Community

The Community Round-Up

The already punch-drunk ‘template team’ was delivered a knockout blow this week as the January transfer window offered up a host of fresh faces and new clubs for some former Fantasy greats.

Our Hot Topic posters consider the best new recruits as the community looks to rip apart festive squads that did well over December, but fell out of favour over January.

Elsewhere, attacking defenders to replace the most cursed Fantasy centre-back ever seen is among the issues covered by our Members area statisticians.

We look back at all that and drop in our community articles, where Fantasy rugby earns a rare mention. And, as always, we finish off with a scan of those who emerged from January in style at the top of our community competitions.

The Community Articles

As well as assessing the views of the ‘the crowd’ on Gameweek 26’s matches, Hutch_James has also been busy compiling this handy guide to the Six Nations Fantasy game for the community’s rugby fans.

Don’t forget, if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

The Hottest Topics

This season’s January transfer window proved to be one of the most exciting for years, with Arsenal provding the headline act.

Their capture of Borussia Dortmund marksman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang prompted a chain of events that saw Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi move to the Bundesliga side and Gunners forward Olivier Giroud across London to replace the Belgian.

This follows the departures earlier last month from the Emirates of Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez to Everton and Manchester United respectively.

Hotdogs for tea canvassed the community’s views on Aubameyang’s prospects at his new club, while Siva Mohan dropped by to consider another potentially lucrative piece of business by Arsene Wenger in January – the extension of playmaker Mesut Ozil’s contract until 2021.

Walcott’s move to the Toffees has piqued Rupert the Horse’s interest, especially after the winger scored a brace against Leicester City in only his second match for the club. His Hot Topic ponders whether this former Gunner is worth getting in as soon as possible, or can be safely snubbed for another Gameweek or two.

Early adopters who made the move for Walcott prior to his Foxes haul were among those to claim deserved ‘hipster’ bragging rights in our “rough with the smooth” round-up of your Gameweek 25 scores.

In sharp contrast to Arsenal, Manchester City failed in their attempts to bolster their attacking riches as they were unable to land Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez.

This left those Fantasy managers who made an early swoop for the Algerian distraught after it became clear he would miss out on Gameweek 25 following City’s flirtations.

Our lessons learned from Gameweek 25 discussion considers the difficulties of trying to assemble a Fantasy team around transfer deadline day.

Later in the week, we canvassed views on the best replacement for the want-away winger as it emerged he would also miss out this weekend.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page.

The Members Tables

Stoke me a clipper has been busy constructing a raft of tables covering issues including recent goalkeeping kings, attacking defenders and midfielders and strikers who are coming into form.

Elsewhere, FPL Virgin has been looking at the underlying statistics of some of the best replacements for Chelsea’s unlucky centre-back Andreas Christensen, who through a serious of unfortunate events has only managed to last more than 60 minutes once in the last six Gameweeks.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

The Community Tournaments

In the FFScout Moderators and Contributors, Jack Wain stays top, while I’ve snatched second spot from Az.

ZoumasBloomers still leads QPR UTD’s Frequent Summer Posters league, which is another competition where I have to settle for second place.

FFScout Cup finalist Elvarus has increased his lead at the summit of Red Lightning’s Top 10K Any Season and has moved up to 30 in the overall standings.

Meanwhile, in Redlightning’s January to May league, JOZ V has leapt into first place after scoring an impressive 289 points over the first four weeks of this second-half-of-the-season competition.

It is business as usual in the FFScout Members league, which Heroes and Villains continues to dominate, while Bowstring the Carp has regained the lead in the main FFScout league and now sits ninth in the overall ranks.

In TorresMagic’s Last Man Standing, the safety score was 43, which saw 89 players depart and 616 remain.

Finally, Speedyboyz was on hand to deliver the latest news from the Community Watch tournament.

If you are running a community tournament and would like the latest scores included in future Community Round-Ups, please email us a summary of the current leaders and a link to your league, spreadsheet or head-to-head competition, at jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

2,310 Comments Post a Comment
  1. irsyadFC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    guys Mahrez wont play today right

    1. P&F
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      My dilemma, think im going to start him but expect my first sub to play.

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

      10-15% chance i reckon.

      1. Oven Glover
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        https://mobile.twitter.com/i/web/status/959429533077303301

        No chance according to Puel.

    3. Going Home
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty sure Puel said he deffo won’t play at the presser yesterday. I mean, the guy hasn’t checked in for training since Monday

      1. MannionUK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        100% no chance of playing. This is a disciplinary matter now. Signal would it give to others if he turns up and goes straight in the team?

