Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 146 – Closer

Granville and I get cosy on a two-seater sofa – within touching distance – just how he likes it.

In truth, my-host is getting too close for comfort: the mini-league gap is down to just 42 points, with Granville relentlessly chiping away at my previously unassailable lead.

We review Gameweek 16’s events, including my oh-so bitter Dzeko pill, before discussing De Gea’s uncanny form, the demise of Leighton Baines and my latest set-to with Jonty: are there better options than Diego Costa up top?

The regulars wrap themselves around that lot, while Granville, thankfully, keeps his hands to himself.

Snuggle up to the noise via this link or get up close and personal via the player below…

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

3,941 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Yaya Toure playing deep for a toothless Mamchester City hardly seems like an obvious captain choice to me. The stats aren't great, are people just hoping he'll get a penalty or bang in a free kick or something?

    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Or they suddenly find some tooth against some toothless opposition?

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Teeth or not, he'll still be playing deep though.

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          As he did last year, didn't look toothless then, did he?

          1. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Played a lot more often behind the striker as I remember it, the team scored a lot of goals and he got lucky with set pieces.

    2. Van Dal
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lack of options this week. However city arent toothless and did you see yayas stats ladt season?

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        If I thought he would play behind the striker I'd be more convinced.

    3. Mr Sarcastic
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm bit surprised that his poll favourite tbh.
      But as I'm in bad form atm, I still might just go for safety and captain him.

      1. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I hav Yaya but still not convinced as a captain pick it's a tough week for Captain picks so I'm going to put it on Costa. I think he'll get himself a goal and your never know could brace and pick up BAPS...as Chelsea play on Monday I can watch all the captain fails

      2. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Doesn't feel that safe to me.

    4. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He's scored in 4 of his last 5 at the Etihad.

      Blanked only twice at home last season (against Liverpool and Chelsea), on penalties (City get lots at home - 4 already this season) and often rises to the occasion when City need a goal.

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        This is it, he might get one goal if you're lucky, the ceiling seems very low.

        1. Ludo
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Okay. 6 pens in 11 home matches this season in all competitions. He's likely my captain for all three of CPA/BUR/SUN, barring suspension. Lack of standout options elsewhere, and I think he'll probably score at least twice. When he scores, he does very well in the BPS, too.

          1. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Agree that there's a lack of standout options. Saying he'll probably score twice from deep midfield is a big statement though. Wasn't much of a threat last week against the worst team in the league.

            1. Ludo
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Did you watch the game? I think he was. Very good save from Hamer kept him out. He's only in deep midfield when City don't have the ball - that's not very often.

              1. Gregor
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                Number 43 in the ICT threat table. That's a long way behind even Georgie Boyd.

                1. Ludo
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 4 months ago

                  Okay then. Only Aguero, Pelle and Bony have taken more shots. I'm convinced, you're convinced.

                  1. Gregor
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    9 years, 4 months ago

                    I'm not convinced, this is the problem!

    5. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      fear from last season 😆

      in all seriousness, he does have decent attacking stats.

  2. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A last shout after finally deciding not to get RVP for a hit.

    Adrian,
    Baines, Azpi, Yun,
    Sanchez (c), Hazard, Downing, Eriksen,
    Austin, Rooney (vc), Lukaku.

    Good to go?

    1. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Very nice. Same captain choices as me.

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Ah, cheers Davies.

    2. Sebbo29
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      G2G, although not convinced with Lukaku

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I was wondering initially, but then, against THAT depleted Soton side, thought he was worth a shout.

  3. Mr Sarcastic
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Capitano

    a) Yaya (safe)

    b) Sakho (gut, but damn risky)

    c) Austin / Hazard / Sanchez

    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sanchez, for me.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sakho.

      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Very tempted for that.
        Not sure if that's good call or am I just hoping he pays back my last weeks hit if I captain him now.

    3. Sebbo29
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin for me

    4. Farnborough's Finest
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin or Sanchez

    5. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      if you've got Yaya this week, it ought to be him

    6. Mr Sarcastic
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks all.

  4. David silva
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Pretty happy with my team at the moment, thoughts?

    De Gea
    Terry, Wisdom, Clichy (Chissokho, Moore)
    Eriksen, Downing, Hazard, Oscar (Wanyama)
    Bony, Lukaku, RVP (C)

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      You should put yourself in it.

      1. David silva
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        yeah when I trade oscar I will

  5. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    The weekend can't come fast enough. Hopefully a good week for us all.

    Hart
    Baines, Naylor, Dummett
    Sanchez (C), Hazard, Yaya, Downing
    Rooney (VC), Austin, Kane

    Gilks, Siggy, Wisdom, Hutton
    1.9 ITB

    Good to go? Cheers.

    1. Sebbo29
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      G2G for sure

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, mate.

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Dummett > Azpi next week?

