Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 133 – Beginnings

A new beginning. On the eve of a new campaign, two grumpy middle-aged has-beens gather in a studio to recall the summer’s feast of football and look ahead to another Fantasy season, full of hope.

There’s no frills. No live video cast. No special guests. Just Granville and I, stripped back and almost unplugged.

Don’t let that put you off, though. Even with our limited powers we at least attempt to cut through the issues currently rattling around in the minds of Fantasy managers.

We assess the Old Trafford revolution, the world without Suarez and the merits of the three-man strike force. We slice through the current transfer trends and weigh up matters such as the Sigurdsson/Bojan rotation, Fagregas vs Hazard and the Chelsea back four conundrum. We also manage to warm up with a nice little argument about the Alexis Sanchez bandwagon – the traditional pre-season barney.

Be there at the birth via this link, or witness the new dawn via the handy player below.

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

7,186 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Who's more nailed on, Cahill or JT.

    All vote now

    Open Controls
    1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      JT

      Open Controls
    2. Gunner HitIT
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Cahill

      Open Controls
    3. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Both are equally nailed

      Open Controls
      1. Fray Bentos
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        this

        Open Controls
      2. Kerrazy
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        ^this.

        Open Controls
    4. Cantona90
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Well if I remember correctly last season Terry played about 3000 minutes and Cahill about 2200.

      Now I don't remember if Cahill got any injuries but they don't have any different competitions this season they still have champions league and domestic cups. So it kinda shows how much he values Terry.

      So basically I would say Terry.

      Open Controls
    5. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Cahill. JT rotation around European games. Ivan will get starts at CB.

      Open Controls
    6. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      both atm

      JT for goal threat

      Open Controls
    7. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      short term terry,. long term cahill

      Open Controls
      1. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        How short term?

        Open Controls
  2. Cantona90
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    How important would you say it is to avoid the template team, especially at the beginning?

    I would be interested to hear from people regarding their experience with this; has anyone specifically set about creating a team with more differentials at the beginning? Has it payed off or just caused you to fall behind the pack?

    I'm just curious about this because whichever way I try and create my team, I tend to end up pretty template, particularly midfield and forwards. I can't decide whether this a good thing at the beginning of the season.

    Team always ends up being:

    Mata Hazard/Fabregas Sigurdsson Ramsey eriksen
    Rooney Costa Bojan

    Open Controls
    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Well, the team is template for a reason. It'll probably get you further than most with the experience people here have from years of FPL, however you also wan to avoid having the exact same pool of players because then you won't get ahead of people on here. I'm doing a few things different to differentiate myself and I recommend doing the same - but don't take insane risks.

      Open Controls
    2. Fray Bentos
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      i imagine the defence of that team is turd

      Open Controls
      1. Cantona90
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yeh it is unless maybe I downgrade eriksen or costa to upgrade a defender. Think I'm gonna try and balance the money across the team I'm just worried about people going for a heavy top.

        Like the guy above said the team is template for a reason.

        Open Controls
    3. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've had bad starts in every season I played, usually because I try and be different. This year I'm packing my team with as many reliable fpl names as possible.

      Open Controls
      1. Cantona90
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Just wondering viperstripes why your thing says top 10,000 last two years hoping to make it a hattrick. But your best rank is 206,000.

        Open Controls
        1. Cantona90
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Never mind. Just checked my own and I'm linked to someone else haha.

          Open Controls
    4. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Not at all important IMO. The first few weeks are all about disaster avoidance.

      Open Controls
  3. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So...

    Sterling or silva?

    Team is currently

    Begovic

    Wilson debuchy terry

    Young silva mata Ramsey (vc)

    Rooney(c) Costa bojan

    Subs: Krul rio sigurdson naylor

    Open Controls
  4. roflmaofc
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A) Dzeko and Sterling
    or
    B) Costa and Henderson

    Any suggestions?

    Open Controls
  5. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A) Pelle or Tadic from Southanpton
    B) Is Isla from QPR a decent pick and is he nailed

    Open Controls
    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've had Tadic every day up until today, simply because I couldn't afford to keep him and sacrifice a decent defence. On set pieces and penalties by the looks of things.

      Isla looks nailed on but hard to tell, don't think he's played pre season due to his late transfer but I'd expect him in the team by GW2 (if not GW1)

      Open Controls
      1. Cantona90
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I want Tadic in my team. He's OOP and got a great history from seasons past to expect big things. The problem is he just costs too much money for an unproven. And I don't think it will be value for money over the season. When there are so many proven players available with good pre season form and decent fixtures it's hard to include him.

