Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 218 – Three Kings

A trio of Josh Kings saved the Gameweek for the ScoutCast regulars, steering Jonty, Andy and myself to respectability, despite a scattering of ill-fated transfer hits. Meanwhile, AZ drops in with his own unique solution to the curtailed Gameweek 28, as he deals a controversial early Wildcard to help prepare for the choppy waters.

The Wildcard is a key focus of this week’s episode, as we extend our recent Hot Topic to the ScoutCast airwaves, arguing the optimum time to activate the most precious of chips.

Elsewhere, we spare a moment to weigh up the “essential” status of the aforementioned Cherries midfielder, consider the recent unrest surrounding Sanchez and Lukaku and discuss the fall-out from Kane’s twanged ankle.

This 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.

1,794 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez in for

    A) Firmino
    B) Coutinho

    1. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A. El Cout does well vs City

    2. Farke in hell
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. OzilFozzil
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go A but I have no stats to back that up.... 😆

    4. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. SweepaKeepa
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    6. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all! B it is then..

  2. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    My defence is
    Baines Brunt McCauley Robertson Chambers

    Which one of these would you take out for Walker? Two WBA defenders seems overkill now but Baines and Chambers are flagged.

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Brunt

    2. OzilFozzil
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Brunt.... WBA are in free fall after securing 40 points and 2 of them is defo overkill...

    3. SweepaKeepa
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Brunt

  3. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton - Foster
    Baines* - McAuley - Robertson - Yoshida - Fernandez
    Hazard - Mane - Siggy - Snodgrass* - Capoue*
    Aguero - Lukaku - Carroll

    1 x FTs, 2.4m ITB

    Snodgrass & McAuley > King & Ben Davies for -4pts

    Decent move?

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Could work. How long is Davies playing?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'll take two or three games if I can, any more is bonus.....

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Southamton likely to Score plus Rose will be back soon .Just snoddy out i guess

    3. OzilFozzil
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Just Snoddy

  4. You can’t have them all - the ownership giants to fear
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Fantasy Football Scout daily hot topic

    You can’t have them all - the ownership giants to fear

    Usually on a Friday I canvass views on the best differentials for the GWK ahead. But with a full set of fixtures once again perhaps we should be more concerned with the increased number of well owned players at our disposal, who have the potential to score well.

    With just 11 places available to us – we simply can’t have them all.

    Which well owned players that you don’t own do you most fear?

    Which of your current crop of heavily owned assets do you hope will do well?

    Is there one popular player you don’t own that you particularly fear?

    To help out here is a list of the most well owned players - for this I’ll stick to those with a 20% or more ownership and split into well owned clean sheet potential and well owned goal and assist potential

    Clean Sheets

    De Gea – 33.5%
    Jakupovic - 23%
    Walker - 36.2%
    McAuley -32.5%

    A ManU and Spurs clean sheet could be costly to non owners. Another lucky McAuley goal could also see a rankings plunge for non owners

    Attacking Points

    Lukaku 43.8%
    Costa 36.9%
    Hazard 28.2%
    Sanchez 25.8%
    Alli 25.3%
    Mane 24.5%
    Defoe 22.9%
    Aguero 21%

    (I’ve left out Capoue)

    Those without those key Chelsea players will be hoping they don’t do a ‘West Ham’ and score well against Stoke

    Lukaku’s huge ownership and captaincy potential make any haul from him deadly for non owners. Mane, Alli and Sanchez hauls could also hurt non owners.

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Of the above I only own Lukaku, Mane and Aguero with Alli very likely to come in.

      That’s just four out of 12 potential ranking plungers. Obviously I have to hope my relative differentials of Coleman, King, Carroll, Sigurdsson and Alonso can off set any hauls. But ultimately I guess that is the story of the season – you can’t have them all. 🙂

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think we have good enough differentials plus these players to not much worry about anyone else . All of Them scoring well do make it hard to climb the rankings though .

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        There have been weeks this season where the bulk of the well owned players do well. I can see pretty much all of the above list doing well this week - but yes the likes of King and Coleman - who are favourites among the FFS community - should in theory more than compensate.

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Completely agree Jonty.last thing we doesn't need now is a McAuley goal .

