Feature

Fantasy Football book ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’ is now out

We are delighted to announce Fantasy Football book ‘Wasting Your Wildcard‘ has now been released.

Written by regular site contributor David Wardale and fully endorsed by Fantasy Football Scout, it should help you plug the painful gap between the end of the World Cup and start of the 2018/19 Premier League season, which is not far away now.

Subtitled ‘The Method and Madness of Fantasy Football’, the book is being published by Penguin’s respected sports imprint, Yellow Jersey Press, and is packed with hints and tips from some of the best Fantasy managers out there.

But it is as much about the people as the game, with stories of glory and despair, mini-league skulduggery and humiliating failure and the strange grip the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in particular has on managers from Australia to Zimbabwe and just about everywhere in between.

There are in-depth interviews with FPL champions and Fantasy-mad Saudi princes, a comprehensive look at the eternal conflict that is stats versus ‘the eye test’ and chapters on the history of the game, the all-conquering beast that is Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and what the future of Fantasy Football might look like.

There’s also a revealing section on our very own Mark Sutherns, detailing the methods behind his successful approach to playing FPL.

Written by a fan for the fans, we think Wasting Your Wildcard will inform and entertain in equal measure, while grappling with the reasons behind why we, as supposedly grown-up men and women, cannot resist playing a game of footballing dress-up.

Order ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’ with Waterstones HERE.

Australian fans can order through Booktopia.

Read more with Scout

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Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

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Read them all in one place

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Join now to get the following:

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1,554 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    How are arsenal looking??
    Anyone watching the match, what's the review till now?

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Damn top post, sorry guys

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

      Pretty good actually, but Oblak is annoying Lacazette who’s had quite a few chances. Nelsen just missed a sitter from a rebound.

      1. Srv210
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Transition from Wenger era looking good then..thanks

        1. Jernau M Gurgeh
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          #Wengerout

  2. hspin
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is Morata an option?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Might be going to Milan, otherwise yes

  3. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Not many 343 drafts... Interesting.

    1. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I genuinely think that is a terrible formation given the current striker situation.

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

        It was terrible last season, but if Tosun, Jimenez, Arnautovic, Mitrovic and a few more prove their worth, it can be the way to go again.

      2. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Entirely depends on whether or not the strikers at and below 7m perform.

      3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Given the striker situation?
        Aguero, armie, Zaha, tosun and wood if not injured all good choices to start the season with. So not sure what the situation is? And when everyone is starting there will be plenty of strikers to fill three spots

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

      Quite a few.

      I quite like the ol' 343 with Kun/Auba partnering solid cheapies with good fixtures like Wood and King (both on pens)

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I was thinking something more balanced. Like Aguero, Firmino, Arnie.

      2. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        For example I like this:

        Ederson (4.0)
        Smalling, Robertson, Keane (4.5, 4.0)
        Salah, Mahrez, Richarlison, 5.5 (4.5)
        Aguero, Firmino, Austin

        You can downgrade defence a little to get Arnie, but looking at stats per minute Austin looks decent at the start to me.

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I’m going for 3-4-3 almost always, it’s the go to

    4. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      KAK-343 with Kun Arnie King here

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Why King if you don't mind me asking? I don't see much in it between him and Wilson. Austin looks better on paper to me when/if fit. Wood also a decent option at that price.

  4. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So what do we make of mane taking the penalty hmmmm

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Depends if you are a Salah owner or a Mane owner

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        In all seriousness I think Fabinho might be first choice but its good signs for Mane

  5. Chrisirwin01
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    If you have to chose one:

    a) Lamela
    b) Wood

    1. AndrewTavey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wood. Lamela is short term

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

      Wood by a country mile

    3. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wood

    4. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm a Spurs fan who loves Lamela. Don't get him unless you're happy with him being rotated in GW2.

  6. Otis Kay
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    REALLY want sane but struggling to fit him in:

    A) Ederson + 4.0 gk + Coleman + Jota + Richarlison

    B) Begovic + Fabianski + Keane + Sane + Lennon

  7. Bean
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Amidst all the hype about Kolasinac, everyone has missed out on Holding appearing to be first-choice...

