[sbu_large_image] Podcast
19 January 2017 1731 comments
Mark Mark
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It’s quite ironic that, in an episode that focuses on our experience and strategies of mini-league management, my long-term rival on that score goes awol.

Granville is waylaid by “homework” and misses out, but Luke crashes in mid-cast to join Jonty, Andy and myself as we deliver an 80-minute episode, which includes our dubious insights on navigating a team to mini-league glory – mind games and all.

Once again guided by your community questions, we take on the Diego Costa fall-out, the rising stock of Spurs on form and Everton on fixtures, while finding time to wade in on the demise of former darling Sergio Aguero under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola.

This episode of the ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday night. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

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

1,731 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Kuqi Monster
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Holgate to nail down a spot or will be rotated?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I think he'll be rotated so is a risk

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Rotation seems likely

    3. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Is he Baines' replacement if he doesn't play?

  2. dmenezes
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts for this game week?

    Boruc
    Valencia Walker Baines
    Sanchez Lallana Alli Pedro
    Defoe Rondon Kane (C)

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Lallana captain 😉

      1. dmenezes
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        You smoking funny stuff pal??

        1. WDT
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I don't think Kane has a great fixture to be honest so not really

  3. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Baines to Coleman too sideways? Worried about the injury

    1. dmenezes
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I've kept Baines. Koeman reckons he'll play.

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Baines is always almost injured don't worry

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Think I'd keep Baines if I had him. I was going to get Baines but by the time I went to do it he had risen and I was 0.1 short so I got Coleman instead.

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Okay thanks for your help guys

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Coleman is the one to get 😎

    5. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      wait for the presser to be certain.

  4. MTPockets
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Just me or anyone else unable to access site earlier (about 45-hour ago)?

  5. WDT
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I hate saving FTs. Feels illegally dull.

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      It's a luxury. I envy you sir. Don't remember the last time I did that.

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Interesting. Normal emotions to doing something illegal are fear or excitement. You might consider therapy.

      1. WDT
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I am a therapist.

    3. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      you'll thank dull you next gw.

  6. Barmak
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Keeper dilemma - start Heaton away to Arsenal or Grant at home to United?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Grant

    2. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Grant. Sou love to draw out a 0-0. Heaton is facing an explosive attacking team away. tons of save opps but little chance of a cleanie.

  7. BilalM
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with this lot?
    2FT, 0.6itb

    Heaton
    Holebas, Brunt, Jones, VVD
    Sanchez, Firmino, Stanislas, Philips
    Ibra, Costa

    Pickford, Carrol, Amat, Sigurdsson

    thinking siggy and holebas out

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah that's the two I'd probably shift. Who you looking at? An Everton defender maybe?

    2. Carlton P
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Coleman + Pedro

    3. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      HKeep Holebas for one week. lose Siggy asap.
      maybe punt on Amat >Holgate if you want to burn both transfers

  8. Aditya K
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Hi there.. Looking for some changes to the team... Or not?
    Foster
    Cedric, Smith, Chambers
    Hazard, Sanchez, Eriksen, Philips
    Ibra, Giroud, Carroll.

    Subs: Pickford, De roon, Holebas, Pieters.

    Itb: 3.6 1ft.

    1. Roberto Baggio
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Carrol > lukaku

      1. Aditya K
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers...but I'd ideally want someone like baines, alonso etc in the defence.. Don't you think?

    2. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Is Giroud fit? keep an eye out.
      Otherwise lose Carol, Pieters or Cedric.
      Carrol > lukaku best move you can make. If Baines is fir maybe him instead of Pieters or Cedric.

  9. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    1FT - 1.6 ITB

    Valdes / Pickford

    David Luiz / Lovren / McAuley / Holebas / Pieters

    Sanchez / Lallana / Sigurdsson / Stanislas / de Roon

    Ibrahimovic / Costa / Defoe

    Costa going to start? If so Sigurdsson to Alli/ Eriksen?

    1. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Keep costa, till the presser say otherwise. Go Sigurdsson to Eriksen otherwise yeah.
      could go sideways with David Luiz to Alonso or just get in baines (if fit)

  10. Yogi_mike
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    How do change ur profile pic..or add I should say

    1. Kuqi Monster
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      FAQ

    2. Dreams
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Head on over to http://www.gravatar.com and register for an account (make sure you register with the same email as the one you are registered with here). Choose an image, and this will be associated with all of your comments on site. Your gravatar image should appear next to your comments within roughly 24 hours.

      1. Yogi_mike
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thnx mane

  11. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    any advice on my team would be greatly appreciated...

    I need to regain 120 points on my league opponents.
    My plan is go super safe, I want ALL the easy points, and maybe 1 gamble. but maybe 0. then I will use my chips (all three) to close the gap.

    HELP PLEASE>!

    Heaton, Pickford
    Holebas, Azpilicueta, Friend, McAuley, Amat
    Hazard, Sanchez, Allen, Capoue, Rodriguez
    Defoe, Costa, Zlatan

    £1.1 in the bank and 2 free transfers.

