Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 308 – What FPL managers need to consider in the weeks ahead

What good is the rest of the season, without the cold thrill of winter fixtures to give it sweetness.

With nine Gameweeks to cram in from now to the New Year, seasonal planning is more important than ever for Fantasy Premier League managers.

It’s a mammoth challenge that the Scoutcast crew are looking forward to despite the annual cold snap that is about to descend across their teams.

In this latest episode, Joe is joined by Holly and recent Meet the Manager interviewee Tom Freeman to look ahead to the festive fixtures and consider shaking up the template, notably addressing Mason Mount’s (£6.8m) recent poor returns.

Holly is particularly well placed for the Christmas chat after penning a recent Pro Pundits article on winter fixture planning. Meanwhile, Tom’s patient approach, which includes hanging onto his first Wildcard, makes his advice invaluable at this time of year. For Joe, he recommends planning for not one, but two, winter mini-seasons over December.

Navigating Liverpool’s schedule is also looked at, especially how to contend with their great run followed by a blank fixture in Gameweek 18.

Elsewhere, the crew consider the implications of Tottenham’s sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, a story that broke just before they were due on air on Tuesday night.

Clean sheets, Gameweek 13 transfers and captain plans plus an audacious differential recommendation from Tom are also covered in this packed, hour-long, all chiller, no filler winter episode.

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

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. Meanwhile, the Soundcloud version can be found in the third player.


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264 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1FT 0ITB
    Pope (button)
    TAA Soy Lund (Rico Tomori)
    Mane KDB Son Martial (Saka)
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez

    Good to save this week?
    Who to captain?

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

      Save all day long
      Vardy or Mane IMO

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Son not an option?

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

          I see no reason to pick Son over the other two but if you got a feeling go ahead

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

        This

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

      Save and captain Vardy or TAA if you're really bored.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Interesting, my captaincy is currently on TAA but i'm not sure if its too punty

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Me too. I assume you have read this:

          https://www.reddit.com/r/FantasyPL/comments/dy8c13/the_case_for_captaining_trent_in_gw13/

          Picking the usual suspects for captain has not worked too well so why not.

    3. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Im captaining son

  2. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Jimenez and Mount to Vardy and Hayden for free?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not if it means you have to start Hayden

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No I would play in a 4-4-2 formation

        With Connolly, Hayden and Lundstram on the bench

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

      Keep Jimenez imo

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Really want to keep him but I'm scared to go without Vardy

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

      Keep Jimmy

  3. The Road to Turfdom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any update on Heaton's likely availability for this week? Much appreciated

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Smith's presser tomorrow or Friday is your best bet, doubt we'll hear anything beforehand. Not sure how reliable he is with injury news though.

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

    Hi....I'd been planning boly to robbo this week - but that is a no go now it seems with robbo injury news

    3.5mitb. Any views on best move here?

    CHO to pulisic seems obvious. But that would rule out lpool double defence further down the line.

    Pope
    Taa soy lunds (rico boly)
    Mane kdb maddison CHO (nakamba)
    Vardy jiminez abraham

    Thoughts appreciated...thanks

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Buy Pulisic imo

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

        Cheers....

    2. theguy69
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah agree get pulisic. There are other good def options

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son for CHO? Reckon Mourinho will love him and certainly a better fixture this week than Pulisic.

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

        0.3m short for son....but thanks

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

    Who is better option for long term?
    A. Tomori (442)
    B. Jimenez (343)

    Cheers 🙂

    1. SKENG
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B for me

    3. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      There's about 2.5m difference... Obviously it's B. now if you swapped tomori for a premium defender like Robbo or Pereira it's a more difficult and valid dilemma

  6. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone still with Aguero? It's his last game in my team, captain him or Vardy?

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any chance Ward to miss and Kelly to start for Palace?

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

    Salah and robbo to miss out palace?
    Wow

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah to Sterling or Mane -4?

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

      Confirmed? Source?

    3. Cube
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Is Salah really confirmed out?

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

        Nope
        Sky saying will miss out though. I'd wait for pressers

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      It doesn't seem unreasonable.

      I guess I'm definitely holding my transfer this week then. Let's see what happens after the break and pick up after that.

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who says? Is that official or just hear say?

  9. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    One week Digne punt for Robbo anyone?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If pre WC then hell yeah.

    2. theguy69
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Digne vs norwich keep

      1. theguy69
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry yeah get digne it will be good banter

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I may do the same got Mendy and 2FT no other urgent need ... will burn 1 FT for Digne possibly

  10. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    0FT 0.1 ITB

    Pope (Button)
    VVD, Lundstram, AWB (Rico, Otamendi)
    Martial, Mane(vc), KDB, Mount (Cantwell)
    Vardy(c), Firmino, Abraham

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good enough.

  11. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2 FTs and 0.0 ITB
    Kun & Yarmo to Laca & Tiely Y or N?

    Thanx.

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No. Arsenal are bad. Get a Leicester mid or punt on Son imo

      1. Azathoth
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        the only way to find cash is to sell kun....maybe to kane or jimi (my other 2 are vardy & tammy).

  12. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    My team

    Pope
    Taa lundstram soyuncu willems
    Salah kdb martial mane
    Vardy Abraham

    McGovern Guendouzi Connolly Reid

    1ft 0.2 Itb
    With Salah a massive doubt, should I do?

    A. Salah Connolly ➡️ Son Jimenez
    B. Salah Guendouzi ➡️ Maddison Richarlison
    C. Other ideas welcome
    D. Save

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B easy

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers, is it really that easy! I do like Maddison and Richarlison can be swapped after the Norwich game. For some reason though leaning towards A, could do with some more opinions.

