Scout Picks

The Scout Picks – New for 2015/16

Having experimented with a new system for the Scout Picks last season, once again, we’re tweaking the setup for the forthcoming season – hopefully for the better.

We’re still giving you, the Fantasy Football Scout community, the opportunity to get involved and take on our lineup.

We have, however, decided to scrap the weekly vote which, at times, could sometimes result in spam comment posting and the occasional exploit.

Instead, we’re turning to a lottery to select a community member to select their picks in each Gameweek.

If you wish to submit a Scout Picks squad and be the community’s champion in the forthcoming Gameweek, you’ll need to submit your details via this form.

Twenty-four hours later we’ll announce the selected champion and he/she will then have until Thursday afternoon to submit their picks.

This will then go head-to-head with our squad, which will be selected using the old traditional method of argument and discussion behind the scenes – at which point I’ll put my foot down and pick Leighton Baines regardless. So there will only be one set of Scout Picks from us this season.

We’re also planning a couple of new articles, centred around the Scout Picks.

We’ll bring you a Provisional Scout Picks selection on Tuesday detailing our early thinking. This article will also be used to announce the community champion for that week.

We’re also planning a new ad-hoc article that will reveal some of the discussion and tension going on behind the scenes, as a way of letting you get a view of our own selection process and any particular dilemmas in a given Gameweek.

Then, on Friday, you’ll get the final Scout Picks from us and your champion.

We’re still offering a prize alongside this process. The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

How Do I Get Involved?

Would-be community “Champions” must put themselves forward by submitting their details on the Scout Picks Champion Entry form.

We will create a community article on Monday each week to announce that applications are open and link to the form.

An applicant will be chosen at random the following day and announced in our Provisional Picks article.

The successful community “Champion” must supply their final Scout Picks XI to Jonty (jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk) by 3pm on Thursday of that week. They have the option to tweak their Picks until 3pm on Friday.

Community Champions may seek the help and advice of others on the site once announced.

Should the community “Champion” fail to provide an initial or final Scout Pick selection, then an “Assistant Manager”, chosen by us, will gain control of the selection to represent the community for the Gameweek in question.

What do I need to do if I become the Community Champion?

You must select an Fantasy Premier League squad of 11 players in any valid FPL formation and using the regular FPL rules – eg: only three players per team permitted.

We will set a budget for your XI. Initially, this will be 82.5 and will increase as the season progresses and prices rise.

You may consult with the community in order to gain advice on building your Scout Picks for the Gameweek.

You do not need to submit any test to accompany your Picks but we may use a contribution should you wish to submit up to 200 words.

How Will the Scout Picks Be Scored?

We will total up the FPL points for both our Scout Picks and the community’s Picks.

No captain will be applied.

No chips will be applied.

Are there any other rules?

Yes there are. Plus, we reserve the right to make up some more along the way once we get started.

For now, we’re stipulating the following:

  • Community Champion Nominations must be registered users on Fantasy Football Scout and must not be under moderation at the time.
  • Scout Picks cannot be posted as a nomination on behalf of another user.
  • Nominees must be willing to supply a valid email address for contact throughout the selection process.
  • Any nominee or Champion voted by the community, who is later put under moderation, will not be considered for that Gameweek.
  • We reserve the right to change and overrule the selection of the chosen Community Champion at anytime.

We are now accepting applications for Gameweek 1 so head over to the entry form if you fancy getting your name in the hat.

You have until 2pm on Tuesday to get your application submitted.

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

2,355 Comments Post a Comment
  1. NibblingFerret
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    So my plan is to roll midfielder heavy but I have left scope in there to acquire Aguero with only two transfers..

    Pantilimon (Schwarzer)
    Rose, Cédric, Huth, Cameron, Souaré
    Cazorla, Hazard, Sterling, Henderson, Mané,
    Kane, Pellè, Deeney

    Thoughts?

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      You ll have benching headache every week. Get a 4.5 mid or attacker to bench every week and upgrade defence

      1. NibblingFerret
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        hehe yeah - who to bench is already giving me a headache.. I'll give it some more thought.

        Thanks 🙂

    2. LFC4EVER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Sounds good, I'm doing the same with Hendo - Mane - Depay - Cazorla -Hazard and Kane -Wilson - Sakho. I'll downgrade depay and upgrade Kane
      But tbh, not sure if Aguero is wurth 13 mil... If i don't fgo with that, ill probebly take Benteke and Lens

  2. JoelyG
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys?

    Thoughts on the team. 0.5 itb

    Cech
    Cedric Huth Azpi (Francis, Targett)
    Mane Sterling Ozil Hazard (Wanyama)
    Rooney Giroud Jerome

    1. Sterling is expensive but explosive and had a great pre season.
    2. Giroud is a hmm but I may swap him out GW2 for Kane.

