Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 245 – Conjury

The first ScoutCast of 2018 is sprinkled with a festive catch-up, an assessment of the latest transfer bandwagons and even some logic-defying magic.

YouTube viewers will need to pay close attention to Granville and Jonty about 1 minute and 56 seconds in to catch their conjuring trick; others will just have to use their imagination and be content with the rest of this 90-minute marathon episode.

We explore the lure of Aguero, the clamour for Lingard and the Fantasy freak of nature that is Marcos Alonso. Third striker options are assessed, we conduct a post-mortem on Liverpool following Coutinho’s exit and we start hatching plans for February’s forthcoming blank before the usual Gameweek preview ends proceedings.

Next week Granville saws Jonty in half and Az pulls a rabbit out of his hipster beard.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday 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 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.

1,840 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    GW 23 team... G2G?

    De Gea
    Vert Ota Ogbona Alonso
    Sterling Arnie Alli Salah Lindgard
    Kane(C)

    Subs: Elliot, Mbemba,DCL, Crouch

  2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Everyone on Kane captain what are we expecting from him this week?

    1. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      As a non owner I'm hoping for a blank whilst behind the sofa.

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Doing that for both of his hat tricks wasn't painful enough? It sure was for me!

        1. Rash
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah was horrible. However I knew the risks.. still do

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      18 pts

    3. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      1 assist I'll guess

    4. Joggers Nipple
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      As always with captain I would happily accept one goal. Low standards this year!

  3. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Should I Start:

    -Wilson or Gross (favouring Wilson because love conceding penalties lately)

    -Otamendi or Mee (favouring Mee because of my double Liverpool attack)

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      *Arsenal love conceding penalties lately

    2. Champione
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Wilson and Otamendi imo

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Go with what your favouring with wilson although mee is a slight doubt and I expect palace to score...

  4. Champione
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anything worth a hit? 5.5 ITB. Eriksen > Salah next week, most likely.

    Adrian
    Alonso Christensen Schindler Ogbonna
    Eriksen Sterling Son Arnie Lingard
    Kane

    Elliot DCL Niasse Mbemba

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Good for a week but bench could also do with help next week too.

      1. Champione
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers. Yeah, I know. Considering DCL > Firmino or Mbemba > Jones to make the squad stronger

    2. Hakuna Morata
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Very similar to mine (4.8 in the bank).
      May be you can also downgrade Son and then Upgrade DCL to Aguero. I plan to do that next week

      Pickford
      Alonso Ottamendi Jones Ogbonna
      Salah Sterling Son Arnie Lingard
      Kane

      Speroni DCL Crouch Kenny

      1. Champione
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Hadn't considered that option, thanks! Good looking team that

  5. Joggers Nipple
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anything for a hit? Worried to get 11 out-

    Adrian
    Alonso Christensen Jones Gomez
    Salah Lingard Sterling Son
    Kane Aguero

    Woodman Loftus Kenny Quarner 0FT 0.8 ITB

    Have exact cash for Gomez to Stones, feel its a week too early. And -4

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No point in Gomez to stones this week imo. Pretty strong team so don't take a hit!

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Wish Gomez had a nailed spot then woul dkeep. Stones next week. Thanks again

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Only nailed lfc defender will be VVD once he's established I think. No worries lad

    2. Champione
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Think you'll be okay this week. Strong team!

  6. HamezMace
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I’m going to take a big fat punt on Morata as captain, over Kane. Anyone with me?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Could work out

    2. Transferred Out
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      tempted as well but will probably back out last minute

  7. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    GW 23 team... G2G?
    Are Salah and Arnie expected to play?

    De Gea
    Vert Ota Ogbona Alonso
    Sterling Arnie Alli Salah Lindgard
    Kane(C)

    Subs: Elliot, Mbemba,DCL, Crouch

    1. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Salah is, pictured training on Wednesday.
      Don’t know about Arnautovic

  8. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Alonso safe from a rise before gwk 24 would we think or will it be in the next day or two?

    1. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Depends on tomorrow’s game probably. He won’t rise tonight, but if he returns anything tomorrow, it’s possible.

      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Even a standard 6 pointer would you think?

        1. HamezMace
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Hard to predict, depends on what other defensive options do.

          Example if Luke Shaw starts, again, and gets an assist and CS, everyone’s eyes will light up

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Mesut, where you add bro?

  10. Darklord_bg
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I'm getting worried about GW28 already.

    I have six MCI/MUN/CHE players and it looks like they will all have a blank during it.

    Since those are the top3 teams I do not want to get rid of them and I have a lot of TV in them I do not want to lose them.

    The FH chip is useful but it looks like 31 and 35 will be even bigger blanks 🙁

    What are you folks here planning?

    1. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm not taking out good players because they miss 1 week.. I'm looking at it as rotation is very bad anyway this season so just ride it out.

