Podcast
16 November 2017 3168 comments
Mark Mark
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Declared fit and available for selection, I make a return to the ScoutCast after a recent hiatus. I’m also chuffed to be welcomed back into the bosom of my own home, as the winter draws in and drives me from the Scout Hut at the end of the garden.

Warming my cockles alongside Jonty and Az, the three of us are treated to another ScoutCast Wildcard, as Andy joins us and throws his selection to the cynical lions.

We use that as inspiration to answer your community questions, pondering Andy’s all-powerful front three and wondering if overlooking a budget third striker is the optimum set-up.

Staying with strikers, Romelu Lukaku’s worrisome form comes under analysis ahead of his anticipated revival and, once again, we give Harry Kane oxygen to vent further frustration following his very latest Wembley Stadium stutter.

Manchester City’s weapon(s) of choice get(s) revised before we embark on the weekend preview to exorcise the international break and lay the groundwork for a Christmas schedule of epic proportions.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday night. 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 on the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. bigbudgie
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Why is Alli still flagged? I thought Kane, Alli and Winks had all 'returned to training'?

    1. Ange Ball
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      That's good thing let people ship him out if he doesn't well, you will go up the ranks

  2. Francescoli
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Latest on Sterling?

  3. KevsHolidayFund
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Azpi or Alonso for the foreseeable future? Which would you choose?

    1. ScotDougie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Azpilequeta for me , I’d choose actual form over potential form

      1. KevsHolidayFund
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Is this because Azpilcueta will countinue the wingback role or will conte push him into a back 3 now Kante is back?

    2. Bees4Lyf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Azpi

    3. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Still fancy Alonso to outscore him in the future.

    4. E25
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      azpi

    5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Azpi. Telling u as Chelsea fan

  4. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Thoughts on what to do this week? 2FT 1.1 ITB

    Foster, Elliot
    Otamendi, Lascelles, Mee , Naughton, Simpson
    Salah, Sterling, Groß, RLC, TC
    Kane, Lukaku, Jesus

    Cheers

    1. zes
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Jesus > Morata for surety of starts.
      Forster > Pope
      Or upgrade RLC

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Lascelles to Duffy to strengthen your defence maybe

  5. Ange Ball
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    G2G?

    Should I do Aguero>Lukaku -12
    Sproni
    Alonso Ward Moreno Daniels
    Richardilson(c) Alli Salah
    Kane Morata Aguero

    Elliot Lofts Cheek Atsu Hun

    Thank you to those who reply.

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Richarilson home form is very poor compared to away, I'd captain Kane or Morata this week. No, don't take a hit to move Aguero to Lukaku.

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Hold and captain Aguero

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Lmao

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          You wouldn't when piles up the points 🙂

  6. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Repost

    Hey DZ, need some advice on my FT this week.

    Would you do A or B?

    A Davies -> Daniels
    B Mbemba -> Francis (I have 0.4M ITB)

    My team

    Fab (Elliot)
    Jones Davies Ward Simpson
    CM Rich Salah Sterling
    Morata Lukaku Kane

    Mbemba Calabah Simpson

    Cheers

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I'd avoid Bournemouth defence despite fixtures, they have been poor, Dunk is a better bet at 4.4

  7. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Best fillers here?

    A) Courtois, Stones & RLC (4-3-3)
    B) Elliot, Dann & Zaha (3-4-3)

    xxx, Speroni
    xxx, Mee, Daniels, Moreno, 3.9
    Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, xxx, TC
    Kane, Lukaku, Morata

  8. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    My wildcard defense is.....
    Alonso / Jones / Mee / Moreno / Dunk

    But in GW13 it gives me
    liv / BHA / ARS / CHE / mun

    Not ideal.

    Thoughts?

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      GW13 is a little tricky - maybe Dann in for Dunk? You think Jones will play this week?

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        No idea. He is such good value so I'll play him and have the bench to cope.

      2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        I'd back Brighton to keep a clean sheet away to Man U over Palace at home to Stoke.

        1. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Lukaku brace in that game I’m afraid 🙂

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            Very doubtful, Brighton most likely to keep a clean sheet.

