Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 142 – Tight

There was just a wafer-thin point separating myself and Granville in Gameweek 11, despite my rivals decision to ignore the force of nature that is Alexis Sanchez.

In a svelte but packed episode of the ScoutCast, my co-host and I discuss the Chilean’s “essential” charms and pile praise on the reborn Stewart Downing and the new, reliable Leighton Baines v2.

Around the usual regulars, we drop in on some old favourites, as Aleks Kolarov discovers new methods of running Granville’s Gameweek and I somehow manufacture a way of snuggling under the Van Persie duvet. We also carry on nudging the Harry Kane-wagon, run our teams through the Gargatron computer and go on “Warnock Watch” once more.

Squeeze into this episode out via this link or sample its tautness via the player below…

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

2,769 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    FPL is boring when you decide to save a FT... 🙁

    1. Rats Ass
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      But the next week it's double fun!

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Next week is very long.

        1. Rats Ass
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          True. But actually 2 FTs is more than twice as interesting as one for some reason. Rarity value? Chance to leverage one to boost the other?

          1. Tony Warner Fan Club
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            My endgame is to get Costa back and I know it'll take some fiddling. Don't wanna be taking -8 hits, especially if he gets injured during the break!

            1. Lucky boy
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              I'm suprised you ditched him in the first place.

              1. Tony Warner Fan Club
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                Allowed me to bring in Sanchez last week... which was nice.

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      on the bright side it’s a luxury not many can afford + internatinal break

      1. mookie
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        *international ffs

        1. Scoredelario
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Thank God you clarified that 😀

      2. Tony Warner Fan Club
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I think I'm saving it just because of the international break. I've got a rather template side so if I have a horrible GW, most probably are too. Between this weekend and the next rung of fixtures, there's quite a long time to wait and injuries could happen!!

    3. Lucky boy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Being shrewd one week will pay dividend's another.

    4. Lazarus Star
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Saving mine too. 2FTs feel good for after a International break.

      1. Lucky boy
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Very wise.

  2. Ralphie Cifaretto
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody gonna be doubling up on Sanchez and Walcott?

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      on WC.. considerin it

    2. Santi sensei
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      In few weeks yes

  3. Jonny Bananas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Chap, what changes would you advise, if any?

    Heaton

    Clyne Bertrand Baines

    Diame Downing Sanchez Fabregas

    Aguero Costa Pelle

    Bench Wisdom Dummett Jedinak

  4. Super-Hans
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    What are peoples views on Januzaj? Got two free transfers and I have none from Manu og City. And they play Crystal Palace and QPR!

    My thoughts are;

    Welbeck, Silva and Cahill out, Aguero, Januzaj and Saylor inn for a -4. Would give me this team;

    Krul/Green
    Wisdom - Duff - Alderweireld - (Moore) - (Saylor)
    Tadic - Sanchez - Januzaj - Hazard - (Siggy)
    Berahino - Aguero - Costa

    But a friend of mine who is a Manu fan said LvG had criticised his recent display both in matches and in training and he therefor ment he was going to be benched....!

    Please help me out, and if you see something else I rather should do please tell me.

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Risk over game time and not doing much even if he does play is a massive red flag for me.

      1. Lucky boy
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I have to agree with fido.

        1. Super-Hans
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Guess you are right, boys.....! 🙁
          But it was just the perfect plan to get both manu and city coverage....! Back to the drawing board....

    2. Fader
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I think personally there are better options under 6.1m then Januzaj

      1. Super-Hans
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I agree, but I don't like having none from Manu when they are up against Crystal Palace. A team that let in three goals at home to Sunderland....!

  5. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Just imagine if you were a software developer for football manager. I bet you'd be capable of producing an amazing fantasy football engine!

    Surely that should be their priority in life 😆 Then after that, they could think about other slightly less imortsnt issues like family, health and stuff.

  6. Hammers Select
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody punting on a different captain this week?

    If so, who and why?

  7. PaddyPyne
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I being a united fan would rather see Zaha doing the same job

  8. Pinoche
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Di Maria for captain over Kun?

    1. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Di Maria is a bit hit and miss.. But should get some sort of returns against Palace

    2. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      did you do Haz to AdM?

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes for me.

  9. r0scr0w
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Would really appreciate some feedback guys. Have 1 FT with 0.5 in bank.

    Current team:

    Forster

    Clyne Baines Chambers (Wisdom, Naylor)

    Siggy Sterling Hazard Sanchez (Marney)

    Costa Pelle (c) Welbeck.

    - Top of mini league (for cash) at present. Thinking a -4 with Sterling/Welbeck for Di Maria & Sakho?

    Thoughts or is there a better move?

    1. jackluhg
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      If you have a decent lead,I reckon so

  10. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Another captain decision to make. Last week I got lucky and chose Sanchez. This week I fear I could make the wrong decision.

    Aguero with amazing stats but a team that is so low on confidence, playing QPR who have great support at home. I wouldn't be that surprised to see an upset.

    Then there is Pelle, team playing so well, against Leicester, can see Saints scoring a few unless they become complacent..

    Pelle (C)?