    2. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Why will 31, 35 be bigger?

      1. Darklord_bg
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        31: coincides with FA cup quarterfinals
        35: coincides with FA cup semifinals

        1. HamezMace
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Good to know, thanks mate

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe lose one or 2 of them for a week or so. And make sure you have a solid bench that week! Free hit probs not worth it that week imo

      1. Darklord_bg
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Unfortunately my bench which was very solid for Christmas is pretty bad now.

        DCL out of favor now and no good replacement.

        RLC injured.

    4. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ride it out and hit the correct C

    5. HD7
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      First lets see If Arsebal can make it easier for us... If not I will probably get 2 of the 6 out - where you have the lowest TV and get some replacements to at least have 9-10 players

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        How can Arsenal make it easier? They need to win against which team or? Thx

        1. HD7
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          If Arsenal go in the final only Arsenal City is delayed. United Chelsea game on

          1. barracuda
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Ah, got ya. Thanks man

        2. DAN DARE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          If they beat Chelsea in the 2nd league then its only Che v MC that is postponed. Ars v MU goes ahead as planned

          1. DAN DARE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Too slow!

            1. barracuda
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Thanks!

      2. Darklord_bg
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, hoping like hell for that as well, but knowing my luck... 🙁

    6. Joggers Nipple
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Im in same position but honestly not going to ignore/ transfer out those players who scoring highly from those teams and have money invested in. Happy to use FH chip in that week if needed.
      Make a plan about the other weeks later

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Naughty & Vardy > Alonso & 5.9m fwd for a hit?

    Any ideas for the 5.9m fwd?

    1. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      How much is Aguero?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        😛

        1. HamezMace
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Maybe FPL should introduce an option where you can own half a player...so you only get points if they score with their left foot.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Ha, great idea......Mark........

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              ...or half the points they score?

  12. Quagmire11811
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Adrian

    Van Dyke
    Shaw
    Davis
    Alonso

    Salah
    Hazard
    Lingard
    Sterling
    KDB

    Kane (C)

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      absolutely love this team

      dread to see bench and rotation risk defence, but lovely

    2. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Luke Shaw?? That's 'bold'

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sell Naughty or Kiko first?

    Best 4.5m def to go alongside:

    Otamendi - Jones - Ogbonny - Naughty/Kiko - 4.5m

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Dunk

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not yet, but about to open my first can of the day....

  14. Ahtikullervo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Pressers? Wenger and others, when?

    1. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Wenger is usually out at 9...check BBC sport

  15. YoungPretender
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Bench 1;

    A) Otamendi(liv)
    B) Zanka (WHU)
    C) Masuaka (hud)

  16. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Gtg? 0Ft. Still got 3 Spurs mids from last GW.

    Fabianski
    Jones Otamendi Mee
    Sterling Eriksen(C) Alli Son
    DCL Morata Firmino

    Elliot* T.Carroll Kabasele Alonso

    1. YoungPretender
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Alonso on your bench? You must be joking?

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ota on bench. Not Alonso

        1. DAN DARE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Think id play Ota over DCL

  17. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Duffy or Masuaku? Tight call! Bookies favour Mas. Cheers!

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Although I agree it’s tight, I have both Ogbonna and Dunk and I’m playing Dunk for what it’s worth.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Do you think Masuaku is more of a threat than Ogbonna though? Surely he’ll get an assist soon

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Duffy

  18. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who to play?

    A) Pope (cry)
    B) Adrian (hud)

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pope

  19. MOZIL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Hazard or Morata will score higher this week?

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard penalty

    3. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard 3 morata 2 (own both)

  20. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Just compared my team to Jonty's who is doing really well at 5k

    Me-

    Goals= 67
    Assists= 44
    Clean sheets= 41
    Combined(g+a+cs) = 152
    Rank = 80k
    Captiency points = 250

    Jonty

    Goals= 77
    Assists= 33
    Cleans sheets= 36
    Combined= 146
    Rank= 5k
    Captiency points = 322

    The main reason i can think of my rank being low when ive got more combined returns is the captiency scores

    I just cant seem to nail them this season.

    (source https://anewpla.net/fpl/report/)

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Captaincy fails have been my biggest downfall this season. I’ve had a decent enough team that’s been ticking over but I’ve just often lacked the right captaincy to turn that OK points week into a great one and therefore boost my OR.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        pop in at Nirv. missing you.
        x

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Will do Chris, thanks.

      2. HurriKane
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        same. took the words straight out of my mouth 😉

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Makes a huge difference every year. I'm on 288 points and had 6 blanks in a row earlier this season. Just part of the game and theirs no easy answer! Who are you captaining this week?

  21. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Now Hughes has gone, time for a Stoke def after next week?

    New manager bounce and all that?

