Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 153 – March

Simon March, aka Dufflinks, has been hanging around these pages since August 2011. A veteran of six Fantasy Premier League seasons, this campaign started more casual than ever, with Simon resigned to snatching the occasional live match from the other side of the world.

Against the odds, by Boxing Day he was fourth in the world. Six weeks ago, he reached the summit. As you read this, Simon sits on top of the FPL world by 30 points with his Wildcard still tucked away in his pocket and the whole Fantasy Football Scout community behind him. No pressure.

With Granville absent with a hangover from a mid-life stag do and another United disappointment, this week’s ScoutCast is dedicated to Simon’s story, as he wakes in the early hours to join Jonty and myself for a special edition.

We overcome countless gremlins to discuss how Simon gets by on rations of four live matches a season, how he can recall every point hit he’s ever taken and how one lucky cat may just hold the secret to his success over the remaining ten Gameweeks.

We end this episode with a shout-out to community legend, Doosra – get well soon Doos.

We’ve included a fully edited version of the ScoutCast on iTunes and via this link or the player below.

If you want to see Simon, myself, Jonty and the lucky cat in person, you can view the full un-edited Hangout movie below. Be warned – it really is a “warts and all” production.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel if you want to get an alert for next week’s Hangout and future live episodes.

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

1,988 Comments Post a Comment
  1. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Zouma likely to play this week?

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nobody knows . Can I interest you in some idle speculation not based on anything ?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Goes down a treat on here. Will be fact in two pages time 😉

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Did you know Aguero is only going to be play 59 mins this weekend . Source : Breadbin

          1. Breadbin
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            14 actually.

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Wow I'm essentially Fox News now 🙂

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He will definitely possibly play.

      1. Zasa
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        66.6% chance he'll probably play half the match?

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Zouma is the Devil 😯 👿 😉

          1. Zasa
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hehe 😛

  2. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Well done, Romelu. Save English football. 🙂

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Awful penalty, so lucky

      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        What you make of this Rhodes talk then boys?

  3. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one

    A) Eriksen (mun)
    B) Puncheon (QPR)
    C) Austin (cpl)

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen comfortably for me. Other game has goals in it

    2. Go Loons
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I would bench Eriksen.

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Tough... I'd be tempted to bench Eriksen if Chadli plays but you won't know. 🙁

      Probably Puncheon then

    4. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen if you have to.

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

    So Lukaku scored in Europe again. We all getting him in then.

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 3 months ago

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..........................Never again 🙁

      1. d1sable
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Although i had him captain GW5 for 16 points 😀

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

        The form argument was hilarious a few weeks ago when he did well against the mighty Young Boys.

    2. Declan
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      (C)

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Baines will be back. No more pens.

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

        Oh then I won't get him.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          He will still have phantom assists though.

  5. ratski
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Need to shift Jones.
    Best replacement at 5.2?
    Have bellerin, Bertrand, Jones, naughton, pva

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Toby, Cawson, Sakho (in a few weeks)

      1. ratski
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Double up on soton?

        1. d1sable
          • Has Moderation Rights
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Looks good to me after Chelsea - great fixtures

          1. ratski
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Ok, sounds good. Tempted by zouma though.

            1. d1sable
              • Has Moderation Rights
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Yep another good option but doubt he will play both games in the double gameweek and he uses a cheslea spot

    2. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Moreno/Dawson ?

      1. ratski
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Can't afford azpil etc. Liverpool fixtures poor plus already have foster in goal for wba.

  6. bennyp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys, need some help please, I am chasing 1st place.

    Panti - (Foster)
    PVA - Terry - Moreno - (Bert - Dawson)
    Hazard - Cazorla - Eriksen - Moses - (Boyd)
    Austin - Aguero(c) - Kane

    1FT and 4.3ITB.

    I gave myself 4.3 so I have wiggle room for the double gameweeks coming up, how should I start setting up?

    I'm thinking:

    Moses -> Coutinho
    Cazorla -> Ozil
    Defender -> Ivan. I'd rather Ivan over Costa.

    Any other ideas?

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Moreno -> Ivan

      1. bennyp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        This week?

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Yh

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Austin to Giroud?