    1. Barmak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Get Holebas out, maybe look at Baines?
      Upgrade midfield, Allen/Capoue/Rodriguez out for someone like Stanislas/Phillips..

      1. FPL Wisdom
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        this

  12. Time for double baggies at the back?
    Demel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    West Brom have only kept 3 clean sheets all season. A ratio of 1 clean sheet in 7 games. So forget about the fixtures it looks like it is best to stay away from West Brom defenders.

    But I am looking to double up. Why?

    Let's break down the numbers..

    Number of occasions WBA have concded..

    0 goals = 3 times (Burnley, Palace, Boro)
    1 goal = 12 times
    2 goals = 4 times (Liverpool, Man U, Everton, West Ham - who they beat 4-2)
    3 goals = 0 times
    4 goals = 2 times (Spurs & Man City)
    5 goals or more = none.

    So 15 times out of 21 West Brom have conceded 0 or 1 goal. That indicates a very resolute defence contradicting popular belief that they are too attacking.

    Even better their defence do well against teams outside the top 7 and not against teams inside the top 7. West Ham are the only team in the top 7 who could score more than a single goal past them and they beat them 4-2. The next 6 games are all against teams outside the top 6.

    The tight nature of the defence against non top 7 teams, coupled with the attacking upside of Brunt and McCauley and the fixtures makes me think that such a double up is a great option and owning at least 1 is recomended.

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yes but they need Evans and Nyom to be available, especially Evans.

      1. Demel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I can't see any statistical evidence to back that up.

        1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Need for Nyom as Brunt owners is pure logic.

        2. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          He's simply saying their first choice back 4 is clearly stronger than second choice. Logic again.

    2. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I've only done two things that come off this season:

      Owning McAwful.

      Heatster.

      Everyone should have at least 3 WBA defenders in their team.

      (Btw. Good post - where were you last season when I needed you?)

      1. Demel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. I had a lower rank (I was probably hiding in the corner).

    3. QPR expects... glory!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Interestingly they also only had 3 Premier League clean sheets in the second half of last season too. I spot a trend 😉

      Personally I think that it's a combination of mistakes - mainly from the ageing McAuley - and a more attacking team allowing more space in central midfield leading to the odd clear chance per game that is put away.

      I've put my money on things not getting better by getting rid of WBA defence in my WC.

      1. Demel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Now that is a fair point. I would suggest that the low goals conceded figure per game correlates to likely regression to the mean and therefore more clean sheets. But you have a point.

    4. Live Lad
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I played Foster most weeks and know WBA do not concede a lot. But somehow let in 1 goal in many games.

    5. Speédy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      i hope they get the 4 th cs against defoe

    6. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      My review of the underlying stats has them with a good shot at a clean sheet this week and next but I don't much fancy their chances for STO, whm, BOU unless they improve sharply or their opponents decline.

    7. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      they have a nasty habit of letting in 1.

    8. Mikeharbrw
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Livermore should help tighten it up no?

    9. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Nyom could be good, if the staff at his national team could stop being ridiculous.

    10. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I own McAuley and Brunt so is this good?? I'm confused, I was planning on ditching one over the next few weeks.

      Heaton Pickford
      Alonso Brunt McAuley Cedric Azpi (out next week for??? )
      Sanchez Stan Phillips Lallana Haz (out next week for Alli/Erik)
      Ibra Kane Campbell

      1. joeydordon
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Surely if you kept 2 until now this is a possible good streak fixture wise! I feel they are due a few cs but ive foster as 1 of mine so im defo keeping could understand getting rid if its to a premium def

    11. Bird Raymond
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I think you are trying to be too clever. West Brom's defensive prowess is over egged. 3 clean sheets all season is the only stat I'd be looking at. I've had Foster all season and I'll likely stick with him until I wildcard, but certainly wouldn't be looking to double up.

    12. Sky Blue Sun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I have had Foster all season and it has been painful seeing Heaton score well whilst WBA offered few clean sheets.

      This has not stopped me from doubling up on WBA however, for the last couple of weeks with Brunt added to my back line.

    13. baldyweev
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Have doubled up all season and now trebled up. Convinced it will all come good soon.

    14. Trading Bear
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Deserves a bump this. First match after this hot topic:

      Foster = 7 points
      Mcauley = 12 points
      Brunt = 13 points

      1. Demel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks Hooperman.

  13. RohanVaswani
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Lallana Baines

    Or

    Coutinho Mori?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      A by a mile!

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Not sold on either.

  14. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I have Evans, Barragan & Amat so through injury / out of favour unlikely any of them will play. Assuming Evans is ruled out any suggestions on what to do?

    1FT 0.1 ITB so i'm a bit limited!

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I did Evans to chambers last week

      1. ShaunGoater123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        yeah chambers or friend is what i'm looking at i think.

        Would probably do Barragan to them though so that i don't have double Boro, and also in the hope that Evans gets back at some point for Broms fixtures.

