The Scout League has yet another new leader in the Sky Sports game this week, as a familiar name climbs to fourth to give chase to our top three. We give a shout-out to our top managers in this game, whilst examining the recent transfer trends and looking ahead to tonight’s friendly with the Fantasy Football Club…

The Scout League

Paul McAnulty is our new Scout League leader, his “Housewives Favourite” lineup holds a slender four-point advantage over Chris Pearce’s “UtakaDefoeKingPearce” squad in second, with former leader, Simon Davies, running third with his “Nags Head Rovers” side – just six points off the summit.

A new name gives chase to that trio – although Pascal Evans is a community member who might be well known to some. Winner of the Scout Metro league and overall Metro game a few seasons back, Pascal sits fourth in the Fantasy Football Scout FPL Career Hall of Fame, ahead of the aforementioned Chris Pearce who sits in tenth, so is a manager of some pedigree. Pascal ominously moves fourth, some 23 points back on our leader but with momemtum on his side having scaled the ladder at pace in recent weeks.

In the overall rankings, Paul McAnulty sits in fifth place, with plenty of work to do if he is to get within touching distance of the grand prize of £25k: Paul is now 89 points off the summit, with Simon Ward leading the overall game by a huge margin. With six managers in the top twenty, Fantasy Football Scout’s private league still leads the way – currently 15 points ahead of our nearest rival.

In terms of Scout contributors, my team has now passed Andy’s “Gylfi Pleasures” lineup in the rankings to climb to 63rd in the Scout League, while Granville’s “FC Granville B team” also climbs, sitting in 73rd with Andy dropping to 97th place.

A reminder that if you’re playing the Sky Sports game and have yet to join our league, you can sign up to the FFScout League with this Pin: 8004519. We have a home cinema system, worth £600, available to the winner.

Market Trends

Despite drawing a rare blank in midweek, Robin Van Persie has been the “most wanted” player this week, being party to over 46% of the trades made in the past seven days. Three goalkeepers are also included in the top five most popular transfer targets, as Joe Hart, Asmir Begovic and Simon Mignolet all featured heavily in transfers plans. Interestingly, however, Begovic suffered losses this week for the first time this season – the Stoke stopper was also part of over 21% of transfers out made in the past week off the back of 16 goals conceded in the last six league outings.

Theo Walcott has proved the most attractive midfield acquisition- he fired his third goal in as many matches in the 2-2 with Liverpool in midweek. Walcott has been subject of 23% of transfers made this week and has been the chief benefactor from the fallout from Eden Hazard’s three-match ban. Chelsea’s midfielder, whilst still being owned by 36% of managers in the game, was shipped out as part of 49% of sales this week – a huge exodus. Luis Suarez and Jermain Defoe have been the other notable players to suffer significant transfer losses – both were transferred out as part of 19% of the total sales.

The Fantasy Football Club – Tonight 10pm

John Ruddy may well reveal more on his likely return date as he makes an appearance for the Fantasy Football Club this evening. The Canaries stopper joins Fenners and Merse, who will also be joined by the opinions of former Crystal Palace chairman, Simon Jordan: it’s rarely dull when he’s about. Crash into the Fantasy Football Club dressing room at 10pm on Sky Sports one tonight, or catch the repeat on Sky Sports two on Saturday at 9am.