Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 220 – Manic

Now that the international break is behind us and the fixture list is bulging, the pace to the end of the season promises to be relentless.

It’s even enough to force us into the indignity of a “manic” Monday night ScoutCast.

Having endured the most mediocre of Gameweeks, it’s a blessing in disguise that the next is already upon us. Despite that, we still take time to cast an eye back at the weekend, including a revival of “Rough with the Smooth”, recounting your own contrasting fortunes.

Elsewhere, your community questions have us conducting the now weekly stock check of Manchester United’s double Gameweek wannabes, while Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez’s mood swings also come under scrutiny again as we chew over the likely replacements for the stricken Sadio Mane.

Palace get some love, those teams without a double Gameweek get appraised, and we even take time to explore a new phenomenon: the raiding right-back and curious bonus point darling that is Jesus Navas.

Oh, and much as we tried to shut down Jonty’s attempts to gloat about the latest spectacular success of his goals imminent table, Wilfred Ndidi still gets a mention.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Monday night. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link on the first player below, or take in the full visual experience, plates and all, via the second player below.

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

812 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Not sure whether to play
    Jaku or Heaton

    Two from chambers, Llorente, Brunt and Alonso

    1. Fuchs Mane Kante
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      On Heats atm.

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Play Jakupovic, Llorente & Brunty punty.

  2. KneejerkJoe
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Bench 1:

    A) Alonso (MCI)
    B) Lukaku (mun)
    C) Holebas (WBA)
    D) King (liv)

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Alonso

  3. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Seriously tempted to captain Vardy ahead of Sanchez.

    Rank is 1.5k - is this a risk I should be taking?

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I'm going to captain Vardy I think. Only 58k though! But I wasn't very impressed by Sánchez on the wing vs. City.

    2. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I'm really tempted too, but I'm 100k so it makes more sense for me.

      - Own Sanchez but worried about him on the flank and his worrying lack of involvement vs. City.
      - Vardy not getting the coverage due to comparatively lower ownership I guess, but he's on a roll

      But it's West Ham!!!!

  4. Darth_Newdar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    I don't think I want to take a hit anywhere here... any opinions? (My FT was Mané --> Eriksen.) I expect to have Carroll off the bench for Llorente.

    Heaton
    Alonso, McAuley, Britos
    Sánchez (vc), Alli, Eriksen, Coutinho
    Lukaku, Vardy (c), Llorente

    Pickford, Carroll, Baines, Amat

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Play Baines, on pens and against United who aren't as free scoring as City are, whom Alonso would be facing.

  5. AusBest11
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Who would you bench out of this lot for this week.

    Foster(Wat Away) Grant(Bur, Away)
    Azpil(Man City, home) Valencia(Everton, home) Stephens(Crystal) Holgate(Man U, Away) chambers(Hull, away)

    Sanchez(West Ham, Home) Erikson (Swansea, Away) Alli (Swansea, Away) siggy (Spurs, Home) king (Liverpool, away)

    Lukaku(Man u, away) costa (Man City) llorente (Spurs, Home).

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Grant, Holgate, Stephens, Llorente

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Foster, Azpi, Chambers & Costa on the bench.

      1. AusBest11
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Thanks everyone.

  6. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Heaton
    Alonso, Baines, Valencia, Brunt
    Sanchez (c), Coutinho, Alli, Siggy
    Costa, Lukaku

    Randolph, Llorente*, de Roon, Friend*
    0 ft, 1.6 itb.

    Llorente -> Origi (-4) worth a punt?
    And bench Baines / Brunt?

    Or stick with the team above and avoid hits?

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I would honestly sell Alonso, Chelsea no longer keeps clean sheets and there's too much of money tied up there for a defender.

  7. Simon Says...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Hi guys, big moves afoot:

    A) Costa & Siggy - Origi & Sanchez (-8)
    B) Costa to Ibra (-4)
    C) Costa to Vardy (-4)

    Also have Aguero and Lukaku uptop. -8 seems excessive but in top 20k now, so would miss Sanchez a lot if didnt have him

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      B would tempt me I think

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Yep, it's tempting, but then have a lot of value tied up top. Would probably mean selling Lukaku at the weekend. And no Sanchez....

    2. TAB
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Play Costa

  8. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    WC done, RMT
    jaku
    gibson alder bertrand
    son zaha sanchez alli cout(c)
    luk vardy

    valdes barnes stones ake

    not really sure about stones, but i just put him there because of the HUL fixture he has

    1. Jaunty Jonty
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Is Son nailed on?

      1. Egyptian Giza
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        I hope so, he scored so hope Pochi takes that into consideration. plus, janssen is crap

      2. elmes85
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Jansen is expected to miss out due to injury so I would assume Son to start.

    2. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I'd go sane instead of cout and keep the cash in the bank. I'd get pickford over jaku. Any plans for dgw?

      1. Egyptian Giza
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        well my plan is that I already have (valdes gibson & zaha) won't do any transfers and will enter 34 with max 4 dgw players, and will try to save 2 FT for 35 or 36, what's your strategy?