        Open Controls
    2. Cantona90
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      It's a tough one but analysing the fixture tracker Southampton have the best attacking fixtures for the opening ten game weeks.

      Open Controls
  6. raheemsterling
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    4.0 Ward Jones ____ 4.0
    5.0 mil defender
    a) kaboul
    b) clyne
    c) curtis davies
    d) other

    Open Controls
    1. Gunner HitIT
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Cline

      Open Controls
    2. Gunner HitIT
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Clyne

      Open Controls
  7. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    The pages will be going too fast this evening for any meaningful discussions

    Open Controls
    1. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yeah, they're going too fast now!

      Open Controls
    2. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I can barely keep up.

      Open Controls
  8. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Are Rio's back problems a thing of the past? i remember he had a couple horrid seasons injury wise a few seasons ago. doubt Harry would have bought him if he still had them. Though with Harry you never know

    Note: Specifically asking about that back problem that plagued him.

    Open Controls
    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hasn't been that bad at all recently I'd suggest so, but you never know with football...

      Open Controls
      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        cheers

        Open Controls
    2. Cantona90
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Well Moyes only gave him 1200 minutes last season so it depends on how he holds out given 90 minutes every week.

      My feeling is no. But you could start with him and it wouldn't be too difficult to find 0.5 to upgrade or swap to other good 4.5 options.

      Open Controls
  9. RichRover
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts? Sterling or Coutinho? Gut says Coutinho, head says Sterling?

    Open Controls
    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Always go with your head

      Open Controls
    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling, Coutinho is a great player but not in FPL terms.

      Open Controls
    3. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Coutinho at no 10 could be lethal but I'd rather wait and see. Not sure how Liverpool will deal with CL rotation.

      Open Controls
      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        +1

        Open Controls
      2. RichRover
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the replies

        Open Controls
  10. Proggy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone got any leagues I can join?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      🙂

      Open Controls
  11. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone wishing to join a UFPL mini-league feel free ,code 96-582 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Posting this as a bookmark (very bored waiting for a GP atm)

      Open Controls
  12. Kerrazy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    the Cahill>Terry cause of less rotation is nonsense imo. JT is the captain enough said.

    Open Controls
    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I think Cahill is younger so would be a better pick than him...

      Open Controls
      1. Fray Bentos
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        both should get about 35/36 starts this season

        Open Controls
    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Vermaelen was Arsenals captain last season..

      Open Controls
  13. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Just waking up (late night coding).

    So then, views on Palace? Stick (I have Speroni) or minimise the risk with a keeper like Begovic and possibly Kelly as .5m better value?

    Open Controls
    1. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      avoid, I see them reverting to mean now

      Open Controls
      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah. I really don't want to be spending an expensive transfer on a keeper. It's horrible waste when the prices/form will be exploding over the first few weeks...

        🙁

        Open Controls
  14. Galfadez
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    This Pulis thing has made me rethink my whole defence. Can anyone tell me who the best rotations are or link me to an article/comment about them

    Open Controls
    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      The assistant manager at Palace is the one who made Palace tight apparently. Keep your defence.

      Open Controls
      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Hmn. That's interesting - was he with Pulis at Stoke?

        Open Controls
      2. pompeyfan
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        yeah but aren't they all getting axed after the first match? (that's what I read yesterday). Also the players might be badly affected by this. They shouldn't since they're professionals, but they are footballers..

        Open Controls
      3. Fray Bentos
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        yeah but sherwood looks like he might be the new manager 😆

        Open Controls
      4. Galfadez
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        That's very interesting, thanks. Might keep Kelly for now then. Currently got
        Bego
        Cahill Debuchy Kelly Bruce Wisdom

        Open Controls
      5. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Palace 0-2 Arsenal
        WBA 2-0 Palace
        Palace 0-0 Everton
        Hull 0-1 Palace

        Certainly wasn't instant.

        Open Controls
    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah. I'd based my rotation around CPL and QPR over the first 5-6 weeks 🙁

      Open Controls
      1. Galfadez
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        +1

        Open Controls
  15. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    One thing I want from today...

    "Poyet confirms Vito Mannone as his first choice keeper"

    Open Controls
    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      More likely to get "Poyet confirms new keeper signing..." 😉

      Open Controls
    2. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Get DDG and PVA/Vergini at 4.5m instead. Both attacking FB's.

      Open Controls
    3. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      So who is better now ?