          1. Phil Dagger ⭐
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Also a defoe brace 🙁 no no no

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Good post Jonty, not (c) Lukaku last week killed me and I was well set up going into the gw (10 players), saying that if he blanked and my alternative strategy of (c) Mane worked-I was laughing, but these are the risks we take when it comes to ownership.

    4. WDT
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe to do the damage this weekend buoyed by Eng call up. Gwan Jermain

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yep for me my worst case scenario is ManU, Spurs clean sheets, Defoe brace, Chelsea rampage at Stoke and Sanchez to score against WBA....that collection is very likely indeed.

    5. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I own Luka, Sanchez, Costa, jaku, Walker, Alonso. Worried about Mane and Alli. I hope my relative differential called Sterling pays off against his former team.

    6. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Only Lukaku and Mane from your list, Jonty. Oh, and just did Kane ➡ Costa.

      Not too concerned about Sanchez atm really, and think I might get him in for gw31.
      Will definitely get spurs & utd def in the coming weeks. Reluctant to take hits atm as I'm ranked 601 and constantly sweating 🙂

    7. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Own Lukaku, Costa, Aguero and Mane. Alli, Hazard and Sanchez are my main concerns.

      1. HammersFan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I've been waying up coutinho to either sanchez or alli all week and still undecided.

        I can see big points for sanchez though if brom continue their early holidays.

        Not sure why everyone is rushing to get spurs assets in this week though? Soton isn't the easiest game surely?

        1. Athletic Bilbo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed, I'm waiting to see how they shape up without HK

    8. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Don't have hazard,Costa,Alli,kun ,spurs ,man u def
      Not afraid of Chelsea attackers as stoke won't concede much,have good alternative defs
      Alli and kun the only ones I am afraid of

    9. The Butch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I have owned Brunt for quite a while, so McAuley is the one that upsets most when he gets these lucky goals. Arsenal definitely a good candidate for enabling him to shine again... Though changing him into Valencia this week so also cancels the De Gea fear.

      Forward, I have been punished by Defoe, the england team call might very much boost his motivation this weekend. Aguero as well could punish sellers (am one of them)!

    10. SweepaKeepa
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez the scary one missing for me. But it is an informed, balanced choice and I'm happy with the alternatives. It's just that if he goes crazy, I'm left with a big Sanchez-shaped hole in my team.

    11. Athletic Bilbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      ML rival has Sanchez so he's my big fear but I'm resolutely rolling the ft this week. She fears my Kaku and Mane more I suspect

    12. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      For CS I fear MU and Spurs. I haven't HD a MU defender all season!
      For attackers I fear Alli, Hazard and Sanchez the most but can't have em all! I hope my Kun, Coleman, King and Eriksen go nuts however.

    13. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Early doors HT!

      Erm, yeah i purposefully only have Coleman, Kun and Kaku of those, plus Jaku OTB.

      I always fear not owning Costa but it's not possible right now without a few hits.

      I hope Kun and Coleman do the business this weekend, Kaku © I'm sure will be hygeine in my ML so it'll be about differentials​.

      I'd also add I'm discomfitted by no Alli, have had to go Eriksen as ML rival I'm chasing has Dele and we have a few others in common.

    14. Swansea Bloke
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      My WC Team active for this weekend:

      Pickford (Japukovic)
      Alonso/Ben Davies/Valencia (Fernandez/Stephens)
      Hazard/Sanchez/Mane/Alli/Son
      Lukaku/Deeney (Barnes

      Weak bench but I have no BB so I'm relatively happy with that. Will be bringing in Citeh players for GW32 onwards with FTs...

      I have 5 of your highly owned players so happy with that.

      Anyone want to RMWCT? 😉 Cheers

    15. Game of Throw_ins
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I own Walker, Mane, Lukaku & Aguero.. I m always ready for a hit a week.. But this international break is such a spoiler. Thinking of a rare Save the transfer this week. Will monitor Spurs mids and gametime/fatigue/Jetlag of long distance fliers. Mostly will get 2 or 3 of Sanchez, Alli/Son/Pedro & Defoe/Costa next GW.

    16. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I fear Sanchez and Kun the most, though now King has joined their ranks. Not very owned overall, but a lot of the top1000 and my closest ML rivals own him.

      Walker and McAuley are others I don't own but I don't expect huge hauls from them.