  9. Dele
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Who's getting more points over the next 3 weeks.

    Origi (LIV, sto, wba)

    Carroll (ars, SWA, sun)

    Benteke (sou, ARS, LEI)

    1. cjw176
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Original if he plays

      1. cjw176
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Origi. Stupid spellcheck

    2. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Carroll

  10. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Looking for Mane replacement... Got 0.7 ITB

    A. Coutinho
    B. Alli
    C. Eriksen
    D. Ndidi

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Alli

    2. cjw176
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Alli

  11. Simon Says...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Carroll or Origi....?

    1. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Origi for me

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Yep, just Liverpool's inverse form always gets me - Bournmouth may not be a rout without Mane etc

        1. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          I agree but we looked good with a Origi on, on saturday and I think Bournemouth will come out and attack us, which will suit us

          1. Simon Says...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 26 days ago

            Yep, all relies on the latter part of that happening. Lovely price for Origi if that's the case.

  12. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    RMWCT Team please

    1.5 million in bank - any way of working in Vardy?

    Valdes/Pickford

    Chambers Vert Mustafi Bailly Yoshida

    Firmino Alli Sanchez Son De Roon

    Ibra Benteke Origi

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Zaha over Son.

    2. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      6, Son & Origi transfers waiting to happen, which is never ideal on a WC

      Prefer Cout to Firm, otherwise looks alright!

    3. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Would rely on Benteke and Zaha performing every week. Or any week

    4. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      6.5

    5. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I'd go sane over firm as he will be playing wide with origi forward, and he does terrible, also you could use the cash to help upgrade a forward to vardy. I'd even maybe go ozil before Sanchez, use cash to upgrade. Ozils record against weaker teams is great when Sanchez plays wide

  13. Simon Says...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Right, seems like that time of the week again where the pages are flying. Happy to answer any question you have with random guesswork and bias. Fire away.

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Keep Valencia on wildcard or get Rojo/Bailly?

      Vardy or Lukaku?

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Keep Valencia for sure, if he's rested tonight it doesnt matter too much. He's far away United's best asset (Ibra aside).

        Vardy. Prime fixtures, and more of them.

    2. Giroud Depardieu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Hi Simon,

      Could you RMWCT?

      Heaton/Valdes
      Valencia/Walker/Robertson/Gibson/Stephens
      Sanchez/Alli/Zaha/Sane/Ward-Prowse
      Vardy/Ibra/Origi

      MITB to bring in Kane & Gab when fit.

      Ta

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Lovely balance. WC teams always tricky as so much is picked on last week's form players. I like Origi this week, and then maybe shifting to Carroll from the weekend.

        1. Giroud Depardieu
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          Thanks mate. Origi is only a short term punt, so Carroll will become an option.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      See my wildcard options below! Thank you 🙂

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Done.

    4. 1314
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      bench Alonso or Brunt ?

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Tough one. I'd bench Brunt, just. Chelsea at home, think they'll bounce back.

    5. Rajveer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Hi Simon I took a hit to get in Origi and Alli in place of Llorente and King respectively...RMT please

      Pickford
      Alonso Cedric Ben Davies
      Alexis(c) Alli Coutinho Siggurdson
      Vardy Origi Lukaku

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Hi Simon,

        Already used up my FT for Mane > Alli and thinking whether I need to take another hit.

        Jaku Heaton
        Walker Alonso Pieters Valencia Amat
        Alli Sanchez King Allen Siggy
        Defoe Gabbi Kaku

        a. Defoe > Vardy for -4 (have enough ITB for that)
        b. Kaku + Siggy < Ibra + Sane for -8
        c. WC
        d. wait

        1. Simon Says...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          A, for sure.

      2. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Very good team, lovely balance. Think you'll want Sane in soon.

        1. tibollom
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          Yea will look to get Sane in for Siggy next week.. Would you captain Vardy or Sanchez based on my team?

          1. Simon Says...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 26 days ago

            Toss that coin sir. Your call. Both should return. Vardy probably safer choice.

    6. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Costa to vardy for a hit, probably going to wildcard next week or two

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        I'm weighing up that move myself, I'd risk it, just.

    7. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      What does Simon say here?

      Heaton
      Alonso Valencia Davies
      Coutinho Sanchez (c) Eriksen Siggy
      Lukaku Defoe Carroll
      (Pickford Pieters Capoue Amat)
      0 free, 2.7ITB.

      Would you do Defoe > Vardy or Capoue > Tadic for -4?

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Defoe to Vardy. Do it sir.

  14. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Jak
    Walker Valencia Alonso
    Tadic Alli Coutinho San(c)hez
    Origi Costa Lukaku

    Valdes Siggy Stephens Holgate

    Gtg?

    1. cjw176
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Looks good. Are you not tempted with Origi(c) Sanchez(v)?

  15. Catalan Rangers
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Defoe and Llorente playing?

    got both, worth -4?

  16. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    A slightly off topic question:

    I just registered with fanduel, however, it says that due to location restrictions I cannot deposit money or take part in the contests. I am currently in the Netherlands. Anyone know what this issue is about and if it can't be resolved could someone point me to an alternate daily fantasy football site?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I think it's UK only. I can't play Fanduel from Ireland either 🙁

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Would of been nice to know prior to registering :/

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          Would have*

  17. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Hey guys,

    Start?