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldnt get Targett he ll be useless after 3-4 GWs and you ll have to make a transfer to change him. Since you have 0.5 extra, get a 4.5 defender to have more options

  3. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    I have 1 mil. to upgrade one of Tadic, Sterling, Defoe. Which is better??

    A) Mane, Sterling, Defoe
    B) Tadic, Silva, Defoe
    C) Tadic, Sterling, Sakho
    D) Upgrade a 4.5 defender(Francis) to Kolarov and keep the 3 above players

    1. NibblingFerret
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Definite "C" for me.. not a fan of Defoe this season.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      C

    3. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      better to have 2m so u can go mane, sterling, sakho 😉

    4. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      C

    5. treemendous87
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I have the 3 in C, so it has to be my answer really! I would love to find 1m somewhere for Silva though

    6. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Wow, it seems clear, i ll go with C and if i find one more million i ll go for Mane cheers everyone

  4. C_G
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    RMT guys!!

    Stek / Hennesey

    Azpi / Koscielny / Cedric / Huth / Baker (other 4.0 def)

    Sterling / Fabregas / Walcott / Mane / Sinclair

    Benteke / Sakho / Rooney

    Cheers

    1. treemendous87
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I really don't see the need for Sinclair in place of a 4.5m midfielder. I would downgrade Sinclair to Flether (or Sakho to cheeper forward playing 3 5 2), maybe Mane to Tadic, then you could afford Hazard. I think he may or may not be essential, but his high ownership, high captain %, and potential for explosive returns, he is hard to ignore.

  5. GoRedz
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Is Maiga (WHM, 4.5) a good option, with Valencia injured ?

    1. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Sakho

    2. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      He is never a good option.

  6. Ziro Becomes One
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    In the Entry Form for the Scout Picks, what is the FFS name? Is that the name with my grav or the one I use to login on the site?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ziro

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      mine is Ziro

  7. clownbot2000
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Is Mané actually going to be that good? I have had in in my team since FPL was re-launched last month, but kinda resent paying 8m for admittedly a good P.P.G ratio and 'potential' to carry that across a whole season.
    Then again, I want some Soton attacking action for the first few GWs but not ready to entrust one of the 3 forward spots to Pellé or Rodriguez.

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      He'll be good

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Asked and answered

      1. clownbot2000
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        cheers, can't say fairer than that

        1. FozzieBear
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          aren't we all planning for potential with most players?

    3. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      According to Mark in the Scoutcast last year, mane was involved in scoring or assisting 50% of soton's goals and that was before his hattrick. Also he is free from ACON this year.

      Until we see who the breakout bargains are this year we have to go with form...

  8. Enzo the Baker
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Thinking of a flexible 4-3-3 which can be switched to 3-4-3 depending on fixture :

    Schmeich
    Ivan Kosc Kolarov
    Haz(c) Wally Sterling ___
    Rooney Kane Wilson

    The blank can be filled in with 1 of : Coates, Gomez(Liv) or Andreu depending on fixture, and if none of these 3 are nailed on then I have a 2-3 pointer from Wanyama to cover that spot.

    Thoughts ?

    1. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I am thinking of 4-3-3 myself and have set up that way. May change before end of the week though...

      My team is very similar to yours, I went for azpi not kolarov and doubled up on Chelsea defense.

      I went for Mane over sterling and giroud over Kane.

      i need to do some more study on this to see if pays of to have 4 defenders everyweek over time...

  9. Gorgles
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    How do you get your team ID?

    1. meerlight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      the number in the url on you gameweek history page

      1. Gorgles
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        thanks!

    2. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Gameweek history page....it needs to say this in the article!

      1. Gorgles
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        thanks, and good point!

  10. The Taint Tickler
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Hazard and Ritchie or Fab and an 8.5m mid? Both to start.

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      i like ritchie, but my worry is i am not sure i would want him to be a regular, rotating him with sakho right now, fab and 8.5 i think

    3. Bad Seed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      The 11.5 million dollar question. It is finely balanced imo.

      Fab + 8.5 may score more points. Of course, they may not.

      Haz + Ritchie gives you a captaincy option.

      That last consideration swings it for me (particularly in a world without Aguero.

  11. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    odds on yaya and aguero starting, will be crazy if both start.

    on 60
    and 30...

