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. DaddyPig
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy party!

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Woop woop !

  2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Whats the deal with Valencia?

    1. jose249
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Check team news in this site..

    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Didn't travel, absolutely no link here whatsoever!

      1. Gaffa914
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Ur playing at home tho?

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I know, seemingly Valencia lives in the outskirts;-)

    3. jose249
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Latest News: Jose Mourinho will have Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera available for the home clash against Everton with the pair both serving out suspensions in Saturday's draw with West Brom. Marcus Rashford could drop to the bench, then, with Jesse Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial perhaps forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Ibrahimovic. Wayne Rooney could also be a factor against his former club, however. Herrera should return in central midfield, alongside either Marouane Fellaini or Michael Carrick. Mourinho looks to have limited options at the back, with both Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo appearing likely starters. However, there are reports that Antonio Valencia could be handed a rest with perhaps Matteo Darmian getting the nod at right-back, with Ashley Young, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind contesting the left-back role. Paul Pogba (hamstring) is thought to have a chance of being in contention for a midfield role but Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata are long-term absentees.

  3. jose249
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Game Week 31 Squad

    Heaton

    Valencia / Fuchs / Simpson
    Sanchez/Alli/Erikson/Zaha/Countinho
    Vardy (C) / Ibra

    Subs: Hennessey / Barnes / Love / Kingsley

    Please guys suggestions....

    1. Crow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Fuchs or simpson to a different def depending on your itb

      1. jose249
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Both are right and left back. I am expecting assists and clean sheet from the team...

        1. Crow
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Like, I WCed and got your front 7, so I don't think there's much to change

          1. jose249
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Thk u

  4. HVT
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia rumours gathering pace now...

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Only on here!

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Look up^

  5. RustyBz
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    New post, new re-post. Looks OK?

    Jaku;

    Evans, Alonso, Valencia;

    Sanchez(C), Alli(VC), King, Siggy;

    Lukaku, Origi, Aguero;

    0FT Foster, Amat, PvA, De Roon

    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd WC that lot....

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Oops reply fail.... *picks Rustbz back up from floor!

        1. RustyBz
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          *puts down the blade*

          1. HVT
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            🙂

      2. Crow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Which post was this meant for lol

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          * Rumbled.....grabs Coates!!!

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Looks fine and imo hits are unnecessary for this mid-week since you'll never know who'd be rested.

  6. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking of

    Carroll to Barnes and costa/kaku to ibra for free this week

    Then azpi to Valencia and son to sane next week

    Good moves?

  7. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1:
    A) Barnes (Stoke H)
    B) Siggy (Spurs H)
    C) Lukaku (United A)

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Guvnor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Benching Barnes myself

  8. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I think I'm set !

    Jaku
    Walker/Valencia/Robertson
    Sanchez(c)/Eriksen/Coutinho/Siggy
    Ibra/Kaku/Carroll

    Grant/Alonso/DeRoon/Holgate

    For the weekend I've been thinking Siggy to Sane ??

  9. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Cristiano Ronaldo comes back to PL? If so, what current team would suit him best in the next 2 seasons?

    1. Gaffa914
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Man U

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Is he and Mou friends again?

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He would go to Man U if he returned.. but sadly he wont

    3. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No & United.

    4. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Would love to own him in my team..Must be a good experience for old timers who had him back in a day...

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Imagine his price tho!

  10. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What should I do with Llorente?

    1. JoroBG
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Llorente OUT, Origi IN

    2. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I agree fully with JOROBG. Origi a good shout for this midweek

  11. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    bottom of last post

    Jaku
    Alonso Holebas Evans
    Sanchez(c) Eriksen Alli Siggy
    Carroll Vardy(vc) Lukaku
    (Heaton, King, Baines, Olsson)

    Correct lineup? gtg?

    Would you change anyone?

    1. RustyBz
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think I'd prefer King over Siggy

      1. Zizou
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        yeah but with siggy on all set pieces and scored or assisted in 8 out of last 11

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      and i'd prefer Heaton over Jaku

  12. JoroBG
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What's going on with PvA? Anyone?

  13. McQueen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    "It's possible" that Mertesacker could be included in tomorrow's squad. "He's available and physically he is ready." #AFC

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      this is not good for carroll i guess

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Dunno about that. Mert was already playing badly before this long lay off....I can't see that he'd have got any better with so much time away. Desperate stuff if he plays IMO.

