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. Ynwalfc
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Etheridge
    TAA,VVD,Luiz
    Pogba(C),Salah,Sterling,Jota
    Kane(VC),Jiminez,Barnes

    Subs Guaita,Kolasinac,Westwood,Bednarek

    GTG? Thanks guys

  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Own pogba, switch to hazard this gw or next gw?
    Will have pogba for gw32 vy FH

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No not before he plays saints at home. Personal preference but my gut is saying stay away from the Chelsea game.

      If you get Salah I hope I'm wrong (I usually am).

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Apologies if you hazard

      2. Not again Shirley
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes that was my thinking. If Fulham did not have a new manager than Higuaín good shout but Parker could rouse the troops.

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

      I would keep Pogs especially if you have money wrapped up in him

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This, snapped him up at 7.9 will want for the doubles

    3. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all

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

    Pondering my transfers this week

    Guiata (Etheridge)
    Kola/Robbo/Bennett (Digne/AWB)
    Salah/Son/Pogba/Anderson (Hayden)
    Aguero/Rashford/Mitrovic

    With a view to getting as many players in BGW31 as possible, I’m pondering the following

    1) Low risk - Etheridge to Fabianski to him at home to Newcastle
    2) More risk- 4 point hit for Son and Rashford to Maddison and Higuaín

    Not thinking there’ll be much Son returns this week but with Rashford with a favourable fixture at home, as long as he plays, maybe I should hold off the hit; however Higuaín at home to Fulham is very tempting indeed....

    Any thoughts?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Personally thing Rashford will be rested ahead of the PSG game. United have enough firepower to overcome Soton.

      Think 2 could work out well.

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

      I would hold fire with Leicester and see how they line up/perform under Rogers. Assess next week.

  4. MGD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fab
    Doherty - Shaw - TAA
    Salah - Pogba - F Anderson - Mane
    Aguero - Rash - Jimenez

    Hamer - Yedlin - AWB - Masuaku

    1FT 1,6 ITB

    I think I’m just gonna roll transfer. G2G?
    Thanks!

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      G2g pal

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

      G2g

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t you need 31 players?

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

        Haha what?

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          What strategy are you going for?

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

            Ah you meant that.

            Well 2 FT next Gw and then 1 FT + hit for 31. 10 players

            But all my players have nice fixture this Gw so might just play them all and do the transfer next gw

            1. g40steve
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              10’s good, in my ML quiet a few have spunked their FH & are playing week to week going to be driving into a brick wall in the next couple of weeks?

  5. Another Hoops
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry guys I live in a cave. Is Aguero a doubt for this week?

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

      Pep said he’s knackered so make of that what you will but Jesus is injured. Sterling could play through the middle

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Hes my captain this week so may switch to Pogba or Salah depending on the pressers

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

          I would pick Pogba over Kun this week to be safe. Eve could be tough for Pool

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

            Plus Kun is less explosive away from home

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

      depends where you stand on the Pep rotation wheel of fear

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

    Start TAA or Bennett?

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

      TAA for points at both ends

    2. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Trent. If Cardiff score it's unlikely Bennett will get you more than 2 points and recently he seems to love a card.

      If Everton score at least Trent has that attacking potential

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

      Thanks, yh I'm going TAA

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

    Played my WC so no turning back now. I’m preparing for GW32 with FH IN 31. Any thoughts, omissions, feedback appreciated:

    Allison Boruc
    Robbo Luiz Lindelöf Bennett Bednarek
    Mane Sterling Pogs Haz Romeu
    Jimi Rashy Higuain

    Pondering whether to do Haz to Pedro to enable Hig to Kun plus bench strengthening

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Are you BB in GW32? Also, I wouldn't have triple Liverpool if planning for GW32 - they've got Spurs whilst City have Fulham and Cardiff. Get triple City

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Very much this.

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

          Thanks both. I want to BB IN 32 but I’m very much aware of the quality of my bench so if it stays the same TC will be a better option. That’s sound advice - downgrading Haz would enable me to triple up on City. It’s just so hard ahead of manager-less Fulham. Cheers

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

    Thoughts on Son and Felipe to Sterling and Antonio for a hit?

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

      the last four words of your sentence should give you a clue 😉

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

        Why? Because hits always lead to red arrows? Even when ditching out of form players for top form ones with strong fixtures?

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

          Son is far from out of form, think he scores v Arsenal. I love a hit and am currently on 16 hits this season...but not for Antonio

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

      Try Gray/ Barnes instead of Antonio

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

      Cheers all

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

    Captain Sterling or pogba? Start Etheridge or Guaita?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m leaning towards Sterling.

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

        Same. And Guaita

  10. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best of these keepers to navigate the blanks to GW33?

    a) Schmeichel
    b) Fabianski
    c) Dubravka
    d) Heaton

  11. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fab
    Robbo • TAA • Doherty
    Salah • Sterling(c) • Hazard • Pogba • Jota
    Rondón • Jimènez

    (Button / Periera / AWB / Kamara)
    1ft & 2.3m

    Saving FT and planning to sell Jimènez & Jota next week.

    Bench & Captain looks ok?

    Appreciate your thoughts! 🙂

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

      Definitely save
      Good team

  12. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Points Predictions?
    Sterling
    Hazard
    Pogba
    Mané

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

      21
      17
      14
      3

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

        I hope so. This is my exact midfield!

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

        On a wildcard, so a midfield of Sterling, Hazard, Pogba? Then Pogba to Mané next week?

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

    Pogba or Salah captain?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba

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

      Paul

  14. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A Digne to TAA
    B Son to Hazard/Mane
    C Save

    2.2m ITB

    A Son - > Hazard/Mane
    B Deeney - > Barnes
    C Save FT

    Patricio Fabianski
    Robbo Doherty Digne Pereira AWB
    Salah Sterling Son Pogba Felipe
    Jiminez Rondon Deeney

  15. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Guys, Not sure which changes to make please help! £1.9M ITB 1FT.