    17. Slam
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea attack, Spurs attack, Sanchez, Man U defence, Spurs defence...

      Yeah I'm fooked

  5. BilalM
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton/Jaku
    Coleman / Olsson / Brunt / Holebas / Amat
    Barkley / Eriksen / Sanchez / Stanislas / Allen
    Lukaku / Niang / Costa

    would you do:
    a) Niang -> Llorente / Gabbiadini
    b) Stanislas -> King /Sane
    c) Barkley -> Siggy / Pedro
    d) Niang / Stanislas -> Rashford / Tadic

    Thoughts

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Stanislas is dead wood.
      B

  6. Hochoki
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Good afternoon all. whats the best transfer decision ??

    1. diomande/ carroll to costa
    2. diomande + firmino to costa + alli (-4 hit)
    3. carroll + firmino to costa + sanchez (-4 hit)
    4. diomande + firmino to defoe/vardy + hazard (-4 hit)

    my team is :

    Foster Pickford
    Alonso Coleman Baines Brunt Friend
    Mane Firmino Coutinho Siggy King
    Lukaku Carroll Diomande

    I have 7.8 ITB & 1 FT left. Any suggestion regarding the team would be very much appreciated.

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I like 2.

  7. Jacket Potato
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Morning lads, Coutinho to (-4) ?
    A) Alli
    B) Sanchez
    C) Hold

    Front 8:
    *Coutinho* Mane Sterling Siggy Romeu
    Lukaku Gabbi Llorente

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Think I am holding this week, Liverpool turns up in big games

    2. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking about exactly the same, might just hold considering the internationals though and it would be very Liverpool to score a bunch of goals against City.

    3. Jacket Potato
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers both, yeah might hold off

    4. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      C

  8. Slippy
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Cant afford Valencia atm.
    Can do
    A) Nyom/Chambers -> other United def (Jones?)
    or
    B) Play Holebas & save FT

    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I just don't trust jones if I'm honest Slippy.

      1. Slippy
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        🙁

        no United defenders trustworthy except valencia presumably?

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B. Valencia or no one

  9. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Play:
    A) Gomes (away to Palace)
    B) Pickford (Burnley at home)

    1. Crow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

  10. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Selection dilemma... Bench 1;

    A) Llorente (bou)
    B) King (SWA)
    C) Mane (mci)
    D) Siggy (bou)

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yep A

  11. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Start Holebas v Palace or Naughton v Bournemouth?

    1. Crow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Holebas definitely. Palace suck balz

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        This

  12. youknowho
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton, Pickford
    Alonso, Coleman, Brunt, Amat, Love
    Mane, Firmino*, Siggy, Phillips**, Capoue*
    Lukaku, Defoe, llorente
    1FT, 8 ITB

    Had planned to get Llorente, Firmino > Sanchez, Costa
    But due to Phillips injury, have to think of something else
    1. Phillips > King
    2. Firmino, Phillips > Sanchez, King (-4)
    3. Llorente, Phillips > Costa, King (-4)
    4. Something else i am entirely missing (Please specify)

  13. Crow
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain?

    A) kaku
    B) mane
    C) punt on king
    D) costa (no fun)

    1. Pazdannavaro
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I am currentlt on A c and C vc.

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

  14. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Alli or Sanchez for Cout?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I am getting Sanchez as i have Eriksen

    2. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Alli

  15. Yome
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Cheeky King captain against Swansea

    1. Crow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'm looking into it

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Why not. His record vs swansea his brilliant

      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Is it? That is interesting

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yep will post it on next page

    3. Pazdannavaro
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      The only concern is he can outscore Lukaku again or not.

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        If he doesn't go missing more pens then yes.

  16. No Pirlo No Party
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton
    Alonso - Cedric - McAuley
    Alli - Mane - Sigurdsson - Antonio - King
    Lukaku - Llorente

    (Pickford - Amat - Friend - Anichebe) - 1FT - £8.1 ITB

    Thoughts on the above lads?
    Sort out the defence or Forwards?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty weak attack. Anichebe -> Costa / Gabbiadini? or
      Amat / Friend -> Walker / Valencia

  17. Pauntley
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth a -4 hit to remove Brunt for Valencia? Do we think Valencia will play this weekend or get rested?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think its worth it . Have to get him in future anyways

      1. Pauntley
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Ok great thanks for the advice - I've been waiting to pick him up just worried he's played a lot of games and Mourinho likes to swap the defence around abbot - he didn't pick up any injuries yesterday did he?