            1. Jinswick
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 21 days ago

              Every team plays to keep a clean sheet. Getting one is another matter entirely

    2. Fanta sea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      That's the defence that I wanted. I was 0.2m away from it and had to radically change it.

      settled on this team:

      Elliot (Speroni)
      Azpi Daniels S. Ward (Gomez) (Duffy)
      Sane Salah Groß Richarlison (RLC)
      Morata Aguero Kane

      Missing out on Jones wasn't great but the injury helped me make a decision on who to cut.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Too much money up top. If one or two blank you're up shit Creek.

  9. adam28193
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Elliot (Foster)

    Davies Jones Mee (Naughton, K.Long)

    Eriksen RLC Sterling Atsu Salah

    Kane Jesus (Abraham)

    Was thinking of just doing atsu > Richarlison... Thoughts?

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Looks good

    2. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Yep good move

    3. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      do it, atsu won't give big points in these weak fixtures

  10. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Otamendi to Smalling? Yes or No

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      no

    2. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Nope

  11. michudagawd
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Fabianski
    Monreal Duffy S. Ward
    Ramsey Salah Dilva Richarlison
    Jesus Kane Vardy

    Elliot - Carroll Davies Maguire

    2 FTs, 0.2 itb

    Looking at Ramsey, Monreal + Davies ➡ Sané, Gomez + Daniels for -4.

    The Arsenal lads have served me well over the past month but I think it's time to ship them now. Sané looks like he's going to start the majority of games and is in great form. I'll then look to ship Jesus for Morata after the Huddersfield game.

    Should I pull the trigger?

  12. RESULT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Who out of tripp rose Davies aurier is most likely to play with alderwield out?

    1. MikeDuff
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Trippier

  13. Fanta sea
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    CAUTION: SCIENCE/MATHS POST
    So I've just had an interesting conversation about what premium players are better to own. Is it better to have 3 premium strikers or is it better to have 3 premium midfielders etc. What is the perfect combo so far?

    Here's my theory:

    If we go by points per match then there are
    3 defenders that hit 6 or more. (Prodl and Rose do not count due to limited gametime)
    4 midfielders that hit 6 or more (Pogba and Chadli do not count)
    3 Strikers that hit 6 or more (Kane, Aguero and Morata)

    Total cost of each = Def (18.3m) - Mid (35.3m) - Fwd (34.6m)

    Next you work out the average PPM per category to make it more accurate. Def (6.2) - Mid (6.5) - Fwd (7)

    Now we have to find out the value per PPM = Def (3.0) - Mid (5.4) - Fwd (4.9)

    So technically it's actually better to buy defenders first, then forwards and then Midfielders if we go by using the players that have 6 or more points per match. For each 5.4m I spend on a midfielder, I'll be getting 1 point back in return on average.

    The only issue with the defenders however is that 2 of them were Davies and Trippier which taints the study a little bit because they are not playing anymore. Their results could be classified as Pseudo 6 pointers.

    That's why I suggest it's far more profitable to buy Azpi + the three premium strikers first and then move on to the midfield and fill that out as best you can.

    What do you guys think?

    1. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      How much Azpi + three premium strikers cost? almost 40? and 60 for 11 players?

      1. Fanta sea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Not almost 40m. They'll cost you 41m if you bought them now. 60 million for the last 11 players is doable I think.

        Here's my team:

        Elliot (Speroni)
        Azpi Daniels S. Ward (Gomez) (Duffy)
        Sane Salah Groß Richarlison (RLC)
        Morata Aguero Kane

        1. RIDZ
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          you have good team, I try to pick those players and need another 1.3 money

          your mids look similar with me, but I am with Zaha not RLC

          double up 4.0 GK is not a good idea for me, I always have at least 9.0 for double GK

          1. Fanta sea
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            I decided to get 5 playing defenders and 2 playing goalkeepers rather than a better goalkeeper and only 4 playing defenders

    2. MFC86
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Interesting and should be a Hot topic

      1. Fanta sea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Thank you. I wasn't sure many here would enjoy a Maths post.

    3. Jayv807
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      The PPM stuff and below lost me. But wouldn’t being able to buy 4 midfielders that average over 6ppg for 35.3m be better value than buying only 3 Fwds that average over 6ppg for pretty much the same price?

      1. Fanta sea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        That's exactly what I'm disproving here. What isn't taken into account is that Aguero for example is averaging 8.4 PPM so that's obviously going to be better than the midfielder that is getting 6.0 PPM.

        So in order to account for the variable PPM between the players within each group, we have to find out what the average PPM is. We then divide the the total cost by the average the average PPM that we worked out for the group.