          1. Sebbo29
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            sounds good, Azpi should be nailed going forward

    2. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely love the captain choice and your first sub!

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        As do I. 😀

        Cheers.

    3. The Fantastic Mr Fox
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      wow. whats your total team value??

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        :oops

        105.0 (quite low, I think)

        1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          thats 1.5 more than mine 😛

  6. Farnborough's Finest
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Costa -> Rooney for free?
    Would probably captain him

  7. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    http://whichtransfer.wordpress.com

    New article with captains choice

    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      LOL.

    2. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      City game at 1am.

      Where are you situated?

      1. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Nz

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Interesting.

          Do you stay up for all the games?

          1. Twelve years a slave
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I try and sleep through the early game and wake for the 4am kickoffs, although it difficult to sleep knowing a game is on

            1. davies
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Exactly.

              It's either sleep before and wake up, or stay awake then go to sleep, for me.

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Good reasoning there, Trigger. Currently on Sakho myself, could be safer to go with Downing though. But kind of regretting taking in Yaya rather than RvP who would be the first choice

      1. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        They probably equally worthy

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I'm thinking risk and ceiling is higher with Sakho, but Downing pretty certain to get an assist + baps. I'm betting on a Sakho brace!

    4. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      HeyTrigg, read your captains poll last week regarding Costa and Haz, I took your advice and opted for Hazard which got me the points so thanks for that.

    5. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Downing is an exceptional pick Trigger
      I like it alot

      The only thing about RVP that is putting me off is the way he got his points the last two games.
      Not questioning the form,whatsoever, although with ADM back, it might cut into his output.

      Let me clarify.

      @Southampton
      1st goal was an xmas gift by Fonte, still showed why he is worldclass by capitalizing a chance that was given to hm
      2nd goal amazing. An incredibly piece of technical skill, much harder to do than it looks

      vsLiverpool
      1 assist was clealy offsides, not even close
      1 goal was another blatant mistake by Lovren (failed to clear) which led to a tap in vs a terribly positioned backup GK

      Do you honestly think he is going to deliver 3 weeks in a row??

    6. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I have commented a couple of times on your site but I think you have moderated me out 🙁
      I must have irked you in a previous life/season/gameweek.

  8. tw
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    thoughts on giroud?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      he is an efficient donkey

      will get game time

      wenger likes the positive energy and work rate he brings to the pitch

    2. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He's gorgeous.

    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Great hair

    4. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      that finish

      😯

  9. Proggy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I think I'm gonna captain Costa over Yaya.

    I'm top of my league and my two rivals both have Costa. If I captain Yaya and he fails, I'll be screwed. At least I can get away with captaining Costa if he fails.

    Plus, Yaya will be playing deep and his stats aren't amazing enough for me to captain him.

    ...and Costa is MNF game. 😀

    1. Farnborough's Finest
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not 100% convinced on yaya captain either

  10. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Heaton
    Clyne | Zaba | Azpi
    Hazard (C) | Fabregas | Siggy | Downing
    Bony | Rooney | Giroud

    Mannone | Wisdom | Moore | El Ahmadi

    3.8ITB 0FT

    Mannone to Hart - Can see Hart out scoring Heaton/Mannone by more then 4 points over the Xmas break..

    However come January Burnley fixtures become nice with QPR, West Brom and Paace at home in the first 4 games.

    Suggestions?

  11. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    repost::

    Goodmorning!!
    What would be the best move if I changed my team?
    panti - krul
    chambers-baines-azpi-dummett-wisdom
    haz-sanchez-siggy-silva-downing
    kane-rooney-austin

    0FT 0.0M left

    thanks!

    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Stick. Nothing worth a -4 there.

  12. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    a) Silva
    or
    b) Nazza

    for the most points over the xmas period

  13. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who to captain?
    Yaya
    Downing
    Sanchez
    Costa

    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Downing.

    2. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      With Yaya you could be celebrating or commiserating very early in this GW.

      The other side of the GW universe with Costa

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

    guzan dead

    yun bertrand clyne

    silva yaya sanchez hazard downing

    austin rooney

    Bench: mcarthy Dzeko Hutton wisdom

    1FT 0.1 in the bank...

    A. Save
    B. Dzeko --> Kane (but who to bench?) (plan to get sterling in nxt wk for downing!)
    C. anything else worth doing? am open for hits!

    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Guzan is dead? 😯

      1. tw
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        😀

    2. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling complains about tiredness playing 4 games in 10 days may cause him to be dropped over xmas period..

  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Soldado more nailed than Kane?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Should hope not.

  16. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Ok, still stuck.

    Yaya or Alexis Sanchez for captain this week?

  17. tw
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    best dzeko replacement 8.8 or less?

    already have austin and benteke and I can't get bony cuz I already have 3 swansea players

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Kane.

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Kane.

