Podcast August 15

The ScoutCast – Episode 109 – Two Men

No thrills. Few spills. Just two men in a room talking about Fantasy Football.

Granville and I handed Jonty and the “Professor” an extended pre-season and rolled the ScoutCast back to its rawest form. Just myself and the Mancunian sharing our thoughts after a summer break and looking forward to another Fantasy campaign.

We talk double Gameweek assets, I roll out the van Persie duvet, Granville reveals more than he should about his team lineup and, around all that, we assess the early bandwagons and preview the weekend fixtures.

Forty-five minutes of two blokes talking about the stuff that’s rattling around in most of our heads right now.

It’s good to be back.

Eavesdrop on the conversation via this link or earwig via the handy player below.

5,171 Comments Post a Comment

Twelve years a slave
10 years, 9 months ago
Current team

Cech (Marshall)

Coleman Toure M Turner ( 4.0 4.0)

Hazard Walcott Courtinho Mirallas (Williams)

Soldado Benteke Lulaku

Only got williams because he decent gw3 fixture , but scraping the barrel prob hull and palace def on bench
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Kostja
  10 years, 9 months ago
  good stuff
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. Twelve years a slave
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Will be swapping cech for vorm at some point , they rotate very well with cardiff keeper
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Christina.
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Trigger - what happened to WC after gw 3? Still on?
    Open Controls
    Permalink
3. Christina.
  10 years, 9 months ago
  12/15 identical to me....
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Twelve years a slave
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Thats because you copied 😀
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. Christina.
      10 years, 9 months ago
      Nope.
      
      If I'm not mistaken I mentioned Cech/Marshall up top.
      
      15 min later you suddenly have him...
      
      😉
      Open Controls
      Permalink
      1. Christina.
        10 years, 9 months ago
        ...so I copied Evs....you copied me.
        Open Controls
        Permalink
        
        Twelve years a slave
        10 years, 9 months ago
        lol you might be right
        
        Hope my team does so well i dont have to wildcard , but i know i will on international break
        Open Controls
        Permalink
        
        Christina.
        10 years, 9 months ago
        Yeah, I'm set on it.
        
        I had a look at the fixtures post gw 4, and there is opportunity for a 'shift in personnel".
        Open Controls
        Permalink
4. dribbler
  10 years, 9 months ago
  well tl you're better than me at this but I think that team stinks
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Boss Hogg
10 years, 9 months ago
1. Best defender for 4.0?

2. Best defender for 4.5?

3. Best midfielder for 4.5?

4. Best midfielder for 5.0?

Thanks!
Open Controls
- Permalink
pieces
10 years, 9 months ago
From Sam Allerdyce yesterday:

"From my point of view, Stewart, Andy, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole, Vaz Te, Nolan, Maiga are all going to be our most offensive players and we're looking for them to provide and score goals this season collectively. It's great competition for places."

Not good for Ravel based on those comments. I can understand him leaving Carroll out given his injury and lack of pre-season game time, but no mention of Morrison ........out he goes!!!
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Brutus619
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Isn't Andy Caroll? 😉
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. pieces
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Fail 🙁
    Open Controls
    Permalink
2. JonBoy
  10 years, 9 months ago
  No. But to be honest, he has to keep that kid's feet on the ground.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Mind över Mata
10 years, 9 months ago
Morning all, any thoughts on this rabble greatly appreciated!

Migs / Lewis
Terry / Reid / Murner / Burner / Chester
Hazard / Coutinho / Wally / Silva / Kim
Lukaku / Soldado / Dzeko
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Sting
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Really good balance midfield and forwards. Terry not nailed on though, but assuming you will sell GW2 ?
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. Whazza
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Wouldn't get both Silva and Dzeko...
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Pius35
10 years, 9 months ago
For 5.5 : Shelvey, Bellamy or Tonev ?
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Sting
  10 years, 9 months ago
  All too expensive, but Tonev has potential. Won't get regular game time though
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Kostja
10 years, 9 months ago
So no Arteta for sure, I am starting to like the idea of Benteke a bit more
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Whazza
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Arteta is sh*t anyway 🙂
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. abreu
  10 years, 9 months ago
  does it matter? Arteta isnt the mean cultivator able to stop him anyway
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Sting
10 years, 9 months ago
Good morning scout members, I never really do this and usually only comment on RMT posts, but really struggling to make a balanced side..., so RMT ?

