Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 153 – March

Simon March, aka Dufflinks, has been hanging around these pages since August 2011. A veteran of six Fantasy Premier League seasons, this campaign started more casual than ever, with Simon resigned to snatching the occasional live match from the other side of the world.

Against the odds, by Boxing Day he was fourth in the world. Six weeks ago, he reached the summit. As you read this, Simon sits on top of the FPL world by 30 points with his Wildcard still tucked away in his pocket and the whole Fantasy Football Scout community behind him. No pressure.

With Granville absent with a hangover from a mid-life stag do and another United disappointment, this week’s ScoutCast is dedicated to Simon’s story, as he wakes in the early hours to join Jonty and myself for a special edition.

We overcome countless gremlins to discuss how Simon gets by on rations of four live matches a season, how he can recall every point hit he’s ever taken and how one lucky cat may just hold the secret to his success over the remaining ten Gameweeks.

We end this episode with a shout-out to community legend, Doosra – get well soon Doos.

We’ve included a fully edited version of the ScoutCast on iTunes and via this link or the player below.

If you want to see Simon, myself, Jonty and the lucky cat in person, you can view the full un-edited Hangout movie below. Be warned – it really is a “warts and all” production.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel if you want to get an alert for next week’s Hangout and future live episodes.

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

1,988 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which teams have blanks on gw33 and will they have dgw`s before gw33 ?
    Thanks

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

      Find out next week.

  2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else captaining Kane ?
    On form and does well against the bigger teams
    12 pts vs arsenal, 11 vs liverpool, 18 vs chelsea...

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Shame he's only playing Utd then 🙁

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Right now kun is my cptn(not taking any risks!!) but kane agnst manu is quite tempting thou..... 🙂

  3. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else thinking Sanchez (C)? Was all set on Hazard (C) earlier in the week but after the PSG game....

    1. Nickofoz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Neither of them

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not feeling Aguero this week.

        1. Nickofoz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Obvious choice imo. Scores well away, Burnley don't keep clean sheets, on pens, usually involved in City's goals. The same can't be said for the above two

          1. Puyol Pants Up
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Was non-existent against Leicester. Can't seem him playing more then 60 minutes with CL game mid week. Sanchez will be up against West Ham's second-choice LB (No Jenkinson). Had 5 shots against United and could tear up the Hammers defence

            1. Nickofoz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Just because he blanked last week doesn't mean he should be overlooked this week.

              No Jenkinson doesn't really make a big difference imo. Sanchez hasn't been the same FPL player lately

    2. TuttiFrutti
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Really tempted by hazard, bit might bottle it.

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Was tempted, but I think I tired Chelsea side will show up this week..

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Giroud for me at the moment. The FA Cup risk just removed rotation worries for this weekend at least.

  4. Mr. Blonde
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Pants (Krul

    1. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry managed to completely botch that!

      Pants (Krul)
      Ivan Bellerin Dawson (Wolly Jones)
      Hazard silva nasri Eriksen (Ireland)
      Kane Aguero Giroud

      Have 1FT and 1.6 ITB. What do people think about Nasri's chances? Wondering whether Puncheon is essential this week or whether I should save.

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Guess that makes Sanchez (C) more appealing 😆

  5. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hector Bellerin will sign a new four year contract - which will open the door for Carl Jenkinson to join West Ham permanently.

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/hector-bellerin-sign-new-arsenal-5322636

  6. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would anyone do Terry to Ivanovic on a free?

    I don't seen another transfer that pressing and was gonna just bank it but man would I prefer Ivanovic..

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Have a FT..terry--->Ivan...hmm..go ahead...but you should not have any other major issues i guess!! 🙂

    2. Mr Sarcastic
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Same situation here and very very tempted.
      But still, looks like I'm saving ft and hoping 'doing reasonable thing' doesn't cost again this week.