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Who’s the new manager they are bouncing for?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Maybe Pulis 😀

        1. Big Mac 24
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Sure Boro wouldn’t like that

      2. A.T
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mark Hughes is next in line.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          BFS must also be due a move soon?

          Same with Hodgson & Pardew.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Possible. Wimmer is still god-awful, regardless.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Wimmer really is woeful, I agree. Terrible footballer.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I'm still salty from when I originally brought him in around 10 GWs ago 😀

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm looking at choupo crouch or shaqiri not sure about their defence!

  22. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Bench:
    A) Mee
    B) Ogbonna

    Captain:
    1) Kane
    2) Morata
    3) Salah
    4) Sterling
    5) Son
    6) Lingard

    The latter option a nightmare this week! Looking forward to the Captain Sensible article.

    1. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A1

  23. Dee.t
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I am doing my wildcard this week and i cant choose between hazard + firmino or aguero + 8.1 or less mid (silva,son, linguard or arnie). Any suggestions????

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I like haz and firmino option easy downgrade to a solid midfielder and Chelsea fixtures good

    2. Batchain
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I have a similar sort of dilemma. Salah and Firmino; or Aguero and Rooney. It's not coming to me.

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Salah and firmino or tosun instead of Rooney!

    3. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero + Lingard

  24. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Hazard or Kane as Captain? Or could be proper cheeky and wait until Monday night for Lingaard!

    1. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard

  25. Feed tha Sheep
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Score predictions in city Lpool game?A lot of people thinking Lpool can win??

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      1-2

    2. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      2-2

    3. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'd say it'll be a draw. Very possibly 0-0.

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        No chance

        1. Teror
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          If there was no chance the odds would be much better at the bookies. There is always a chance if you have hope.

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Liverpool WILL win. 3-1 or 3-2 we've had city's number at home for years and will do so again!

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah but city are a different animal this year and Lpool arnt exactely solid at the back

        1. HamezMace
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          They have VVD now...which according to Jamie Redknapp guarantees them top four!

          1. Feed tha Sheep
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Shows what he knows..

            1. HamezMace
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Agreed.
              City, Utd, Chelsea, Spurs for me.
              Although Liverpool will probably push them close, they are in no way guaranteed it.

        2. Teror
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          They've been So Solid Crew at home though. Plenty of cleanies at Annefield.

          1. Big Mac 24
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            7 cleanies, only 4 goals against.

            Pool 1-0

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      1-3

  26. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sane or Mahrez to Lingard? Have Sterling.

    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Save, IMO. Aye, he has Stoke, but there's some right bobins the weeks after

      1. Teror
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I was planning to use the funds to bring in Alonso for a hit too.

        1. danishdynamite
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I can see the logic, though with mahrez maybe to Liverpool or Arsenal I would not be selling him til I knew where he was playing

          1. Teror
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            So Sane, then! Who has been useless for two months, might I add – Spurs game aside. Although I fancy him more than Mahrez for this week only. Maybe I should do Maguire > Tarkowski then and leave it at that... hmmmmmm

  27. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Can't decide whether Alli > Salah for a hit is bonkers?

    I have Kane, Son, Alli & Firmino

    FWIW I'll be needing a hit next week either way, so it's just bringing forward the hit

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Bonkers yes but I wouldn't say that it's more bonkers than going without Salah. I've had him since day one and never thought about dropping him for a second,

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I sold him when he had knack, expecting him to be knacked for a wee bit longer, and to fall in price.

        Clearly my crystal ball is not to be trusted

    2. Batchain
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Will Salah play a full (or even half) game this week. Also - Man City. I would wait till next week.

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        True that, though I don't think he needs that long on the pitch to make my GW taste a bit salty

  28. AllyS
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Bringing in lingard but which west ham midfielder should he replace - lanzini or Arnie?

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lanzini definitely.

    2. Batchain
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lanz

  29. Batchain
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I hate it when people post their whole team, and yet ...

    4m to spend - which of these strategies "going forward"?

    Pope, Eliot,
    Mee, Zanka, Jones, Duffy, Kenny
    Lingard, Sterling, Son, Alli, Surman
    Kane, Firmino, Rooney

    1. Up that defence - just put in say, Alsono and Stones
    2. Go to 3/5/2, Surman to Salah, Rooney to cheapie - 5 mids - Salah, Lingard, Son, Alli, Sterling
    3. The Big Two approach - Firmino to Aguero.
    4. Something else, or a compromised mixed of above. Appreciate some sage feedback.

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      2 with alonso in defence somehow.

    2. UpAndAway
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Also have 4m to spend. Need to decide between Alonso in defence or Firmino for DCL in attack.

  30. Siva Mohan
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    to sign Alexis Sánchez.. Manchester United made a £25m bid and Manchester City made a £20m bid

    .. and Chelsea have signed Barkley for £15m

    😐