Podcast
24 December 2014 2679 comments
Mark Mark
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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. Paanmonkey
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    need some help guys for CAPTAIN

    A. Bony
    B. Costa
    C. Austin
    D. Sanchez
    E. Eriksen
    F. Fab

    1. Oz lotto
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      A or E

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

        thanks mate !

  2. KEYS TO BENZEMA
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys, my team for this GW:

    Forster
    Azpi Zab Naylor
    Silva Sanchez AdM Barkley
    Austin Bony Giroud

    Who to captain and vc?

    Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas!

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

      C and vc Bony and Giroud

      1. Arsenal USA FC
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Giroud(C)
        Bony(VC)

  3. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Completely lost lads. This is the worst I have felt about my squad all season AND I just had three green arrows in a row...

    Please help! I'm going bonkers before Xmas here!

    Adrian
    Bartley. Luis. Kola
    Siggy. Sanchez. Yaya. Downing. Haz
    Rvp(c). Benteke

    McCarthy. Downing. Wisdom. Duff

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

      .2 itb 1ft

      1. Arsenal USA FC
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Not bad (x2 of Downing)....? 3rd forward?

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

          Damn!!!

          Austin sorry.

          1. Arsenal USA FC
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            I dont expect a Arsenal CS

            Start Austin and Bench Downing

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

              Was thinking that too!

              Cheers!

    2. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Luis > SUN/AVL defender

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

        Luis to Vergini maybe?

        1. Arsenal USA FC
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Brown O'Shea Vlaar

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

            Cheers!

        2. President John F. Keninnsie
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Yep he's a good shout.

  4. davies
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Hope you're all having a great day. Merry Christmas. 😀

    I'm happy to say, that, I can do a scouting mission on Kun Aguero etc when they take on Real Madrid in pre-season. What a surprise I got. Delighted. 🙂

  5. Arsenal USA FC
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with this lot? - 2FT's & .9 In Bank

    A - RVP/Sakho -> Giroud/Falcao
    B - Sakho -> Kane
    C - Siggy/Sakho -> Sterling/Kane
    D - Sanchez/Sakho -> Cazorla/Giroud
    E - Yun -> Vlaar/Brown/O'Shea
    _________________________________

    Foster - Krul

    Naylor Clichy Chester - Wilson Yun

    Siggy Sanchez Eriksen Silva - Marney

    RVP Costa Sakho

    1. Arsenal USA FC
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Any help?

      1. Sebbo29
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        imo all your forward players could score well and during these 3 games it is most important to have nailed on players and if possible save FT so I would go with E but with Hutton. Sounds boring but could be the most sensible move here

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

    Who to bench from my front 8?
    Hazard Sanchez nasri soggy downing
    Bony Austin benteke

    1. Arsenal USA FC
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Downing

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

      Downing

    3. Crash
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers guys!

    4. Sebbo29
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      bit of a headache but yeah Downing

  7. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Am I good to go lads?

    Hart
    Baines zaba vergini
    Siggy eriksen downing hazard Sanchez
    Austin costa

    Subs myhill Carroll dummet Moore

    1. Arsenal USA FC
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      All Good

    2. Sebbo29
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      looks fine - i guess it's a coin flip between playing Downing or Carroll, bit of a benching headache there

  8. Fiona B
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Xmas DZers.

    I didn't get Granvile's point about saving his transfer and getting two FT two days later on the 28th.

    If you save, wouldn't you get 2 FT on boxing day after 11.30am? Or is that what he meant.

    I may have been on the brandy.

    1. Mane Of Steel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      pretty sure that's what he meant! thought the same thing

      1. Fiona B
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Glad it wasn't just me.

  9. Mane Of Steel
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    all I want for Christmas is to win EPL fantasy

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      All I want is to win ESPN fantasy 😉

  10. Baron Saturday
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Christmas all!

    Is bringing in boring James Milner for Albrighton madness? Gives me at least two playing benchers in case Haz and Sanchez don't play.

    1. Mane Of Steel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      why wouldn't haz or sanchez play?

      1. Baron Saturday
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Injury and rest respectively. Just speculation at this stage, but best be prepared I guess

  11. Paanmonkey
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    siggy > downing (-4) or save ?

    1. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Too much to drink?