Ruddy (Mannone)

Ivanovic Toure Shaw (Brayford Chester)

Walcott Silva Mirallas Hazard(c) (Barkley)

Sturridge Lukaku Soldado

100.0m, 0.0m in the bank
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Dante
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Very nice. Big fan of the front three. Not sure about the goalkeepers but not sure where you could squeeze the money from really!
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Sting
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Cheers, yea dodgy keepers but decided to splash up front
    Open Controls
    Permalink
lfcserg
10 years, 9 months ago
RMT

Mignolet - Lewis

Ivanovic - Lescott - M.Turner - B.Turner - Chester

Hazard - Walcott - Coutinho - Mirallas - R.Morrison

Soldado - Giroud - Lukaku
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Love it.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
vinniebolton
10 years, 9 months ago
think i may be missing a steal if i dnt have lukaku...

but who would he replace ot of my chelsea 3

lamps
hazard
ivan

if so which striker would then give wat

dzeko
giroud
bentekkers

ta
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Sting
  10 years, 9 months ago
  replace lamps, bring in dzeko
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
goneill79
10 years, 9 months ago
Thoughts on Chadli? Looks similar to Mirallas,could be a good buy at 7.5 mil.
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Kostja
  10 years, 9 months ago
  got an eye on him for sure, but no room at the moment
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. Yome
  10 years, 9 months ago
  He is rubbish, I saw him play on wednesday against France, I would not go for him personally. Siggy is a better bet.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. goneill79
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Brazil got beat in midweek too.Surely we judge on more than one game.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
Cocky Spaniel Alves
10 years, 9 months ago
A) Lescott-Toure-Ivanovic + 2 x 4,0
or
B) Lescott-Toure-Koscielny-Coleman + 1* 4,0

I intend to play 3 defenders.
Open Controls
- Permalink
Mak_Gold
10 years, 9 months ago
Posted on last page but didn't get answers specific to my query so posting again. Morning, chaps! Can I get some thoughts on my
team:

Mannone | (Boruc)
Ivanovic | MTurner | Collins | (Brayford | Chester)
Hazard | Walcott | Coutinho | Mirallas |
(Morrison)
RVP | Lukaku | Anelka.

Just one final question. How can I squeeze in
some Liverpool defensive cover in this team?:

A) Mannone -> Davis, Collins -> Toure
B) Ivan -> Terry, Collins -> Toure
C) Collins -> 4.0, Boruc -> Davis, Mannone ->
Mignolet.

Or should I just ignore Liverpool cover and stick
with this team? Thanks guys. 🙂
Open Controls
- Permalink
SW6
10 years, 9 months ago
My team was looking very boring so I've decided to take on a differential.
Giroud out, Altidore in. What do you think?
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Sting
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Prefer Giroud as a diff
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. A.T
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Forward diffs ftw
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
realtin
10 years, 9 months ago
Just realised FF is starting tomorrow!
It's crazily competitive in our place so I need HELP.
Give me must have season keepers and worth a punt players PLEASE.
Open Controls
- Permalink
CDon84
10 years, 9 months ago
RMT

Mignolet (Davis)

Garrido / Mert / Collins (Turner/Baker)

Hazard(C) / Walcott / Mirallas / Nolan (Kim)

RVP / Lukaku / Lambert

thoughts?
Open Controls
- Permalink
Fred the Red
10 years, 9 months ago
Thoughts on this one gents?

Mignolet
Ivanovic Mertesacker Turner
Hazard Mirallas Snodgrass Kim
RVP Benteke Giroud

Boruc Koren Connolly Baker
Open Controls
- Permalink
Sir_Dunc
10 years, 9 months ago
Vorm Marshall
Terry Coleman Collins Turner Ramage
Hazard Walcott Mirallas Coutinho Kim
Dzeko Lukaku Soldado
(1m)

1. Keepers rotate well all season and Vorm is undervalued.
2. Cheap defence, but all starters and there's attacking points in it.
3. The template midfield, but I have 1m spare to react to any emerging stars.
4. 3 top strikers.