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yaya - 65%
      Aguero - 10%

      1. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        ye probably going to high on aguero, but reckon he may start due chels next, probably just a cameo...

  12. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Coleman or Jagielka for GW1?

    Might miss out on BAPS from Jagielka or a potential assist from Coleman...

    1. jayjay2411
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Jags for me

    2. Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Don't bother - you'll just have to waste a transfer shipping them out. Pick the team for the first 5 weeks or so, not just the first one

  13. Skipdipper
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Can't decide on which team...
    A. Schwarzer Schmeichel
    darmian cedric Gomez azpi rose
    Henderson sterling hazard depay Ramsey
    Kane deeney Wilson

    B. Schwarzer Schmeichel
    Cedric o'shea azpi Gomez cedric Mings
    Sinclair sterling hazard depay Ramsey
    Rooney benteke deeney

    Help much appreciated

    1. Skipdipper
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Remove one of the Cedrics from B obviously 🙂

    2. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Leaning towards A

      1. Skipdipper
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        But neither floating your boat? 🙂

  14. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    In case you haven't seen this already...

    I'm running a head to head league for fantasy football scout members.

    If you wish to join you must be part of the members' classic league so that I can tell you are a Fantasy Football Scout Member.

    If you would like to take part email me with your Fantasy Football Scout username and I will give you the code.

    Please email: toffeesXI@hotmail.co.uk

    I will get the code round tomorrow.

    At the moment I was thinking unlimited entries but if you think it would be better differently let me know 🙂

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Just emailed you 🙂

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      What do you think of Deulofeu's prospects this season? Will he get much game time?

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Would love him to nail a starting role as could get good returns but I don't think he will...

    3. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Hi,

      I am a member and am in the fantasyfootballscout.co.uk league. Is that the 'classic' one?

      Anyway, I will email now.

      Cheers,

      Ben.

  15. Barryyuen
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Stuck on last page! 🙁

    Hi guys, due to Costa's news, planning to switch my team from

    Schemeichel - Schwarzer
    Azpi - Kosc - Cedric - O'Shea - Saylor
    Fabregas - Sterling - Ozil - Henderson - Surman
    Costa - Rooney - Sakho

    TO

    Schemeichel - Schwarzer
    Azpi - Mert - Cedric - O'Shea - Saylor
    Fabregas - Sterling - Ozil - Henderson - Surman
    Rooney - Kane - Sakho

    but I fall short of 0.5mil, any advice?

    1. Matt
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Surely, you're new team has a lot in the bank as the only changes you made were Costa ➡ Kane and Kosc ➡ Mert which are both downgrades

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

      Are we playing spot the difference?
      And how are you doing Kosc + Costa to Merte + Kane and falling 0.5 short? 😆

    3. clownbot2000
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      hmm, finely balanced, Rooney to Benteke? Not convinced Rooney will be a 20 goal man

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

        just need him to be a 4 goal man over the first 5

    4. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      this makes no sense

    5. Barryyuen
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      My bad guys,

      Schemeichel - Schwarzer
      Azpi - Kosc - Cedric - O'Shea - Saylor
      Fabregas - Sterling - Ozil - Henderson - Surman
      Costa - Rooney - Sakho

      TO

      Schemeichel - Schwarzer
      Azpi - Mert - Cedric - O'Shea - Saylor
      HAZARD - Sterling - Ozil - Henderson - Surman
      Rooney - Kane - Sakho

  16. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Will huth be nailed on now with the signing of yohan?

    1. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      3 ATB, I'd tend to think he's fine

      1. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers !

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I'm not worried

    3. M00N
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      No one knowns probably best to pick someone else are Leceister defenders really worth it are there not better options don't get the Huth love tbh.

      1. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Yea I might just go with schmarzer

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

      for sure

    5. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers for the opinions guys

  17. M00N
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Tekkers and 5.5 defender?

    or

    Kane and 4.5 defender?

    1. Cars and Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Former

  18. New player analysis
    thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    *UPDATE*

    Here is the link to the update of my "New Players Analysis" Spreadsheet. Sorry it is a bit later than expected!

    http://bit.ly/1I2WWcf

    New players have been added to the transfers page as well as some of the requested 'VS' feature towards the end of the spreadsheet.

    If you haven't seen my first edition then here is the community article with it in which also explains how it works. - http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/07/10/new-players-analysis/

    Thanks and enjoy!

    1. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Great work!

    2. Prøphet
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks mate, this is some amazing stuff!

    3. Skipdipper
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Interesting... Adam Matthew a starter?

    4. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      awesome! thanks

    5. wheato
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Nice.

