Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 286 – Hopeful

Recorded during the last few minutes of Gameweek 28’s fixtures, the Scoutcast crew cling to the hope of huge points hauls right to the final whistle. 

For Az and Joe, though, the evening proved particularly frustrating as they are left to settle for a mere dribble of 11th-hour returns from the likes of Paul Pogba.

At least one of the crew saw their hope rewarded. Special guest Adam Hopcroft, who was filling in for the red-flagged podcast pair of David and Luke, ended the night on 62 points to set him on course for his sixth top 10,000 overall finish. 

Amid the excitement of a Gameweek finale, the crew also find time to mull over the key players, teams and talking points of the week.

Chelsea’s strong fixture run comes under scrutiny, as does the potential of a Leicester side under new management following the appointment of former Celtic and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. 

Chip strategy is also revisited with recent injuries to key players and the strong form of Newcastle presenting further challenges and opportunities as Fantasy mangers navigate the upcoming blank and double Gameweeks.

Gameweek 29 is then looked at in detail, with clean sheet and differential prospects put under the microscope. 

Proceedings take an unusual turn when Monty Python’s Life of Brian and He-Man earn mentions.

The crew finish the show by revealing  their transfer and captaincy plans. As the old football cliché goes “they can take the despair, it’s the hope that kills them”.

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Wednesday 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

2,335 Comments Post a Comment
  1. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Richarlison and Son to Hayden and Hazard for free? (Hayden would be on the pitch every week)

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hayden on pitch every week more likely to score than Richlolison

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        This is a good point you make, Kiwi.

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. Maybe even Longstaff.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, mate. Had not considered him tbh.

        1. YEAH PITCH!
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          No worries. To be fair, I'm not sure who I'd pick between the two. I think most would say Hayden. Longstaff looks good though.

          1. waldo666
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Would probably go Hayden myself as that 0.1 could come in handy.

  2. pressdpm
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    2FT's 1.9 spare
    Thinking Son/Rashford > Hazard/Barnes
    Sound good?

    Fabianski
    Bennett - Robertson - Kolasinac
    Salah - Son - F.Anderson - Pogba
    Rashford - Jiminez - Aguero

    Speroni - Digne - Wan Bissake - Biling

    1. pressdpm
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Alternatively...

      Biling/Rashford > Hayden/Higuain

  3. V-2 Schneiderlin
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    who scores more Rashford (SOU) or Auba (tot)?

    1. pressdpm
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford, if he plays. I'm worried they might try and play Lukaku back into form now he's scoring.

      1. V-2 Schneiderlin
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        yup me too - I think Rashford will get a run out to keep fitness up but may start on the bench

        1. tokara
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          or Kaku Sanchez Rashford upfront

          433

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford

    4. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford.
      Even if he starts out wide I think he'll outscore Auba.

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

      rash even accounting for (very) small chance he doesnt start

  4. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba > Vardy?

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

    Been a while since I owned these two guys

    Sterling(c) + Vardy IN.

    Steadied the ship after 6 straight red arrows. Going maverick from here on in.

    Goodnite.

    1. pressdpm
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Who's out?

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

        Son and Auba.

        I think Son is burnt-out and iv been trying to get rid of Auba for weeks.

        Feel good about the moves tbf.

        1. pressdpm
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Sterling in particular is a great one to own this week. Looks certain to start and could run riot. Wish I had him.

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      These are the moves I’m planning - but just to warn you, I’ve had a terrible few weeks!

    3. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I did those exact moves.

      Son & Fimino > Sterling & Vardy

      Incoming blanks.

  6. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which 2 players do I drop to bench folks?

    (a) Almiron (whu)
    (b) Rondon (whu)
    (c) Jota (CAR)
    (d) Pereira (wat)

    Thanks in advance

    1. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A and D.

  7. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    who is everyone’s most disappointing FPL prospect from the beginning of the season?

    for me, Richarlison

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      😆

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

      Jota. Selling nxt wk for Hayden.

      No need for a 6m midfielder from here on in.

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

      Salahless not being more challanging 😉

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      11th top scoring midfielder and he was only 6.5 - admittedly terrible recently, but nowhere near the worst of the whole season

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Brilliant start then fell off a cliff exactly around same time as last season. Everton play better without him but his daddy is manager

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

      Auba for sure !!
      Sane too 😀

    6. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Pascal Groß had great potential after least season.

