Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 249 – Puppetmaster

Granville is the latest of the ScoutCast crew to be struck down by man-flu, and while Az manfully continued last time out, like myself the week before, my old rival is forced to sit out.

But he makes sure he has his say, priming Jonty beforehand to push my buttons on the “honeytrap” that was Jordan Pickford. Jonty plays a blinder on his behalf as Granville pulls the evil strings from his sickbed.

Elsewhere in this latest episode, your community questions steer us to assess whether we should call time on Marcos Alonso to consider cut-price alternatives. We appraise the Arsenal renaissance, get Az all riled up on “JLingz”, while Jonty has his say on “whipping boys”. That, of course, are those teams that are easy to beat and guarantee big returns.

I still believe that this topic was just another excuse to have a go at Pickford, with Granville sniggering over his Lemsip (other cold remedies and goalkeepers are available).

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday evening. 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.

1,672 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Garth Marenghi
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Does Jay Rodriguez play this weekend?

    1. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      20 minutes.

  2. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed 🙁

    Would you do Lingard or Willian to the following?

    A. Wally

    B. Deulofeu

    C. Ramsey

    or Save and play which one out of Wally or Linny?

    1. Superballzzz
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I did B - but regretting and wished I rolled the transfer

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wally should have said Willian*

    3. LSP
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save and reassess during the break

  3. Superballzzz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play

    A - Shaw - away at Newcastle

    B - TAA - away at Southampton

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      united defender

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Who's more nailed between TAA & Shaw atm?

      Both could concede a goal I think?

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

      don't put too much thought into this decision, neither will likely start

      1. BananaNose Maldonado
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        TAA expected to start, no?

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          70/30 I think so far?

          1. BananaNose Maldonado
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, still isn't in full training. I don't see Klopp risking him when he has a viable option.

    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Shaw

  4. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Keep Alli one more gw to have 2 fts after the break? FH chip already played.

    ddg
    alonso ota francis
    salah alli sterling shaqiri
    kun vardy wilson

    joel lingard mariappa masuaku

    1ft, 0 itb

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yep, save.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  5. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain? Good to go?

    Hennessey
    Alonso / Otamendi / Jones
    Sanchez / Salah / Sterling / Walcott / Choupo-Moting
    Kane / Wilson

    Speroni / Ogbonna / Depoitre / Kenny

    1ft, £0.0itb

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez, he was quite the away warrior at Arsenal

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        So tempted to captain again but not captaining Salah killed me last week.

        1. Delhidynamo
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Darlow's a shite GK and Sanchezloves making them look silly. Be brave

          1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      kane or salah

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

      Similar dilemma. I figure just owning Sanchez is a big enough differential. I think I'll go with Salah given most will anyway

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This. No need to risk not captaining Salah

    4. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez for sure brother

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Pogba > Walcott? Yay or nay (figure Walcott fixtures plus the upcoming blank worth getting in?)

    1. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No need for this week unless you have 2 free transfers and have to burn one.

      1. JogaSemmedo
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        No FT to burn, best to roll the transfe

        1. BananaNose Maldonado
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, I'd probably roll it.

  7. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play one this gw

    a. vardy
    b. lingard

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      v(A)rdy

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Good choice, thanks

  8. Ahtikullervo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pressers today? Who and when?

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hennessey - Speroni*
    Alonso* - Jones - Ogbonny - Bardsley* - Kiko*
    Salah - Sterling - Lingard - Miliovetic - Carroll
    Kane - Aguero - Firmino

    1 x FT, 0.0m ITB

    Really struggling for good ideas..all ideas welcome

    1. BON
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Jones* as well because he's been dropped

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Oh ffs, really?

      2. Francescoli
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Really?

      3. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        No he hasn't

      4. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Haha sure of that are you?