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm not holding out hope

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      he's not first choice

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      First Chambers now Holding, how many center back spots do Arsenal have

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

        Chambers has not started a pre-season game with the rest of the first-choice back four

  8. golfboy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Help?

    A) Pope Ramsey Firmino
    B) Patricio Eriksen Zaha

    I have Salah and Aguero

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

      B

  9. Norman Conquest
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    arsenal getting beat

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

      About 75% possession, some glimpses of quality but still exposed at the back.

  10. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Currently on

    Pickford
    Mendy Robertson Davies
    Mahrez Salah Walcott Shurlle Sané
    Firminho Zaha

    Stecklenberg Peltier wan-bissaka Kamara

    A) bring Eriksen in for Mahrez or Sane?
    B) downgrade a 6.0 to PVA to upgrade a bench player?

    Any other suggestions appreciated

    1. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Probably A. Would change pickford and walcott personally though too

      1. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers

  11. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A'noon. does anybody have a spreadsheet showing all each gk/def/mid/fwd sorted by price so you can do any easy comparison for best value pick per price point?

    Ta !

  12. Riders of Yohan
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Def: Mendy, Robertson, _____ , Wan Bis, Pielter
    Med: Salah, Mahrez, ______ , Richarlison, Stephens

    a defender and a midfielder for 13 mil, feedback would help massively

    1. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Jota and Shaw. £11.5 mil with £1.5 mil to upgrade or keep.

    2. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Azpilicueta and Walcott would fit

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Already have richarlison though

    3. FPL Laurenzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I went with Miki and Coleman which leaves 0.5 to upgrade a keeper

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

        Miki a rotation risk though

  13. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Worried by the amount of mahrez picks on here, he is nowhere near nailed

    1. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Should be for the first two games

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

      You should be glad about the amount of Mahrez picks then 😉

    3. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Will play the first 2 games and he’s the most exciting City asset imo

  14. Champione
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Aubameyang worth 11.0 when almost playing as a LW? Proved himself to be worth it second part of last season though. Considering to monitor him and Arsenal for the first two games before jumping on potential Arsenal bandwagons before their nice run of fixtures. Thoughts? Could even Lacazette be better value at 9.5?

  15. FPL Laurenzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any good reasons to consider Sturridge for first week or two (or longer)? He's performing well in pre-season and so far, is healthy. 6.0 option.

    1. Raikan007
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      NO! He will be injured before GW1

  16. Raikan007
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    David Silva or Sane (banked to start?)

    1. FPL Laurenzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Silva for me. Which means Sane will cement a season long starting position and lead the team in goals and BPS

      1. Raikan007
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        so you are saying the opposite of what you do works out usually?
        Hard with City in midfield... not sure who they going to start, so many options! even with KDB not being considered for GW1

        1. FPL Laurenzo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Same thoughts on city. I'm currently on Salah, Miki, Sanchez and Richarlson in midfield and will am planning to bring in one of Debruyne, Silva or Sane once I see how City lines up - going to give it 2 weeks at least. If Sanchez and Salah produce as hoped, then my plan goes out the window.

  17. Ymyol
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Finally bitten the bullet and put Salah in - at the expense of Aguero :'(.

    New team:

    Fabianski,

    Bailly, Lovren, W-B, Cedric

    Salah, Sanchez, William, Martial,

    Aubameyang, Firmino.

    Bench: Wilshere + fodder.

    If Martial goes then I reckon I'll swap him out for Richarlison and put Kolasinac in for Peltier. Scary no longer having any City players (wanted Mahrez and Aguero)

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Am thinking of doing the same after reading that article... =o/

  18. Otis Kay
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Swaying away from Man city attacking midfielders due to rotation. Silly idea?

    Sterling - Mahrez - Sane - Silva - B.Silva ... 5 potential starters

  19. Raikan007
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    No love for Ozil (2.6%)

  20. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Where to enter the discount code for the ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’ book?

  21. Leeroy357
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Went to enter discount code at Waterstones and says promotion has ended! Article only been out a day