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Na didnt pick any injury. him and De gea are the safest you will get from A Utd defender. All else are more risky

          1. Pauntley
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Cool - will go for Valencia then

  18. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT:

    Pickford / Grant
    Valencia / Alonso / Vertonghen / Yoshida / Fernandez
    Sanchez / Alli / Eriksen / Siggy / King
    Llorente / Costa / Gabbiadini

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Lukaku needed

      1. Francescoli
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Lukaku over Costa?

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yep. Although i prefer to have lukaku and costa both .probably downgrade one of eriksen/alli and upgrade Llorente to Lukaku

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Get Lukaku. Costa isn't essential. Ditch Eriksen (lower ownership than Alli) and maybe punt with Son or Pedro.

  19. Crow
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    It feels wrong to bench carroll

    Coutinho-mane-sigguardsson-eriksen-king

    Lukaku-costa-carroll

    Bench sigguardsson instead?

    1. Pauntley
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd bench Coutinho to be honest

      1. Crow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        But the city fixture is gold for him.. 🙁

        1. Pauntley
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          But his form is shocking - and In mean absolutely shocking

  20. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I would like to make some transfers but I don't really need to.

    I have Sterling, Aguero, Coutinho, McAuley, Clyne, Smith that I would like to change ... but they are not bad players and could all score on the weekend

    I think I will sit it out, wait for the revised fixture schedule, see what happens over the international break and attack it with 2 free transfers for GW30

    Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing the wrong thing, but is this a really boring move ? To do nothing ?

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      id get rid of Clyne easily

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Great attacking stats but nothing ever materialised - Valencia may well replace him this week but Man U are looking very average at the moment ... and without Pogba and Ibra ...

    2. Athletic Bilbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Hey Dog, I'm doing exactly the same thing. Yes I want Sanchez and Valencia but they've got 15000 mile trips and highly competitive international fixtures, could Kane mk2.

      And without a wc I need to plan carefully for the forthcoming doubles, waiting for more info.

      This doesn't feel like a week to get punty or loose to me either. But like you, success will largely rest on a goal fest between Liverpool and City

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yes same rhinking here, I have already had my finger over a -8 bringing in Valencia, Sanchez and Costa for Clyne/Smith, Sterling and Aguero, but I think I just need to chill, leave the chips on the table and let the wheel spin this week

        1. Athletic Bilbo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Takes a lot more bottle to resolutely do nothing than indulge your transfer habit.

          2fts and a hit or two in GW30 for a revamp is the reward, especially with the added knowledge. Good luck

  21. Ruffio
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I must be in a select band of active players with Pogbad in my team...any news on last nights injury?
    Thanks

    1. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Google is your friend

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He's out for the weekend with a hamstring injury.

  22. 5 reasons to keep your wildcard until gw36
    Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Personally I think it's pretty clear that the optimal strategy is to wc 36, bb 37. In no particular order here are 5 reasons why;

    A) Jesus, if he's back by 37 it changes who'd you want as a Man City asset, if he's not then Kun a great option, good luck trying to fit him and Ibra in with one free transfer

    B) Chelsea, will they have won the league by then, could make a huge difference as to who you want as coverage

    C) Motivation, by waiting we will know who's in the mix for top 4 and bottom 3, teams with things to play for will be more reliable in both form and, crucially for fpl, team selection

    D) Form, a lot of the current RMWCTs have some absolute dross in that's gonna stink your bench out all for the hope of a one or two point boost down the line. Chances are at least one of these picks will be out of favour by then and the cheapies are often hardest to replace

    E) Squad balance, to optimise bb you gonna want a more expensive bench than you'd normally have, that's hard to maintain from now till the end, much rather just be able to cherry pick in 36

    This the optimal route imo but of course most people's teams aren't in an optimal situation. Should stress that it's different for every team but if you can reach 36 with only minor tweaks needed then I reckon this is the way to go

    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      E is a very good point

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Hmm. The wildcard is a really good chip though, and it would be a shame if its wasted on a gw37 dgw that didn't work out. Might make up a lot of ground from say gw 31-32-33 if you use it by then. Maybe even more valuable than fielding 13-14-15 dgw'ers.