        If we did this, then we'd find out that for every PPM for a midfielder that we buy, we'd be spending 5.4m. The goal is we want to spend as low as we can for every point that we can get. That's why it's better to buy a defender and then the strikers over the midfielders.

        Technically if you want to be really accurate, you can work out the PPM individually and divide from the cost and compare between individual players, but that's too long and people like things grouped up.

        What I've taken from this is midfielders have not been a wise investment and in fact it would be better to get the 3 premium strikers.

        1. Jayv807
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          sorry mate, I am not keen to get into PPM level etc, FPL awards game points, not per minute anyway.

          looking at this basically, I just dont see how spending 34.6m for your three forwards who together are averaging a return of 21.2 PPG is better value than spending 35.3m (i.e almost the same) for the top 4 PPG midfielders who together are returning 26 PPG.

          again, I am not advocating any particular formation etc, just not sure your reasoning is correct.

  14. Live Lad
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Gutted that I am priced out of Mee move. Lowton as good?
    Exact cash to do Eriksen, Tammy, Davies to Zaha, Lukaku, Lowton (4.5).

    1. Little Frank
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Lowton's not a bad option. Nailed on and whips in a few crosses so always a chance of an assist.

      1. Live Lad
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Thanks! What do you think of the transfers?

        1. Little Frank
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          I think they're okay for a -4 probably not if it's a -8

          1. Live Lad
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            yes -4.
            Have Jesus too. Him to Kaku will leave me with no City.

  15. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Hi, help me choose:
    Kun, Salah or Morata for C?
    Thanks.

    1. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Morata

  16. RIDZ
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Why Ota doesn't drop? 200k+ transfer out?

    1. Josserz
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Red flagged so protected I believe

  17. Afghanistanislas
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    2FT, which 2 or 3 of these would you do:
    A) Cedric > Mee (definitely doing)
    B) Davies > Daniels (very likely)
    C) Aguero > Lukaku
    D) Foster > Pope

    1. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A & C, with Kaku in you will have best captain for 2 weeks.

  18. MFPL
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Should I use my FT?

    Pope
    Alonso Daniels Ward
    Salah(C) Silva Richarlison Choupo-Moting
    Kane Jesus Vardy

    Elliot Simpson Otamendi Carrick

    1. Kloppen Schloppen
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Maybe a good time to get Carrick into a playing mid.

    2. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      save for a busier schedule

  19. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Azpil or Alonso?

    I am finding it hard to choose between thr 2. I feel Alonso will explode soon.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Alonso will be rotated in Christmas. Moses is back. Moses played on the left in preseason games

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I'm on Alonso

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Azpil 100%

  20. ScotDougie
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    If both were the same price and taking fixtures form into account who would you choose between DeGea and Courtois? Thanks

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      DDG

      1. ScotDougie
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        I fancy DeGea too just looking at Chelsea’s fixtures are turning my head

        1. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Get a chelsea defender if you can stretch your cash.

          1. ScotDougie
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            Have Azpilequeta and jones looking at a double up

            1. ZeBestee
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 21 days ago

              Just go DDG for and analyse after 3 games. Chances are you will still want him by then.

    2. Kloppen Schloppen
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Just look at which team has kept more clean sheets...

      1. ScotDougie
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Yes but Kantes absence surely skews that logic ?

    3. Josserz
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      DDG for sure

  21. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Hey guys, on my WC team and currently have Elliot and 3.9 as my GKs.

    Is this too big of a risk?

    Cheers

    1. ScotDougie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      If Elliot is out this weekend due to a family bereavement you have no keeper , do you want to through the whole season like that ,if you must choose Speroni as your second

    2. Josserz
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Quite a big risk I would say yup.

  22. Josserz
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Not got any Utd defence atm and looking to bring someone in....
    Smalling seems nailed at the moment so a better move than injury prone Jones?

    1. ScotDougie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Bailly is your man if you can find the funds

    2. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      good pick and swap him at week 14

  23. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    For those looking at CHE defence, thoughts on Courtois? By far the cheapest option and he won’t get rotated.

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      expecting them to keep CS?