    2. bentekkers2299
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would save unless alonso is definitely out. Wait for the pressers. Probably downgrade to a nailed on defender for GW31

  10. BON
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Adrián
    Alonso • Otamendi • Jones
    Salah (C) • Sterling • Mkhitaryan • Walcott
    Kane • Agüero (VC) • Wilson

    Speroni • Zanka • Ogbonna • Surman

  11. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    If you were going to FH for 31, what would your FH team look like?

    I've been eyeing up a potential team, and it's not looking like enough of a change to warrant me free hitting.

    Already have Salah Firmino Walcott Pickford. Add in Mané and one or two others with the upcoming transfers and I can't imagine there will be a free hit team looking much better.

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Still a chance of BOU-WBA & HUD-CPL being played in 31, right? Just wait and see. If I had my FH left I’d be looking to use it in 35 with the information available at the moment.

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        That's what I'm thinking. Yeah, got Wilson and McArthur as well. Just wait and see.

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          I’m not bothered by not having my FH left for 31 tbh. As you say, it can be dealt with fairly easy without. 35 could be a different story and really punish players like me who used it early.

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            This^

  12. borat
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play Ramsey or lingard this gw guys. Think Ramsey more nailed but even in 60mins or so lingard can be explosive

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ramsey

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      'Lingard can be explosive'...you know Ramsey just got a hattrick yeah?

  13. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Do one of the two

    1) Lingard > Theo
    2) Shaqiri > Theo
    3) Christensen > Mawson/Mee

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I did 1.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Given the fixtures and doubts lingering around Lingard starts then i think its the right move. Just feel Lingard would punish me if i take him out but long term should be a good move hopefully.

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          He might but that's the risk you take.otherwise you would never change your team.

          1. ZeBestee
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Brought him in after his hauls and has since given me 0 goals and assists. Better to off load a troll who shouldn't have been on the radar in first place.

            1. DA Minnion (Former great)
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah same as me. Only time he scored I had him out on a free hit on double game week. Probably score a brace this week. But Walcott might too.

              1. ZeBestee
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers mate. Walcott fixtures are very nice and regardless of Everton's form i believe they will bounce back. Good luck.

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      after GW25 did christensen to maguire
      after GW26 did lingard to walcott

      was fed up with that troll and had to ditch him asap
      then it was lingards turn

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        forgot to tell you that the 2nd option doesnt make sense!

        if they confirm christensen will play, you could go for theo, but have in mind that christensen must go next gw.

        cheers!

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          right mate. I think taking out Lingard should be the priority now. I expect him to do well vs Newcastle tbh but eventually will get rid of him anyway so i will go 1. Also is there a chance Christensen will make it? It did not look very good the other day he pulled his hammy.

    3. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I also did 1

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

      a for sure

  14. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Haven't slept a wink all night.
    Bug or something but it's not pretty.

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Quick recovery mate.

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers.

  15. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Would you play A or B?

    A J Ayew (BUR)
    B Choupo-Moting (BHA)

    Cheers

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      cm

  16. Perthite
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play Dunk(stk) Ogbonna(WAT) or Kenny(CRY)

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      kenny
      ogbonna
      dunk

      in that order

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

        how you rate kenny chance of playing this week?

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ogbonna

  17. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys which you think is best

    Adrian
    Ota Alonso Naughton
    Lingard Sterling Salah Choupo KDB
    Firmino Kane

    Elliot Zanka Ogbonna Quaner 2FT 0.4 ITB

    A) Lingard to Deulofeu
    B) Lingard and Ota to Walcott and VVD/Robertson
    C) Something else?

    Cheers

    1. Astronautovic
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. OzilFozzil
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A for me

  18. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Jones - Mariappa - Naughton
    Sterling - Eriksen - KDB - Salah - Walcott
    Kane - Firmino

    (Elliot - J. Ayew - Kenny - Hunemeier)

    0,4 ITB 0FT

    I'm good to go right?