        0% chance. Guaranteed.

    4. irsyadFC
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      aight thanks all, -4 for Kun it is. Exciting time's ahead

  2. Farke in hell
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    De Gea Jones combination has saved my gameweeks many times this season. Hope they dont slump against Huddersfield this time like they did in the reverse fixture.

    1. Going Home
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      It’s people like you who make owning Jones a nightmare. Leader in my ML has the double up and it kills me a little inside each week

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

    Cap
    A. Salah
    B. Hazard
    C. Pogba

    .

    1. My name is an echo
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I am firmly on the Pogba train. If not at home V Hud then when?

      1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You don’t HAVE to captain Pogba 😉
          Although I would be tempted as an owner

    2. P&F
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I know Mahrez has been red flagged but are we sure hes actually out? Got Mark on my TV in India (who knew) claiming he will play.

      1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Change your grav lol 😉

          He won’t play.

          1. P&F
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Just can't bring myself to do it - 6 years with the same grav and counting (so not a dullard!)

        • Going Home
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          See above: Puel riled him out at the presser yesterday. I’d be concerned that he won’t play for a week or two as apparently the players are furious with him

        • TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Recorded 34 hours ago.

      2. Mikey44
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ryan Krul
        Alonso Naughton Ogbonna
        Salah Hazard Sterling Shaqiri Milivojevic
        Kane Aguero
        Subs: Krul Quaner Kenny Rangel

        1 FT, 0.9 in the bank

        G2G or should I make a transfer? Also, any advice on captain?

        Thank you

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

        So I see some are hesitating to captain Wilson as stoke kept 2 cs in last 2.

        FYI chelsea kept 6 cs in 7 pl matches before they faced bournemouth last gw 😉

        Really fancying Wilson for captaincy this week as he has form (32 points in last 4 matches) and Fixture(STO) And in a gw where fixtures are tricky for liverpool,city and spurs assets.

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

          unless you own someone like Sanchez/Martial

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

          Go for it, that would be a story to tell for ages...

        3. Going Home
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Guy in my ML captained yakubu for his four goal return about five years ago, why not do it?

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

            yeap im going for it. first time this season im captaining a player outside current top6 😉

      4. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        -8

      5. GAMBIT
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Anything worth a hit?

        Fabianski
        Alonso, Otamendi, Jones
        Salah, Sterling, Son, Lingard
        Kane, Aguero (C), Wilson

        Elliot, Carroll, Bardsley, Hunemeier. 0.1ITB

        I know my bench is rubbish

        1. MannionUK
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Same as me almost. Nah.. stick. 4 points is a lot and you essentially start the game week with a goal!

      6. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        As many of you know I'm a Liverpool supporter.... Can I really captain Kane against my own team..?
        Who would you captain..?

        Kane
        Salah
        Firmino
        Sterling

        Cheers!

        1. Urchin
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Sterling

        2. Red Dagger ✪
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Or wilson....?

          1. Urchin
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Of course, most in form player

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

          I went with Aguero, so I suggest Sterling.

          I only captained a player against Liverpool once and that was Benteke in a dgw. Couldn't live with myself so I'm never doing it again

          1. Urchin
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Benteke scored a brace than, what a time that was...great GW

          2. Red Dagger ✪
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            I can be pretty ruthless in this game but picking a captain against Liverpool is something I'm not sure I can do.....

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

              I wouldn't captain any spurs players this week against Liverpool. But for future reference. Don't get blinded by loyalty. Arsenal fans are having an awful time this year in dream team because of loyalty.

        4. Going Home
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I captained Kane in the reverse fixture and it pis dividends. I’d be doing the same if I didn’t have Kun this week

        5. Midlands Saint73
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I did Kane vs Saints and turned out great. Softened the blow. You can't think tour captaincy influences a game or you'd never choose your own teams players.

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

          As a Liverpool fan You should have faith in Salah!

      7. Urchin
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Going to be a terrible GW for me, Best Luck to others!!

      8. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mark says on the FPL show he’s captaining Hazard? He bought him back?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Captained him last GW

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

            He is on a good run then.

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

        Play Mee or Chilwell?

        Captain Salah, Kane or Sanchez?

        1. Urchin
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Chill
          Sanch

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

        Best $7M midfield option?

        Willian? Albrighton? Lingard? Mata?

        1. Urchin
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Albrighton the only one with security of starts, but I feel liecester w/o Mahrez are a bit dud. mata could be good punt today, very likely he starts.