      I'm undecided though. Initial plan was wc gw26, but the above arguments may make me play it earlier.

      1. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        initial plan gw36, obviously.

    3. FIRMANHO
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Like your thinking. Would you play WC with my current team?

      Foster, Jaku
      Williams, Alonso, Yoshida, Brunt, Ward
      Siggy, Capoue, Lallana, Phillips, Snoddy
      Costa, Lukaku, Kane

      I feel like I need to....

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yes.

      2. Tired and weary
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely, that's savage.

        Williams, Brunt, Ward, Capoue, Lallana, Phillips and Kane all need to go!

    4. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I have to agree with this.

      Depending on how your team looks some people may need to play it GW34 for the first doubles.

      Assuming we here about the doubles shortly though we should be able to use or free transfers to stock up for GW34 with it being a small double.

      Certainly think waiting as long as possible is the best way.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        United players (including Ibra TC) is all I'd want in GW34, I'd rather have in form players playing once that GW, than dross form Middlesbough, Watford and Palace who may pay twice.

    5. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      WC 36, BB 37 is what I've had in mind all season, however I may move this forward a GW if Arsenal and Southampton have a DGW35. Three players from each of those sides should be easy to incorporate into our squads, given that there is no blank GW between then and the end of the season.

    6. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Luck is going to have a lot do with it. If the earlier WCers are lucky with injuries, suspension, rotation, and have players who end up having decent and meaningful fixtures in DGW37, they are probably going to be quids in.

      The fixtures announcement is going to dictate a lot.

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yes. I've long thought that accepting how big a part luck plays is key to enjoying fpl. Problem is its human nature to think our good luck is deserved and our bad luck is disgusting.

      2. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        When are remaining postponed fixtures likely to be announced?

    7. Pazdannavaro
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      But with possible 2dgw by that time you will may loose some points in between.
      AD.A Kun is needed from gw34 either way, so as Ibra. That can planned in Gw30 with no problem. His change for Jesus is even easier then.
      Ad.B Conte is not going to rotate his squad with 360 degrees as he has winning mentality despite the circumstances.
      AD.C don't see that as a factor when it comes to top6 battling for UCL.
      AD.D Eriksen, Costa, Spurs def, Che def, Sanchez are examples of consistent source of points. You just need to reduce the risk.
      AD.E I disagree. Defenders and 5th mids having at least on dgw like Yoshida, Holebas, Capoue, Kante, Romeu are safe picks.
      So as Pickford, Valdes or Deeney.
      Some budget options already can be selected with low probability of being out of favour.
      Injury risk is always a factor. FT should do the job.

    8. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      wait for fixtures release then i decide... probably still will wildcard in gw31 or gw32. Is when my team have a change of fixtures

    9. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      When would you play it if you didn't have the BB? That's the best question.

      If your BB dictates when you wildcard then in my opinion the tail is wagging the dog.

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'm hoping for a 30pt boost minimum from bb so I think it's fine to utilise it this way. There's no way of knowing if I'd gain more by wildcarding now. It's all a big old gamble let's face it

        1. Balotelli
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Dont you contradict yourself here? You start the article by saying that you think there is a clear optimal strategy...

    10. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      all down to when the other DGWs fall and what the actual fixtures are for GW 37.
      there may well be more games in GW37 but there are some pretty unattractive options for these games e.g. top sides playing each other, weaker sides (those where many bench players would probably come from) away at top sides etc.

    11. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Good points, seems obvious and it's suprising that many have changed their view on this over the last week or so. I think people are overthinking things again, like with recent captain picks on here such as Siggy a few weeks ago and Mane last week.

      I played the wildcard in January last year and it worked a treat, but surely if you have waited this long and your team is in reasonable shape you may as well wait.

    12. Swansea Bloke
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I used my BB a GWs back as I felt my whole squad had decent fixtures and form. It didn't work to the magnitude that I'd hoped it would, admittedly, but I did gain me green arrows and that's the desired effect, no?

      My WC is active now and I'm setting up for the long haul. I've drafted in players that have form, fixtures and DGWs approaching. I have a few planned transfers ready for GW32 (No points for guessing which team I have in mind!)

