Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 228 – Countdown

The final countdown has begun with the new season kick-off now less than 24-hours away.

Earlier the week the ScoutCast grew gathered as the clock ticked down, with Jonty, Andy and Luke joining myself to tackle a raft of perfectly targeted questions from you – the community.

Each of us take turns to reveal our current line-ups, while the collection of queries allowed us to put each of the four positions under the microscope. On occasions, we even broke from the ScoutCast tradition to provide some definitive answers.

Pre-season gremlins struck as I dropped out in full flow on Paul Pogba, but I managed to return to steer the ship towards its final destination – the first weekend preview of the new campaign.

It’s good to be back.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday 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 via the second player below.

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

7,234 Comments Post a Comment
  1. waterboy
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I know the pages are flying through, but any thoughts on this team? Looking shortish term until all the transfers are done (or not).
    Kane & Lukaku are non-negotiable
    Also I know Matic is classed as a "Casual's" pick, but he does love a shot and he has had a few assists in the past, Short Term pick.

    Foster
    Ake - Bertrand - Bailly - Kola
    KDB - Erikson - Zaha - Matic
    Lukaku (C) - Kane (VC)

    Elliot, Dunk, TCarroll, Quaner

    Thanks for any help

    1. waterboy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      lucky top of the page

    2. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I've gone for matic because of tackle and pass bonuses on Sky game

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No Pool will be a killer

      1. waterboy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        can you se a way of getting any in?

        1. barracuda
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          erik to mane/salah

    4. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Short term looks okay. Could get pool by Eriksen to Mane straight swap. TAA/Moreno for Dunk if only thinking short term

    5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      As previous page... Kola (didn't start last Sunday but is all the rage) v. Kompany (getting old but reliable, goal threat, nailed on..).

    6. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Erikson to Pool mid !

      1. waterboy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Appreciate the input. Looking now at Erikson to Liv Mid.

        1. waterboy
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Just put Salah in. Looks more balanced already and 0.5m ITB. Thanks

          1. waterboy
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Leaving Kola in as Leicester conceded loads of headers in the box in the latter part of last season. Just hope he starts.

    7. Rossendale Rover
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      The problem with Kane and Lukaku is facing a terrifying captain dilemma every weekend.

  2. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any changes to be made?
    Cheers!

    DDG (Elliot)
    Bertrand Yoshida Dawson Daniels (B. Smith)
    KDB(C) Salah Willian Carroll (Ritchie)
    Kane Lukaku (Abraham)

    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure on Saints double up at the back. Maybe downgrade Bertrand to strengthen your mids/Abraham.

      1. Scheister
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not sure who to downgrade him to? Had Trippier...

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lock it in and step away from the keyboard.

  3. FortunesAlwaysHiding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    This is my team from Draft Fantasy Football. I would appreciate some help with regards to my limited midfield/striker options. It looks like I might need to rotate in some areas (who to replace etc), so any advice would be really appreciated. Thankyou...

    DeGea/Romero

    Alderweireld/Kolasinac/Ake/Cedric/Dawson

    Alli/Lanzini/Walcott/Fraser/Tadic

    Firmino/Rashford/Rodriguez

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      To be honest for a draft team that seems pretty solid. I would try and swap rashford for a starter even if it's from a lower team. Think you're going to have to go 5-3-2 this week with lanzini and Rashford!

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      What do you think of mine:

      Heaton/Butland
      Walker/Valencia/Cedric/Adam Smith/Trippier
      Alli/Zaha/Klaasen/Walters/Lallana
      Jesus/Sandro/Benteke

      Notable free agents include Tadic

      1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Better than mine! Maybe swap Klaasen for Tadic due to fixtures. Looks decent. I think Rashford will be a surprise this season as I swapped him for Llorente.

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah good shout. What about for Walters instead? Tempted to keep him as might play OOP but then are Burnley going to score much anyway?

          1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Keep Walters and see how it pans out. You're also a bit hamstrung with Lallana.

