Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 240 – Armbandits

The crucial captaincy decision comes under focus in this latest ScoutCast episode. We’re five strong as Jonty, Andy, Granville and Az join me to put our skippering habits under scrutiny.

And when it comes to depriving us of returns, there’s no bigger “Armbandit” than Harry Kane. We’re all forced to give our updated opinions on the Spurs striker, as another “home banker” at Wembley looms for Fantasy Football’s most expensive and frustrating asset.

Elsewhere in this 90-minute marathon, your community questions steer us to assess the midfield heavy-hitters wrestling for our attention, explore the methods of dealing with festive rotation and the theory that we’re all playing down the impact of bonus points when weighing up transfer targets.

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.

1,982 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all. I've got 2 FT's burning a hole in my pocket and not sure what to do. 0.0 ITB

    Elliot - Speroni
    Jones - Ota - Mee - Duffy - Mbemba
    Salah - Sterling - Zaha - Richarlison
    Kane - Luka - Morata

    A - jones to daniels, tarrol to rlc
    B - Sterling to Pogba
    C - Other?
    D-save

    Ta !

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B if you think Raheem won’t start.

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Jones + Sterling >> Sane + Daniels?

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      The first half of A

      1. Malkmus
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers all

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A

    6. Exxtreme
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling -> Pogba
      Jones-> Mustafi

  2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    couple of questions here..
    a) stones to monreal or daniels??
    b) play gross or DCL

    thanks for the thought

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Daniels
      I don't expect Brighton to score

  3. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Sane captain is literally doing my head in.... I also have Morata and Salah.... At this point I might even do a cheeky punt on Saha..!!!! So..? Help me decide...

    1. Kroneek
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Same boat! I am going for Kane...

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I don't see how you can not captain Kane against West Brom right..? If you have him, games like this is what you got him for no...?

        P.S. I've been convincing myself of this all week 🙁

        1. Kroneek
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Exactly - but always that blank worry at home...

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      kane for me....

    4. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane

  4. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    What is best decision to this team?
    Elliot krul
    Walker vertonghen jones daniela moreno
    Salah silva RLC 4.4 4.3
    Kane kun morata
    1 ft
    0.3 itb
    I used to play 523.
    Now:
    A) aguero and 4.4 to sane and wilson for -4
    B) aguero and 4.4 to hazard and DCL for -4
    C) aguero to lukaku
    D) your suggestio?

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I like A the most

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

  5. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Morning!

    1) Bench one?
    A) Mee (ARS)
    B) Daniels (swa)
    C) Azpi (liv)

    2) Captain?
    A) Kane (WBA)
    B) Sane (hud)

    3) Free transfer?
    A) Sterling > Pogba
    B) Save

    DDG Speroni
    Azpi Daniels Mee Moreno Dann
    Salah Sane Sterling Richarlison RLC
    Kane Morata Niasse

    Cheers.

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A
      A
      B .. first sub Mee

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Ta. Pogba is tempting though as I’m pretty sure Sterling will be benched this week...

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Sterling may start or come off bench if they need a winner..

          Mee first sub may work out..

          Not a fan of Pogba

        2. Freddo
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Who will Sterling be benched for?

          Bernardo Silva also played in the week.

        3. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          I'd go Pogba especially when you don't have Kaku and have Sane.

          1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            This (I think).

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A, A, B

  6. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain this week.....

    Elliott
    Mee Azpi Daniels
    Richarlison DSilva Sane Pogba Salah
    Wilson Morata

    Speroni Duffy Diouf Jones

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane from your team. Or Wilson if you are chasing in the rankings....

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane

    4. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane or Pogba

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks all.

        Wilson a particularly interesting one for me as I am chasing in the rankings very much. Sane looks the favoured choice though.

  7. Regin
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    if hazard is fit, will he play every match? He surely wont be rotated, right?

    And when is he likely to rise to 10.7m? I have enough money exactly to get him in for Erisken.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yup

  8. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Are everybody shipping Jones and abra today night

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I guess plenty of people will keep if its short term.
      A bit more awkward if you own both though.

  9. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Fab
    Azpi ward Naughton
    Haz Salah sane Rlc rich
    Kane Morata abra
    Subs:elliot Rlc Jones 3.9
    Gtg??
    1 free transfer 0.2 in the bank

    1. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Appear to be playing 3-5-3 there?

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        3-4-3

        1. Football Weekender
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Ah right, youve got RLC starting and on the bench above.

          1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Gtg??

  10. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    1. Is Pogba more essential than Hazard ? (have Morata already)
    2. Do you think Christiansem will be nailed until january ?

    1. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      No to both.

  11. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    A. Haz + Niasse + Mustafi/Christensen
    Or
    B. Sterling/Pogba + Wilson + Alonso?

    (Already have Sane and Morata)

  12. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth me transferring out Jones (for maybe Smalling) or saving so I have 2 FTs for next week??