        1. theguy69
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Think you'll get more points with B. Probably prefer maddison over son all other things considered. Richarlison you could change to pulisic, willian, martial after norwich

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just Salah down to whoever you want. Son maybe?

    3. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers all I’m really torn, a couple of days to decide though

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B. I much prefer 3-5-2.

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers I’ve just been thinking and it probably is a better source of points with more options and flexibility.
        Could do Salah Guendouzi ➡️ Maddison son

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah to Sterling or Mane -4?

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane
      Any help above please?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Liverpool haven't won a single game in the league when salah didn't feature for the last two seasons...

        sterling the obvious stats based pick

        1. KGFC
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Doesn’t mean that they won’t win any in the future.

        2. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Interesting. Still Mane.

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

      Mane

    3. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane

      1. clodhopper
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mane

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

      Hold till more news of course
      Mane is best alternative

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Either are OK. I just feel sterling and man city will run riot against an attacking Chelsea side. My prediction man city 5-2 Chelsea.

  14. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    ryan (button)
    lowton taa lund soy (kelly)
    son mane kdb (mount dendonker)
    vardy wilson tamy

    which?

    A) mount Wilson -4 to richar (one week punt, gw14 to pulisic) jimy/ings
    B) mount wilson -4 to laca 6.2 mid.
    C) roll ft

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Don't like A for 1 week punt and don't like Laca so C. Could just do the Mount to 6.2 mid from B this week.

  15. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    C Vardy or Mane?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Have both
      Currently on Vardy
      Might swap to mane though. Palace are bad at headed attempts & he's great at them

  16. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Son?

    1. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Keep an eye on. Spurs fst match under Josr

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!

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

      None atm
      Kane would be the one if forced & Son will now be a FB

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son GW16 onwards ... give time for Jose to settle ...

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

      Sun & Reliable are anonyms

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Don't know anything about Micky_Chelsea, but he didn't play the two USA internationals because of it.

  17. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Jimenez + Son
    B) Kane + Martial/Mount
    C) Sterling + Jimenez
    D) Sterling + Mount

    Which is best?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Martial and Kane a new option?

      1. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yh

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Quite like that. If Kane is allowed to just run around a bit upfront instead of playing QB then could be great.

  18. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Vardy or Sterling?

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

      Vardy

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers Amey

  19. Energetics
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If you were on a wildcard, following today’s drama would you rather

    A: KDB and Jiminez
    B. Tielemans and Kane

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

      A

    2. Sahil.....
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A "safer"

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  20. King Didier
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wildcard Team thoughts?

    Foster
    TAA Lundstram Targett Soyuncu
    Mane(v) Martial Maddison
    Aubameyang (c) Abraham Vardy

    Ryan Traore Dendoncker Tomori

    1. Sahil.....
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Auba out upgrade traore

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      So little Chelsea for a reason?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Whoops didn't see Tammy. Auba down to Ings and Traore up to pretty much anyone?

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Traore and Dendo?

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That looks like a team that needs a wildcard...

      I'd get better, cheaper keepers (Gazzaniga + Henderson), Targett, Traore and Auba should all be removed.

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Don't like the Aub pick

  21. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any suggestions here?
    1 FT 0.4 itb

    Pope
    TAA Lundstram Rico
    Mane Sterling KDB Mount
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez
    (4.0 Cantwell, Tomori, Kelly)

    Save ft?

    1. Sahil.....
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Save

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

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

      I have similar team. Gtg

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers and GL

  22. RoboVanBasten
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What are people’s thoughts on whether Salah will be fit or not for Liverpool’s match against CP

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sky Sports thinks not.

      1. RoboVanBasten
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

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

        Shame.
        I thought Salah was going to hit form

  23. Squeakybum99
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Worth doing Robbo to TAA for free? It's something I'd like to avoid but not like it's a short term transfer or anything and I won't be having both.

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes,wait until press conference

      1. Squeakybum99
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks.

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

      Why not just hold if you can field a decent XI? He'll probably be back next week.

      1. Squeakybum99
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Would mean playing Mount or Soy. Maybe worth waiting Camzy?

        1. Squeakybum99
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Sorry, would mean playing Mount AND Soy.

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Pretty good cover

          2. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            You have decent cover,yes you can afford to stick with Robbo

          3. Shineonme
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I'm playing both of them. Can't see the problem so why the panic.

    3. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers for the replies lads.

  24. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Lundstram (MUN) or Mount (mci) folks? Will not play both this week ...

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lund - SHU pretty tight at the back and Mount not been firing of late.

  25. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If Pulisic is confirmed out, should he be the one out for Richarlison? Also need to plan for a Spurs attacking asset if they hit the ground running..

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Punt on Richarlison is exciting ... but you will want to get Pulisic back next week I am 'sure'. Give Spurs 2-3 games under Mourinho ...

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

      Pulisic is a much better option long term.

  26. Mr.Bojangoals
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Charlie Taylor (Burnley, 4.2) nailed now that Pieters seems to be out of favour? If so, 4.2 is a no brainer price for a Burnley defender -- even if they haven't quite been at their former defensive standards.

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dyche always seems to play players on merit, so Taylor just after keeping a clean sheet in a thumping win has every chance of keeping his place, and 4.2 id not much of a gamble

  27. EltonCPT1
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is it time for 4 at the back over NOV and DEC?

    It's either I double up LIV or LEI at the back, or I get a 4th mid in

    433 or 343...