Done?
Open Controls
- Permalink
Gimli son of Gloin
10 years, 9 months ago
Anybody know off the top of their head which games are showing on TV this weekend?
I've missed football so very much
Open Controls
- Permalink
Scratch
10 years, 9 months ago
Think i'm quite settled on this final squad, still a bit iffy about Lampard though.

Mannone, Krul
Ivanovich, Coleman, Ward, G Johnson, Turner
Hazard, Silva, Lampard, Walcott, Whittingham
Dzeko, Sturridge, Lambert

Feedback appareciated
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. dribbler
  10 years, 9 months ago
  well that's because lampard is an iffy pick
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. Sting
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Lampard >> Coutinho
  Sturridge >> Lukaku
  
  is an option for you
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Scratch
    10 years, 9 months ago
    I think Lampard will get more minutes than Lukaku.
    
    Am considering Johnson, Lampard & Whittingham --> Terry, Snodgrass & Wilshere.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
Granville
10 years, 9 months ago
I like Soldado, very good striker, but I'm not totally convinced that the new supply line will get the instant results.

Last season they really struggled at times to break teams down and they were very reliant on late Bale goals. It's a risk.
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Sir_Dunc
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Which striker isn't a risk this season? (except RVP ofc)
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. Sting
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I''m having the same doubts now...a forward like him is only as good as his supply ?
  
  Spurs are not the most creative team
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
3. JJO
  10 years, 9 months ago
  +1
  So you think Benteke is better solution for GW1?
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Granville
    10 years, 9 months ago
    I've gone for the security of Benteke. I could easily have both though. Soldado has been in and out of my team last 24 hours.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. Sir_Dunc
      10 years, 9 months ago
      I just did the opposite move, Spurs should put a couple past Palace.
      Open Controls
      Permalink
    2. Billy Gilmore
      10 years, 9 months ago
      You getting RVP? I have Lukaku, Benteke and Soldado atm.
      Open Controls
      Permalink
      1. Granville
        10 years, 9 months ago
        Nah but I'm banking some cash to make an instant move if needed.
        Open Controls
        Permalink
4. Twelve years a slave
  10 years, 9 months ago
  They only relied on Bale because he was there, if that makes sense
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. abreu
    10 years, 9 months ago
    That is how it goes isnt it. Arsenal relied on RVP too because he was there, but but when he was gone, they scored just as many goals and points. Now people say that if Arsenal only had RVP in the side, they would win the league. But that is not how it works. It is far more complex.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
5. GreenWindmill
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Are you trying to be helpful or trying to disrupt other people's teams by sowing seeds of doubt? 😉
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
6. goneill79
  10 years, 9 months ago
  That's why I'm researching Chadli for coverage.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
7. Scratch
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Spurs generally have a jinx when it comes to strikers and with all their new signings / uncertainty over Bale i'm staying away until I have more to go on.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
8. Gimli son of Gloin
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Hmm at the same time, a team of professional footballers should create chances every game with those fixtures.. Soldado is the kind of striker you want on the end of the supply line.
  I do think he's good value, the other strikers of his quality in the league are either not nailed on or far more expensive
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
9. get_in
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I agree. I think despite the tasty opening fixture, it's prudent to wait for GW2 to potentially bring him in. Both Paulhino and Capoue are defensive mids, so I don't know how much support he'll have - although he seems the selfish type (mean that in a good way) so that might suit him.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Sir_Dunc
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Paulinho is box-to-box.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
10. Milky
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I think the Espanyol game showed that there is great potential in players like Chadli and Paulinho, and with a few more games under their belt I think we will see the supply to Soldado coming from those two very often.
  
