Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 239 – Homecoming

Declared fit and available for selection, I make a return to the ScoutCast after a recent hiatus. I’m also chuffed to be welcomed back into the bosom of my own home, as the winter draws in and drives me from the Scout Hut at the end of the garden.

Warming my cockles alongside Jonty and Az, the three of us are treated to another ScoutCast Wildcard, as Andy joins us and throws his selection to the cynical lions.

We use that as inspiration to answer your community questions, pondering Andy’s all-powerful front three and wondering if overlooking a budget third striker is the optimum set-up.

Staying with strikers, Romelu Lukaku’s worrisome form comes under analysis ahead of his anticipated revival and, once again, we give Harry Kane oxygen to vent further frustration following his very latest Wembley Stadium stutter.

Manchester City’s weapon(s) of choice get(s) revised before we embark on the weekend preview to exorcise the international break and lay the groundwork for a Christmas schedule of epic proportions.

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.

3,168 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Who should I downgrade Kolasinac to?

    A) Gomez
    B) Moreno
    C) Duffy
    D) Daniels

    Current defenc: Kolasinac, Jones, Ward, Naughton, Mbemba

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Daniels/Gomez

    2. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B

  2. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    Jones mee moreno
    Sterling silva gross chupo
    Jesus kane c lukaku

    Bench elliot fernandez tarroll gamez

    2.9 itb... No ft... Hold or -8 for firmi, salah fr jesus, chupo?

  3. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Repost
    Cheers 🙂

    Foster
    Alonso Jones Naughton
    Eriksen Richarlison Sterling Choupo
    Kun Morata Vardy

    Elliot Carroll Cresswell Mbemba 2.0 ITB 2FT

    A) Foster to Pope
    B) Mbemba to Mee
    C) Choupo and Vardy to RLC and Lukaku
    D) Something else?

    1. The Hobbit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Are you confident that Kun plays?

      If so, then C looks good. But I'd do Kun>Kaku and bank the other FT

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

        Very confident Kun plays to be honest. He is by far their best striker and when for he plays

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Salah and Kane say hi

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

        I don’t even know what this means but hi

  4. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Thinking of dropping Jones on WC for DDG because he'll bring pretty much the same points and the injury risk is much lower. Thoughts?

    1. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who your GK/Def replacements are and how much they cost...

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

      I think it's a good idea.
      Not normally one for a premium keeper. But
      We have never seen prolonged fixture congestion over a long period of game weeks like this before.
      DDG pretty much nailed.
      Jones will get rotated or worse. Still a player with an injury history.

  5. Mr. FP
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Having a hard time deciding who to bench of these 4. Current have vardy benched.

    A) Dunk
    B) Jones
    C) Vardy
    D) Walker

    1. The Hobbit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Jones injured. Even if he isn't, dont bench Vardy against City!

    2. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Dunk first sub. Jones surely 90 or 0 mins anyway

  6. LC1
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Morning people.

    Anything worth a hit here or am I good to go?

    Pope
    Jones Moreno Dunk Ward
    Silva Salah(VC) Sterling
    Morata Lukaku(C) Kane

    Elliott Carroll McArthur Mbemba

    0.0 ITB.

    Any suggestions are much appreciated.

    Thank you,

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

      Looks great (subject to press conferences).

      Lukaku wouldn't be my choice of captain, but can see why you chose him.

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks mate.
        Assuming Jones doesn't play, Carroll(bur) will come on which isn't too shabby. (Hopefully Sterling plays).

        I'm deciding between Lukaku & Morata but think I'll stick with Lukaku and hope for the best.

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

          All three strikers are great choices. I'll probably have all three as well.

          Am going with Kane - early fixture, away match, London derby, rested.

          My second choice would be Morata. Lukaku I don't have as much faith in - but am relatively protected from a haul by owning him.

  7. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Daniels or Maguire on WC?

    1. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Daniels for me

  8. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Which do you prefer from these?

    A) Aguero > Lukaku/Morata for free
    B) Sterling and Vardy > Richarlison and Morata -4
    C) Brady and Aguero > Richarlison and Morata -4

    Cheers

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

      None of them but if had to B.

      But I wouldn’t be doing it for a hit unless Sterling confirmed out

    2. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A from these. I feel all of the options could backfire this week though

  9. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Looking at the top 1 000 team value at 101.6.
    Very low indeed
    What value in points terms do yo put on sides with 2 mil more but 50 points behind them?

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

      Points over pounds, baby.

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

        points and pounds

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry but please read the question. Obviously points in the bag is better but going forward what can be expected?

    2. Diva
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Very little... at the minute.

    3. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Very hard to quantify.

      Usually doesn't come into play until the last quarter of the season or so.