    Speroni
    Daniels Jones Moreno
    Salah Sterling Fernandinho Richarlison
    Kane Lukaku Aguero

    Pope Mee Carroll Hunemeier

    1 FT, 0 ITB

    Any other changes needed?

    Thanks

    1. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Save.

      Wouldn’t advise putting Smalling in. Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Rojo & Lindelöf all competing for two places. Even Blind might get the odd game there. Utd defence looks difficult to predict aside from Valencia.

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I would get rid. Worst case scenario you field 8 this GW

  13. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Would you trade Choupo-Motain for Pogba for -4 ?

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  14. athreya
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Has anyone cracked a power 5 MF along with two premium strikers? By power 5 I mean Hazard, Pogba, Salah, City MF and a cheaper consistent MF.

    1. Kloppen Schloppen
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      The template MF is pretty good without Eden.

      Salah - Sane - Silva/Sterling - Richarlison - RLC

      All delivering consistent points.

      1. athreya
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Yes if you had gotten in Sane along with one other city MF. I had sterling and silva and then dropped silva. Am losing faith in Sterling.

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I have Hazard, Salah, Pogba, Sterling and RLC

      with Kane and Jesus

      1. maratus
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        RLC is not consistent MF

      2. athreya
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Nice. I have Zaha and Gross so maybe getting the right cheap fifth MF is the key. What do you plan to do with Jesus? I have Kun and am completely confused.

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Don't think it's possible unless you go Kaneless. I play 4-4-2/3-5-2 with Hazard but 5th mid is RLC and not planning to upgrade.

      1. athreya
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Yep that’s another issue. With Kun/Jesus job sharing and Kaku not explosive the alternatives are not appealing. One could go differential with a morata Laca front line but then captaincy choices will become unappealing.

        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Yea not going there. Dropped Jesus for Kaku to avoid all that (likely will swap to Morata soon). Think Sane is the best City option.

    4. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve got,

      Hazard Salah D.Silva Sane Choupo
      Kane Rashford

      Rashford isn’t premium but he’s kept pace with Kaku since I got him on WC gw6.

      My midfeild has delivered every week I just wish I could go 3-6-1

      Rank 80k and played 352 all season with a heavy midfeild.

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I was just looking at your team actually. Like it a lot.

        I briefly considered Rashford on my gw8 WC but went Jesus instead. Easier route to Lukaku and he'll be Morata next GW.

        1. J T
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks dude, yeah I have thought about dropping Kane for Morata and Upgrade Rashford to Jesus but I think it unbalances my team a little, my next move could be downgrading Silva and getting in Morata for Rash but I’ll asses next week. Sane(C) this week I have high hopes 😀

          1. _figu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Dat Free Hit failure though, ouch. I could see merit, lot of people here were doing it.

            Kane is not leaving my team anytime soon but not sure I can trust him with captaincy.

            1. J T
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah didn’t work out as well as it could, disappointing but never mind can’t have it all!

              Yeah that’s exactly how I feel, can’t get rid but also can’t take anymore heartbreak

      2. athreya
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        And you have had consistent scores looking at your gameweek history. You can afford to do silva to Pogba before upgrading rashford. Good team.

        1. J T
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Thank 🙂
          Need to be braver with the armband I think to push on

    5. Nani R U OK? R U OK ? R U O…
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Coutinho Silvia Pogba Ramsey Richarlison
      Kane Lukaku

  15. Kloppen Schloppen
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Whose taking care of West Brom this weekend?

    Whose in line to take them over?

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Gary Megson for this weekend

    2. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Megson is caretaker at the moment I believe.

      Pardew & Allardyce the favourites to take over. Same old names.

  16. Sahil Yadav
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Kane(c) and Sane(v)

    But having a better feeling for the reverse i.e. Sane(c) and Kane(v)

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane for me easy.

      Can’t deal with anymore Kane blanks

      1. HellasLEAF
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Kane C has cost me a few gameweeks this year. hard to recommend

  17. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    WBA and Brighton, who has better defence?
    In doubt captaining Kane due to United in peak performance imo.

    1. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Brighton by a mile at the moment. I think they’ll be organised and put up some resistance. West Brom look pathetic at the moment.

      1. RIDZ
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        okay, then Kane looks the safest pick

      2. Football Weekender
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Also not sure Utd are in peak performance. They’ve been boosted by Pogba, and he’s fantastic, but aside from the Newcastle game they’ve been pretty underwhelming for the last month. They lost just the other night.

    2. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      You not thought about a City attacker?

      1. RIDZ
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        have Sane but I rarely pick captain from mid, worth to try captaining Sane over Kane?

        1. J T
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          That’s who I’m going for, can’t ignore City V Huddersfield. Even with Kane V WBA

          1. RIDZ
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            hmm, worth to try. Moreover, I don't really like pick the winner from captain poll.

    3. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Peak performance? I guess you didn’t watch them lose in Europe 2days ago?