  19. LSP
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Happy Friday from Australia! Play Milivojevic or Fernandez? Thanks in advance

    Pope
    Jones Otamendi Alonso
    Milivojevic Lingard Son Sterling Salah(c)
    Aguero(vc) Kane

    Bench: Elliott, Fernandez, Quaner, Kenny

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

      paly fernandez..milo has its day last week

      1. LSP
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Will do. Thanks mate

  20. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Are Bourne mouth due to play in GW31?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Only if saints beat wba in the next round

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Depends on what WBA do. They won't play if WBA beat Southampton in FA Cup 5th round.

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all....

  21. OzilFozzil
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Deulofeu in for 'Messi'-Lingard seems like a no brainer - better player, guaranteed gameweek 31 and Everton are shipping goals...

    Can someone convince why I should NOT do this RIGHT NOW?!

  22. Whattheheck!
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Have 2 transfers buy can't think of anything worthwhile to do:
    De Gea (Elliot)
    Alonso, Mee, Duffy, Zanka, Ogbonna
    Hazard, Salah, Sterling, Shakiri, Albrighton
    Kane, Firm (Mcburnie)
    0.0m itb
    Any thoughts?

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

      ogbonaa/zanka to swans/stk defender??

  23. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is (K)un a safe option, or should I be concerned about UCL midweek?

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

      same goes with salah...im unsure too...maybe go for kane/hazard if you have them

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Feel like Liverpool are more reliant on Salah though. Kun has been playing a lot of minutes and has a cup final next week

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Man City play away on Tuesday, Pool away on Wednesday if that helps.

  24. Lionel Ronaldo
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Morning chaps. 2 FTs, thoughts on this?

    Townsend/Son -> Walcott/Shaqiri ?

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I’d keep Son. Look at their fixtures after this week

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

      keep son...im tend to bring him in

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

    My team right now is

    Courtouis(elliot)
    Mee-Hegazi-Zeegalar(Kenny-Chilwell)
    Salah-Sterling-Shaqiri-Hazard-Martial
    Aguero-Firmino(DCL)

    My concern now is only mee&hegazi seems nailed on defencd and unsettled Martial. So should i trade one of defend or Martial??thanks for advice

  26. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Draft question need a hand.

    Pick one to hold onto this week, wanting to waiver in Duelofeu.
    A. Moura
    B. Zaha (crocked for about 4 weeks)

    Do i back Moura to get into the spurs 11 or sit tight with zaha who has awful fixtures for the duration of his injury.

  27. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    In theory getting the "required" 9 players is not that difficult for gw31, in theory...

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Exactly. I’ll be sat here with my nine lads with a fixture and then three will be inexplicably benched haha

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

      I’m aiming for 9 but you can go with less when you consider everyone will be captaining Salah.

      Captain Salah, own Walcott & Firmino and you’re fine. The rest are filler/punts.

  28. Squashed
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    young+niasse > wally firm -8

    please tell me im not being silly.

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

      ucl may kept bobby for playing full 90 minutes

      1. Squashed
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        yea hence i was skeptical on the -8 to bring bobby in.
        but the -4 for young to wally makes more sense.

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      How much money do you have in the bank before changes?

      1. Squashed
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        5.1m

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          An absolute no brainer then

          1. Squashed
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            for both wally and firm? or jus wally

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Both

              1. Squashed
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                thanks

  29. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone here played Fantasy WC before? Is it any fun?

  30. DEIRDRE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Morning! Want rid of Adrian, keep him one more week for Watford at home or change to Foster now?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Other keeper?

      1. DEIRDRE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Max I can afford is 4.4, unless I use my 2 FTs and swap Simpson for Kelly, then I can afford 4.5

      2. DEIRDRE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        My other keeper is Elliot

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          WBA not guaranteed a gw31 place yet so changing Adrian now, even if he is letting you down is not wise IMO. Wait for Saints result in the cup and if palace play and make up your mind next GW.

          1. DEIRDRE
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Nice one cheers, was thinking the same