  14. TooDifficuIt
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    gtg ? the defense is a mess this week

    jaku
    baines alonso walker
    sanchez alli cout siggy
    lukaku ibra carroll
    subs: pickford de roon mawson byram

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

      Yeah, look at working on that defence though

  15. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you prefer for the next few weeks before I wc

    Costa or kaku?

    1. JoroBG
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      kaku

    2. NachoMan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kaku

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kaku

  16. NachoMan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth hitting? 1.2ITB

    Grant (Pickford)

    Brunt, Cedric, Maguire (Fabio, Amat)

    Siggy, Coutinho, King, Sanchez, Alli

    Kaku, Kun (Llorente)

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

      No, that defence looks weak though.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, you only have 3 playing defenders - bring in B Davies

  17. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What do you guys think is the best combo for the next 4 !?

    A - Sanchez, Lukaku, Aguero
    B- Hazard, Ibra, Aguero

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

      A

    2. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A, unless you can afford Sanchez, Lukaku, Ibra

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

    Looking forward to Valencia goal, assist and clean sheet tonight.

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Benching Lukaku?

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

        Nah, I need those 2 points 😀

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Your defence though 😆

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Enner ?

  19. Dele
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Defoe to...

    A) Origi
    B) Andy Carroll

    1. JoroBG
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I asked a similar question regarding Llorente > Origi/Carrol and it went 50-50

      I am leaning towards A though

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Do you think the big donkey has a chance against your boys especially Gabriel?

        If DStudge is back I'm not so convinced Origi will start every game until Mane returns.

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I don't trust either of them.
          But Origi has the better fixture for sure.

          1. Dele
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah your right, West Ham do look awful right now perfect opportunity for both teams to gain a bit of credibility.

            I feel Liverpool are starting to hit a good run of form also so maybe a punt on Origi is the better option.

            Defoe and Sunderland are gone imo Moyes knows it.

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. RustyBz
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Origi

  20. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Any major changes needed to this wc? 0.8itb

    Valdes
    Walker, valencia, bertrand
    Sanchez(c), alli, eriksen, zaha
    Ibra, lukaku, Carroll

    Pickford, ndidi, stones, chambers

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      chambers ahead of stones

  21. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Second nonobligatory question-

    Do we whink Messi will once play in PL and would would be his price this summer (there are rumours that his commitment is on the edge)

    1. Creedey
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      no

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Price IRL, we will never know because so much of it will be hidden in tax paradises to escape the evil clutches of the people. Maybe 150-200 million pound?

      On FPL, I think 15 or something. He is far superior to Aguero.

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No.
      If he did probably 12.5-13m

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Dont think anyone will pay his fee, can buy 4-5 or even more quality players...

  22. RustyBz
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Surely if Valencia were to be rested, it'd be vs Sunderland a few days before the Anderletch game?

    1. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      any trusted source about Valencia getting rested ?

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

        Rumours around a lot of man u fanpages and some of their local tabloids

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          If it's in the Manchester Evening News then it's pretty damned sure he's not playing. They're well connected with both clubs and call most things right.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      All speculations, no way to know before deadline... There will be few rotations anyway, just have to go with good bench

      1. RustyBz
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        don't have one, unfortunately.

  23. thunder_mike
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one
    A) Siggy
    B) Pedro
    C) Lukaku

    Thanks

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A/C

  24. boc610
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    all aboard the Origi bandwagon of pain and frustration

  25. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Given Valencia rest risk, who would you put first on the bench:

    A. Holgate (mun)
    B. Olsson (TOT)

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Holgate

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Baz
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Olsson

    4. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B.

  26. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Simple yes/no

    Carroll to Barnes
    AND costa to ibra

    (Allows me to bring in Valencia and sane next week)

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      (For free)

    2. zon
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      no

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Bring one of the other transfers forward?

  27. That Fantasy Guy
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Sanchez or Vardy?

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma...might stick it with Vardy

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez

    3. LC1
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd captain Vardy if I had him.

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez

    4. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez
      Vardy enough of a differential

    5. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

  28. Shrimpy
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Jaku
    Valencia, Baines, Alonso
    Alexis, Mane, Alli, Siggy, King
    Luk, Carroll
    Foster, Amat, Pieters, Barnes
    1FT, 2m ITB

    Changes?

  29. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one...

    A) Baines

    B) Lanzini

    C) Alonso

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

      A/C

    2. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

  30. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go? 0.4m ITB, 0FT.

    Jakupovic
    Alonso Valencia Davies Brunt
    Sanchez (c) Coutinho (vc) Alli Siggy
    Costa Lukaku

    Subs: Foster // Llorente Snodgrass Lenihan