  18. Longlatini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Eriksen to Mane?
    (Have Salah and Kane also)

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Next week yes

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      avoid double up Liverpool mid, do you have Sane?

      1. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Yep have Sane

    3. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Spurs set for a great run of fixtures now. I’d be tempted to hold and be patient.

  19. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Geez, Kun sure expensive for a player you are unsure to even start.

    Thoughts on him this week? Keep and cross fingers or get bold and swap out (have Sane) to fund Pogba in..

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I am keeping for the next 2 home games. I want to get Morata but will wait. And if Kane flops this time also I might do the unthinkable and drop Kane.

  20. as33
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Kane, Morata or Kaku captain? ATM its Kane 🙂

    1. HellasLEAF
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Kaku for me

      1. as33
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Kaku is save option, but im giving last chance to Kane, i think he will score 2 🙂

    2. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      On Kane as well

    3. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Can't bring myself to captain Kane.

      Even if he does well, I don't he'll outscore Sané by more than 10 pts but he me, he has more of a chance of blanking than Sané so I'll go for Sané

      I'll be delighted if Kane hauls as captaining him away to Leicester and Watford will be easy. I can't deal with another Wembley blank though

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Hey Mr similar team to mine. I expect you did Jones to Daniels. Doing Jones Eriksen to Sane (c) Otamendi so we are basically identical after this GW lol

  21. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Look good to go this week?

    Fabianski
    Bellerin Otamendi Alonso
    Salah KDB Sane(vc) Ritchie
    Abraham Lukaku(c) Firmino

    Elliot Ake Carroll Tuanzabe

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yup. Ritchie needs to go asap

  22. GrilledSteeze
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Likely using my WC next week
    1 FT this week, 0.4 in the bank

    Aguero/Sterling to ???

    Feel like it's too big of a risk to have both this week with no attacking United coverage

    1. YUGO
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling to pog is a good transfer this week

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Meh

        1. Legomané
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Sterling is City's top scorer

    2. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Kun to Kaku

    3. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      You answered your own question, Aguero to kaku or sterling to pogba would do nicely

    4. GrilledSteeze
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling to Pogba and call it a night?

  23. Toothless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Fabianski
    Ward Otamendi Daniels Kolasinac
    Pogba Silva Salah Richarlison
    Jesus Kane

    Elliot Joselu Naughton Gross

    G2g?
    Am I benching the right people here?
    I am IMO, but rate my team is telling me differently.

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Think I would do the same

  24. amxrvronsky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    DDG
    Ward Mee Otamendi Azpilicueta Moreno
    Pogba Sane Salah
    Kane Morata

    Sub: Elliot/Surman/T.Carroll/Niasse

    1. GrilledSteeze
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty confident against Arsenal this week with Ward and Mee? Otherwise looks good to me

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I would play Surman over Mee

  25. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Morning DZ

    assuming Kane and morata up front, what would be your preferred midfield alongside salah, richarlison and RLC :

    A - pogba and sane
    B - silva and hazard
    C - pogba and hazard (no city player)

    would love to go hazard and sane or have pog/silva/haz but don’t think can stretch

    1. GrilledSteeze
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Freddo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        ye, I am leaning that way, would leave me money to go RLC/jones->otamenid/gros also

  26. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Still nobody here not mentioning Coutinho 😀
    Ridicilous, double digits incoming

    1. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He's a great pick but I'm sitting pretty on Haz Salah and Sané at the minute.

      Hazard may make way for Pogba or Coutinho in a few weeks if they matching his output

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Coutinho for 8.8 is a steal, and pool have same run of games as chelsea

  27. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Kiko got a rise overnight? Where did that come from!

    1. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      No he didn't. Always been 4.5m. Close to 4.6m now but dropped a bit the past few days with the flag

      1. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Ah my bad, saw he'd been reset, and his ownership is 4.6, whoops.

        That's annoying, he was at 70%.

  28. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Hey guys, is Wilson nailed on starter for Bournemouth?

    Cheers

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      If fit, you'd have to say yes this weekend. Suspect his time will be carefully managed though - either withdrawn early with a view to playing midweek, or fully rested midweek

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I've brought him in for DCL FWIW

      2. john25
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        You think he is nailed on long term? Any competition for his position?

  29. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is Willian an option ?

    1. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Too much rotation risk for me

  30. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    A. Pope (ARS)
    B. Elliot (WAT)

    Play one, correct bench order?:

    1. RLC (STK)
    _
    2. Wimmer (cpl)
    3. Ward (ARS)
    4. Carroll (BOU)

    ____
    Davies Jones* Daniels
    Hazard Eriksen Salah ____
    Kane Jesus Wilson

    Keen to play Pope over Elliot, but with Jones unlikely to feature, concerned I could easily end up with auto sub double BUR defence v ARS!

    1. FPLBull
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Play Pope and RLC.
      Bench Order - Wimmer, Carroll, Ward

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Aye, concerned Tommy-2-point will be benched too!