Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 275 – Floored

Points ceilings and floors dominate proceedings on our latest Scoutcast as Joe, Az, Luke and Neale look over the key issues facing managers ahead of Gameweek 13.

A chief concern is who to replace red-flagged Benjamin Mendy with, after the Frenchmen underwent surgery last week. The enticing points floor of clean sheet returns offered by the full-back’s Manchester City team mates, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, appeals to Luke.

Meanwhile, Joe prefers the higher ceiling offered by the likes of Everton left-back Lucas Digne, who has been posting some impressive underlying statistics lately to suggest attacking returns are on the way.

As well as defensive issues our community questions section also cover the value offered by Toffees assets across the pitch, and whether 12.4m priced Harry Kane is worth the outlay when Spurs fixtures turn.

Whether Anthony Martial’s six goals in his last five matches is a sign the Manchester United attacker is  in form, or merely overperforming, is also discussed.

We also find time to look back at the previous set of matches and ahead in detail to Gameweek 13, including the best differentials, strongest clean sheet prospects and our transfer plans.

Captaincy options are also considered, with the maverick selections of Az, Luke and Neale leaving dullard Joe stunned.

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday evening. 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 you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

It is also worth mentioning that FFScout moderator Rotation’s Alter Ego has collected this latest episode’s timestamps to help find particular sections. This can be found as the top comment in the Youtube version.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,297 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all, what's my best route out of Mendy and Barks in team below please? (1 FT, zero itb).

    A: Laporte and Fraser
    B: Laporte and Schurrle
    C: Yedlin (or best 4.6) and Martial?
    D: Something else?

    Have exact coin for A, so should probs ship Mendy out tonight.

    Hart/Button
    Mendy, Alonso, Robbo, Doherty, WB
    Haz, Salah, Rich, Barkley, Hojbjerg
    Aguero, Arnie, Jimmy

    1. jam
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go Dunk & Martial, assuming Martial is fit.

      1. jam
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Or Yedlin.

        1. Indio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks, was looking at Dunk, though was also mulling Hart > Ryan. Martial very tempting!

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I think getting a defensive option from ManCity is a priority, so A or B.
      Let's give Ranieri some time before we invest on Fulham assets. Fraser has been and still is in form.
      So I'd go A.

      1. Indio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for feedback, good points.

      2. ted mcnure
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Sound advice.

    3. Dead Lift
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't do it for a hit. Just get rid of Mendy. The rest of your team is pretty good.

  2. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Just incase mendy drops tonight?
    Mendy, H-Odoi to Dunk, Rich (-4)

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wait for press conferences. The information is much more valuable than losing £0.1m.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Idk if i can wait that long... 0.2 safe of doing it

      2. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        To learn that Dunk and Rich aren't injured? Waste of a 0.1

        1. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          True but Dunk and Rich could go up?

          1. Black Knights
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            420 is agreeing with you.

    2. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      That's 2 non players for 2 good choices as far as I can see..

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Yh, how im seeing it

  3. jam
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Play Hart & Doherty or double up on Pat/Doherty..?

    1. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Double for me with Doh/Gordon B. Fingers crossed!

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Play the wolfpack.

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Hart for me.

  4. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Why am I the only person with Sean Morrison?

    I've no idea why he isn't part of the Mendy replacement discussion. The highest xGI and penalty touches for any defender this season. Scored 7 goals last season.

    1. Geezer
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Injured?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Just be fine after his 2 weeks rest.

    2. +
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Because he's hitting 2.25 PPG?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        FPL isn't about what has happened; it's about what is around the corner. He's top for key attacking stats for defenders. Decent upcoming fixtures.

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Aren’t the key attacking stats goals and assists?

        2. ted mcnure
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Fair play. Could be a coup. GL, but not for me til it happens.

        3. +
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Somehow I reckon a penalty area touch for Sean Morrison isn't as FPL-relevant as a penalty area touch for Matt Doherty.

    3. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      You can get a poor bench def cheaper. AWB/Gordon/Balbous..

    4. shortymak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      He on my watchlist cardiff have had very tough fixtures most of their goals conceded were big 6 teams... there fixtures look good now and the two centre backs look dangerous from set plays

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      First and foremost I want my defender to get clean sheets - that means Liveroool, Chelsea & City.

      Next I want my benched defenders to be cheap, nailed with the chance of clean sheets and attacking returns - that means AWB, Balbuena, Bennett etc due to their price

      Morrison at 4.8 is too expensive for my bench purely based upon potential rather than actual returns, and no way good enough to be in my starting 3 defenders.

      Also sometimes you have to recognise that lots of goal attempts by a poor player is not going to get you FPL points ... and lots of assist potential to similarly poor players is not going to get you FPL points

      On that basis, why would anyone buy him when there are cheaper but similar defenders available from better teams with more potential for clean sheets ?

    6. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      If he keeps dropping in price you may have hit on a bargain there 😉

  5. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    How we looking, we good to go?