            1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Cheers - think I'm going to wait for Lallana to return to be honest. When he's fit he's miles better than anyone left and by the time it came round to me all of liv's big boys and wiji had been taken!

        2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Fair enough on Rashford too. Maybe lose Walcott if there's anyone decent in mid left? Think he'll struggle to get mins when everyone fit (could wait and see on that)

          1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Walcott out for Tom Carroll and rotate with JRod?

            1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Yeah could work - don't fancy JRod to fire all that often - assuming there's no decent forwards left!

  4. Arctic_Orangutans
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Atsu nailed?

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Expected to start GW1, but will need to perform with Aarons and Murphy pushing to be in the starting line up.

      1. Coaly
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Murphy has been sold

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Different Murphy - young winger bought from Norwich.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Will be in and out of the squad ritchie is worth the 1m he is on pens as well

  5. Mini Mahouse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Trying to decide which team, advices also appreciated!

    A)
    Foster
    Danilo - Bertrand - Yoshida - Bailly
    Salah - KDB - Zaha - Ritchie
    Lukaku - Kane - J Rodriguez

    (Elliot - Chalobah - Carroll - 4.0 def)

    B)
    Foster
    Valencia - Bertrand - Mee
    Alli - KDB - Willian
    Lukaku - Kane - J Rodriguez

    (Elliot - lejeune - Carroll - 4.0 def) --> Mee and Lejeune rotating

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      There is a player missing from B but I still like B more

  6. Adro34
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    G2G?

    DDG Elliott
    Ake Stephens Suttner Lee Dawson
    Eriksen Mane Willian Ritchie Carroll
    Lukaku Jesus Benteke

    0.5 ITB. Cheers, good luck

  7. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I realized Jay Rodriguez is a great enabler, but far from being exciting to own. Is he on penalties at least?

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Could he be*

    2. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Dunno man

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Brunt Ron Morrison

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Nothing but good fixtures then :/

  8. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which one?

    1. Walker Bertrand Rosenior (and have only 4 playable defenders)
    or
    2. Walker Yoshida/Stephens/Cedric Mee

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Walker, Cedric, Mee

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ty

  9. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster Myhill
    Alonso Bellerin Cedric Daniels Hunemeier
    Alli Salah Willian Loftus-Cheek Chaloba
    Lukaku Jesus Benteke

    Been out of the loop for a week or so, so not 100% who is still nailed, still good to go?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure about RLC or Chalobah - Carroll seems more popular here.
      Hune almost certainly won't start
      Bellerin is a ?

  10. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How is this? Midfield maybe lightweight but the attack makes me drool.

    Foster Elliott

    Cedric Stephens BDavies Simpson Hunemeier

    KdB Zaha Ritchie JwP Tarroll

    Jesus Kane Lukaku

  11. FPLAdmiral
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this chaps?

    DDG
    Cedric, Bertrand, Kolas, Hegazi
    KDB, Zaha, Willian
    Kane, Lukaku, Firmino

    (Elliot)(Carroll, RLC, Mbemba).

    1. wagner is king
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      pretty much same team

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

      Cedric/Hegazi not nailed and Hegazi will be rotated over the season. Mid/FWD look solid. Carroll and RLC could be awesome, but dropping that 6.0m mid for a 4.5 one is always going to be ballsy!

  12. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Phil Jones likely to start? When did the love begin?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Some stat about him starting 19 out of 20 games when fit

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Pre-Lindelol though

    2. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lindelof actually flinches when the ball's crossed in. Can only imagine that's what's triggered it.

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

    Anyone cracked a rotating 4.5s combo?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Palace and Burnley rotate beautifully so maybe TFM and Mee

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Defs or GKs?

  14. wagner is king
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A- Kompany
    B- Kolas

    1. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

  15. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Rodriguez or Mounie???

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Rodriguez is probably a safer bet to get an underwhelming amount of points. Mounie has the potential to be great but a greater risk of being utterly useless. I've gone with Mounie.

    2. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I have gone with Mounie as at least he is the main man. Rodriguez will play wing or supporting role.