  Combine that with the supply from Lennon and maybe Sigurdsson I think Spurs will be more prolific this season, but I agree with you that they may start out slow.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
11. dribbler
  10 years, 9 months ago
  i think that too...i'm actually keeping some cash back to do lukaku to soldado but i might spend it elsewhere if soldado doesn't look threatening in gw1...i watched some of the last spurs friendly and i hardly noticed him except for the penalty
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Twelve years a slave
    10 years, 9 months ago
    He in my team , like to take a punt on the new guys in GW1
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. dribbler
      10 years, 9 months ago
      well that type of thinking worked well last season
      Open Controls
      Permalink
12. abreu
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I think much depends on Paulinhos game. I think he chose spurs mainly because avb promised him the old frank lampard role, sitting on dembele and sandro/capoue, making runs into the box where soldado is freeing up space.
  There is a lot of goals in Paulinho, that I know. Gone under the radar on here tho.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Milky
    10 years, 9 months ago
    I agree, and Ive picked him as my punt player for the start of the season.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
13. The Chosen One...
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Palace first up is worth the risk imo
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Twelve years a slave
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Soldado will seldom have been up against such poor defenders
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. Granville
      10 years, 9 months ago
      You haven't seen much of La Liga then. Lots of awful defending there too.
      Open Controls
      Permalink
roscola
10 years, 9 months ago
Getting the jitters and started flip-flopping between:

A) Silva (in a 3-5-2 with Anelka)
B) Giroud (in a 3-4-3 with Kim and £1.0m for sweets)
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. SW6
  10 years, 9 months ago
  B and get some percy pigs
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. roscola
    10 years, 9 months ago
    mmmmm, good call on the PP 🙂
    Open Controls
    Permalink
2. GreenWindmill
  10 years, 9 months ago
  B. Think of all those cola cubes, liquorice comfits, soor plooms, etc.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. roscola
    10 years, 9 months ago
    That is an awful lot of penny tots (do you know them as 'kets'? I was never sure whether that was purely a south of the Tyne word)
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. GreenWindmill
      10 years, 9 months ago
      'Kets' was indeed a schoolyard term in Northumberland's Tyne Valley (although 'sweets' was probably more commonly used, it was a fairly well-to-do school 🙂 )
      Open Controls
      Permalink
3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
  10 years, 9 months ago
  b
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. roscola
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Thanks. Jitters have settled now 🙂
    Open Controls
    Permalink
RamaJama
10 years, 9 months ago
Why Marshall over Boruc?
Doesn't rotate well with migs and foster, and do we believe Cardiff will do better defensive than Southampton?
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Twelve years a slave
  10 years, 9 months ago
  He rotates very well with Vorm . Marshall kept the most clean sheets in the championship last season.
  Cardiff will be a low scoring solid side . Southampton will be high scoring high conceding side
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Marknlard
    10 years, 9 months ago
    I'm not sure the rotating goalie strategy works that well in practice. Think that this season I'll buy the best bargain keeper (when it becomes apparent) and stick with them. If he gets injured or sent off, deal with it then, otherwise he's being paired with a 4.0.
    
    Opening keeper is Migs.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
  2. Sir_Dunc
    10 years, 9 months ago
    +1
    Open Controls
    Permalink
Latko Zahovic
10 years, 9 months ago
Any ideas how to improve this?

Hart (Boruc)
Ivanovic - Toure - Dawson (Collins, Fonte)
Hazard (c) - Silva - Mirallas - Sessegnon (Ramirez)
Lukaku - Altidore - Soldado
Open Controls
- Permalink
dalboy
10 years, 9 months ago
Similar to mine so I say decent side 😉
Open Controls
- Permalink
Tronity
10 years, 9 months ago
RMT

Mignolet (Davis)

Ivanovic Dawson Coleman (Baker, Turner)

Hazard(c) Zaha Mirallas Coutinho (Boateng)

RVP Anelka Soldado

Was thinking about Benteke for the DGW and bringing Soldado in after GW1

What do you guys think?
Open Controls
- Permalink
Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
10 years, 9 months ago
Not seeing much love for Negredo today.

For the first 3 GW's, can you see him spending alot of time on the bench?

