Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 183 – Hivemind

So, as it transpires, my conversion to the “dullside” is almost complete. How else can I explain the fact that I appear to have formed a hive mind with Jonty.

Having recently caved in and recruited Sergio Aguero, this episode of the ScoutCast sees things take an even more alarming twist as I find myself replicating Jonty’s thinking – for so long the archetype of a dullard Fantasy Football manager.

Andy can only watch on, doing his best to quell my concerns as the three of us tackle another round of community queries. We talk around ways of breaking out of the template that constrains us, discuss the forthcoming fixture blanks, assess the prospect of doubling up on defences and even consider selling Aguero.

Jonty dismisses the idea and, true to form, I agree with him. How did it come to this?

This episode of the ScoutCast was first aired live on YouTube channel. You can witness the full recording via the larger player below, or wallow in the edited audio version via this link and the smaller player.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates on new episodes.

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

1,889 Comments Post a Comment
  1. VADAI
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Don't know why I got Lingard for a -4 (for Gosling). But now I am stuck with a benching dilemma. Any ideas with the front 8 below?

    Mahrez Sanchez Alli Payet Lingard
    Kun Kane Giroud

    Benching Alli seems the most logical, since Kane is enough cover. But same logic applies for benching Giroud as well. Have a feeling Giroud will get more points than Alli though.

    Cheers

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

      Lingard

      1. VADAI
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Against Sunderland?

        1. LC1
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Lingard will score again mark my words!

          1. VADAI
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            I know!

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

      The main culprit of that insipid transfer is this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Monk

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

    Any advice on this WC team?

    Cech Forster
    Huth Toby Azpi VvD Wolly
    Mahrez Ozil Sanchez Alli Lingard
    Costa Kane Lukaku

    Lukaku to Vardy next week
    Money itb for Aguero v Villa

    1. Jape
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Looks solid

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

        Cheers, Jape

        1. Sjaugen
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Fuchs over Huth.
          I'd choose one of those GK's + cash
          You're missing out on some prime West Ham games

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

            Cheers ... Will check out West Ham

    2. Sylas
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Looks Concrete! 🙂

  3. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Nice easy summation of gw 30 so far:

    Games definately on:

    Stoke v Southampton
    Leicester v Newcastle

    Either Bournemouth v Swansea or Sunderland v Everton WILL be on (Bournemouth v Everton in cup)

    Either Norwich v Man City or Chelsea v Liverpool will be on unless Chelsea and Man city draw in the cup

    The rest could well be off.

    Grinds my gears that players who pay little attention to FPL will get Mahrez Vardy Butland but there you go

    1. LouieM97
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      how many players are you expecting to be able to field that week?

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        cant be bothered caring till we know fa cup results but 8 would be worst case scenario i think

        1. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Ta. Others have done it better but a refresh never hurts

          1. Rhinos
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            I
            \/ 🙂

    2. Dre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah it would've been nice to have snatched a headstart with a few of the template out for a week but there you go,

      nice summary

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      If Che-Liv pool goes on I might be forced to keep Moreno for little bit longer 😀

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Hope it does. Chelsea will be fair fav to beat City though coz chances are theylll put out a much stronger team

    4. DF
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      At last!
      A post on this that I've managed to get to the end of.
      Cheers.

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        😛

    5. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks - othe than loading up on 3x Leicester and 2x Southampton and 1x Stoke, key seems to plan for the ones that are 50% to go ahead. So don't sell players from these teams until after cup round

    6. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      if Bournemouth v Everton or Chelsea v City require a replay, your either or scenario's won't take place. So still possible that there will be only two games that week.

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Bounemouth Everton replay WILL take place way before gw30

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Would have to be on a Monday or Friday night, dates that clash with European nights aren't permitted.

          1. efcdave1982
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Think that only applies to the PL games though if my memory serves me right

  4. Dre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Got a real bench headache this week;

    Ali / Antonio / Payet / Sanchez / Firmino
    Aguero / Kane / Lukaku

    No bench boost available.

    Any thoughts?

    1. VADAI
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Alli (that's what I am planning to do myself)

      1. Dre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Alli's last five away scores;

        12, 1, 8, 13, 10

        Not sure he's the right bench option

        1. Jape
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          But look who they were against...

          1. Dre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            You make a fair point, but Man City look ripe for the taking with Kompany out

            1. Jape
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 2 months ago

              Wait for the pressers as he could be back.

    2. LouieM97
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one this, Alli or one of the Hammers lads

      1. Dre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah have been weighing up Antonio or Payet, immediate instinct is Antonio but he's been outperforming Payet in the last few

        1. Sjaugen
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          You're probably aware of your dire Leicester holes in the team I hope

          1. Dre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Moved out Vardy as his stats dropped, admittedly dropping Mahrez was an error which will be corrected next week but I'm happy with my front 8 for this week, can't see Vahrez outscoring this lot this week

            Am prepared to eat my hat

    3. Dre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      *by no bench boost I meant no AOA

  5. ANON.
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    1ft. 1.1 in the bank

    Butland
    Jagielka, Souare, Smith
    Sanchez, Ozil, Payet, Mahrez, Alli
    Aguero, Kane

    Schmeichel, Valencia, Alderwerield, Dawson

    1. Save ft?
    2. Play Valencia or keep on bench?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Majority here according captain poll

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers! I'll check the results.

