Despite double Gameweek selections dominating the chatter, the Fantasy Football Scout community were looking further ahead in the bid to grasp mini-league glory. Midfield options came under close scrutiny, as did the potential shuffle of Man City’s attacking options given the return of Sergio Aguero. We look back on those notable discussions and revisit the shout-out to some of our most helpful posters, whilst also catching up with the latest from the community’s tournaments.
The Hottest Topics
After a cavalcade of Gameweek 33 hauls from the likes of Steven Gerrard, Juan Mata and Christian Eriksen, the community were pre-occupied by the options available in the midfield leading into this weekend’s deadline. For HVT one or more of Southampton’s Adam Lallana, Eriksen and Arsenal’s fit-again Aaron Ramsey were key to helping secure a strong season run-in. Irish Madrista also focused on Eriksen as a pivotal player for the remaining Gameweeks.
With such an abundance of choice in the middle of the park and the schedule toughening for the popular third slot striker, Romelu Lukaku, we asked whether we could perhaps be witnessing the return of the “Power Five” in midfield. Established last season via the quintet of Gareth Bale, Mata, Theo Walcott, Marouane Fellaini and Michu, we’ve never quite seen the equivalent this time around, with a front three dominating. As the season draws to a close, however, there are some likely candidates pushing for inclusion with Mata, Lallana, Yaya Toure/David Silva, Eriksen and Gerrard all constructing a strong case for inclusion as the season draws to a close. Daniel was among those who welcomed the security this powerhouse of midfield players provides, although Qubit stressed that he just can’t see the pricey front three surrendering its grip on our squads over the final Gameweeks.
City’s Sergio Aguero is one player who could assure that cash remains up top. The Argentine returned to our thinking for the double Gameweek and saw action at Anfield today from the bench, with the potentially profitable midweek Etihad clash with Sunderland to come. Despite his return to fitness, Your Mum’s Athletic urged caution on acquiring the City hitman. He argued that Edin Dzeko could still offer a cheaper and effective alternative to the Argentine and with a potential 4-4-2 on show against the Black Cats, he may just have a point.
Potential investors in Mata were also being encouraged to consider their options. We underlined the fact that the United playmaker’s big points hauls have perhaps been aided by the freedom of central attacking role during the absence of one or both of van Persie and Wayne Rooney. We asked whether you felt that Mata could still be as effective should they both recover from injury, perhaps forcing him back out wide. Baines on Toast was among those concerned that David Moyes may struggle to retain Mata in his preferred role should his principal strikers return to fitness.
Those regularly name checked in our weekly round-up can deservedly consider themselves among some of our most helpful posters and, on that subject, It’s Only A Game thought it was about time those and others got some further recognition. His hot topic asked for the community to nominate their favourite good Samaritans. Among those to come in for praise were our team news guru Demi, Members table maestro Wakey and former Hall of Fame leader Evs.
Hooperman is another poster emerging as a vital contributor – particularly for those looking for the inside track on his beloved Norwich. Upon arrival of Neil Adams in the Canaries hotseat, Hooperman was on hand to offer insight on the anticipated teamsheet changes – nailing his lineup at Fulham. Keep an eye on his stuff next term if Norwich can salvage their Premier League status.
Finally, with just a few Gameweek’s left in the tank, we enquired on your remaining ambitions from the campaign and whether you still have some motivation to push up the ranks. With £400 in mini-league cash and “bragging rights” at stake, Kings of Lyon was certainly keeping his eye on the ball. Meanwhile, Yess the Sess chirped up to state his desire to claim a top 1,000 placing, an achievement he missed last season by the tiniest of margins.
The Community Tournaments
In HeelsOver Head’s Worst to First- 2 Million+ Club, for teams with an overall rank below 2,000,000 in the first five Gameweeks, first placed Teltzham Hotspurs is up to 1,753rd . For the first time this season he has been joined by more than one other manager in the top 10,000. YOLO Toure rocketed up to 7,402nd after Gameweek 33 and Bales of Fury has an overall rank of 8,396.
The joint winner of Gameweek 33’s Scout Pick Challenge, which is loosely based on our own Scout Picks and has been created by @ocprodigy, were Suarezista and Beavis on 77pts.
In TorresMagic‘s leagues, Enzo the Baker topped his Last Man Standing League where eight were knocked out at the Gameweek 33 stage, leaving 17 to fight out the last four rounds. His FPL Open and Elite 16 are now down to the last 16.
DanyRex25 and our Sky expert D1sable emerged victorious in AZ’s FFS Non-Qualifiers Cup semi-finals. They are currently battling it out during Gameweek 34’s final for the chance to lift this coveted cup, for those that failed to qualify for our own recent Paddy Power Cup.
In the Fantasy Football Scout contributors and moderators league Spencer continued to cling on to first place after Gameweek 33, but only just with his limited transfers made giving him the edge.