      He's an absolute steal at £5m. Tasty fixture for him this week too.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Giroud Sakho

    4. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hurrikane

    5. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Giroud at that price range. Wouldn't get the WHU fellas considering the next 2 games assuming you already have Downing.

  18. Jayblue
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who do i captain?
    A. Costa
    B. Austin
    C. Sakho
    D. Yaya
    E. Sanchez

    1. Jayblue
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Help meeee

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        B

    2. Jayblue
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I took a -8 hit and bought yaya instead of silva.. Am i ststupid?

    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. Jayblue
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Costa just doesnt seem involved anymore.. Wouldnt he be risky?

        1. MJ6987
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          They are all pretty risky imo

          1. Jayblue
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            My midfield: yaya sanchez downing siggy
            Forwards: austin sakho costa

  19. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    How secure is Kane for this weekend and the Christmas period. He does not seem to be a player in need of rest. He was taken off late midweek and Adebayor is incoming. What are Spurs fans guestimating?

    1. Jayblue
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Kane seems pretty secure but u can never know with spurs.. Its always a risk

    2. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      you never know. on current form, he will play. But like with Chadli, all it takes is someone else outperforming him and he's benched.

  20. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    If Pellegrini says Silva's playing up front is everyone going to buy and (C) him?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      maybe, but sometimes it is the marauding midfielders who will score

    2. Farnborough's Finest
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'd be tempted to buy but not captain just yet.

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      How long til presser?

    4. Leeroy Jenkyns
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm hoping its Milner up front.

  21. xiron
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    is it ever worth taking a 12 point hit?

    1. Pringle
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. If you expect your new players to outscore your old players with 12 points or more.

      1. xiron
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        well rmt tool reckons it will be a gain of 12 points over the next 6 weeks, that doesn't account for each of those players potentially having a blinder and delivering above the predicted score...

        considering bringing in kane, sterling and eriksen for the run up till new years day, for downing, sammy and dzeko and tyhen need to sell vlaar for 3.9 defender to be able to afford

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

    silva yaya sanchez hazard downing

    austin rooney kane/soldado

    with this front line... who to bench?

    1. Sebbo29
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      goodness that's horrible, stats-wise Hazard but would take some balls, would not buy Soldado btw

  23. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Monreal dropped in price when being on -66.6% on FFF 🙁 I guess it's only trustworthy for rises then..

  24. Tibbs
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Odd question and potentially stupid but play Guzan or Foster? Save points from Guzan (maybe a penalty save) could outweigh 2pts from Foster.

    Have Austin as well in my team.

    Thoughts?

    1. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'd play Foster. He's bound to get save points, too.

    2. Pringle
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      That you have Austin in your team is irrelevant. Would definitely play Foster.

    3. Tibbs
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      In reality I'm fighting over 1 or 2 point differential but just curious. Foster it is.

  25. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Oscar to:

    (A) Yaya
    (B) Eriksen
    (C) Downing
    (D) Silva

    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B or C depending how much you need the spare cash.

      1. JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I don't need the spare cash for anything yet, I have 3.6m in the bank. I'm considering Yaya since I don't have a captain this week.

        1. MJ6987
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          B for me then.

          I don't think I'd ever captain Yaya personally

    2. Jayblue
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Why not just keep oscar for this one week

      1. JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Already have Hazard and Costa + need captaincy option.

  26. thefantasylegend
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Bench Baines or Clyne?

    1. Pringle
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Clyne for sure

  27. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Chances of Azpi falling 0.1?

    Can't afford him otherwise.

    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn't look likely unless he doesn't start on Monday.

    2. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He won't fall before the start of next gameweek.

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Slim I'd have thought given he's the cheapest route in to the CHS defence.

  28. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Predicting the next midfield template.

    Right now it looks pretty locked with Sanchez, Hazard, Fabregas, Yaya, Downing, Siggy & Eriksen forming most of our midfields. Give it a week or 2 and I think this lot will be challenging them:

    Silva
    Sterling
    Walcott
    ADM

    1. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I can't see Hazard and Sanchez getting replaced in the template. The only one from those four I can see breaking into the template is Walcott.

    2. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      All it will take is a haul from either of those players and a blank from the template to get the pieces moving... you know how impulsive people when playing this game

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Silva won't be heavy enough to be in a template imo.

      The other 3, definitely.

  29. jordinho23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Lock and load brothers, Good luck all

    Krul

    Wisdom, Yun, N.Taylor

    Hazard, Eriksen, Sigurdsson, Silva

    RVP (c), Rooney, Costa

    Elliot, Ameobi, Hutton, O'Shea

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No gks?

      Pricy front 3 - big cohones to go with double Utd.

      Respect for the uber-d though.

  30. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do?

    A. Play Dummett and save 1FT
    B. Play Bertrand and save 1FT
    C. Get Clichy and have Dummett first on bench

    1. Jayblue
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      C.. But i need to know your team to judge whether u need to save FT or not