    Hart
    Alonso Robbo Laporte Doherty
    Salah(C) Richarlison(vc) Hazard
    Aguero Jiménez Arnie

    Hamer / Bennett / Barkley / Højbjerg

    1. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      GTG, nice team mate

    2. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Looking good. Barkley is an expensive bench player, and I wouldn't trust in Hart much though! GL

      1. FPL Mentor
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah holding Barkley 1 more week in hope he gets a start at H vs Fulham. Would have triple chelsea which is appealing. He will be gone after that though. And Hart, haha well i stuck with him this long.. might aswell ride the next 4 fixtures now.

    3. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      GTG, nice team. Similar to mine - you planning to keep Barks?

      1. FPL Mentor
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks pal. See above re: Barkley 🙂 what do you plan to do?

        1. Indio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Was thinking same, ie. keep for Fulham and then ship him out, but if I go for Fraser I have exact money itb, so price moves could force my hand. Also considering Schurrle, which gives me more wiggle-room money wise.

  6. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Just watching the latest Let's Talk FPL video.

    Andy looks like a poor man's Tom Selleck.

  7. Obez65
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bench for GW13:
    Arnie (v City,
    Fraser (v Arsenal) or
    Jimenez (v Huddersfield)?

    1. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Arnie

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Fraser is in superb form and my armband is currently on Jimenez 🙂

  8. Oscar Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Keane rising tonight. Had my heart and mind set on him but all I see is Digne, Digne, Digne and now I'm starting to doubt myself. Someone assuage me. Thanks.

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I’m about to pull trigger on Keane.

      1. Oscar Slater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        That'll do for me mate! 😀

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I’m seeing a lot of ‘Digne will put free kicks and corners on Keane’s head’, but people don’t seem to be equating that to ‘Keane will be scoring’.

        2. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          There was some analysis on here strongly suggesting Digne is the one to pick. Up to you.

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      They both play for Everton.

  9. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Mendy & Mane -- TAA & £ (-4)?

    Have exact money

  10. Eldon
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all,

    Would you do Mane -> Sterling for free?

    Cheers,

    1. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Lol see above, considering doing it for -4

    3. Obez65
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, have actually done it!

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      For sure.

    5. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

    6. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      yes

  11. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    bench two
    A. Arnie
    B Fraser
    C. Kennedy
    D. Dunk

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      cd

  12. davies
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Would you be comfortable in having to play Patricio + Doherty every week?

    1. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      For the next 2 yes, but not sure after that tbh. Currently have both myself.

  13. AW4
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Currently on WC and plan to swap salah to Kane in 3-4 weeks. 0.1m itb

    Fab (Boruc)
    Alonso Laporte Doherty Digne (AWB)
    Salah Hazard Sterling Martial (F.Anderson)
    Arnautovic Jiménez (Kamara)

    Good to go?

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

      Too much West ham .
      Don't like your front 3.

      1. AW4
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        With Salah there’s flexibility to get a premium striker, I may get rid of Anderson but want to take advantage of their fixtures + he’s in form

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

          If your going to do that I d prefer Richarlson instead of Anderson
          Spread the risk. That would be a lovely midfield for this week.

          1. AW4
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Good shout, same price too

        2. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Go 4 5 1 and leave Arnie on the bench. No point having him play laPorte. Limiting your points right away.

  14. FPLord
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Fab Hamer
    Alonso Robertson Doherty (AWB Peltier)
    Salable Hazard Richie Fraser (Barkley)
    Kun Arnie Jiminez 0.6 2FT

    A. Fraser, Barkley > Camarasa, Martial
    B. Barkley > Camarasa and roll on 1 FT

    1. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A

  15. DannyMacdonald
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Why isn't Delph in the conversation for Mendy replacements? 5.3 and nailed with 0.3% ownership

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Because the ‘nailed’ part isn’t real.

      1. DannyMacdonald
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        When Mendy is out he is

        1. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Far from it.. 3 at back, Laporte lb, Zinchenko, sane... all options

  16. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Interesting to see richarlison ahead of salah in captain poll. Guess a lot will switch to salah at last minute. Any views on who best option is of the 2??

    Thanks

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Watford more likely to perform well at back at home imo but it is salah. And it is Liverpool... Everton could and should batter cardiff but they also can be decent ar back with a good gk. Rich may also not get involved in goals but play well etc e.g. siggy long shot. Not much in it... go with gut

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Interesting is right, scary as a non-owner but confident of a RC!

  17. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    If you had Deulofeu would you keep? Just not seeing another option at that price other than possibly Kenedy or Paterson. Plan to have him first on bench this week and go 4 at back ( once I decide on Digne or Laporte for Mendy).

    Patricio
    Doherty Alonso Robertson Laporte/Digne
    Salah Hazard Richarlison
    Aguero Wilson Arnie

    Foster Deulofeu Billing AWB

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Watford have some tough fixtures coming up.I like Helder Costa.

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

        Thanks good suggestion I had not considered

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

          I have had deulofeu for 2 weeks and keeping for now ...

          Not much else in that range...brooks patterson...

