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. cuppatea78
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking of selling Salah and bringing Mane in.

    What do you reckon?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one, salah will no doubt haul as soon as you sell

    2. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Dont like the look of that, seems a luxury transfer

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        even that is generous

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have both now

    4. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      if I was dumping Salah it would only be for either Hazard or Sterling

    5. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He played really well against Warford and had allot of the ball. He was very unlucky not to score

    6. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve done that switch

  2. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Just noticed last years fpl winner yusuf sheik captained trent

    1. EMERGING STAR
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can you share the link

  3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So lads, what do I do here, no City coverage. Was thinking maybe Kola+Son—>Taa+Sterling 1FT, 2.8 ITB. Cheers!

    Rui,Fab
    Kolasinac,Robbo,Shaw,Bennett,WB*
    Salah,Son,Pogba,Fanderson,Billing
    Auba,Rondon,Jimenez

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      would do that yes

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      son has 2 better fixtures than auba

      now:
      auba > hig/vardy
      kola > luiz/pereira
      then
      gw30: awb > taa
      gw31: son > haz

  4. Mauricios Cappuccino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Rich > Brooks (instead of the likes Maddison)

    On the bench last game after coming back from injury but you'd think he would start most games?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      depends who he enables. madds better player

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      if fit yes...I'm always a bit worried about a setback or new injury with these players, or maybe they will be eased in very slowly. Too much risk imo

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

    Auba, Son to Hazard, Higuain or mix up with City players?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      rather have City yes

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A city player would be ideal, depends how many you can field for the blanks though

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      the former

  6. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son > Mane for free???

    1. DaniCT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      100% yes

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

    Dianganna - Maddison? FT

    Would mean benching Rondon?

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

      Benching Rondon hardly a bad thing

  8. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lots jumping on the Hazard train..

    But didn't he get chucked off at 59' against Spurs?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I imagine because he had just played 120mins

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      makes him more appealing for me, a fresh Hazard v that awful defence!

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah. This happens all the time.

      I get why people wanna. I’m gonna try avoid once again. Waste of budget

  9. DaniCT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Digne, Salah and Son to TAA , Mane and Sterling ? for -8.

    1. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      my eyes!

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Go for it, its -8 week on here 🙂

    4. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just Digne to TAA

  10. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son+auba
    To vardy+haz or
    Higuan+mane

    Have 19.8 to spend on a mid+striker(-4)

  11. FPLAdmiral
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here chaps? Sat at 72k, all chips left, 2FT and 2.5m ITB.

    Planning to build for GW31 and FH32.

    Son > Hazard and bank 1FT for Bournemouth / Leicester players?

    Fabianski
    Robertson, Doherty, Perreira
    Salah, Pogba, F.Anderson, *Son
    Aguero, Rashford, Jimenez

    (Button)(TAA, *Camarasa, *AWB)

  12. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Not one of my players playing against another this weekend, I like it, know exactly which team to shout for in each game which is unusual!

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      hehe same here 🙂

  13. Tree House
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who's more nailed on to start GW31?

    A) McNeil
    B) Hayden

    Thanks

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

      this is bringing scraping the bottom of the barrel to another level 😉

      1. Tree House
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        only needed for a couple of points in 31 otherwise will be last on the bench each week of course.

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

          fair enough, Id chance McNeil, at least a chance of attacking returns and he has looked half decent.

          1. Tree House
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks

  14. NO SALAH
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Quick advice guys,

    A) Son -> Mane
    B) Son&Kamara -> Maddison&Higuain (-4)
    C) Son&Digne -> Mane&Luiz (-4)

    Which option seem better?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd give Son one more game, think he'll score v Arsenal.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This too

      2. S3
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I agree

    3. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Easily C for me

  15. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Does the sacking of ranieri make Chelsea s fixture.against Fulham more or less appealing ? Fulham are doomed anyway it's wether or not they just didn't play at all for Claudio ?

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

      No manager could shore up that awful defence tbf!

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Haha you re right 🙂

  16. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If Son and Rashford haul, I'll take the price drops with ease.

  17. bigbudgie
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How nailed is Barnes? Is there anyone else threatening his position?

    1. Tree House
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Harry? I think he keeps his place

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

      Both Barnes are nailed imo

  18. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A or B?