      I think people place a lot of faith in a WC before a BB DGW when you'd get near enough the same amount of points if you used it it any other DGW or SGW to be honest. Luck has a huge part to play also.

    13. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in my WC at the moment. I'm 4 points down in my ML and I caught up 30 points last week as my rival did not prepare and had already used his WC. But now I want Spurs, Chelsea etc and my defense was rubbish. So using my WC now lets me set myself up for the coming weeks. If I have to take a -12 or so to maximise my BB in GW 37 so be it, but I'm confident I'll have benefited a lot more than that by using my WC now. No right or wrong time to WC in my opinion. If you're happy with your team now, then save it. To each their own.

    14. Hughes the Daddy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I agree that WC 36 for BB 37 still looks best. I think perhaps some people are basing a strategy to WC early on last year's failings such as Liverpool rotation. I suspect the solution is to pick players who as you say have something definite to play for - relegation battlers in particular for me - and make sure you have the greatest chance of getting 15 DGWers . I also like the fact that a late WC allows you to essentially forget about it now and concentrate transfers on getting the most out of the period before GW36.

    15. Crystal
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      This would be true if the teams who have doubles didn't have decent fixtures up until GW37. Arsenal is a prime example, decent fixtures until the end of the season and a DGW guaranteed so there's no need not to hold 3 Arsenal players going forward. The same case can be made for Man Utd, Spurs and to a lesser extent Southampton

    16. tm245
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      If people hold their wild cards that late I think the most that can be gained would be 20 points.

      As an early wild carder, I will make transfer moves to load up on DGW players in the short term and then take hits galore to field the absolute best teams for all of the DGWs so I can maximize all of them. For DGW 37, if it is as big as it seems it might be, with a -12 or -16 I will be able to match the number of DGW players a late wild carder will have. The other advantage for them would be one extra FT in GW37 if they wild card GW36, hence 20 points maximum. A few Bench Boosted differentials and that gap can certainly be narrowed.

      I am of the opinion that shrewd hits can more than offset the advantage of a late wild carder, especially if they avoid fixing SGW problems in their team between now and then.

      1. Crystal
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I've made this point before that the WC for a one off double is only worth the number of hits it takes to get all the double gameweek players. Playing the wildcard in this way only makes it worth around 16 to 20 points, so you're exactly right in what you say

  23. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Can i get your expertise on these 2 transfers please.

    Pickford
    Alonso Baines Brunt*
    Hazard Mane Alli Siggy
    Lukaku Kane* Llorente

    Grant Pieters Capoue Amat

    Kane >> Diego
    Brunt >> Valencia

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good

      1. Super Silva Haze
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        cheers bro.

  24. A.T
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    On Jack Butland

    The good news is that he is "back with us now and progressing," according to Mark Hughes.

    He added: "We are going to take it calmly and slowly with Jack but he is out on the grass now. We will edge him forward."

    Grant's days are numbered then.

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No way, Grant will finish the season number one, he has been brilliant in goal

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Big call that Yome.

    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone will be getting rid on their wildcard anyway for pickford or someone as no DGW, so he'll be fine till then.

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        That's true.

  25. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys what you think?

    Foster
    Williams Brunt Walker
    Mane Eriksen Coutinho Snoddy*
    Llorente Lukaku Kun

    Jaku Pieters Capoue Amat 1FT 3.2 ITB

    A) Coutinho --> Hazard
    B) Brunt --> Valencia
    C) Snoddy --> Mata
    D) Mane --> Sanchez
    D) Something else?

    Cheers

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A.

  26. CL4PTRAP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    west ham and everton pressers?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yesterday.

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        All my troubles seemed so far away

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          🙁 tell us more.

  27. lasmons
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling or Firmino out for Sanchez?

    1. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      God knows, needs a crystal ball that one

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling if you dont have Mane

      1. lasmons
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Have Mane. Firmino is out, I think.

  28. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Will there be any more news from the Everton camp? Still not sure about Koemans statements on Baines. Think he will play?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It sounds like he's fine unless he has some kind of relapse. Watch the presser and judge for yourself would be my advice.

  29. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Captain:
    A) Sanchez
    B) Alli
    C) Costa
    D) King

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      D. Sensational form, fixture and record.

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      D

  30. CL4PTRAP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    News on Firmino?

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Trained so I imagine he's alright