Podcast
24 December 2014 2679 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

Not so merry, certainly not so high – my rank took a tumble and my co-host rival has taken advantage: in an extraordinary Gameweek, Granville is now breathing down my neck with just two points between us. It’s a nightmare before Christmas.

Not surprisingly, much of this festive ScoutCast is given up to Granville’s ascent, his six million dollar man – Charlie Austin – and the failings of my faith in Diego Costa.

Around all that, we preview the Boxing Day schedule, cast an eye over the Scout leagues and assess the merits of the current transfers bandwagons. I even have time to throw in another Jose Mourinho conspiracy theory. Hey, let me have my fun – I needed cheering up.

Merry Christmas to all!

Ring the bells via this link or join “Hosanna in excelsis” via the player below…

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. Van Dal
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Will there be a chelsea presser after xmas dinner?

  2. ILOVEBAPS
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Bestest move?

    Pantilimon
    Baines, Clichy, Hutton
    Yaya(vc), Sánchez(c), Hazard, Siggy
    Costa, Austin, Kane

    (Alnwick, Downing, Dummett, Wisdom)
    1FT & £2.0itb

    A) Costa ➡ G-Ru(C)
    B) Costa ➡ Benteke
    C) Siggy ➡ Silva/ADM
    D) Dummett ➡ Demi/Mangala
    E) Save and captain ???

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Save, C Costa or Yaya

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Not keen on Captaining a Che player up against an inform Hammers.

        But thanks for reply! 😀

    2. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Give him another game.. don't have him but he will prob deliver this week
      If not, probably best pick up Benteke for next GW

    3. Bojaninho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      save this week

      captains are all risky but Sanchez as good bet as any

    4. Tmel
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Do you reckon Demi or Mangala is the better option?

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        I'd risk it with Mangala I think.

    5. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Tough. Double city defence be good if you could predict the back 4 rotation. Would love Giroud (c) I sold Rooney for him but not sure if selling Costa will work.

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I like the double City D too but it would also mean no Silva.
        Costa blanks are killing me.

    6. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Save
      C Yaya or Haz

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Can Hazard really be trusted away from home?

        1. Bobby Crush
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Next game is at home, unless it was a general question.
          He was real good now in the last game away.

          1. ILOVEBAPS
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Ahh so he is.

  3. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else watching Sharknado?

  4. Fantasy Gold
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I'm off to bed. Won't be on tomorrow. See you on Boxing Day for some team news chaos 🙂

    Merry Xmas all. Night.

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Oíche mhaith

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Merry Xmas mate enjoy

  5. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    2 FT

    Costa > Giroud
    Sakho > Benteke

    Yay

    Nay

    1. The Man Pastore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yay

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yay though I only like G-Ru for this GW so hard to say if he is going to be worth a FT in and another out next GW. If you want him long term then I think it's a no brainer.

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Guys

  6. The Man Pastore
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Am I good to go? Bench order, (C)?

    Guzan
    Baines Azpi Mangala
    Hazard Yaya Sanchez ADM(C)
    Kane Bony(VC) Austin

    Bench: Foster Boyd Hutton Boyd

    1. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I'd not captain ADM just coming back.
      Rather Yaya, Haz or Bony going on gut feeling.

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        This, very much.

  7. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Begovic -- Panti seems like my only sensible transfer this week.

    Go ahead? Team linked

    Have a great Christmas one and all 🙂

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Do it and don't look back. Great upgrade!

  8. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    20 minutes will be enough to get Walcott back under the radar ?

  9. Mr Chadwick
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry xmas everyone. Has there been positive news on Hazard yet? Is the general feeling that he is starting on boxing day?

    1. MMN
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Wanted to know the latest on Hazard as well, didn't get to see the injury either.

  10. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Any sensible people out there selling Clyne?

    Good money tied up in a bad run of games.

    1. Bojaninho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      sold last week for Zab was 3 points better off but it was long term. Got shot quite quick.