      By which time those 50 points could easily be 200+

      TV is important, but rarely enough so to sacrifice points

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Obviously looking at holding on's own to the second half. Obviously I would like those 50 points more but I have never failed to gain ground the second half in my mini leagues. I don't feel so optimistic this year though.

    4. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Always points over TVs.
      Now if your SV is 2m better then you should be able to claw back pots pretty quickly.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I was not really asking whether TV or points hold more value. More about clawing back a difference from now on . SV is critical but it has paid me in my ML to have TV which is another strategy anyway.

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

          Okay. 50 points can be clawed back in 3 or 4 GWs.

          Theory is more money can buy you the better players. But doesn't always work if budget players are performing.

    5. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Very little? I’m at 101.4m jeez

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Ranking?

  10. Ruud van Kane
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Chasing in my mini league. Which option is better for this gw only:

    Pope
    Daniels, Duffy, Gomez
    Erikson, Salah, Sane, KDB
    Murray, Morata, Lukaku

    Pope
    Duffy, Matip, Valencia, Azpil
    Erikson, Sane, Salah
    Murray, Morata , Lukaku

  11. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Can I get help please:)

    Who will get most points the two upcoming gmw's:

    A) Salah(C) vs Southampton(H), Aguero vs Leicester(A), Aguero vs Huddersfield(A)

    B) Lukaku(C) vs Newcastle, Salah vs Southampton(H), Lukaku vs Brighton(H) -4p

    C) Salah(C) vs Southampton(H), Morata vs WBA(A), Morata vs Liverpool(A)

    Apperciate some advice

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Are you asking which one of A, B or C will get more points?

      If so.. B probably.

      If you're asking for each individual;

      A- Salah(C)
      B- Lukaku(C)
      C- Salah(C)

      ??

      1. Winners900
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Most Points total from the different combinations.

        So you prefer B?

        1. LC1
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Yes mate, I think so.

  12. Folars
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Foster
    jones naughton cedric
    RLC eriksen salah sterling
    aguero kane rooney
    (eliot carroll rosenior otamendi)
    2FT; ITB 0.6
    1) what transfers to make?
    2) foster/eliot?
    3) who is the captain?
    My plan: otamendi, carroll, rooney -> daniels, zaha, callum wilson/wood/abraham.
    Help my, please))

  13. jm2126
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Should I do......

    Vardy and Choupo-Moting ----> Rashford and Zaha

    Yes or No

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

      For free? Yeah not bad moves

  14. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Do this for -4

    Otamendi, hazard, Vardy
    To
    Jones, Sane, morata

    Rest of team

    Fabi/Elliot
    Daniels,

    1. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Front 8 looks a bit light

  15. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Alli to Zaha -4 or leave with only RLC or naughton coming on if he isn’t fit?

    1. Geordienufc1
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sit tight I'd say. Swansea aren't great, but a game against Burnley is unlikely to be high scoring, so it's not the worst option off the bench.

  16. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Best Joselu replacement for 5.8 or less?
    I’m thinking Niasse to free up funds as I can’t afford Tammy and I have Groß so don’t want Murray.

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking about him or DCL.

  17. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    RMT

    Elliot
    Jones Daniels Mee
    Sterling Coutinho Richarlson Groß
    Kane (C) Lukaku(vc) Aguero

    (Foster, Ward, Carroll, Mbemba)

    Good to go?.

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

      Yep. Burnley double up waiting on your bench to cover Jones

  18. Dopey44
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    In case Jones doesn't play:

    A - Naughton -> Mee
    B - Keep Naughton and save transfer

  19. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Why Moreno did`t play in GW2 (CRY) and GW5 (BUR)?

  20. MGD
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Chances of Sterling starts?

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

      Who knows - but I expect him too.

      Suspect injury was an "international injury" - i.e. nothing much at all. So hopefully he will be rested.

      Perfectly capable of scoring off the bench though.

  21. JRO093
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Hart
    Daniels, Dunk, Ward
    Salah, Richarlison, Chupo-Moting, Gross
    Kane, Aguero, Jesus

    (Elliot, Jones, RLC, Cedric)

    1FT, 2.0m ITB.

    My thoughts are either:

    A) Jesus to Lukaku
    B) Aguero to Lukaku
    C) Jesus to Morata
    D) Aguero to Morata
    E) Roll FT

    and then

    1) Captain Lukaku, VC Salah
    2) Captain Salah, VC Lukaku
    3) Captain Kane, VC Lukaku

    Currently on A) + 1) - agree or disagree and why!?

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

      E) and captain Salah

      1. JRO093
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for your input - what are your thoughts behind it? Lukaku has two top fixtures coming up and has found the goal trail again - one of Jesus/Kun likely to be rested for the weekend. My guess is that this will be Jesus, as he can then play the less important CL game..?