      Stuggled with fitness and form massively.

    7. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      This is not for the worst, more the most disappointing...

      Richarlison started so well but recently well more than recent he’s been so disappointing

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

    Guaita speroni
    Robbo TAA Doherty Bedna AWB**
    Salah Sterling son Fraser Hjobjberg
    Kun Jimmy Rondon

    1ft 1.5ITB

    A) Hjobjberg to Hayden
    B) guaita to fabianski
    C) Fraser to Siggy

  9. UKG
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Looking to bring in a Leicester mid. Which one?

    Maddison
    Tielemans
    H.Barnes

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      a of cos

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Maddison

    3. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Maddison.

    4. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Maddison for assists, Barnes for goals - although less of them.

      I would rule out Tielmans.

      Demarei Gray might be the right balance of goals and assists.

  10. pressdpm
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any F.Anderson owners keeping the faith?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      *F.Aith

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      His non-existent form and stats when most bought 2 weeks ago has almost got worse 😮

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        No ambition for WH atm.
        Out of Cup + Won't get relegated + EL place looks away from reach as not consistent enough

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No point selling a gw31 player now unless free hitting

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not even Richarlison?

    4. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I am...but he was curiously playing not forward enough for my liking when I watched him last

  11. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Chip strategy undecided, already will take a hit this gw and maybe the next one too, so should i:

    A) Sterling vardy in gw29, jimenez jwp or jwp only out in gw30, FH in gw31
    B) get haz vardy gw29, jimenez jwp to fraser/anderson king in gw30, get mane & clyne or mane only in gw31 (save FH for later, have 8-9 players in gw31)

  12. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is FFS cup 2 round 1 declared ??

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Article needed.

  13. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Need a Hazard enabler, so best mid that plays 31 and 33 for max 4.8 please guys?

    1. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      McNeil

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Slim pickings, I'd probably go with McNeil despite being subbed at HT last game

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Was thinking Cork but McNeil maybe a better shout as has those two assists in last three. Any idea why he was subbed?

          1. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers for this.

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in exactly this boat and looking at Hayden from Newcastle albeit his GW33 not yet confirmed.

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Like the look of Hayden. What does Newcastle playing 33 depend on?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Watford beating Palace in cup

          1. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Hard to call.

            1. waldo666
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              'Tis indeed, thinking I need to take some risks anyway.

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Saw some Toon fans saying that Hayden is far from safe now they have all mids fit

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I've been saying that for weeks. Rafa not going to break a winning formula though. Wish they weren't all injured as apparently was good chance he would've come on loan to Villa in January otherwise

    4. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      cant u push to brooks at 5.0?

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nope 0.2 short. Brooks hasn't been starting anyway.

        1. Jayv807
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          He was injured

        2. Sterling Malory
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Been injured.

          Will be a great asset in a week or so.

      2. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not too early for Brooks? Might get eased back in from the bench?

  14. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Start Rondon or Anderson? Thinking Anderson for home advantage although Rondon has form

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Anderson

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        8 shots 1 on target last 8 games now

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

      I'd start Rondon

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Go with form imo.

    4. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      rondon

    5. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ron

    6. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all

  15. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts?
    Pat
    Doherty PVA TAA
    Salah Pogba HBarnes Sane
    Barnes Kun Laca

    1ft 0.1itb
    Fab Gibbs Kiko Bednarek

    a)Laca->Higuain
    b)Sane->Mane
    c)save

    1. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      save

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

      b

    3. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B.

    4. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      thanks all

  16. acidicleo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more? Predict points if possible.

    A) Sterling - bou & WAT - 4
    B) Hazard - ful & WOL

    Cheers..

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

    Anyone esle thinking west ham defensive double up for BGW?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      In hindsight I regret getting one Wham defender for BGW

    2. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe not a double up.
      I'd be looking to bring one in though and that is likely to be Fabianski.

  18. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Absolutely gutted. Was all set to do Son & Auba > Sterling & Vardy only to realise i am 0.1m short. Which one people? FH in 32.

    Fab
    Robbo - Pereira - Bennett
    Mane - Pogba - Salah - Son
    Jimenez - Auba - Rashford

    (Speroni) - Digne - Punch - AWB

    A) AWB > 4.1m (-4 to fund Son + Auba > Sterling + Vardy)
    B) Son + Auba > Haz + Vardy (no city)
    C) Auba > Vardy (Save FT)
    D) Anything else

    1. pressdpm
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Would you not be worried about having no city for next two games?