  11. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Is it worth transferring Siggy or Costa out for -4?,

    Adrian
    Zabaleta, Davies, Naylor
    Sanchez, Hazard, Silva, Sigurdsson
    Giroud(c), Kane, Costa

    Boyd, Dummet, Yun 0ft 5.7 itb

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      No. For free it is still only a maybe.

  12. Mr.K
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    West Ham's hitting tough fixtures. Sakho worth getting rid of for free or should I save the FT?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Who for?

      1. Mr.K
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Somebody cheap. I have 1,7M in the bank and already own Austin so I guess like Ulloa. Can't afford Benteke.

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Kane the only option worth it down in that bracket and his fixtures about to turn. Not sure if it's worth it with your only free trade. Sakho is class and is a good budget option most weeks.

          1. Mr.K
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Alright, think I'm keeping. I have Baines, Sanchez and Hazard so those two FTs next week may come in handy. Cheers!

        2. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Kane ?

          1. Mr.K
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Not a bad option but Spurs are getting difficult fixtures after this GW as well. And I somehow can't seem to be able to trust Tottenham. So I think I prefer keeping.

          2. Mr.K
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers, though!

  13. Nickofoz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Where do Mark and Granville work?

  14. Bojaninho
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    see if i can make this simpler:

    Panti
    Ivan,Zaba,Naylor
    Sanchez,Hazard,Siggy,Eriksen
    Costa,Austin,Bony

    Elliot,Hutton,Wisdom,Jones 2.6 itb 1ft

    1:Costa+Jones>Fabregas/+Giroud -4 ,bench Austin gives me better back up and Captain choice in Giroud.
    2: Same as above Silva instead of Fab
    3:Siggy>Silva weaker bench, no headache.

    Any help greatly appreciated

    1. Sydney Saints
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I like 2 with Silva.

    2. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Eriksen to Silva?

      Then you can consider moving Costa after this round?

      1. Bojaninho
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        its possible, Spurs in decent form and Leicester are awful at the moment.

        Silva away to West Brom who can be ok. Lots of scare mongering going on about resting etc hence was trying to come up with a way of having a better bench

        1. Bobby Crush
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          You can go Fab instead of Silva if rotation scares you.

  15. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Any opinions on this

    Boyd > Sterling

    Leaves me with

    Foster

    Zab , Ivan , Chambers

    Sterling , Hazard , Sanchez(c) , Eriksen , Oscar

    Austin , Bony (v)

    Mannone , Carroll , wisdom, caulker

    1. Sydney Saints
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I like it. Sterling has some great fixtures

    2. Bojaninho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      prob go Silva ahead of Sterling

  16. Sydney Saints
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Need to play one of Ings or Austin.
    Considered trading Ings for Kane,but burbles fixtures pick up in a couple of weeks.
    Any advice is much appreciated!
    Have a great Christmas everyone

    1. Sydney Saints
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      *burbles* = Burnley.

  17. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Risers/fallers tonight?

  18. Nonameentered
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Xmas to everyone, especially those that cannot spend Chrissy with their family.

    Speaking about the big (C),

    A) Bony
    B) Yaya
    C) Hazard

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yaya, west brom will get battered.

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      As you have it.

    3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      B or C imo

    4. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      You got all three options there, all on pens too.

      Yaya for me.

  19. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Chambers, Naylor or Clyne

    1. ImTheDude
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Chambers

      1. Nonameentered
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        I would start Chambers because of QPR's woeful away form. Even if he doesn't play, bench will come on.

    2. Nonameentered
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Tough call. Clyne for me because Soton are playing away

    3. WorldCupDanB
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I've got same three and I'm benching chambers

  20. Orion
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Marry Christmas to you all...

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Merry Christmas 🙂

  21. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Hope Costa does remind us for why he should have a place in our FPL team.
    Baines too.

    Their last chance!

    1. The Happy One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I'm getting rid of Baines now 🙂

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I really do think Costa will score 1 or 2 against west ham.

      1. mozza
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Points or goals?

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          goals 🙂

  22. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    REPOST, 0 replies.

    Good to go for this GW lads? Captain choice decent?