    3. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, in a heartbeat. I'd love to do that but I just don't have the funds

    4. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      cue Terry goal

  7. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    People being put off Chelsea coz they 'tired'. Remember Liverpool went to pens in Turkey on a Thursday night, had flight delays, then beat Man City on the Sunday Morning.
    Tiredness surely a red herring

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      City didn't even want to win that game

  8. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Not going aguero (C) this week, chasing down a large gap

    Captain Rooney, Kane, Ozil or Puncheon?

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      or Hazard.

    2. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane out of those.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rooney if you must but the gap will get bigger

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        ...or smaller...

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry, bit early for me, I just assumed that people would know it was my opinion not a fact, I'll try and be clearer next time

        2. That Was Easy!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Who do you fancy between Rooney and Ozil? MU, for all their faults, don't give up many goals, so I'm not going Kane

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Ozil and Rooney are both decent differentials and if they do well will shoot you up the rankings regardless of what Aguero or Kane do. If you captain either and they fail while Aguero nails it you will plummet. Is it really worth risking?

            1. That Was Easy!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              That's what I needed to hear...Aguero (C) I have very nice differentials in Kos, Zouma, Ozil, Puncheon, and Rooney.

          2. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Rooney will be my captain.

    4. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane for sure but I'm going Aguero captain

    5. The EJJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Puncheon!

  9. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which change l would you do first

    A. Pva to Dawson

    B downing to siggy

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A)Pva agnst aston villa(benteke doubt!!)...i would say keep him after his match saving assist agnst hull..THEN maybe go for siggy..imo

    3. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B, I've lost faith in downing ages ago

  10. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Team good to go?

    Foster
    PvA, Terry, Ivanovic
    Hazard, Sanchez(C), Eriksen, Moses
    Aguero, Kane, Austin

    Panti, Mane, Naughton, Bertrand

    1. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, but perhaps replace Terry with cheaper Def next gw and upgrade mid? I assume I'm not the only one who suggested this

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Happy with my mids tbh.

      2. Shifty
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        i think he's on to something with double chelsea, wouldn't touch that defence for rest of season if all remain fit.

  11. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Eriksen to Silva this week
    Cazorla to Eriksen or other mid next week

    Good plan?

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      yes..

    2. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Seems a bit of a waste of a transfer to me. I'd save

  12. Easy-Conners
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is zouma likely to keep his place in the team? Played 3 on the trot but note matic is back. Thoughts?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He seems to play the home games rotating with Cahill.

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      lOOK down mte..

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Disgusting

  13. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    toss-up between him & cahill..

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      reply fail to EASY-CONNERS....sorry!!

    2. Easy-Conners
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not worth a trade then to bring him in the hope he plays both in the DGW.

      1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        no...but he is definately playing 1 of those enticing dgw matches..maybe two if mourinho is happy with his performance..who knows!!

        1. Easy-Conners
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Nah. Not worth the trade. Ta gaga.

          1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            zouma thou is tempting for his unbelievable price tag(chelsea dfndr scoring bonuses) not being nailed on diminishes his popularity..better to observe what mourinho does in between the DGW's.....cheers!!

    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The new Blue Lion

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😆

        U took the words right from my mouth or fingers for that matter.

  14. dazoot
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Panti Hamer
    Fonte Kosc PvA Rose Wisdom
    Silva Boyd ADM Hazard Eriksen
    Kane Kun Giroud

    1FT 1.1itb

    Highest priority is replacing ADM, but my def is a total mess also. Any tips? Worth taking hits? Ideally I want Sanchez and Terry but struggling to find a way to afford.

    1. Easy-Conners
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe adm to ozil. Kos to terry?

    2. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You could get Ozil instead and get Terry next week.

    3. dazoot
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ta both. Yeah think Ozil could work!

  15. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start this week??

    Sinclair

    Mane

    Vert

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sinclair maybe just because Vert & Mane are not an option!!

  16. mranonymous
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you bench between Yun and Naughton?

