Mark and Granville’s Scoutcast explanation for their woeful season provided the inspiration for a raft of hot topics on differentials, template teams and Fantasy Football management styles this week. The community also asked whether there is any link between a high rank and points hits, considered whether we should change formations and offered some words of advice to another under fire manager, David Moyes. As ever in our weekly round-up, we also take a look at the latest movements in the tournaments out there in the community.

The Hottest Topics

This week was marked by one of the most controversial Scoutcasts ever, as Mark and Granville attempted to explain their reasons for avoiding some of the season’s major bandwagons and, in particular, Yaya Toure. Our podcast pair lamented the demise of the heavy-hitting differential, and poured scorn on the idea of being forced to adopt players such as Toure for the sake of chasing a high rank.

Given their current plight, such views were given short shrift from sections of the community. Kalik argued that Fantasy managers can have “fun” selecting differentials, whilst keeping a core group of popular heavy hitters in their squad. Ryan took this theory further and served up a typical template team that still allows for at least four slots for cheeky punts.

Twenty-four hours after the notorious Scoutcast, Granville was back on the boards to offer further justification for avoiding Toure, when an incredulous Christian again asked the key question of the last seven days: why shun the Ivorian points machine? It was a topic that returned on Saturday, as Twisted Saltergater revealed his late swoop for the City man – prompting more input from Mark and Granville.

Could points hits be the answer to revive the failing Fantasy manager? Possibly, according to Irish Madrista in his call for community members to reveal their hit tally and rank. This thread found that even those with a love of multiple hits had enjoyed some outstanding campaigns.

A change of formation could also be the solution to a quick turnaround, with Daniel urging more to consider a 4-3-3 setup rather than the established 3-4-3 option.

With all these views flying around, we just had to revive an old favourite discussion, putting forward our own hot topic on the different styles of Fantasy Football management. This was another hugely popular discussion, with Wakey’s contribution of note as he flew the flag for those who revel in taking hits and playing for the fun of it.

Despite his ailing campaign, Mark was among a host of names put forward as Fantasy Football Scout’s best ever managers, thanks to an impressive track record in previous years. Other names nominated during Irish Madridista’s discussion were Evs, Triggerlips, Beric, Impressive Tackle and Tosey. Konehead can’t be far off being due a mention given his superb season to this point, although, despite being ranked in the top 300 before the weekend, the pointy-headed one admits to having made mistakes in his hot topic that collected tales of missing out on runs of form.

While the community were keen to dish out advice to Mark and Granville this week, David Moyes was also a target for some pointers. Dr Jones’ memo to Moyes offered some stark views and solutions to the current shortcomings at Old Trafford, drawing plenty of reaction and up votes along the way.

Just as the double Gameweek slipped from the community agenda, we went and dug it all up again with a look ahead to the bloated fixture list of Gameweek 34. We asked for your nominations on the likely big differential option on offer with Demi amongst those to chirp up, nominating Samir Nasri as his pick. Meanwhile, Berbilly Gilmore is pinning his colours to the Kolorov mast. Gutsy.

Finally, for those already wishing the final few Gameweeks away and looking ahead to a stronger 2014/15 campaign, Hooperman was on hand to offer his tips on getting that “flying start”. He stressed the importance of “going casual” and opting for high-owned players from the off. I wonder if Mark and Granville have dropped in on that particular thread yet?

The Community Tournaments

In TorresMagic‘s leagues, MC Hammer topped his Last Man Standing competition where 15 were knocked out following Gameweek 31, leaving 39 to fight another day. Meanwhile, in his FPL Open/Elite 64 competitions, 64 teams remain in each.

Gratuzo was the highest scorer in AZ’s FFS Non Qualifiers Cup, for those who failed to qualify for our own cup competitions, with a score of 178 in Gameweek 31. The closest tie was won by Hagop, who beat Suarezista 157 to 156. The lowest scorer of the round was Cawboy John, who scored 111 and was comfortably defeated by our Sky game expert D1sable, who notched 155.

Teltzham Hotspurs remains in first place with 2,020 and an overall rank of 2,772 in HeelsOverHead’s Worst to First – 2 Million + Club, for teams with an overall rank below 2,00,000 in the first five Gameweeks. Bales of Fury joins him as the competition’s second top-10,000 player.

In the FFS UEFA Champions League, the first leg of the Round of 16 took place during Gameweek 31 with TW, Shipstontrev and Beric having comfortable leads heading into the second leg of the Round of 16, which is taking place during Gameweek 32.

Meanwhile, in the FFS UEFA Europa League, Gameweek 31 saw the conclusion of the Round of 32. In Tommy We Trust claimed the highest score over the two legs, an impressive 246 points. The second highest score over the two legs, 237, was achieved by ITWT’s unlucky opponent, SW6. The most narrow victory of the round saw The Parmtree sneak past NEIL by just 206 to 205. The Round of 16 is scheduled to take place over Gameweeks 32 and 33.

In the Fantasy Football Scout’s Moderators and Contributors League, Spencer had extended his lead to 14 points going into Gameweek 32.