    6. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Terrific spreadsheet, very clear and VERY useful!

    7. FPL P0ker PlAyer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks for this. Making me reconsider my Vardy pick for uber-differential pick Okazaki instead!

    8. Redhulkster
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      well done bro.. helped me alot in my manual draft game 😉

  19. Sergeant Garcia
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    A: Kos / Azpi / Mahrez / Rooney
    B: Kos / 4.5 def/ Depay / Kane

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

  20. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    anyone around for a rate my team?

    this is a little different for me....

    Rutland

    Azpilicueta, Cedric, Francis, Huth, Ward

    Fabregas, Sterling, Walcott, Chadli, Fletcher

    Rooney, Pelle, Benteke

    £1mil in the bank

    what do you like or dislike about this team? what would you change? or where would you spend the 1mil?

    1. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Spend the 1m on Ward and Francis

    2. sglancelot
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I like your team for having a good spread of players from different teams.
      I dislike the fact that you don't have hazard, but that's just a personal opinion.

      I might consider spending the 1M to replace Benteke with Kane and Chadli to Milner/Henderson.
      Alternatively, I might downgrade Benteke, replace Chadli with another 8.5M midfielder of your preference.

  21. Mancunian
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Pick 2 please:

    A) Ozil
    B) Ramsey
    C) Caz
    D) Wally
    E) Sterling
    F) Yaya

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Wally and Ozil

    2. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Ozil and Sterling.

    3. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Wally-Sterling. All in or nothing 🙂

    4. Kloppage Time
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      D & E

    5. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      D, B, E, F, C, A would be my order

    6. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Sterling, and then Ozil

    7. Mancunian
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      No love for Caz on here?

      My current picks are Caz & Ozil but leanining towards city cover or more explosive potentials

    8. Norb
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      C & E

  22. Kloppage Time
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    New to FPL, thourghts?

    Cech
    Ivan, Jagielka, Koscielny
    Walcott, Hazard, Hendo, Chardli
    Rooney, Benteke, Wilson

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Need to see your bench players too really. I don't like Cech or Jagielka for value (and Jags has awful fixtures). Rest looks fine.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      You could get burned with Chardli

      1. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

      2. SYLVIAN
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Chadli's record last year was pretty amazing. Only major absence was the death of his father. Consistently has lots of touches/shots in the opposition box. Spurs have isolated Townsend/Lennon... What's the concern?

      3. SYLVIAN
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Unless this comment was 100% for the pun, in which case, fair play

  23. FozzieBear
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    My post from last article. sorry if some of you have already replied:

    Why are people talking about going AOA first GW?Any logic behind this?

    I haven't been confident about any strikers this close season.

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I think a lot of those doing it are wildcarding GW2. I don't much like the idea myself...last gameweek may even be the best time to play it, once you've accrued more team value for a better front 8.

      1. FozzieBear
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Totally agree with that. Only keen to play it when I see who form strikers are and I can transfer them in when a GW favours at least two of them. Or use for a DGW.

  24. Theatre_Of_Screams
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    (A) Chadli + 4m defender

    (B) Ritchie + 5m defender

    1. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Cars and Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B

  25. Gunners n' Roses
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Anybody know when the DugoutFC apps are coming out?

  26. sglancelot
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Hi, this will be my first full season and this is my 2nd (hopefully last) iteration of my team. I appreciate all comments and advice given. I thank you in advance!

    Ruddy Butland ($9.0)
    My thoughts: The popular 4.5 rotation keeper. great fixtures

    Ivanovic Darmian Huth Mings S.Taylor ($25.5M)
    My thoughts: Primarily running 3 defenders.
    Ivanovic for consistency; CS, goals or/and assist points
    Darmian for being nailed on for now and great pre-season form
    Huth for being nailed on, great performance last season and pre-season
    Mings for being nailed on, attacking minded defender for the odd points
    S.Taylor, 4.0 bench warmer as suggested by fellow FFS people

    Hazard Walcott Ozil Henderson Wanyama ($40.5M)
    My thoughts: Doubling down on ARS early on, with possibility of doing a 2-transfer for Aguero by selling Walcott for a 7.0
    Hazard for consistency; nailed on, spot kicks and a damn good player in general
    Walcott for OOP potential, probably won't play full 90 but will score points
    Ozil for being nailed on, decent form pre-season and consistently good player last season
    Henderson for being nailed on, some spot kicks and played reasonably well pre-season

    Rooney Pelle Vardy ($24.5M)
    My thoughts: dropping Rooney for Aguero by GW3 once he's fit. Had to downgrade Sakho to Vardy to save an additional 0.5 to bring in Aguero in 2 transfers
    Rooney for being nailed on, and producing consistent results when playing as CF
    Pelle for being nailed on, great fixtures and pre-season form
    Vardy for being nailed on, decent fixtures, great pre-season and towards the end of last season.