        Alternative is maybe Amat > Holgate although seems one rotation risk for another. I'm 0.1 off from Yoshida which is frustrating

  15. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    So today is the Big Day

    A momentous occasion

    Will he ? Won't he ?

    Will he tell us the Truth

    Contes Press conference at 2pm - Will it be another Costagate

    1. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'll tell you the truth.

      Anyone owning Kun will not finish in the top million this season.

      1. Demel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I better build my slide.

      2. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        West Ham, Swansea, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Stoke in the next 7....I can tell you're worried

      3. slamdunk
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Top 100,000 here with kun but i am shipping him out haha

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I can't handle the truth.

  16. Yome
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Nyom?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Should have news on Nyom and Matip today I think.

  17. Extreme ways
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    what's your thought on captaining philips this week? SUN are bad and even Burnley scored 4 against them last week. Given how WBA have been playing attacking football at home , I think Philips could be decent captaincy pick .But I'm feeling this strong temptation to strip Philips of armband and slap it on Lukaku.

    This how my team looks :

    Forster
    Koscielny - Alonso - Brunt
    Stanislas - Philips(c) - Hazard - Sanchez
    Giroud - Ibra - Lukaku

    Zero FT.

    Any suggestions/thoughts welcome. Thanks!!

    1. DRYACID
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      It's Sanchez or Phillips for me,just gone with the latter. Have a feeling he could get a haftull against Sun.

  18. villian-ty
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Evans out?

  19. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Start Rose over Chambers and Yoshida?

  20. Yogi_mike
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Good week to use "bench points"? Or who to start in mid

    Courtois Boruc
    Azpi Lovren Mc Auley Hobleas Friend

    Sanchez lallana eriksen stanislas Fletcher

    Lukaku Giroud Defoe

    1. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      double gameweeks are around the corner... wait

      1. Yogi_mike
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Fairly new to all this ..how does double gameweeks help, y use it ther?

  21. Dutchboy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    You think Giroud will be benched when Walcott's back?

    1. Sp0rting
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      When is Walcott back?

      1. JJO
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        And no

  22. DRYACID
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all.

    Pogba > Coutinho for a hit??

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      no

      1. DRYACID
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks man. Not happy having no LFC cover tomorrow but reckon it's a bit too soon to get Cout back.

  23. Sp0rting
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    AOA away!

    Grant
    Brunt, Friend/Holgate
    Haz, Sanchez, Lallana, Philips, Davies
    Kane, Ibra, Rondon

    Jaku, Robertson, Ake

  24. Jafalad
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    There's some juicy-looking fixtures this week. Who fancies an 8 pointer?

    Thinking of bringing Hazard back in for his 10 point haul.

  25. Live Lad
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Those who have Sanchez and Hazard, who will be your (c)?

    (1) Hazard
    (2) Sanchez
    (3) Hazard (if Costa is out)
    (4) Sanchez (even if Costa is not out)
    (5) other option

    1. AlrightGuvnor
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I've gone Sanchez

    2. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Sanchez no matter what.
      Hazard for the brave, Costa for the maverick.

    3. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      If I had hazard I would certainly be on him. Think he's the stand out choice as coutinho not fully up to speed yet

    4. LC1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa if you have him.. If not go with Hazard

    5. Ridcully
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Ibrahimovic. Although there is a chance I may change choose Sánchez or Hazard instead.

  26. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    If Baines doesn't play, is Holgate the likely stand in? I'm on wildcard and may cover Baines with Holgate...

  27. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Baines injured?

  28. Friday's press conferences
    Yome
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Pressers today:
    8.45am: Stoke City, Mark Hughes
    9.00am: West Brom, Tony Pulis; Hull City, Marco Silva
    9.00am: Bournemouth, Eddie Howe; Sunderland, David Moyes
    12.30pm: Manchester United, Jose Mourinho
    1.00pm: Chelsea, Antonio Conte; Liverpool Jurgen Klopp
    1.00pm: Leicester City, Claudio Ranieri; Crystal Palace, Sam Allardyce
    1.15pm: Burnley, Sean Dyche
    1.30pm: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola

    1. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Come on JEvans

      1. Yome
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Come on Nyom!

    2. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Come on Nyom.

    3. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks Yome 🙂

  29. Mr. Blonde
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Which arsenal defender to get for the next four? No real issue with budget so can go Bellerin/Kos. But any reason not to get Monreal? Don't like the sight of that 20min cameo against West brom

    1. FPL Wisdom
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I went Kos; for the small monetary saving he delivers basically the same.

    2. LC1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Bellerin will score the most points.

    3. grapesland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Would go Belly is possible, quite far ahead of Kosc in terms of penalty area touches, attempts on goal and chances created

  30. Shirokov(c)
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Foster
    Alonso, Rose, Jones
    Sanchez, Pogba, Lallana, Phillips
    Ibra, Giroud, Defoe

    (Pickford; Capoue, Pieters, Amat)

    Save the free transfer? I have 2.1m in the bank.

    1. Sjaugen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pogba to Eriksen in the cards