    A) Pieters
    B) Llorente

    1) Jaku
    2) Foster

    Captain

    X) Sanchez
    Y) Coutinho
    Z) Ibra

    Cheers

    1. TAB
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Llorente

      Foster

      Sanchez

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A1X

  18. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Jak
    Alonso Walker Gibson
    Sanchez(C) Coutinho(V) Eriksen Sigurdsson King
    Lukaku Ibra
    Foster Valencia Amat Diomande
    Already on -4. GTG? No bench too risky or roll with it?

  19. TAB
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Play Two

    Brunt (wat)
    Pickford(lei)
    Foster(wat)

  20. vardys party
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Which one to bench:
    A. Vertonghen
    B. Valencia
    C. Yoshida
    D. Gibson

    Currently on Yoshida

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      D

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Yosh

  21. VirusintheMind
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Pick,Foster
    Alonso,Mcauley,Valencia,ASmith,Friend
    Siggy,Mane,Lanzini,Ward-Prowse,Davies
    Lukaku,Costa,Kun

    1ft 0.5 in the bank, need help,as this week is looking really bad w/out Sachez/Spurs mid...

    1. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Kun to vardy,mane to Sanchez, lanzini to sane. Thank me later

  22. Totti
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    who to play?
    A) Pickford
    B) Boruc

    1) Siggy
    2) King

    1. Rajveer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A 2

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A2

  23. rakdaddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    My defence is walker, bertrand, Valencia, fabio and ake.

    With fabio injured and rumours of Valencia being rested, shout i take a hit to do fabio to barragan? Want a mid defender for gw34 and only got 4.4 with 0 itb. Will probably downgrade bertrand to soares at some point to free up points.

  24. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    I tweeted one of the MEN journos asking "Valencia arriving later or just not going to play tonight?"

    @samuelluckhurst

    I think he might be rested. Hasn't arrived separately before

    https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/849193761666191362

    1. jmcclory123
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      At least there's less rotation risk in the future.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      interesting, thanks. I will probably wait to get him in now.

  25. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    WC A or B experts and why? 🙂 Thanks

    A.
    Valdes (Jaku)
    Walker • Valencia • Stones (Chambers • Stephens)
    Sanchez • Alli • Coutinho • Sane • Eriksen
    Ibrahimovic • Lukaku (Barnes)

    B.
    Cabellero (Jaku)
    Walker • Valencia • Alonso (Chambers • Stephens)
    Sanchez • Alli • Coutinho • Sane (de Roon)
    Ibrahimovic • Lukaku • Origi
    (Money ITB for Origi > Gabbi when fit)

    1. Jaunty Jonty
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Prefer Eriksen over Origi

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Ditto.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          Even if it means losing Alonso?

  26. Jaunty Jonty
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    WC IN ACTION

    De Gea / Jaku
    Vertonghen / Stephens / Valencia / bernado / Alonso
    Alli / Coutinho / Sane / Zaha / Walcott
    Ibra / Vardy / Origi

    Any thoughts?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Benching headache up top

      1. Jaunty Jonty
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Yeah hoping to just ignore that

    2. Egyptian Giza
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      downgrade Walcott or you won't sleep from the headache

      1. Jaunty Jonty
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Who you thinking? Got 7.3 ITB

        1. Egyptian Giza
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          Tadic or Redmond for the upcoming DGW but you'll also have the same headache, I personally from the front 8 have to get a bench fodder (De roon, Barnes etc) avoids the hastle

          1. Jaunty Jonty
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 26 days ago

            Probably go down to Ward-Prowse, leaves some money in the bank later in case I decide I need Sanchez!

  27. TheEgyptianKing
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Need some help with the WC team -

    Got Alexis - Alli - XX - XX - Davies

    2 Midfielders for 16.1m (Origi upfront)

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Sane and Zaha?

    2. Jaunty Jonty
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Cout and Walcott?

      1. Jaunty Jonty
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Obviously don't bother with Alexis. Cout and Sane!

  28. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Heaton
    Alonso / Bavies / Maguire
    Mane / Alli / Eriksen / Sigurdsson / King
    Aguero / Lukaku

    Pickford / Brunt / Rondon / Amat

    A) Mane & Aguero > Sanchez(c) & Ibrahimovic - 4

    B) A + Rondon > Origi - 8 in total (Bench King)

  29. Dazzler365
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Start Alonso, pieters or siggy?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      siggy

      1. Dazzler365
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Alonso or Pieters first sub?

  30. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Who to bench?
    A. Siggy (TOT)
    B. Zaha (sou)

    Jaku
    Valencia BDavies Robertson
    Sanchez Alli Coutinho Siggy/Zaha*
    Costa Lukaku Origi

    (Grant Siggy/Zaha* Stephen Chambers)

    Cheers

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Zaha. Just think Siggy at home vs his old club etc

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        I'd bench Siggy.

        1. Gruu
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          1-1

          So bench siggy or zaha? 🙂