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        With Kante back and their run of fixtures, yes

    2. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Good option. But still will rather get a Pope and save for defence

  24. ROSSI_7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    My WC Team
    Pope
    Smalling Mee Azpilicueta Dunk
    Sane Salah Richarlison
    Kane Morata Lukaku

  25. FPL Panda
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Zaha or Alonso to play every wwwk on a wc?

    Thanks

    1. Lallana_
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Not Azpi? I'd get Alonso

      1. FPL Panda
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        I jus prefer alonso. Azpis overperfoming from the mean and alsono well below the mean currently imo.

    2. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      on WC and buy Zaha+Azpi, both of them will be on my team every week. If you had to pick one, Zaha for now then swap him to Alonso at week 14. Make sure you wouldn't use FT next week to make it free.

  26. Lallana_
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    1M ITB, 1FT. Any moves you'd make?
    Thinking Mariappa>Moreno or saving my FT. Thanks! 🙂

    Pope
    Dunk Jones (!) Alonso
    Sterling Choupou-Moting David Silva Richarlison Salah
    Kane (C) Aguero (v)

    Bench: Elliot, Naughton, Mariappa, Quaner

    1. FPL Panda
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Haha I see u have alsono too. As an owner would u rather azpi? You ha e 1.0 itb so I’d go for Daniels over Moreno and Ben Mee over both. Regardless of pope

  27. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Son 》Zaha worth it or save?

    1. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      absolutely worth

  28. RIDZ
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    On a WC, should I kick Jones? Actually I only planning him to play 2 weeks. If he didn't play this week, then what's the point of having him? But the problem is who is the best replacement with that price

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      he is season keeper

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      nobody < 6.5M is better than him til end of season

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Matip 😎

    4. Diva
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Why would you kick Jones?

      1. RIDZ
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 21 days ago

        okay I would keep him and play the others, cheers

        1. Diva
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Please don't do something because of me. I was just wondering why you were planning to ditch him?

          1. RIDZ
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 21 days ago

            haha it's not you, but others said he is the season keeper. I would ditch him only if Pogba+Kaku explode (because DDG wouldn't out for sure)

            1. Diva
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 21 days ago

              I prefer a double United defence to a double United attack, but I see your logic.

  29. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Already have Ward.
    A. Mee
    Or
    B. Duffy

    1. redbeard
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Defo Daffy/Duck

  30. PaladinVargas
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Still on the fence about taking a hit/s (my first of the season) in light of the Aguero news, and Spurs having a makeshift defence this week. It seems likely Jesus will start and Bavies as a result. Jones being flagged is a concen also. Keepers are an issue for this week too. Too many options for what to do it seems. 1FT and 0.7m ITB.

    Foster/Elliot
    Monreal/Simpson/Jones/Ward/Bavies
    Salah/Silva/Richarlison/Gross/T.Carrol
    Kane/Jesus/Vardy

    A) Bavies>Daniels & Jesus>Lukaku (-4). Switch to Morata in a few weeks.
    B) Foster>Courtois & Bavies> Daniels (-4).
    C) Vardy>Morata & Bavies>Moreno/Mee (-4).
    D) Bavies, Jesus, Foster > De Gea, Daniels, Morata (-8).
    E) Something I have overlooked?

    Just looking for a few opinions and would be very thankful for any offered.

    1. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Jesus would start, Vardy would brace due to Ota is missing. I suggest Bavies or Monreal should out, Monreal fixtures looks ain't good enough.

      If you dare to take a hit, Monreal+Bavies to Azpi+Moreno? You will have Chelsea attacking back up

      but your plan A also worth to try 🙂

    2. Jonty Rhodes
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Do you need this surgery? Elliott can get save points potentially, else just go for Speroni for Foster and swap between Ellitot and Speroni. What do you advise me:

      Elliott (Joel Perreira)
      Daniels, Ward, Alonso (Davies, Gamez)
      ChoupoMoting, Salah (C), Doucoure, David Silva (Kouyate)
      Kane (VC), Vardy, Aguero
      0FT and 0.4ITB

      Thank you in advance for advice below:
      1) -4 Joel Perreira for A) Speroni B) Save
      2) -4 Vardy for i) Niasse (lets me upgrade Perreira for De Gea or midfield) ii) Save

      Any other advice?

    3. Josserz
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I think it's a good team. I've got Jesus and keeping him until I go for Morata in GW14. He should start this weekend and he appears to start away games

      Monreal and Bavies > Azpi and Moreno / Daniel could work for no hit.