    1. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero all the way, and I'm a Southampton fan who just bought pelle in

    2. Think Tank
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Saints won't be complacent - Koeman will know the importance of picking up points ahead of their tough schedule.

  11. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Wenger on @theowalcott: "He is in the squad. He can start if I decide to start him" #SCFCvAFC

    Focking double digits comming 😀

    1. getfunky
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      he was in the squad mid week aswell & didnt even make a sub appearence

  12. BucketHead
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is having Baines and ivanovic too much defence considering prices..already have Baines and considering clyne to ivanovic next week

    1. Lucky boy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'd lose Ivanovic he is too expensive at the moment.

      1. Think Tank
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I think that's a smart move. Clyne fuxtures turn sour, Ivan gets blue sky.

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I have had both for a long time, and I wouldn't recommend it. It has made life difficult further up the pitch without any real rewards so far.

      It could well pay off in the coming weeks, if Ivan returns to his ridiculous early attacking form (stats as well as goals), but until there's a sign of that, I'd say there's cheaper, better options to bring in for Clyne right now.

  13. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    If Herrera is cleared fit to play tomorrow, certainly strengthens the AdM(c) case. There'll be much more fluidity in the United attack with Blind+Herrera as compared to Blind+Fellaini

  14. Think Tank
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I can sense a dilemma in a few weeks:

    A) Sanchez and Pelle
    B) Walcott and Costa

    1. Santi sensei
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Get all 4. 😎

    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez and Walcott ? 🙂

    3. Lazarus Star
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Walchez

  15. Lazarus Star
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    After my -12 hit paying off last wee I'm saving my FT this week. The bench is my only immediate worry but not having ADM or Haz is nagging me.

    Forster
    Clyne, Baines, Chambers
    Fab, Tadic, Sanchez, Downing
    Costa, Augero, Berahino
    (Heaton, Hutton, Duff, Jedinak)

    Gotta be Aguero for the armband yeah?

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yep. Wouldn't worry about those you're missing, team looks great and you can't have it all.

  16. Flying Nugget
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    If you could choose any defender below 6.0 to have between now and the january wild card, who would it be? I can't decide between Jagielka, Cresswell and Clichy

    1. Lazarus Star
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Clichy and Jag are the sensible picks. I would go for Cresswell.

    2. Rats Ass
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Jagielka won't keep scoring and I can see Fletcher knocking one or two past Everton at the weekend.

  17. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    What's Triggerlips doing?! What's he doing? Who is he captaining?!

    HELP!

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero or ADM

    2. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe Costa

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Lol

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He is bringing in Sanchez as a 5th mid and punting on Kane...

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        lol

        Yeah right.

        🙄

          1. Konig Luther
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            the question is if its true, if he really will do that

    5. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Looking at the Hall of fame with a tissue

  18. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    F*** it. Pelle (C) is my differential this week.

    1. Santi sensei
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not a differential thing unfortunately

      1. Santi sensei
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Plenty will captain him

      2. Rats Ass
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Probably as big a differential as Sánchez last week. Which was big enough for me.

    2. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      When you say "feck it xx (c)" usually doesn't end well. Put some thought into it mate.

  19. SirBruno
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Does anybody have Oscar in his team?!

    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Chelsea at least

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      137228 do

    3. Surezh06
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      yeah i have 🙂

    4. PaddyPyne
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He's in jail for murder! sorry wrong one!

  20. chamakhmybitchup
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Foster

    Taylor Clyne Chambers

    Eriksen Tadic(V), Di Maria Fabregas

    Sakho Costa Aguero (C)

    Siggy, Chester

    1) I think that Chester has a better chance of a clean sheet than Chambers of Taylor but who do I drop? Swansea havent been conceding at home but Chambers could do something unpredictable

    2)Any general advice?

  21. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    What's this rubbish then? source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-news-transfers-theo-walcott-4584029

    Surely jsut rubbish

    Arsenal's returning winger Theo Walcott could be the subject of a shock loan offer from Fiorentina in January, according to the Express.

    The England midfielder has only just made his return to playing action after injuring his knee in January - and the Italian side are set to offer him playing time as he returns to match fitness.

    Fiorentina already have Manchester City star Micah Richards on loan and are looking to bolster their line-up with more temporary signings.

    Arsenal already have a host of attacking options available to them in their line-up and could afford to offload Walcott in the short-term.

    Walcott would take to the pitch alongside the likes of Juan Cuadrado and Mario Gomez if he was to make the switch to Serie A.

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Absolute rubbish. Arsenal are looking to tie Theo down to a long term contract (I think he'll leave) and this isn't going to help.

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed.. the match fitness thing gets me worried about theo though. could be a long time before we see him firing on all cylinders

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          He looked brilliant when he came on last week. I know it was up against tired legs, but still.

          Theo is a player who in football manager terms I'd say is a 5 for injury proneness, but a 15+ for natural fitness. Last year it was just a couple of appearances before he was firing again (and then injured again).

          With that said, the arrival of Sanchez may mean Theo is less desirable this year, but he's still one of my favourite FPL players so I'll probably have both.