    Patricio(Hamer)
    Robertson, Kola, Bennett (Digne, AWB)
    Pogba, Son, Salah, Anderson (Hojberg)
    Rondon, Aguero, Jimenez..

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son to Hazard affordable?

  16. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, any good ideas? 🙂
    Plan is to FH32, wildcard is used.

    2 frees & 2.3 bank:

    Patricio Guaita
    Robertson Kola Doherty AWB Bednarek
    Salah Mane Son Pogba Puncheon
    Auba Jimmy Barnes

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’d be looking to get City and Leicester attackers.

      Probably offload Auba & Son.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Don't you mean Chelsea and Lei? City blank gw31

  17. kempc23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Auba to Vardy worth a -4?

    Vardy has Wat, FUL, Bur
    Auba has Tot, UTD

    I will be wildcarding in gw32, free hit already used

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

      I wouldn’t for a hit unless you’re going to do it for a hit before 31 regardless

      1. kempc23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I want to do it for gw31, and wont have a spare transfer before then. So it is a -2 really.... but true, Auba could outscore Vardy anyway

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I trust Auba way more than Vardy, but might have to do the same

  18. BIGREDDOG
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go here?

    Allison
    Robertson Doherty Bennett
    Salah Sterling Maddison Pogba (c)
    Higuain Rondon Jimenez

    0ft. 1.8itb

    1. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hola AWB Romeu bench

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Kola*

  19. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    From next GW which move looks better do we reckon? FH 32.

    1. Doherty + Son-> Luiz + Maddison (8.1m).
    2. Son + Rashford -> Mane + King (6.6m)

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1

    2. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rash def out? If so B

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just Son to Mane?

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

    Anyone taking a punt on Pedro for the next GWs...cheap, looked good last match, good fixtures, Chelsea play 31/33 and may have a nice DGW32

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope.

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

      I’m considering downgrading Haz to Pedro this week on a WC to enable upgrades elsewhere. I’m just a tad worried about rotation with Willian and to a lesser extent Hudson-Odoi.

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Been burned by the Willian/Pedro rotation too many times in the past

    4. Father Romeo Sensini
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Did Richa to Pedro to gain 0.3 to spend elsewhere. And it's Fulham....

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

    Please suggst

    Son+auba>vardy+haz or Higuan+mane

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

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      HM

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

      though one, Mane has the best form, so Higuain+Mane

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      HM

  22. Deece
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Preparing for GW31 which is better move this week:

    A) Lloris -> Fab
    B) Son -> Haz

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      A

    3. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    Vardy or Higuain?

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

      Hig for me. Fulham are dreadful

  24. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alisson
    Robertson Pereira Doherty
    Salah Pogba Son Anderson
    Aguero Rashford Barnes

    Boruc Hayden Bennett AWB

    Any of these worth it this week? Looking at getting them all before gw31
    A) Rashford -> Higuain
    B) Rashford -> Vardy
    C) Son -> Hazard
    D) Save

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

  25. balint84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Richarlison to Willian or roll over a ft?

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Roll it or Richarlison to Maddison/Barnes?

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's Pedro's place to lose after last game

      1. balint84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Willian & Pedro rotate so it's W's time to start

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It's not that simple I'm afraid. Anyway why do you want a player starting every other game if you think it is

  26. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you take a hit to upgrade son to sterling?

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah and slap that (c) on Sterling

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

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

      I would not.

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

    Do any of these make sense? 2FTs. Going out of my mind trying to spend one of them

    a) Son/Anderson > Hazard/Brooks
    b) Son/Anderson > Sterling/4.7
    c) Anderson > Maddison
    d) Digne/JWP > Barnes/Rice

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can you afford H.Barnes in A?

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

        Nope 0.2 short

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

      if youre not stuck for a captain this week, I like C and saving a FT

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

        have Aguero, Salah, Pogba, definitely not stuck for a captain.

  28. Professor Abel X
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Tough call for captain this week. It’s between Hazard & Aguero for me, both with their risks. What do you think?

    1. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero safer bet with form imo. Pogba also good option

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Kun has played a lot recently

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard

    3. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard for me - nailed on and playing a garbage FUL side.

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

      Aguero for me, even if I get Haz, I'm not comfortable with captaining him

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

      Everyone seems a risk atm. I'm on Sterling currently.
      Also considering Aguero & Pogba.
      I think Hazard's a good shout also.

      1. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling is the standout option I think, if I had him I’d definitely go him if that helps you...

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

          Yes, thanks. ML rivals will probably stick with Aguero so could be a differential for me.

  29. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here? Rondón/Barnes don’t really excite me (especially Barnes with liv next week) and Higuain’s stats aren’t great. Planning to FH32 & WC34.

    A) Save FT
    B) Ings -> Rondón/Barnes
    C) Auba -> Higuain

    Fabs
    Doherty, TAA, Holebas, Pereira
    Salah(c) Mane, Siggy, FAnderson
    Auba, Vardy

    Steele, Kolasinac, Camarasa, Ings
    Bank 0.5m, 1FT

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

    So Son is out of form after just the two blanks, four different poster have suggested this today, do people on here even follow football?

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

      what if he is out of form tho 😉

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

        wouldnt be confident selling before Arsenal but it is possible that he will continue to blank but I doubt it haha

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He was poor in the last 2 games though

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

        I guess thats fair but I think its more Spurs as a team were well below par

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

      For those who FH in GW32, I think he can be transferred out with ARS, sou and no match in 31.

      Stats fin last 2 matches:
      No goals
      No assits
      2 shots
      0 shots on target