      Mannone or Begovic

      Open Controls
  16. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Henderson is a one week punt. If he fires, I get a bandwagon and a price rise.

    If he fails, I sell him for Sig!

    Open Controls
    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      You won't have a spare transfer to use then, I guarantee it!

      Open Controls
      1. Sting
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Are you starting with Sig? terrible GW1 fixture

        Open Controls
        1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          i am, planning transfers rarely works, i always plan my gw1 team for the first 6-8 weeks

          Open Controls
        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          United's defence: James, Young, Blackett, Smalling, Jones

          Demi's predicting Siggy in the hole as well...

          Open Controls
        3. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Exactly what GB said. Buying Sig and benching him week one is asking for trouble. Never bench him except maybe away to Chelsea.

          Open Controls
    2. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Give him a bit of a chance, Soton aren't roll overs!

      Open Controls
    3. Timtastic03
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He could be the first to go from most teams for whatever cheap bandwagon comes out this weekend. You'll have to be quick about your change

      Open Controls
  17. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Aluko or Hoilett?

    Open Controls
    1. bazrah99
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hoilett

      Open Controls
  18. Damo.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    @Arsenal TEAM NEWS: "Koscielny should be back but the Germans are not ready yet. It will be a similar squad to Man City" http://t.co/I9yCr5Lyzj

    Open Controls
    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Here comes the Chambers wagon

      Open Controls
    2. bazrah99
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Is it worth saving 1m on Chambers over Debuchy?

      Open Controls
  19. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry if I'm going over ground that has been covered before, but can someone tell me what I missed with regards to Kelly being nailed-on? Mariappa and Williams are totally out of the picture now?

    Open Controls
    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Until the new manager comes we don't know nothing now..

      Open Controls
    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No, Mariappa seems more or less totally out of the picture but there's talk of Williams maybe getting a run out for a week or two first while Kelly settles.

      Open Controls
  20. Exilizer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A) Krul & Foster
    B) Krul & Elliot
    C) Begovic & 4m

    Open Controls
    1. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      C

      Open Controls
  21. raheemsterling
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    4.0 Ward Jones ____ 4.0
    5.0 mil defender
    a) kaboul
    b) clyne
    c) curtis davies
    d) other

    or any other 5.0 5.0 5.5 backline

    Open Controls
  22. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Who sis the best Liverpool asset?

    A) sterling and his pace
    B) sturridge and his cost
    C) Gerrard and his set pieces
    D) hendo and his long awaited emergence?

    Open Controls
    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      VFM say D. Everything else says Studge.

      Open Controls
    2. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    3. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    4. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lovren ?

      Open Controls
    5. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B !

      Open Controls
    6. Gunner HitIT
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B)

      Open Controls
  23. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A) Bego, P Jones, Chester, Eriksen, Hazard, Siggy, Bojan
    vs
    B) DDG, Caulker, Wisdom, Mata, Henderson, Wanyama, Bojan

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Bojan team wins.

      Open Controls
      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        A otherwise.

        Open Controls
    2. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
  24. JDubz13
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.5 mid?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hot Topics.

      Open Controls
    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Van Aanholt, Chester, Neil Taylor

      Open Controls
      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😯

        Open Controls
      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Feck! Albrighton when fitness confirmed. Marney.

        Open Controls
  25. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Who Gonna score more Goals and pts First few GWS ?

    A- Giroud

    B- Jovetic

    Open Controls
    1. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    2. Sheep Flavour
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      C Dezko

      Open Controls
    3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      b

      Open Controls
  26. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So do I play silva or sterling this week? Then I'm gone till about 7pm tonight

    Open Controls
  27. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So, anyone brave enough to captain Ramsey or even Alexis now?

    Open Controls
    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      nah, sticking with wayne

      ramsey not a (c) choice for me

      Open Controls
  28. KujaliaFC
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I have my captaincy on Bojan, but given Pulis' departure, should I move it to Chambers, Ramsey, or Giroud?

    Open Controls
  29. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lose 3 from this lot please

    a) Chambers

    b) Naughton

    c) Blackett

    d) Wilson

    e) Ferdinand

    f) PvA

    g) Chester

    h) Kelly

    Open Controls
    1. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      C, D, H

      Open Controls
    2. The Darkest Knight
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Naughton, blakkett, wilson... All will cause you a free transfer

      Open Controls
    3. The Darkest Knight
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Naughto,blackett, wilson
      these 3 will cost you a free transfer

      Open Controls
  30. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Is Hoilett is OOP and our new MICHU?

    Open Controls