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

      O_o
      Save mate

    3. Sebbo29
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Siggy is fine now, keep him

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

        thanks guys

    4. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Save, definitely.

  12. President John F. Keninnsie
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Alright back to FPL.

    Don't people think players are more likely to be rested/rotated in the GW after Boxing Day? Since there's only a 2 day break between the next two game weeks?

    1. Sebbo29
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      yes i also think GW 19 will be the most affected by rotation, seems logical to me

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

      this x1000

  13. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Kolarov and Luis to Zabaleta and O'Shea?

    Just waiting on the yes votes.....

    1. The Manbearpig
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I vote yes

    2. KEYS TO BENZEMA
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Zab yes. Why O'Shea?

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

        O'Shea Brown Vergini. Pot kettle.

        Luis has to go I think.

        Anyway couldn't do Kola to Zaba without the second or similar move

        1. KEYS TO BENZEMA
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          I understand. In which case, yes.

        2. The Manbearpig
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          if you can afford vergini get him. O'shea is on 4 yc

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

            Just til Jan. Gamble on it I suppose

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

      I likey

    4. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yes for me

    5. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers lads just pulled the trigger.....

      Adrian
      Bartley. Zaba. O'Shea
      Siggy. Haz. Sanchez. Yaya(v)
      Austin. Rvp(c). Benteke

      McCarthy. Downing. Wisdom. Duff

  14. GTS
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Christmas DZ. 🙂

  15. Patty
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    How many minutes do we think ADM will get

    1. 1314
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      70 min if no injury

      1. 1314
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        minimum*

    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      75 with two goals and an assist (c)

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Actually (vc) with Sanchez (c) prob rested

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

    Merry Christmas DZ!

    Not been on here much this week so a bit of advice here would be appreciated! 🙂

    Any move(s) you would make here? 1 FT, 0.6 million banked

    Fabianski

    Baines/Zabaleta/Ivanovic

    Siggy/Hazard/Alexis/Yaya Toure

    Kane/Costa/Austin

    (Foster/Boyd/Hutton/Yun)

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Saveeee

    2. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Save

    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks lads!

  17. JasonG123
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Best Yun replacement?

    (A) O'Shea
    (B) Hutton

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

      A

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

      Hutton

  18. cuterandy
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    merry x'mas everyone!

  19. Zep
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Baines > Zaba looks good for GW19...

    Also lets me upgrade Duff...

    1. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Many think Zaba will be rested in GW19 🙁

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

        Hopefully that's this week... then I'll definitely get him in...

        1. President John F. Keninnsie
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          He'll play for sure this week. He was immense against Palace and was rested the game before... Burnley at home looks the ideal match for him to get another breather though 🙁

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

        I agree with Innsie
        Pelle to play Sagna vs Burnley

  20. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    3 mil banked.

    Ship Moore? I really want to bring in Santi Cazorla...

    --------------------De Gea
    --------Baines | Zabaleta | Davies
    Hazard | Sanchez | Yaya Toure | Eriksen
    -----------Kane | Giroud | Austin
    ________________________________________
    Elliot | Downing | Cissokho | Moore

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

      Cazorla for who? Downing?

      1. Sadio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Sanchez

  21. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Only two from scout picks! 😎 😆

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

      Same
      Does this mean we are bound to have a great GW?

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Maybe 😆

    2. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      5 here.

      The scout picks have done well this season in all fairness.

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

        Just seems like Panti, Zab, Debuchy, Caz, Silva, Giroud shouldve been last weeks picks!

        1. President John F. Keninnsie
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Easy to say in hindsight 😛

          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            😆

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

            Of course, will it translate to this week tho thats the important part.
            Are you going to tell me your capt this week? :mrgreen:

            1. President John F. Keninnsie
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 11 months ago

              I would if I knew who it was! 😆

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

                I'm sure you have it narrowed down to Bony, Haz, Sanchez....possibly Costa

                1. President John F. Keninnsie
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 11 months ago

                  Yeah one of those 4 🙂

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

        Has been 50-50 I think 🙂 Looking very strong for this week though...