  22. Junior ⚽
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Sold Ben Mee last night for Moreno as he was “predicted to rise”
    Brilliant there goes 0.1m down the drain.
    I. Want. To. Die.

    1. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      No idea why you'd do such a thing?

      Dingo, cover your eyes...

      1. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Was going to bring him back in tonight depending on the Jones news. On Wildcard btw.

    2. Geordienufc1
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Did exactly the same today for Duffy, just before price changes. Gotta love it.

      1. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        So annoying there goes my draft.

  23. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Hart
    Jones-Van Djik-Ward
    Salah-D.Silva-Richarlison-RLC
    Morata-Kane-Jesus
    -----------------------------------------
    Elliot-Carrol-Maguire-Martina

    0FT- 1.8 ITB

    Thoughts on my team?
    Considerinf if i run with this or rather taking a hit ?....

  24. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Alonso – Daniels – Pjones*
    Salah – Sterling – Richarlison – Choupo
    Kane – Morata – Vardy

    Elliot – RLC* - Otamendi* - Mbemba*

    0 FT
    bank: 0.5

    - not keen on losing Otamendi nor Jones
    - anything worth a hit here?

    or should I just swallow it and play 10 if Jones is really out..?

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

      Mbemba to Tarkowski/Moreno/Duffy

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

        Not for a hit

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

      Nothing worth taking a hit for. Your only option is Mbemba out for someone who will play, but no budget defender isn’t guaranteed 4+ points. Take the risk, there’s still a reasonable chance that one of those indicated will play

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

      For a moment, I though Pjones was a Spanish defender I had never heard of.....

      Depends on the press conferences. If Jones is out for a while, I would consider selling. Otherwise, playing with 10 for a week isn't the worst thing in the world.

      Alternatively, upgrading Mbemba to a 4.5 with decent chances of clean sheets over the next few weeks should justify the -4 and set you up for the fixture congestion. Burnley double-up?

    4. Sbee_10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Our team is pretty similar! I'd say swallow it and save a transfer, next week you'll have 2 transfers. I'm a bit worried about Sterling this week given the back injury and the rotation risk.. we'll just have to wait and see what happens there!

  25. walka
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    what are the chances of Ben Davies starting against Arsenal?

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

      Probably decent.

      But there is always a chance he gets a 1 point cameo from off the bench.

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

        yeah?i was just trying not to take another hit to transfer out as my bench is RLC/DIOUF

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

          I guess what I would ask is "do you want Davies for the longer term"?

          If you do - I would stick. He might get 0 points. He might get 10.

          If you are considering selling anyway, then you might want to consider taking the hit for someone who is nailed on and with decent chances of points. I usually look at hits as an investment over 4 or 5 weeks - not just the next gameweek.

  26. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Fabianski, Elliot
    Otamendi, Davies, Monreal, Jones, Mbemba
    Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, Carroll, Romeu
    Kane, Aguero, Vardy

    1FT, 1.2 in bank

    Exact funds for:
    Mbemba, Davies, Vardy —> Tarkowski, Moreno, Morata (-8)

    Is a -8 excessive though?

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

      Many will disagree - but I would be perfectly happy with taking a -8 for that.

      Improves your team strategically and structurally. Good chance of 2 clean sheets and some goals this week - and plenty more points over the next handful of weeks.

      Great moves.

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

        Thanks mate. That was my thinking - hesitant to take a -8 but last chance to restructure before price changes for those players.

  27. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Really surprised that I already have 1.5-2m tv more most in my ML. Obv playing against People who dont know about pricerise/pricefalls, but I thought I would loose some edge this year against them.
    Yeah I know Points are more important, but glad to see that you can still build higher tv than others this season too.

  28. Trevez
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    I am not liking my current position with this lot for this gw
    Fab
    Duff Jones? Luiz? Ward
    Salah Silva Rich Choupo?
    Kane Jesus
    Elliot Vardy? VVD TC
    1.2ITB
    Would you
    A leave it
    B Luiz->Daniels Vardy->Morata -8

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A

  29. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    GTG lads?

    Fabianski
    Daniels. Ward. Moreno
    Eriksen. Salah. Chopa. Richarilson
    Kane. Lukaku. Jesus

    Subs. Elliott. Carrol. Simpson. Mbemba

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Good to go SZ

  30. Big Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Morning hippo fans. What would you do with this lot? Already taken -4 and still don't like it. £0.0m itb.

    Elliot (Krul)
    Jones*, Daniels, Ward (Fernandez, Otamendi*)
    Eriksen, Salah, Sane, Gross, RLC*
    Kane, Lukaku (Joselu)

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

      Looks fine - certainly nothing worth a hippo hit (subject to press conferences).

      1. Big Hippo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you. Good luck this week Reuser

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

          Cheers - you too.