      1. bennyp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh might be a good plan. Austin seems decent to hold for now though, plus he has a potential double gw too vs West Ham and Villa. I may even drop Kane for Giroud to cover that double.

  7. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any brunt/Baird news?

  8. Pompey5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Double up on Chelsea def? PVA to Zouma?
    Already have Terry.

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yup

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Reckon there might be rotation this weekend after 120 mins?

  9. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Is baines due back soon? Garbutt is very cheap...

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Aye.

  10. BRONALDINHO
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Stuff seem to be getting really close and personal up in here. Off to bed it is then 😀

  11. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Pick the eleven to play please:

    Pantilimon (Aston Villa)
    Heaton (Man City)

    Bertrand (Chelsea)
    Clyne (Chelsea)
    Bellerin (West Ham)
    Dawson (Stoke)
    PVA (Aston Villa)

    Hazard (Southampton)
    Eriksen (Man United)
    Silva (Burnley)
    Sanchez (West Ham)

    Kane (Man United)
    Giroud (West Ham)
    Aguero (Burnley

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      You pick it.

      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        ^THIS^

      2. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I have but currently struggling.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Bench Heaton and the 2saints defenders.

      1. Pompey5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        This

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'd bench berty pva...... and heaton of course.

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Will probably play Berty ahead of Clyne. Other two will be benched but not 100% on Eriksen.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Can understand that, but think eriksen is due.

          1. Every Dog Has Its Day
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hmmmmm.. Thanks. Will probably save my FT then 🙂

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Great scoutcast thanks !

  13. JackJackJack93
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on if Clichy will play?

  14. andres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone selling mane or eriksen?

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm probably going to do Eriksen -> Mane

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        This week?

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          After this GW 😀

  15. Henrzd
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    So what are people doing with PVA.......KEEPING OR SELLING???

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Both.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😆

  16. Tabone
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    With 2.0 itb is it worth doing Rose to Terry or keep rose and do koscielny to Ivan?

    Panti
    Koscielny Lescott Bellerin
    Silva Hazard Coutinho Erikson
    Kane Aguero (c) Costa (vc)

    subs:Rose Ameobi Cameron

    1. Henrzd
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      do terry defo

  17. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Austin or giroud this week?

    1. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      giroud

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Got austin but wishing i had giroud. Not sure it's worth the transfer though.

    3. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Giroud

  18. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Would you use a FT to sell Lloris/Yoshida or save?
    I was thinking to sell Yoshida to Dawson or Lloris to Panti, but I'd bench them anyway.

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sell! Lloris -> Pantttttttti

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, I'll think about it

    2. Long Juan Silva
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No point in doing it now if you just plan to bench. Save and then consider it again next week.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Ta

    3. BeachBadger
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  19. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Arsenal fans... is Bellerin going to keep his place for next few weeks? When is Debuchy back?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      If he keeps playing like this...

    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think he's due back round about the probable DGW, annoyingly.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        That is annoying indeed.

        1. 1966 was a great year for E…
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Been out for a while, though, so might get eased in Walcott style.

  20. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Do West Ham give away a lot of pens? They seem like the kind of team that would.

  21. Gríma Wormtongue
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Leave out 1

    A) Lescott
    B) Austin
    C) Dann

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Long Juan Silva
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C

  22. andres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    vert => ivan or upgrade mane/eriksen?

    Fostrer (Panti)
    Ballerin Vert Bertrand (Cresswell Hutton)
    MANE ERIKSEN hazard silva (boyd)
    Kane giroud aguero
    1 FT, 3.3

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Vert -> Ivanovic

  23. A guy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Is Ivanović worth a hit over Terry?

    My plan is very longterm and would mean either:

    A) Koscielny + Walters > Ivan + Cork (-4)
    B) Koscielny > Terry

    1. A guy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      The plan's for next week.

      1. Breadbin
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Decide next week.

    2. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      i was wondering the same thing. currently thinking of getting terry in instead of ivan.

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B

  24. LeicesterA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Schlupp (C) worth a punt? Need a differential.

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      😯

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Is he OOP? Even so, crazy pick but it's up to you.

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Captaining a defender of the team 4 points adrift at the bottom of the league?

