ft on cameron already.

    should i go jenkinson>sagna?
    or sahin> mcanuff
    or sahin>fellaini

    for a 4 point hit this week?

    1. Le Chairman FPL Adjustment …
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Jenkinson to Sagna but not this week

      1. xxxiang
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        kk. thanks.
        then sahin to mcanuff or fellaini will be better?

  20. AliQew
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    yo guys
    thoughts on this team?

    begovic
    hangeland rafael clyne
    michu pienaar hazard bale C
    aguero, berba, rvp

    bench: sterling jenks demel

  21. Bows
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Sagna could drop a tin of beans on his foot :D Love the idea of Sagna doing himself beans on toast for breakie

  22. eanj01
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    bega or jaska this week?

    rest of the team:

    baines/ivanovic/baird
    nolan/mata/bale/michu
    tevez/rvp/ba

    sterling/demble/figueroa

  23. bring on Real Madrid !
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    is it wise enough to do
    ba caz skrtel out
    rvp fellaini nelsen in
    already have
    berba tevez
    bale michu pienaar?

  24. Macklin
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Guys can I download the scoutcast as mp3?

  25. Evstastic
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Anyone considering Ashley Young 8.2? My first thought was to double up RVP with Valencia 8.6 . The saving would help with a few upgrades ?

  26. branub
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    i have RVP and Rooney... who will u cap and why ?

    i personally think Rooney will do well tml.. and high chance hes on pens over rvp ? ( is it ? altho i prefer rvp )
    and Rooney have a good record playing against arsenal.. i am lacking behind on my league and with a 8 pt hit. Rooney is a differencial as most ppl in my league will be capping RVP.

    shld i play safe and cap RVP ? or just go Rooney

  27. paulassetnicholson
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    If anyone has any Fantasy League questions or needs help with their team, leave your questions here.
    Only comments/questions submitted before 10pm Friday will be answered.
    I will give my honest opinion and a detailed answer.

    1. ColeHole
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      ok

      1) Who is your Daddy and what does he do?

      2) To get RVP in, would you lose Mata?

      3) Would you play Davies against Chelsea or get another player for a hit?

      I expect detail and unimpeachable honesty. Ta.

      1. paulassetnicholson
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        1) As I said Fantasy League questions only.

        2) It is a huge risk but Manchester United have brilliant upcoming fixtures and are nearly in the Last 16 of the CL, whereas Chelsea may be forced to turn their attention away from the Pl towards the CL, resting players such as Mata and Hazard. I also think that van Persie will deliver tomorrow against his old club as I believe playing against his old team will suit him. Also, with the added excellent performance of Moses in midweek, Di Matteo might risk resting his 3 attacking mids. It is a tough call but I would go for van Persie.

        3) Difficult question there are not many alternatives for such a low price. With a run of easier fixtures and 4 CS's to their names I would maybe look at getting in a Stoke defender for £4.5, but I expect Norwich to deny Stoke the clean sheet at Carrow Road. I would stick with Davies this week then look at your alternatives the next. Swansea are not the same defensively as they were under Rodgers. Good Luck.

  28. mease14
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Foster
    rafeal, baines, nelson
    morrison, bale, hazard, noble
    RVP, tevez, berbatov

    WHO TO CAPTAIN?
    also 0.7m in bank, but not too sure who to swap/get rid.
    think berba or noble...but who for?

  29. cbruzon
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Here's my team, made no transfers this week ans unsure which goalie to put and also whcih defender. Any advice?

    Jussi or schwarzee
    Mcauley, Gallas, and then need to decide between Ivanovic or Baines
    Hazard, sterling, yaya toure, pienaar,
    RVP, Ba, Pobregneyak

    Thanks!

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Scout Picks

Team of the Season 2012/13

  • Jääskeläinen
  • Baines
  • Vertonghen
  • Zabaleta
  • Davies
  • Walcott
  • Mata
  • Michu
  • Bale
  • Suárez
  • van Persie
  • Evra
  • Cazorla
  • Benteke

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Hot Topics

Next Six Ticker

The Watchlist

Goalkeepers

Player Club Factors
No Change Hart MCI B, Vs
Up Cech CHE B, Vs
Up Robles WIG C, Vs, £
No Change Lloris TOT C, Vs
No Change Foster WBA C, Vs
No Change Vorm SWA C, Vs
No Change Mignolet SUN B, Vs
No Change De Gea MUN A
Up Boruc SOT B, Vs, £
No Change Jääskeläinen WHM A
No Change Begovic STO C
No Change Howard EVE A

Defenders

Player Club Factors
No Change Kompany MCI B, Vs, Rest
No Change Vertonghen TOT A, Vs, Rest
Up Luiz CHE A, Vs, Rest
No Change Baines EVE A
Up Boyce WIG C, Vs, OoP
Down Bassong NOR B, Vs
Up McAuley WBA C, Vs
Down Johnson LIV B
Up Jones MUN A
No Change Sagna ARS B
Up Huth STO C
No Change Cuéllar SUN B, Vs, £
No Change Rangel SWA C, Vs
Up Clyne SOT B, Vs, £

Midfielders

Player Club Factors
Up Bale TOT A, Vs
No Change Mata CHE C, Vs, Rest
Up Walcott ARS C, OoP
Up Hazard CHE B, Vs, Rest, Inj
Up Maloney WIG B, Vs, £
No Change Y Touré MCI B, Vs
No Change Silva MCI B, Vs, Inj
No Change Fellaini EVE C
No Change Coutinho LIV B
Up Morrison WBA C, Vs
Down Cazorla ARS C
No Change Snodgrass NOR B
Up Kagawa MUN B, Rest
Up Walters STO B
Down Lallana SOT C, Vs
Down Sissoko NEW C

Forwards

Player Club Factors
Up Tevez MCI A, Vs, Rest
Up Koné WIG B, Vs, £
Down van Persie MUN A, Vs
Up Sturridge LIV B
Up Lukaku WBA B, Vs, Rest
Up Benteke AVL A
Down Aguero MCI B, Vs, Inj
Up Rodriguez SOT A, Vs, £
Up Defoe TOT B, Vs, Rest
Down Lambert SOT C, Vs
Down Rooney MUN C
Up Carroll WHM A, VsX
Up Ba CHE C, Vs, Rest
Down Berbatov FUL C
Up Cissé NEW B
Down Remy QPR B

Selection Factors

A, B, C Current Form
Vs Favourable Fixtures
VsX Unfavourable Fixtures
Rest Rotation Risk
Inj Injured/Returning from Injury
OoP Out of Position
£ Potential Bargain
Sus Suspended/Near Suspension

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Andre Villas-Boas reveals his views on Clint Dempsey's best position.