  16. Tornado
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Firmino and willian

    Or

    Jesus and ritchie

    1. chelseabrad
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Salah & Willian?

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      J & R

  17. Babyangus01
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys, some advice on this team please
    Foster [Elliot]
    Lindelof,Cedric,Matip [Tomkins,Rangel]
    Salah,Alli,JWP,Matic [Ritchie]
    Lukaku,Jesus,Lacazette

    1. Alvaro Morata
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Drop Matic and the rest is fine.

      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        and Lindelof

        1. chrisjdgrady
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          and Tomkins

    2. wagner is king
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      risky defence

    3. Babyangus01
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ok, thanks, I guess I need to figure out a defence that works for that price. Who is best 5m mf to replace Matic?

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Atsu? Or could downgrade 0.5 to Carroll as you already have ritchie

    4. Babyangus01
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Good idea. Any thoughts on which 4.5 Liverpool df might start? As a fan I hate Moreno, but feel he could be a fantasy asset if he played. I have felt this before tho

  18. VAR-IDOL
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    The excitement is unreal! Feel like a spoilt kid at Christmas! Team finalised, you don't have to rate it, just appreciate it.

    Foster
    Kolasinac | Suttner* | Alonso
    Mane | Fraser | JWP | Ritchie
    Jesus | Kane | Lukaku

    Elliot | Lowe* | T. Carroll | Long

    *Suttner and Lowe rotate perfectly up to GW14

    Good luck everyone and good night, sweet dreams x

  19. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Zaha vs Willian is gonna make us all look stupid

    1. RubberDucky
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I have been on William but being tempted to switch.

        Maybe I should try and fit both in

      • Tornado
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Im on zaha right now...what do you have ?

        Willian on set pieces concerns me

      • VAR-IDOL
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Have both?

        KDB | Zaha | Willian | Tarroll

      • GE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        On both and feels good 🙂 can later drop one of them 🙂

        1. GE
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Kdb/Alli/Zaha/Willian

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Strong! What's the rest of your team? Can't afford that with my front line so just curious 🙂

            1. GE
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Foster
              Alonso/Kompany/Stephens/Daniels
              DeBruyne/Alli/Zaha/Willian
              Lukaku/Jesus

              Bench: Elliott, T. Carroll, Mbamba, Quaner

              What do you think?

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                I like the balance (although bench not going to help you out if someone gets injured in warm up or something). Not big on Liverpool?

                I prefer 3-4-3 myself. Have gone for Hart/Bego in goal.

                1. GE
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 9 months ago

                  Maybe but the advantage of going 4 at the back os that T. Carroll also can come in for a injured def as well (not in your's 3-4-3).

                  Really concerned by no Liverpool! Should I maybe do Alli -> Mane? Then I have no Spurs...

                  I don't fancy 2 rotating keepers, really hard to predict when they can get a lot of save points, CS etc. so I would go 4.5 and 4.0.

                  1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                    • 6 Years
                    6 years, 9 months ago

                    True. Hadn't considered that! I'd be happy enough with one of my back up defs coming in so I guess it's a bit swings and roundabouts.

                    Guessing Lukaku and Jesus are locked in? Could downgrade Alonso to a 5.0 (e.g. Dann) and then get Salah from one of Willian/Zaha?

                    Yeah I'm going to try rotating keepers and then if I get overly frustrated just going to pick whoever is going better/has the nicer batch of fixtures.

                    Btw, mine is:
                    Hart/Bego
                    Danilo/Yoshi/TAA (Mee, Lowe)
                    Kdb/Salah/Willian (Atsu, Carroll rotate)
                    Kane/Jesus/Firmino

                    What do you think? Not too bothered by lack of ManU, bigger concern is triple liv/city but think the def will look like this 2/3 weeks at most.