    ITB: $0.5M

    Thanks once again for reading through my long post. Fire away!

    1. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Looks great, only worry is Vardy. I'd like to upgrade that to Sakho, find another 0.5 somewhere for that, he'll be amazing this year

  27. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Quick Poll:

    Are you going for Fabregas or Hazard (or neither)?

    Personally, I am leaning towards Fabregas now. He starts the season well, and is very very consistent. Last season his points were on par with Hazard's for a good while. He is considerably cheaper, and will out score most, if not all of the other midfielders around 9.0M, due to his consistency. Hazard usually takes a few weeks to get the ball rolling, but he can explode any time, and is a good captaincy option - although it can be frustarating getting back to back 2 pointers from him.

    Plus, if you have Fabregas and Hazard scores well, mentally you can justify a switch so you don't fall behind. However, if you have Hazard but Fabregas is scoring well, you will most likely keep Hazard and tell yourself he will come good, and rightly so.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      No Chelsea

    2. Cars and Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard and just leave the captaincy on him.

    3. preseasonblues
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard for me, captaincy option for any game. Penalties a big plus too. There are ways that I can shift things to get Cesc in too and double up if need be.

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

      I'm going FAbregas.. Cant see Hazard being worth 2.5 more over the first 8 weeks. That being said i'm not sure where i'll spend the cash with Costa injured and Aguero/Sanchez possibly not starting a week or two.. so i've got a lot of cash to spend

    5. M00N
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I've always said Hazard is a slow starter but transferring Haz to Fab is easier than the other way around so I'm stick with Haz for now.

    6. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      No, if you have Fabregas and Hazard scores well, you'll be falling behind a good majority of FPL players, and mentally you'll be kicking yourself.

    7. PSEBJ27
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      What's this myth about Hazard being a slow starter too? I remember him doing great in the first few weeks apart from last season

      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        This. His first 3 games for Chelsea are probably is probabbly the most explosive beginning to an FPL career of any player. Something ridiclous like 12, 13, 15.

        1. PSEBJ27
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          I thought so, yeah

    8. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      neither for the first few GWs, better value elsewhere.

  28. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    is this new Leicester guy Yohan Benalouane, who apparently is a CB, a threat to Huth's game time?

    1. Cars and Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Probably not.

    2. ronmadpirlo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Hope not. Bit worried because of the Tinkerman though

  29. preseasonblues
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    I've managed to spend 27.5m on my defence and am actually pretty happy with my overall team. Presume this is right up at the high end of everyone else's teams?

    I've managed to wiggle funds about so that I have Ivanovic having told myself that I'd start with him over Azpi this year. Have paired him with Koscielny and Kolarov. Reckon it's worth Ivan > Azpi and Kos > Mert to move some money further forward?

    1. ronmadpirlo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I think Koscielny is worth the extra 0.5 mill. As for Ivan vs Azpi it depends whether you think Ivan scoring early in the season is coincidence or something more.

      1. preseasonblues
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        I think you're probably right, I currently have Henderson as my upgradable position in midfield and not hugely convinced by any of the 8.0m options, maybe only Mane taking my fancy. What do you reckon of;

        A) Ivanovic & Henderson
        B) Azpilicueta & Mane

        1. ronmadpirlo
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Both will be popular. Personally I'm going with Azpi because as long is he starts he will offer value. Ivan has pressure on him to score goals to justify his price. If you asked me last season I would have said Ivan though...

          1. preseasonblues
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            I think the sensible side of me will end up as Azpi, as he's a season keeper at that price, even if Chelsea get a little leaky. As you say, Ivanovic has to offer more at that price. I've already gone for Kolarov so a potential transfer to make down the line, not sure I want to set myself up for two.

            Maybe I'll just keep 1.0m in the bank...

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

    You know you have a pretty safe team when your only punt is a 4.5 defender ie Gomez 🙂

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I've just made a pretty safe team too, I think I might just start the season as a dullard (ish).

    2. Enzo the Baker
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Is Gomez + Ibe too punty ? I feel these two could be huge bandwagons in the first 2-3 GWs if they start against Stoke in GW1

      1. preseasonblues
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Of the two think Ibe may be a bit too punty...