Aguero - recovering from injury and no preseason, so limited gametime
Dzeko - good preseason, but was replaced against ARS last week while Negredo stayed on
Jovetic - most likely play from the left

Negredo a big target man. Could hoover up the points GW1-3.
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Gimli son of Gloin
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I'd love to have the cash to get him in GW2.. Only have 1 mil in the bank though, so I'll probably do Lukaku - Dzeko, depending on GW1
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. Mr. Greedy
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I agree.
  GW1 will be Negredo and Dzeko with Dzeko being replaced by Aguero after 60 mins.
  GW2 will be Negredo and Aguero
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
3. Yome
  10 years, 9 months ago
  I am torn apart between Soldado and Negredo, City fixtures are too good to be missed and Negredo is a big differential now compared to Soldado...
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Granville
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Silva is by far and away the safest option.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. goneill79
      10 years, 9 months ago
      But less explosive
      Open Controls
      Permalink
    2. Yome
      10 years, 9 months ago
      Silva is unpredictable, I had him at the end of last year but he got injured... It was a frustrating experience! I prefer to stay away for the moment...
      Open Controls
      Permalink
  2. Mr. Greedy
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Such a nightmare trying to pick two of Tekkers, Soldado, Negredo, Sturridge, Giroud.
    
    This morning I've eliminated Sturridge due to fitness doubts and having Coutinho.
    I've also crossed out Giroud because he's rubbish.
    
    So two of Tekkers, Soldado, Negredo.
    
    Probably sensible to start with Tekkers as he has high ownership and a DGW and then swap GW2/3.
    
    So it comes down to Soldado or Negredo, both of whom have good GW1 fixtures which I don't want to miss out on. So do I dump Tekkers who has two tough fixtures?
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. Yome
      10 years, 9 months ago
      Benteke is explosive and I have a feeling he will score against Arsenal. But against Chelsea's defense, it will be more difficult for him.
      Personnally, I am going for Lukaku and 2 other Chelsea.
      Now that I don't have City coverage, I am really tempted on Negredo, I feel Spurs may struggle without Bale...
      Open Controls
      Permalink
McNulty
10 years, 9 months ago
Damn you Wenger, not a single mention about Walcott. Hopefully that is good news.

This made me laugh:

Wenger: "It's not a question of spending money, it's a question of buying the right players"

Same old story.
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Billy Gilmore
  10 years, 9 months ago
  See below.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. McNulty
    10 years, 9 months ago
    OK thanks, nothing was on the Arsenal Press Conference feed.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
2. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Before the season, Wenger is under pressure. Walcott will start I'm sure.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Kerrazy
10 years, 9 months ago
oh good lord! im now officially torn between Nolan or Michu 🙁
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. A.T
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Nolan to start
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. It’s A Joke
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Isn't there a 2 million difference? Lucky you.
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
Mak_Gold
10 years, 9 months ago
Morning, chaps! Can I get some thoughts on my
team:

Mannone | (Boruc)
Ivanovic | MTurner | Collins | (Brayford | Chester)
Hazard | Walcott | Coutinho | Mirallas |
(Morrison)
RVP | Lukaku | Anelka.

Just one final question. How can I squeeze in
some Liverpool defensive cover in this team?:

A) Mannone -> Davis, Collins -> Toure
B) Ivan -> Terry, Collins -> Toure
C) Collins -> 4.0, Boruc -> Davis, Mannone ->
Mignolet.

Or should I just ignore Liverpool cover and stick
with this team? Thanks guys.
Open Controls
- Permalink
Portsmouth Bubblejet
10 years, 9 months ago
Walcott and Ramsey are fit to face Villa.

https://twitter.com/johncrossmirror/status/368288425667215360
Open Controls
- Permalink
1. Billy Gilmore
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Thanks
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
2. GreenWindmill
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Is John Cross completely reliable? (Forgive my ignorance!)
  Open Controls
  - Permalink
  1. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    10 years, 9 months ago
    Well, he's at the press conference. I have issues with The Mirror on transfer rumours (i.e. they never bother to check abroad to see whtether a story is remotely credible), but I assume he's been told this.
    Open Controls
    Permalink
    1. GreenWindmill
      10 years, 9 months ago
      Cheers, worth a sticky then 🙂
      Open Controls
      Permalink
3. roscola
  10 years, 9 months ago
  Anything on Cazorla?
  Open Controls
  - Permalink

You need to be logged in to post a comment.