    1. Hypnos
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yun

      1. mranonymous
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you... Currently on the opposite

    2. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yun

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bench Yuninho, Brazilian players cannot defend.

  17. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on cup qualification score yet?

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      nope.....all are waiting!!

  18. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Chasing 50 points lead. Too early for captain differential? Most of my rivals will probably captain Aguero and our teams are pretty much same.

    My main diferentials are Sanchez and Kos.

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You still have your WC?

      Gw 34 could see massive swings..

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        No. Wasted it somewhere between gws 3-8.

  19. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Play both Clyne and bert?

    Or start PvA ahead of either?

    1. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma here

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        In currently benching Clyne and playing the following three..

        Terry. Bertrand. PvA

        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          *Im

          1. Daniel Exeter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Advice I've got so far on here is to bench both my Southampton defenders.

            Leaves me a defence of: Zouma, Bellerin, PVA (Berty, Clyne)
            Feel uncomfortable with that as they're not all guaranteed game time.
            Saints defence has been consistent throughout, granted though they're going through a sticky patch at the mo.

            I'll probably pick one of Clyne/Berty and play Zouma + Bellerin

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bench Bert and play Clyne. Right side will be much more open to bomb forward.

  20. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Foster
    Ivanovic Clyne Rose
    Hazard Silva Cazorla Eriksen
    Austin Aguero(C) Kane

    Bench: Myhill Waselski Boyd Haidara

    1FT 3.5m ITB??

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe Cazorla to Özil but can see pen coming for Arsenal so keep FT.

  21. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    will baird start?
    will pva start?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Brunt is appealing the ban so can't we can't know anymore at the moment.

  22. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    good to go lads?

    Pants
    Terry, Koscielny, Dawson
    Sanchez, Hazard(vc), Cazorla, Eriksen
    Kun(c), Kane, Austin

    Krul, Boyd, Wollscheid, Tomkins

    1ft, 2.3m

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Austin out for Gru

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Scarp that

        Santi out for silva

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Scrap *

        2. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Im thinking id rather save this week and get Mane next week

      2. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        3 Arsenal

      3. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not worth using FT. Austin played very well against Arsenal and Spurs. Palce ain't tight at back.

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Nor West Ham

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Cold out there. -10 🙁

            1. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              😯

              29 here 😎

              1. S.Kuqi
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                in UAE?

                1. La Roja
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Yip

  23. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    With Jenkinson out & Reid,Tomkins major doubts.....lOOks like cazorla may also chip in an assist or two..what say guys??

    BEWARE:SAYING THIS ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE HIM 😀

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      instead of the more attacking sanchez gru & ozil..hehe

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm bitterly regretting selling Sanchez & Giroud for last DGW 🙁 - will bring one of them back for sure

      1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez i see the reason behind it but why transfer out gru with some good fixtures to come??

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          In hindsight, I don't understand it myself either 😀

          1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            haha..

  24. Judas
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Foster start after being dropped in the FA cup?

    1. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Has Foster started all the other FA cup games?

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes imo...as he was rested as far as i can see..

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Myhill didn't have a blinder so I'd be surprised if Foster didn't return.

  25. Tornado
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    If arsenal miss gw 33. When will their dgw be?

    1. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm pretty sure it has been confirmed that Arsenal would miss GW33?

  26. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So Terry is no longer a good option with Ivanovic in the mix?

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He is if you can afford both of them!! 😀

    2. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Still think there is value in him to be honest.

  27. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Calm down on the blank/dgw situation ppl. A lot can happen in the next month...

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      lol

  28. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Walters or Mane?

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Walters for sure!!

  29. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Foster
    Clyne - Terry - Pva
    Alexis - Hazard - Silva - Eriksen
    Aguero - Kane - Austin

    Bench: Hamer, Boyd, Naughton, Baird

    A) Baird to Schlupp
    B) Austin to Giroud
    C) Save

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hello Toonzie. B is tempting but would just save.

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

      B)