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

      ESPN League

      Start Bojan @Everton or Tadic @Crystal Palace?

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Will Bojan start? Fit?

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

          Yea hes fine, if anything Tadic is coming back from a knock
          Bojan is a mid in ESPN if you haven't noticed...

          1. Holmes
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Bojan imo

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

              Nice. Exactly how I have it now. Just looking for confirmation

              1. Holmes
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 11 months ago

                Good Luck 🙂

  22. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Merry Christmas DZ!

    What you reckon on this move

    Boyd Costa -> Kane Sterling

    1. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Not for me mate

  23. Umesh95
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Which 3 to bench from O'Shea (HUL), Milner (Wba), Barkley (STK) and Austin (Ars)? Currently have O'Shea playing. And Merry Christmas! 🙂

    1. Umesh95
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry, which 2* Currently have O'Shea and Milner playing* 🙂

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

      I have 3 of those 4 playing hahahaha

      Wish I had Milner right now too!

      1. Umesh95
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Haha well then you'd have the dilema of who to bench too! Barkleys the most obvious to bench, mainly a decision between Milner and Austin imo

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

      Ummm... Toughie! Austin or O'Shea to play, I think Austin

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

      Damn that sucks...
      Good problem to have tho
      Ummmmm
      Oshea and Austin seem logical....

      1. Umesh95
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Ye it is quite the headache, though I'm not complaining too much 😛 O'Shea seems the obvious one, and thought Milner because it's West Brom and Austin cant seem to score Away, but still very confused :L

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

          Milner playing false #9 would tempt me as well..go for it why not

  24. Arsenal USA FC
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Sakho -> Kane or Yun -> Hutton?

    1. Como Park Rambler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      A, much higher possible upside

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

      Yun to Hutton

  25. Sebbo29
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Heatilks
    Baines/Zab/Azpi (Dummett/Moore)
    Silva/Haz/Alexis(vc)/Downer (Boyd)
    Costa/Austin/Bony(C)

    G2G?

    1. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I would put the VC on Silva. Rest looks good

      1. Sebbo29
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        cheers mate

  26. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    best replacement for Hazard, 10,8M
    Team:

    Guzan
    Zabaleta Taylor Baines
    Fàbregas Downing Hazard Sánchez
    Austin Costa Bony

    Subs: Elliot Clyne Boyd Dummett

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

      Hazard. 😉

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        doubtful this gw, 2 away games next, I have Cesc & Costa,...

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

      Silva/Cazorla. Is he out?

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        not yet but i think someone at his price range will outscore him with those fixtures til Winter WC

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

      Not many other options besides ADM

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

        Or a ManCity mid

    4. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Gotta agree with Ruberx. ADM with his underlying stats is Very worthy

  27. Paanmonkey
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    g2g ?

    GUZAN
    ZAB - JAG - CLYNE
    SANCHEZ - FAB - ERIKSEN - SIGGY
    COSTA - AUSTIN - BONY

    Who to give the C ?

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Sanchez, bony vice

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

        sanchez really a let down last GW..will he rise this GW ?

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

          depends if Wenger figures out that sticking him on the left flank is prob the worst place to put him in

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

      I think Bony of them

  28. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    What's everyone doing with Sanchez?

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

      Cap!

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

      Keeping till Jan WC

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

    Any more opinions on this .

    Boyd > Sterling

    Leaves me with

    Foster

    Zab , Ivan , Chambers

    Sterling , Hazard , Sanchez , Eriksen , Oscar

    Austin , Bony

    Mannone , Carroll , wisdom, caulker

    1. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't this create a benching headache ?

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

      Not a bad move. I'd be worried about your bench defenders if Chambers does not play (he should but Wengers comments means he may not). Probably have Caulker ahead of Wisdom too!

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

      Good problems...

      Something tells me Carroll will sneak one in early..
      Maybe bench Oscar?

  30. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Is this good to go lads?

    Forster
    Clyne Zaba Hutton
    Hazard Sanchez Eriksen Yaya(vc)
    Austin Costa Giroud (C)

    4.0 Chester King Yun

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

      All set mate hopefully saints keep it clean for you

      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Yea need that last one 🙂

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

      +1