      Hat's off - a bold differential!

    4. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Rest of the team?

    5. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      90% likely to score 2 pts

    6. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      It's different, I'll give you that.

    7. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think your loyalties may be guiding you somewhat 😀

      It's enough of a differential to have him. Captain Aguero, Silva or Sanchez, I reckon.

    8. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No

    9. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Well, I expect Leicester to score - and as Schlupp is OOP, you'd expect him or Mahrez to be involved with most attacking chances. Plus chance of cleanie against Hull at home?

      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        N'Doye and Jelavic say hello

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Don't get me wrong, I'm torn between bringing in Zouma or Schlupp this week myself. But your captain should be capable of scoring a brace or multiple assists on their day.

        Still, if you really want to, go for it... then you can't blame anyone if it pays off (or not!)

    10. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks for the replies all.

    11. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      This is one of those moments where we all tell him he's nuts, but then Schlupp gets a haul and Leicestera complains about the quality of advice on the site 🙂

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😀 i really want to get Schlupp in this week, myself

        With Terry, Vertonghen and Fonte, he'll only be needed in emergencies but that's the perfect scenario for having Zouma too. I'm all Natalie Imbruglia!

    12. BeachBadger
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      😯

    13. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think you are all probably right, it's a differential enough as is. But you never know, maybe ill go crazy Saturday morning...

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        If only Leicester kept CS's. Are you expecting Pearson to roll out a 5-4-1 with Schlupp LW?

        1. LeicesterA
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Exactly. I think that's pretty much been confirmed.

  25. Numb
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Myhill
    Ivan Bellerin Lescott
    Sanchez Silva (v) Eriksen Puncheon
    Costa (c) Austin Kane
    (Phillips, Yun, Hutton, Forster)

    Good to go?

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        What do you suggest then?

        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Puncheon to Hazard.
          Myhill to Foster.
          Austin to Aguero.

          1. Numb
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Done

  26. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen + Azpi -> Bellerin + Silva (-4)?

    Yay or nay?

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No.

    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

    3. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      NO.

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Azpi could be nailed on again now with no need for rotation

    5. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No

  27. Long Juan Silva
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    The album cover collage Mark has looks cool

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      😀

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Mark's looking very attractive too. Sort of like a cross between Brad Pitt and Lionel Blair.

      Is it OK for a red-blooded heterosexual male to post that?

      1. Long Juan Silva
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Whatever floats your boat buddy

      2. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        no.. you didn't even say how you look a like, to Mark don't think about that

  28. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    I think I will go all or nothing for the next DGW given that the matches are confirmed in gw34 which they more than likely will be. 3 from each of Che, Ars and Pool. If all goes according to plan barring injuries etc my main risk will be going without Aguero and Sancez... Possible team would be something like:

    Krul
    Ivan, Terry, Kos, Skrtel
    Hazard, Ozil, Coutinhio
    Sturridge, Kane, Giroud

    Foster, Manè, Wollscheid, Cork 1.5itb

    This would involve taking 1hit in gw 33 to field XI? What do people think of this? What strategy are you taking?

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Getting in Chelsea players for now and will evaluate nearer the time as forward planning by this amount of time is always pointless.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah well I'm doing this also. Saving this week and bringing in Haz and Ivanovic for free gw 30. After that it's just speculation as I said above just if everything goes to plan barring injuries and rotation and so on.

        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          It won't.

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            😆 more than likely won't no

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      If only there was a Hot Topic on this.....

      1. Breadbin
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I guys it says to get Chelsea players for now.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Pretty much.

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😳

  29. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hector Bellerin signs new Arsenal contract keeping him at the club till 2019.
    [source: Kike Marin]

    1. Zasa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      😯 Racist

  30. Ramok
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hi, im sitting in TOP 4k and i need your help because im troubled what to do... with some spare money ! What would you do to prepare for DGW ? I got 1.4 ITB and thats my team

    Pantilimion / Heaton
    Terry / Rose / Clyne (Bruce/Wasilewski)
    Silva / Eriksen / Hazard / Sanchez (Boyd)
    Kane / Aguero / Austin

    Thanks in advance FFS team ! 😉