    2. Dre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Currently with a bit of a benching headache (see above), but am actually considering benching Kun for this fixture, Spurs looking fantastic and Man City looking bereft of ideas against sides in the top 6.

      Could be a real rank changer if he blanks

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Wow, I wouldn't wanna be on your place right now. I know Spurs are much better team than ever before but still ... both are fighting for the title with Leicester and Arsenal - I expect goal fest in all both matches and I just can't captain Mahrez or Vardy against us, but I can bench Toby and captain Kun which is much easier for me. I haven't decided yet as there are some other options I'm considering.

    3. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I just can't see City smashing Spurs so willing to look elsewhere. Still hopeful Aguero will go well though

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Fair play. It could go both ways.

        1. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Im capping Sanchez. Like it?

          1. Arteta
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Yes! I'm a little bit afraid not to own him already but I really hope he finally scores. I had him for his haul against Leicester and if everything goes well he is cappable of repeating it, even though Leicester's defence will be much tighter defence this time.

    4. Sjaugen
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      That WBA defense got schooled by a 18 year old Norwegian mid week.
      Madness to not armband Lukaku

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I don't have him anymore. Wonderful option indeed!

      2. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        disagree that it would be madness but he clearly a good option

        1. Sjaugen
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Ok, I agree that that was an an exaggeration, but odds are pointing towards Lukaku over Kun for highest points scorer I hope

          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Odds are Kun still.

            I've captained Lukaku.

          2. Arteta
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Good luck with whoever you pick! 🙂

            1. Sjaugen
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 2 months ago

              Odds are the usual high that I pick the wrong one, and come on here to ***** and moan

  6. Bathonian Steelers
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Which 3 would you play?

    Bellerin / azpi / cresswell / cbj

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      First 3

  7. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one please

    A) Mahrez
    B) Alli

    1. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Bathonian Steelers
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Sjaugen
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Play Mahrez

    4. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      B

  8. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play Ighalo or Alli

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm playing Alli but I might change my mind if Kompany is pronounced fit to start.

      1. Sjaugen
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        That's actually a really valid point.

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

    Which 3 of these would you play?

    Wllschied, Bellerin, Ward, Daniels, Fuchs

    Im thinking Wollschied, Ward, Daniels? but I dont wanna Bench Bellerin.....

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Play Bellerin over Wollscheid as we are rubbish.

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        maybe i should ditch wollschied alltogether?

  10. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? (playing AOA)

    Hennessey
    Bellerin Ward
    Özil Sanchez Payet Alli Mahrez
    Aguero(c) Kane(vc) Vardy

    (Butland Alderweireld Dawson Simpson)

    FT: 0, ITB: 0

    1. DF
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Sunday will be fun.
      Not tempted by the Costa hype?

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Not really. I have to make at least a couple of changes to make room for Costa.
        Right now I have no money and no FTs :p

  11. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    You know what's going to screw us all re GW30 planning ........ ?

    Lots of FA Cup replays!!

    1. Bathonian Steelers
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      When are the replays scheduled for?

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Apr 5-7 GW 32; Apr 12-14 GW33 according to Perchinho's masterpiece

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Apologies - they are for the QF replays. The 5th round replays are Mar 8-10 GW29

          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Unlikely PL would be fined if replays take place on European nights.

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      yep espicalli if Chelsea Man City one of them, their respective schedukes make it v hard to have a replay before gw30

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

        I do hope MCI wins that game. Would make my beauty of a transfer marvelous.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          I think Chelsea will win - their best chance of silverware this year

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

            Makes sense, but same goes with MCI. I really do not see them winning the league.

            I am a CHE fan, but FPL is FPL 😀 Would make me happy either outcome

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      it's still possible that there will be only two games that week.

      1. Bathonian Steelers
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Surely a minimum of 3 because of Bou V Swa or Sun V Eve will go ahead. If Reply needed it will be played Mar 8-10

        Correct me if I am wrong. That is just the way I have read everything

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Would have to be on a Monday or Friday night, dates that clash with European nights aren't permitted.

  12. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Southampton or Palace defender

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

      That cant be a serious question.

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Soton's looks much better right now.

  13. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Do I bench Vardy this weekend?

    Thinking of going with Mahrez as got burned by him last week.

    1. DF
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'd look to play both.
      No link?

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

      Play both.

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Play both. Vardy should score against City too.

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        And he did twice against Arsenal in the past.

  14. mgrea
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    Williams Bellerin Dier
    Payet Alexis Oxil Mahrez
    Vardy Lukaku Kane (C)

    Hennesey Simpson VVD StanISlas
    2FT 0.3 Banked

  15. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    So the reason I got Lingard 4 weeks ago was so that I wouldn't have benching headaches...