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            i'm going against logic and gettin him this week on WC.. Best case scenario he comes off the bench and scores and is fully fit for GW 12. Worse case scenario... well this could go horribly wrong with an entire month of 1 pointers

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Just go Sanchez and do the switch later.

              1. Valar(Keith)
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                im gonna go with both.. think i'll get Oscar +0.7 this week though just incase(or Mane + 2.1)

            2. Baines on Toast...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              If you have Sanchez as well, I think it's a decent move. With that said, international break means I'd probably want to have the safety of someone like Cesc or Hazard ahead of him.

    2. Think Tank
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Can't see it happening.

    3. mookie
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      weird, that also says: "Arsene Wenger has put Chris Smalling back on his list of potential January signings to solve his defensive nightmare."

        1. mookie
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          😀

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        ...or add to it..

  22. Jonny Sutt
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    So here is my back line

    Bertrand Baines Chambers Dummett Hutton

    My question is, which should I do to score the most points up till the new year?

    A) Hutton > Naylor
    B) Chambers > Clichy

    Do people genuinely think Chambers will pick up that many points? Arsenal have looked a shambles at the back this year! Plus I don't have any city players, I do have Sanchez.

    A third option is go with A) then switch Chambers for some1 like Vlarr if he goes united.

    1. Lucky boy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go for Taylor it'll give you more money around the team.

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Chambers didn't do too badly last week. I'm keeping him

  23. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think ADM will drop tonight?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Doesn't look like it. Only 200 out today.

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      hopefully.. maybe some panic selling tonight will push him over the edge. transfers have slowed down to a crawl though

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, players who wait til today to make transfers will probably look at the fixture list and realize AdM gas a favourable fixture

    4. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He's a very viable captain option. I'm surprised that he's on -NTI today. I know that the appeal for Sanchez is clearly there, but I'd have thought it an option that could wait a week given their respective fixtures.

    5. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers lads its appreciated

  24. chamakhmybitchup
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    which 3 defenders to pick from:

    Taylor, Clyne, Chambers, Chester?

  25. King Huth
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Worth -12? or am i crazy... (first transfer was hendo --> downing) done

    moreno sterling lukaku ---> sakho dimaria baines

    really tempted never had a -12 ever...

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not that crazy.

      1. King Huth
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        would u do it if it was u TM?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I wouldn't but some here would. I'll probably have the 3 on the right soon.
          Don't see many points on the left.

      2. King Huth
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        or should i play wisdom first this week and do moreno-->baines nxt... to save -4

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      i would.

    3. zeeeeebirdman
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      i made the same transfer hendo downing. And still managed to bite my tongue and leave it at that. A 12 point hit is not worth anything these days

    4. King Huth
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      thanks guyss i think i will definitely take a -8... maybe the other -4 of baines will wait nxt week..

  26. Surezh06
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Guzan Baines, Clyne, Dummet,wisdom,rose Adm, Oscar, Siggy, Downing,Barkley Pelle, Aguero, Sakho good to go ? can u guys suggest any changes?? please. 0FT, 2 ITB

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Save. 8 playable attackers becomes an issue.

      1. Surezh06
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        thought of swapping to Pelle to austin after GW12 and bringing in Fab/Hazard for barkley.
        3-5-2 formation. good or bad?
        should i hold on to Guzan or change him in the coming weeks??

  27. James LeBron
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    REPOST

    Begovic -(Krul)
    Baines - Clyne - Naylor - (Bruce-Wisdom)
    Fabregas -Di Maria - Sterling - Siggy (Marney)
    Pelle - Aguero - Welbeck

    With 0.5 mill and 2 Trades left, Suggestions and Help!

    Thanks!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling to anyone atm.

  28. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Am I mad considering Eto'o > Kane for -4?
    Guzan
    Baines,Coleman,Clyne
    Sanchez, ADM, Fabregas, Downing
    Aguero,Pelle,Eto'o

    McCarthy, Boyd, Duff, Moore

    1m itb 0 FT

    The thinking behind this move is that it frees up more cash next week for-
    ADM + Pelle > Walcott + Costa . thoughts or should I leave be?

    1. Think Tank
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      It's a good idea, but don't see the rush to get Wally in. Do the move over a couple of weeks.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        The ADM > Walcott move would be subject to how he got on this week and with a 2 week gap until the next games thought he should be up and running by then.

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        So I could save the 4 points, see how Kane gets on and bring him in next week. Planning the other changes further down the line
        Just need Eto'o start. I hate owning him. Too much uncertainty.

  29. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    hi lads, good to go?

    Forster(LEI)
    Clyne(LEI) Janmaat(wba) Hutton(whu)
    Sanchez(swa) Di Maria(CPL) Tadic(LEI) Chadli(STO) Downing (AVL)
    Kun(qpr) Costa(liv)

    McCarthy, Austin, Naylor, Wilson.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Cappy?

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        On Alexis atm. may still go kun.

  30. r0scr0w
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I'm regrettfully still a Sterling owner. He has to go and really feel i need Di Maria. Would need to take a -4 though. Would Sterling/Welbeck out be worth it to have the below front 7:

    Hazard Sanchez Siggy Di Maria

    Costa Pelle Sakho

    1. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, I reckon that -4 will pay off.