    A) Trent, Salah, Mane
    B) Trent, Salah, Robbo

    1. Tree House
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have B and happy with it.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So basically robbo or mane .I d go mane to be honest . One goal against them and that's a possible 2 points from two pool players

    3. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      VVD TAA Salah for me
      Difficult to change once you've had them a while

  19. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    All of you Bilva, Dilva and Fanderson ppl, how come you havent sorted out the Barnes situation yet?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking about same 😀

  20. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Do you chaps reckon Stones will come back in this week or next? I picked him up in the draft but pondering a switch to Young if he won’t play....

  21. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    in which gameweek have less match? gw 31 or gw 33?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      31

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      31

  22. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling has a great record vs Bournemouth, surprised he's not top of the captains poll.

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

      and BOU shipping goals for fun without Cook and Lerma...guess managers are a little wary of City assets with the Pep effect and Pogba is being so consistent

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

      Shhhhhh

  23. ColdRainyNIght
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who is your captain for GW29?

    1) Aguero - Bournmeouth defensively are horrible, and seems to be Man City's clients and there is a very likely haul for Aguero, but Guardiola said that Sergio is exhausted. Rotation? Sterling up front?

    2) Pogba - obvious one, great form, United are on fire. But have you ever actually captained Pogba?

    3) Hazard - playing vs Fulham who are going down, defensively horrible, Hazard can haul any game massively, but is it too risky to captain Mr Troll?

    4) Duffy??? - playing at Amex, Brighton are a different team, and vs Huddersfield who dont score goals, a good opportunity for differential Duffy who has 5 goals this season

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I reckon Aguero will start if Jesus is out as they have a bit of a break for like 10 days.

      Pogba can go either way, a solid pick nonetheless.

      Hazard, never going there again.

      Duffy, nah 🙂

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Disregarded your post at Duffy

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

        Duffy scored 9 points, still disregarding my posts???

    3. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve gone with Pogba. Kun might not start. Maybe captain Kun with Pogba vice captain

  24. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth a hit?

    Llrois
    Shaw VVD Diop
    Salah Pogba(C) Son Barnes
    Arnautovic Aguero(VC) Jiménez

    Hamer Fraser Lascelles Digne

    1.5itb anything worth a hit?

    1. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cool thanks

  25. Canary_Kid
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    This week only:
    a) Mane (eve) and Aguero (bou)
    b) Sterling (bou) and Higuain (ful)

    For context, have Hazard but not Salah

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B for this week

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  26. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson
    Robertson - Doherty - Shaw
    Sane - Salah - Son - Pogba
    Aguero - Jimenez - Rashford

    Fabianski - Schlupp - Camarasa - AWB

    0.3m
    1 FT

    FH 31
    BB 32
    WC 33

    Thoughts on

    Salah/Sane > Hazard/Sterling (-4)

    Salah = eve BUR TOT
    Hazard = ful WOL car BRI

    Sterling is likely to play and is a captaincy option. Sane looks likely to sit on the bench.

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

      Both Sane and Sterling could start with Kun given a break too though

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

        Salah to Hazard for free and captain him?

        1. Demel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Even with Ranieri gone? The game is also a local derby.

      2. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        So yes to Hazard and no to Sterling for a hit?

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

          if you dont trust Hazard and fancy Sterling for the armband the hit is a no brainer imo mate, GL

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Look decent but the hit would put me off

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Keep Sane. Bring in Hazard?

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

          Sane seems to be out favour doesn’t he

          1. Demel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            That is my thoughts. I think Sterling may be a good captain option this week. Sane may be back on the bench. Sterling looks better between now and 32.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good plan & transfer's as you are playing FH 31

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I don't usually like this type of hit but it feels right.

  27. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sell son or mkhi?

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

      For this week Mkhi

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I keep Son for north london derby

  28. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son to Hazard ....

    Y or N

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

  29. sovietrockettes
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Just completed rich>hazard(C), Auba>Arnie for a -4....3rd time’s the charm coming in for Arnie this season surely

  30. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Auba?

    I could do a -4 to any forward. Got rashford and Jimi

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

      Not worth the hit unless for Vardy, huguain for 31