        1. pressdpm
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          It's not so much City, as just Sterling. I don't think I'd want any others of theres right now, too much uncertainty, and I say that as an Aguero owner.

          1. Bobby_Baggio
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I can get sterling and Vardy but means I take a -4 to get someone like Bednarek

            1. pressdpm
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Yeah saw that. Couldn't you downgrade Auba to someone like Barnes and just do the Sterling move for free?

              1. Bobby_Baggio
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                Yep just preferred Vardy to Barnes. I just want my cake

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

          i wouldnt

  19. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Pereira to TAA make sense? Ta

    Fabianski
    Robertson Pereira Doherty
    Salah Sterling Pogba Anderson
    Aguero Rashford Jimenez

    (Button Camarasa Schindler AWB)
    £0.3m itb

    1. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It depends how you plan to use your chips. I don't think Pereira is a bad option at the moment.

    2. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No. Keep Pereira for BGW.

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      nah

  20. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Help here plz

    A) -4 Sterling vardy in gw29, jimenez jwp or jwp only out in gw30, FH in gw31

    B) -4 haz vardy gw29, jimenez jwp to fraser/anderson king in gw30, get mane & clyne or mane only in gw31 (save FH for later, have 8-9 players in gw31)

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  21. CliveTilds
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba > Higuain now or wait for pressers?

  22. Viper
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is it pointless going Sterling over Hazard if I'm trying to build towards a team for gwk 31?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I reckon so.

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

      yeh

    3. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      same dilemma here..
      It is down to scores more?
      Sterling - bou & WAT - 4
      Hazard - ful & WOL

      Haz looked knackered mid week and was hooked at 59 mins.
      Will he be rested before europa league match?

    4. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm building towards a 31 team and I just went Sterling over Hazard.

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        This

  23. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi, anyone will C Higuain this gw?
    Cheers 🙂

    1. pressdpm
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      How has he looked?

  24. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hmmm, exact change for this....

    Richarlison, Son and Bamba to Hayden, Hazard and TAA -4

    Thoughts?

  25. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Ok. Gonna pull the trigger. 2FT's.

    A Rich to Maddison
    B Rich to McNeil(enabler) and Son to Haz(c)

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Stupid question. Gotta be B.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Na not stupid, sometimes until you actually put it in writing it doesn't become so clear. B looks good and I hadn't actually considered McNeil and could be maybe a safer pick than Hayden?

        1. Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah and Burnleys 31 and 33 games are not bad. Burnley's 31 at home, Newcastle's away.

  26. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Help needed in here

    A) -4 Sterling vardy in gw29,
    jimenez jwp or jwp only out in gw30
    FH in gw31

    B) -4 haz vardy gw29,
    -4 jimenez jwp to fraser/anderson king in gw30
    -4 Son awb to clyne mane
    (save FH for later, have 8-9 players in gw31)

  27. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So... I've just gone complete maverick after being sensible for the majority of this season.

    Aub, Son, Pogba. OUT.
    Sterling (C), Hazard, Vardy IN.

    1. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      For an 8 pt hit i should add

    2. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I did Firmino & Son > Vardy & Sterling.
      I don't know if I would have dropped Pogba though.
      It's the business end of the season, time for maverick moves if you're playing catch up.

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It looks good until you see Pogba out

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Just got to get through this fixture and with PSG Tue and their depleted squad I'm not too worried. I decided I don't care that I have to pay 0.5 more to bring him back in for the FH.

    4. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      love to sell pogba (100pts in 10games) for a hit before he plays southampton

  28. wildnothing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How does this look?

    Dubravka 4.0
    Doherty Kolasinac Robertson TAA Pereira
    Sterling Hazard Pogba Mané Barnes
    Higuain Vardy Jimenez

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      WC?

      1. wildnothing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Imaginary WC

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Was going to say impossible without massive TV but you have massive TV

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Think Id try to fit Luiz in instead of Higgy

  29. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance Richarlison can hold off one more day? Could really use the extra thinking time!

  30. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba & Pereyra to Zaha & Sterling worth a hit tonight? (Planning FH in GW31)

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      How many will you have for 33?