    Pantilimon
    Debuchy - Zabaleta - Azpilicueta
    Sanchez - Yaya (c) - Silva - Hazard
    Kane - Costa - Benteke (vc)
    _____________________________
    Hamer: Hutton, Moore, Albrighton

    Thanks.

    1. Nonameentered
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      What is your reasoning behind captaining Yaya over Sanchez? Just curious 🙂

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Sanchez has been moved over to the left, still a reasonable captain choice but will be less attacking. Yaya is Yaya, most of the time grabs something, on penalties, some free kicks, against west brom who just got beat by QPR 🙂

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Looks great

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks man! Just hope Hazard plays 🙂
        Be hoping for a villa clean sheet otherwise.

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          I'm sure he will start if fit, Wham is a tough match this year so no room for resting a big gun like that..... He will come of though if game is 3-0 or 2-0 with little time left.
          All imo.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Good reasons, and i do agree, he walked off the pitch even though he did signal he wanted to come off, i think he will be fine to start. Hopefully bags a goal too haha!
            Merry Christmas it would be if that happened haha.

    3. Mr.K
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Don't really like Yaya (C) but could work. And the captain for this week is a gamble anyway so it's a decent enough pick. Otherwise looks good to me!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Mr K! Yeah i feel good with Yaya as captain.

  23. PaulParker
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    2FT, 0.6m. would you do;

    Out - Clyne, Chambers
    In - Zab, O Shea

    Leaves me with:

    Foster
    O Shea - Naylor - Zab
    Sanchez - Haz - Toure (c) - Fab - Siggy
    Costa - Austin

    Gilks - Sakho - Wisdom - Hutton

    1. The Happy One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Thinking of doing a very similar move but Zaba rotation risk for their next few weeks worries me a bit

      1. PaulParker
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        You think he's a risk?

  24. Sif
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Christmas all!

    Also can someone compile a list of how many podcasts Mark or Granville have been ill!?

  25. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Xmas and good night fellas. Have a good one

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Merry Christmas and good night to you too 🙂

  26. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I challenge you to a guessing game: How big in % are the chances that Costa does NOT start on Boxing day?

    1. The Happy One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      about 5%

    2. Cousin Greg
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      2%

    3. Nonameentered
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      3.14% - Why would Mou rest his striker against a Top 4 Side?

    4. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      1%

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks for the answers guys. I really thought it would be much higher. Might save transfer then

  27. Norfolk&Chance
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Xmas! Would you get Silva or Yaya? I have neither but need one of them for tomorrow...

    1. The Happy One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Silva

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Now, Silva. But I own Yaya.

  28. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    The cooked ham for Xmas dinner tomorrow is getting smaller and smaller everytime I have to walk past it to grab a beer

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      A www man I know the feeling. They might get a few ham sambos if there lucky

      1. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        This..Thankfully there will be a turkey also to fill them 🙂

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Haha likewise, delicious. Away to bed now though 🙂

      Happy Christmas

      1. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Happy Xmas lad 🙂

    3. Somalion
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe you're just getting drunker and drunker 😉

      1. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        I'm not seeing double ham yet 🙂

        1. Somalion
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          😯 Then you haven't remotely drank enough!!

          Merry Christmas Optimus!

          1. Optimus.
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Same as have a good one Somalion

  29. meule
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Taylor , Downing or austin ?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I usually go forwards, mids then defenders so in that case Naylor

    2. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Taylor probaly

    3. Cousin Greg
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      downing imo.

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Downing

    5. The Man Pastore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      downing

    6. meule
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      thanks

  30. enrico.palazzo
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Would appreciate some advice for how to use my transfers please

    Foster (krul)
    Baines - Terry - hutton
    Siggy - chadli - nasri - hazard - Alexis
    Costa - bony

    Austin, yun, wisdom
    .3 inB 2 FT, any ideas please?

    1. The Happy One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yun > Vergini
      Baines > Zaba

    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yun out and save the other

    3. enrico.palazzo
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys. Yun out, saving the other sounds good