          Deulofeu has capacity to be a decent option

  18. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Patricio
    Laporte, Alonso, Doherty
    Salah, Hazard, Richarlison, Murphy
    Aguero, Wilson, Arnautovic

    Button, Schindler, Højbjerg, AWB

    1FT, 1.0 ITB

    A.) Murphy > Kenedy
    B.) Wilson > Jimenez, Murphy > Fraser (-4)
    C.) Save

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      c

    2. Dead Lift
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      C

  19. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Fabs
    Mendy Robbo Alonso Doherty
    Salah Hazard Maddison
    Kun Arnie Jimenez

    Button - Duffy - Kenedy - Obiang

    Best replacements for Mendy and Maddison please? Have 13.4m.

    Obvious options are...
    A. Rich and Laporte
    B. Digne and Dilva....
    But happy to hear better options

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Been tempted by vvd today though....

    2. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A is good. No more teams - my eyes hurt! Good night and good luck

    3. Dead Lift
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A all day long!

  20. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Fab
    Alonso VVD Doherty
    Salah Haz H-odoi Fraser
    Aguero Vardy Jimenez

    (Speroni, Diagana, AWB, Mendy)

    1.1 itb and 1 FT

    A) H-Odoi, Mendy to Dunk, Rich (-4) B) Diagana, Men to Digne, Rich (-4)
    C) Save/other

    Help please :). On A atm as will most likely bench Dunk unless injuries as have Vardy in team. Will probs WC in gw16

  21. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    In my opinion if you have Laporte and Arnie this week I wouldn't play both.If you have faith in Arnie scoring them bench Laporte. He's no Mendy. If you think city will keep a clean sheet ,bench Arnie. No point in playing both.

    1. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Im going with Laporte. West Ham will have like 30 percent of possesion and very small window to score, and even then it's not guaranteed it will be arnie, just like last gameweek

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

        Yeah that makes sense.

        1. Dead Lift
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Fair points. Totally agree with both.

  22. shortymak
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    So im planning on using my wildcard in gameweek 15 or 16 how should i use my transfers upto then?

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Punt it. Bring in whoever you like per week, short term gratification only.

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

        So any point on using a ft on my keeper to my wildcard keeper

  23. Scout15
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    What would you do out of those?

    A) Fraser to Richa
    B) Fraser+Firmino to Rich+Jimenez (-4)
    C) Fraser+Firmino to Richa+Vardy (-4)

    1. Obez65
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      B

      1. Scout15
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

  24. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone thinking of switching Eddy to Fab for GW 14?

    pros
    frees up 1m-1.3m for squad - useful with the xmas fixtures approaching to strengthen bench
    Fab got good fixtures 14-21

    contras
    Eddy will probably be the top keeper end of season so argument to set and forget
    uses up 2 transfers if you have to get rid of Fab when fixtures turn in gw22

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      if you really need the money, why not, but for me with a Salahless team I feel I can just hold Ederson set and forget!

    2. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I've been thinking of this for a while. in real life Fab is a top keeper, and with save points could be as good as last year. However, I'd want another Man City player, and I can't see past the value and security of Ederson.. Once he's gone I can't see me affording him again. So, Eddy stays!

  25. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Mitrovic or Ings to Kun?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Ings

  26. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Jimenez(C) not much crazier than all ye Richarlison cappers imo 🙂

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      True

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Much better

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        feel he could do very well this week (HUD missing Lowe and Zanka most likely) and like the idea of a Sunday skipper

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I’d still go Aguero, Sterling, Salah ahead of him, but this looks like a good week for a punt. Good luck.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Don't own Salah but it's one of the City boys of Jim which I'm currently on.

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

      If you want to captain someone truly mediocre. 🙄

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        less of the rolling eyes emoji you arrogant ape 😉

  27. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Locked and loaded on a -8, need a bit of luck this weekend or a big red arrow incoming!

    Ederson
    Alonso / Robertson / Digne
    Hazard / Sterling / Mane / Fraser
    Aguero / Arnie / Jimenez(C)
    (Hamer, Jonny* Camarasa, AWB)
    0.1itb

    1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Good luck - love your team - very balanced - despite the -8.

      Take that (C) off of Jimenez immediately though 😉

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate, thats what I was going for...a more balanced team! I also had three injured players to deal with so that helped me take the -8 plunge to reshape my squad! Haha, Jim is at home to HUD who will be missing their two best defenders so not a shocking punt imo!

  28. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Which option is better:
    A:Martial and TAA for Mendy and Kennedy 2ft
    B:Robertson for Mendy

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A

  29. F4L
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Mendy to TAA tonight? Don't really want to take a drop on Mendy

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I'd prefer to get a player that looks a little more nailed on than TAA but he could still be gold, GL!

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        if he was nailed he would be in everyone's team 😛 Can take the odd benching as well. To be honest, not many players are nailed at all in the Christmas period

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, fair enough point, did consider him myself but not totally convinced by LIV atm and their fix take a turn soon.

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

      Who in your defence

  30. Bat Man
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Play 2 out of TAA, Bennett and Arnie