    Bench Ali (mcy) or Lingard (sun)?

    1. DF
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Bench lingard.

    2. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Just looked up the anytime scoring odds:

      Ali: 13/8
      Lingard: 5/2

      Benching Lingard seems to be the sensible thing

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

    Come on pressers... Just tell me that Kompany isnt back and that NEW have some random 2 day illness that just attacked the camp just so a few of the backs cant participate in this match.

    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I want Kompany to be back.

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

        I dont! That way selling Kun and possibly making a bet that MCI wont score in that game is on the cards. I really see them drawing a blank. Maybe 0-1 or even 0-0

  17. Jam0sh
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Morning guys. Good to go, bench order etc.?

    Hennessey
    Ward, Bellerin, Fonte
    Özil, Payet, Mahrez, Sanchez
    Aguero, Kane, Vardy

    subs: Butland --- Alli, Simpson, Wollscheid --- 0 FT, 0.6 ITB

    1. Vedas
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      G2G

  18. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Fuchs or Daniels long term?

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      F

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Or Cedric?

  19. aliward
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Form or fixture...

    Do I bench Siggy (SOU) or Iggy (palace)?

    Cheers

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'd feel more comfortable with Iggy playing

      1. aliward
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, that was my instinct toi

  20. Ready Manager One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    RMT please, comments would be greatly welcomed!

    Butland
    Daniels-Toby-Moreno 
    Mahrez-alli-firmino-payet
    Kun-Kane-kaku

    (Ozil, Williams, Dawson, Hennessey)

    2 FT, 0.1 ITB

    This wk is indeed very difficult to choose attackers, but feel ozil will score the least

    1. Vedas
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Nice team, I would start Ozil over either of Mahrez or Alli.

  21. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Help!!

    Toby | Simpson | Dawson | Fonte | Moreno*

    ARS >> LEI mun SWA tot WBA*
    CHE >> NEW sou nor STK liv*
    BOU >> STK wat SOU new SWA*
    WHU >> nor SUN TOT eve WAT*

    Moreno >> Bellerin/Azpi/Daniels/Cresswell?

    Please suggest, thanks.

    1. Vedas
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Azpi

      1. Champione
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        this

    2. Sjaugen
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Rather sell Dawson if the 0.1 drop Moreno isn't critical for your future plans

  22. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    1FT, 1.0 ITB

    Butland / Myhill

    Monreal / Walker / Jagielka / Dawson / Delaney

    Ozil / Firmino / Payet / Mahrez / Watson

    Aguero / Kane / Ighalo

    Thinking either -

    Walker to Cahill or Myhill to Forster

    Thoughts?

  23. Jape
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Point projections?

    Williams
    Targett

  24. Mahesh_Kumar
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Hello lads. I want to play some differentials this gameweek. Time to gamble. Thinking of benching Ozil and playing a midfield of
    Alli-Sanchez-Payet-Mahrez.
    Forwards are Kane-Rooney-Lukaku
    Good week to take this risk? Will Ozil stay quiet?

    1. Mahesh_Kumar
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Or should I bench Alli?

  25. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Good morning! How are the transfers coming along?

    1. Jape
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Still waiting for Diva to make all of his punt transfers

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

      Adam Johnson has encouraged me to do Aguero ---> Rooney for 2 gameweeks.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure how Adam Johnson becomes that move but lets just go with it 😉

        1. Mahesh_Kumar
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          lol . Just feel the mood in the dressing room will be quite depressing

          1. andy85wsm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Ah of course we're playing Sunderland, my bad - it's still early

    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      All about saving and bench dilemmas out here. Care to help? Currently on this. Have AOA.

      Butland
      Targett Moreno Bellerin
      Ozil Payet Mahrez Firmino
      Lukaku Kane Aguero

      xx Alli Toby xx

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yup - saving here.

        I don't really like benching Alli even against City - you have some tough choices 🙂

        AOA - I really have no idea what to do about this chip!

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

        Playing Bellerin ahead of Toby ? Also, I'd be scared to bench Alli

      3. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I'd love to have AOA left this week

    4. IL LUCE
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Morning! I got Cedric to replace Mertesacker so I am following the DGW plan and trying to get as many points in the meantime.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I like the Cedric pick. Think he might just be the southampton defender to own. Time will tell

        1. IL LUCE
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Freed up some cash and I like his stats better than Fonte's or VVD's. Time will tell.

  26. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    If read on here that FA Cup R5 replays will take place on Mar 8-10 (GW29), and that cup replays aren't permitted on European nights. Which is correct ?

  27. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    If you still believe ANYTHING that you see/hear from SSN, then you are an even bigger schmuck than I am! 😉

    http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/February/11-February/Sullivan-welcomes-Payet-deal

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      What did SSN say other than a bid had come in from China?

    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Any advice on dilemma above?

  28. Goldèn
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Toby or Bellerin?

  29. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is the fact Stanislas has become bench fodder due to his return from injury or because he's dropped out of favour?