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. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play one
    A) Alonso
    B) Jota
    C) Bennet

    Cap one
    1) Pogba
    2) Salah
    3) Kun

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

      A1

      1. nevins84
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Sharon...

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't bench a or b
      1)

    3. 4zim
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B + 2

    4. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A3

    5. bel24
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Have none - C
      Have all - I’m going 3

    6. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A3

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

    Looking for advice

    3mil itb. 2 FT. All chips available.

    Schmeicel / Hamer
    Doherty Robertson Pereira Digne AWB
    Son Salah Pogba Fraser March
    Jimenez Barnes Auba

    Thinking of Son + Digne --> Sterling + TAA; FH for GW 31 as I have a lot of players who will double in 32. Appreciate any thoughts.

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

    Fellas, which one?

    A) Auba to Vardy
    B) Auba to Higuain
    C) Auba, Son to Vardy, Hazard -4
    D) Auba, Son to Higuain, Mane -4

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A or B

      Probably B and get Vardy next week

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

        Cheers

  4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What do we think fellas??
    A- Aubameyang out -4 if so for who?
    B- Keep

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

      Are you crazy!? B

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Haha B was what I was thinking just getting a second opinion haha

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

          🙂

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

    Pogba/Son/Jota to Mane/Hazard/HBarnes for a -8??
    (Would bring in 3 more blank GW31 players. I'm freehitting GW32).

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Seriously?

      No way should you lose Pogba this week. Just do 1 FT and roll one. Can you do any of those moves in 1FT?

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

        I can do Son to Mane/Sterling/Haz in 1FT.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          If you have Salah, don’t do Mané. Sterling if you’ll cap him this week or Haz if you fancy him vs FUL as he also plays in GW31

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

            Thanks Don, might do Haz for a differential. But Sterling is worrying me lol, especially if he goes falafel 9.

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Yeh you can’t beat that falafel

              I wish I had Haz this week. I think he’ll perform vs FUL but I don’t wanna take a hit this week. Want 2FT for next

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

    A) Auba > Vardy
    B) Son > Mané
    C) Son > Hazard
    D) Son > Sterling
    E) Auba, Son > Vardy, Mané/Hazard/Sterling (-4)

    1 FT - 3.4 ITB - All chips

    Etheridge - Hamer
    Robertson - Luiz - Doherty - Pereira - W.Bissaka
    Salah - Son - Pogba - F.Anderson - Stephens
    Auba - Rondón - Jiménez

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

      D

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

    Richarlison to Pedro?

    Or Maddison?

    Got no other Chelsea.

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

      Maddison

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

        Pedro gametime?

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

          Basically

  8. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone looking to use your TC in a single game week? If so, what looks appealing?

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

      Sterling this week

    2. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Salah in31

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

    How essential is Sterling for the next two? Worth Son out and a hit?

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

      I’m thinking about doing exactly that.

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

    Any reason I shouldn't do this tonight??

    Son➡️Mane(have Salah)
    Auba➡️Higuain - 4

    All chips intact.

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

      Nope

    2. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Both a bit risky may pay off

  11. Frank Koscielny
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Really need some advice on what to do with my 2 FT

    Fab/Speroni
    TAA/Robbo/Pereira/Wanbiss/Peltier
    Salah/Haz/Pogba/Maddison/Maitland-Niles
    Aguero/Rashford/Kamara

    Do I deal with Haz lack of form and go 3-5-2? Do I switch to 3-4-3? Or do I replace Wanbiss with a premium def? 1.1 ITB

    Cheers!!

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah ditch Wan Biss

  12. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A) AWB to Schar
    Or
    B) Kola to TAA? (Have Robbo)

    Thanks

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

      has there been any indication how long AWB is out for? I have had him since the season began so am happy to hold if he is back soon.

      Anywho, either way, I would go with B myself out of those moves, Kola won't be a great option for a few weeks now.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Etherudge > Ederson

    or

    Aubameyang > Higuain

    For free, or both for -4?

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

      I am considering Auba to Higuaín myself and would pick that move over the GK swap. I had Ederson earlier in the year and it was too frustrating watching a 5.6m GK return 2 points over and over again.

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

    Which option would you go with please?

    1. Auba to Higuaín
    2. Auba/Jota to Barnes/Hazard
    3. Hold Auba, save a FT and play him vs Spurs
    4. Hold Auba, save a FT and bench him (i.e play Rondon instead)

    Current Team - 1FT and nada in the bank

    Guaita
    Robbo, Jonny, Pereira
    Salah, Mane, Sterling(c), Pogba, Jota
    Auba, Jimenez

    Bench: Etheridge, Rondon, Bednarek, AWB

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      None of the above.

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

        any suggestions then?