                    1. GE
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 9 months ago

                      I will give you a answer tomorrow 🙂 good night from here 🙂

                      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                        • 6 Years
                        6 years, 9 months ago

                        Looking forward to it! Night 🙂

                    2. GE
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 9 months ago

                      Lukaku and Jesus are locked in 🙂 afraid of Kane though, but hopefully the extra 2.0 is worth it. Could downgrade Alonso and Dann is my best bet for 5.0, but so afraid of not having Alonso and not sure that Kane will start better than Jesus. Haven't thought about upgrade Willian/Zaha -> Salah. Nice one actually 🙂 Hmm..Problem is that Salah isn't proven in PL and Liverpool has really tight fixture with CL-qualification between the early GWs.

                      Like your team a lot, mate. Wouldn't have triple Liverpool, maybe I'm wrong but think Firmino is overhyped because of a possibility of pens. If he takes them, he is worth it, but you have certainty for that. Much better value in Vardy and King IMO or you can go 3-5-2/4-4-2. I have always started with 3-4-3 and when looking at last year's stats it doesn't make sense to have 3 forwards. Maybe last year was out of normal, but you can only captain one player and the value in the forwards isn't great. Just my thinking.

                      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                        • 6 Years
                        6 years, 9 months ago

                        Thanks! All good points, given me plenty to think about...

    2. Alvaro Morata
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Is Morata a gamble to pick...? I think he will shine...

      1. Point-one short
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        He'll be shining the boots in the changing room.

      2. Tiamani Warrior
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Should be good in a few weeks but value may drop before then if he doesn't start?

    3. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Which combo? (Already have Yoshida)

      A) Forster & JWP

      B) Gomes & Ritchie

    4. Tiamani Warrior
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      How good is loftus cheek? Deserved starter at palace or squad man?

      1. Point-one short
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Trouble is he's not a reliable back-up as may well not play

    5. RubberDucky
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Is Alli and Kane too much Spurs in early gameweeks?

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Might be for Chelski but then it wasn't that long ago that it finished like 5-3. Easy to switch out if not firing.

          Maybe I'm not the best person to ask - I have triple liv and mci!

      • mcmd11
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Could I get a RMT?

        Foster (Eliot)
        Bailly Bertrand Kolasinac (Hunemeier, Rangel)
        KDB Atsu Mane Zaha (RLC)
        Kane Jesus Chicharito

      • reason17
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Monreal - Dawson - Daniels - Cedric - Mee

        A) Monreal + Mee
        B) Kolasinac + 4.0?

      • SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        A) Cedric & Stephens
        B) Yoshida & Stephens
        C) Cedric & Yoshida

        Carroll or Lokilo would come in to replace a non-starter GW1...

        1. Lyonnais
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          A

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            cheers mate, hopefully presser helps

      • Bambi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        All set and ready to go! Any obvious mistakes?

        Elliot
        Danilo Stephens Daniels
        KdB Mane Zaha Fraser
        Kane Jesus Firmino

        Speroni Suttner Carroll Long

        The plan is to change Danilo to Trippier when fit. My only concern is playing Elliot every week. But it is only a .5 to find for an upgrade

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure about spelliot. Otherwise looks good to me. 🙂
          Could swap mane to Salah? Mine looks pretty similar tbh. Gone for 4.5/4.5 GK and got a cheaper 3rd/4th DEF (and Atsu instead of fraser)

      • Tornado
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I should extend that

        Firmino DDG and willian

        Or

        Jesus foster and ritchie

        1. Lyonnais
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          A

      • Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        My team is not so great but I don't know what to change..I am always 2.5 million'th place after the first GW, and it makes the season so hard!

        Forster - (Elliot)
        Kolasicac - Alsonso - Azpi - Bertrand - (Rangel)
        Zaha - Alli - Ericksen - Carroll - Knockaert
        Lukaku - Gray - Chicharito

        Ideas, help!? Was thinking more the new emphasis on DF (x4 likely) and the "slow" Kane start (but would like to have him for long haul).

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Do not like your front line at all. Think you could do with some City attack!

      • bulbuf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Which players haven't left your team since the start?

        Mine are: Kolasinac, KDB, Lukaku, Daniels, Suttner, Carroll, Ritchie, Zaha.

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Kane, Lukaku, KDB, Willian, Elliot

        2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Kane, KDB, Salah, Carroll and Mee