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Well I fancied Vardy myself

  15. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    my new look team, 1-0 Fulham incoming 😀 bench order right yeah?

    Guaita
    Luiz Doherty Holebas
    Haz Sterling (c) Pogba Son
    Hig Rashford Jimenez
    (Jota Pereira Kola)

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

      is this a WC?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        nah, took a -8 though, it's getting desperate

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

          that's OK, I am not against hits myself. Looks good to me mate, good luck.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            thanks mate, you too

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

    Out: Salah & Son
    In: Sterling & Hazard

    2 FTs....crazy?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not crazy. Risky.

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I considered this for a -4 but opted against it!

      Id deffo do it for 2ft!!

  17. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thanks for help earlier...narrowed down to, 2 FT, Auba & Sané —>

    A) Aguero & Anderson
    B) Sterling & Vardy (NB: I have Maddison already)

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like Jesus might be back in training so...

  18. Fingerspitzengefühl
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba to Vardy and Son to Haz? Would be for free with my 2 FT's

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

      That’s what I’m doing

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Good

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

      Cheers!

  19. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Trent plays all 3 of Burnley, Bayern, Fulham in one week?

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

      Hopefully. He's young and fit. Surely he does.

  20. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Evening. What time are the price changes?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Feck it. I’m doing Auba to Vardy.

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

      110 minutes to go.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Right. Cheers mate. You’d think I hadn’t played before but just forgot and haven’t really payed attention to prices this season. Did it already though. No point in dragging it out since my mind was set. I was intent on Higuain for days but his performance left me wanting. Decided otherwise. We’ll see how it goes. Hope all is well!

        1. Mingo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I've wanted to punt on Higuian but there's nothing in the stats or eye test that says he's viable yet. We are going off fixtures and poor team form.
          Joe was right with what he said on the scoutcast. You know what you get with Vardy, 5-6 points every time. A goal with no BAPs and usually a yellow.

          1. sminkypinky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Hah! True. I’d be happy to grind out 5-6 from him every week.

      2. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        P.S. Still in last man standing 😎

    3. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone with Luiz rather than change the striker. I need one more week to assess Vardy vs Higuin. Plus is Arnie starts that could be another option.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        A decent option too. Good luck.

        1. Mingo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I'm going to want him at some point so I may as well do it this week. It also gives me more time to mull over Mane vs TAA. Good luck to you too pal.

  21. A.T
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Martial expected to be fit do you know?

  22. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So we have 5 games 31, how many do we think are in 33?

    Shows 9 at present only Man U vs Wolves missing, which others are not likely?

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

      just look at the FA cup matchups. all the winners will blank in GW33.

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

        as will whoever they are meant to play in GW33 I should have said too

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

      Whoever wins Watford vs Palace cup game fixture will blank

  23. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Chasing in ML

    any important changes to make here?

    fab
    doherty pereira kolasinac
    salah son de bruyne pogba almiron
    aguero rondon

    hart pereira llorente awb

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

  24. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Worth losing Sané for Sterling for a hit?! =o/

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe Yes. I wouldnt though

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Probably yes.. Go with your hut

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

        Pizza Hut?

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

    Thoughts this week? 2FT 2.3 ITB
    Laporte to VVD?

    Patricio I Button
    Robertson I Digne I Doherty I Pereira I *Laporte
    Salah| Pogba | Son I Felipe I Hojberg I
    Rashford I Jiminez I Barnes

    Cheers

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Decent shout I reckon

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

      I'd favour TAA over VVD personally. way more attacking and cheaper, and with the extra funds you can make sure you have decent bench options for any GW's TAA gets a rest.

  26. vityovics
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi gents, what to do with 2FT?

    A) Auba-Son to Vardy-Hazard(C)
    B) Auba-Son to Arnie-Sterling(C)
    C) Auba-Digne to Higuain-TAA

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      There is an other one
      D) Auba-Fanderson to Arnie-Haz(C)

  27. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So annoying to have Anderson now. Kind of want to get rid but how can you with those fixtures?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I was thinking of bringing him in! Def keep!

    2. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Aren't these fixtures what you got him in for in the first place?

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

        Has to be fixtures as form and stats terrible since 19

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

      that is the BGW trap every year. Out of form player, good fixtures and plays in the blank which makes it reasonable to hold onto them. Those players in my team always blank week after week haha.

  28. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for newbie q but when do we find out about extent of GW32 doubles?

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

      After FA Cup (GW31)

    2. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      After 31 deadline.

  29. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which option is better:
    A: Luiz for Laporte (Bench perreira)
    B: Hazard for Son (play Perreira)

    Thx

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

    A) Sterling + Vardy
    OR
    B) Mane + Higuain