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

          They're all dross, that's why I still have Jesse in my team

          1. Going Home
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Misread that as Jese haha

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

            feel like he'll will be on the bench. plus, that video.

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

          take a hit for theo who is only 0.2 m more. will pay off over long term

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

          Find extra .2 for Walcott

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

            thanks all, have walcott. looking for a fifth

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

              Shaqiri or Choupo moting is the best option then

              1. Midlands Saint73
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                If 5th mid is coming off the bench I like Allen. More consistent points and less frustrating when you get 2 when he comes on but he sits on bench taunting you with 7.

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

                  interesting yet complicated rationale - thanks!

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

                thank you. but been there/done that. ward-prowse?
                i haven't watched SOT all season.

      11. soumyeah
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        thanks - my exact thoughts actually.
        nothing really inspiring me in that $range, outside walcott who i have.
        would you start mata over j. ayew?

      12. Delhidynamo
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Haz would look like a much better option if we knew Giroud was fit to start

      13. Claudio555
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Chances of Robertson to start for Liverpool tomorrow?

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

          Moreno in contention but Robbo should start. That said Liv def not good option this week.

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

        So why are people getting rid of Otamendi? He's actually getting close to dropping in price.

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

          arrival of laporte and he has played a lot without a rest. cl games upcoming meaning rotation imminant.

          plus good fixtures for cheaper alternatives like Mee Mawson Dawson and Monreal (after 3 gws).

      15. GreenArrows
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Captain sterling? Safe bet isn’t it?

        I also one Salah Kane Firmino

        1. Red Dagger ✪
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Same players here... No idea what to do. I'm sort of leaning towards Kane.

      16. vartshk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Last week I went Arnie and eriksen to mahrez and d Silva. Eriksen scored and the other three got 0.

        This week I went d Silva and richarlison to Wally and Ibe

        Found out that mahrez and Christensen are out.

        Now I’ve had to take two more hits to go jones and kdb in.

        I’ve got the rough bit sorted, bring on the smooth please!!!

      17. nimbin_headers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mahrez replacement.
        Martial? United were crap last time out but good fixture. Is he nailed?
        William? Same as above?
        Mikki?
        Mane?
        Any others?

        1. Oven Glover
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I went with Walcott. Good fixtures after this week (might get something today as well) and Everton playing in gw31. No Free Hit left so need to plan ahead.

      18. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I would like to know what players at Leicester are angry with Mahrez over trying to force a move to a top side?
        Lets face it most of them would be off like a hot snot if they had a chance of joining a top club more a case of jealously than anger i reckon.

        City's offer was more than generous imo Leicester should have taken the offer.

        1. Going Home
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Imagine you’re at work, and someone just doesn’t turn up. And you’re left to do their job for them. Are you not at lease a little bit pissed off?

          1. Going Home
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            *At least

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

            If one of my colleagues got a better offer from another company i would be happy for him and if the bosses blocked it i would be understanding if he was p!ssed off and felt he could not pull for the company anymore.

            I think i would feel the same if i was Mahrez and not many Leicester players can say they have done more for the club. He owes them noting.

            1. Going Home
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              And if he didn’t work his notice (or see out his contract-fairly equivalent)?

              Ultimately, Mahrez is an asset to Leicester (and bear in mind that, as a Coventry fan, I dislike Leicester!). They consider him to be worth a particular value. Unless Man City meet that value, they are unwilling to sell. That’s fair; otherwise players could just walk away from a small team and go to big teams for free.

              And to say he owes them nothing is a fallacy: without them taking him from obscurity and him being part of a title winning team, he would be nothing

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

                Noting worse than looking at a fella in a job that just does not want to be there it is best for all concerned in this case if they just parted company.

                £65+a player as long as it was not John Stones was a fantastic offer.Those Leicester owners must be smocking crack if they thought they were going to get around the £100m mark for him.

                And who took who from obscurity i think you got that the wrong way around.

        2. 1314
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          player is still under a contract so Leicester has the right to hold him ? probably would have considered if they could find a good replacement just like what happened to Arsenal..

      19. royals forever
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Who should I give the armband to this GW out of

        Kane
        Hazard
        Vardy

        Any ideas would be welcomed

        1. Holmes
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Vardy

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

          Hazard. no need of owning him if you dont captain him this gw

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

            watford terrible form at home of late

          2. DS84
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            same idea!

        3. swervinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Hazard

      20. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Really torn on Son -> Martial. Gut says yes, head says no.

        1. nimbin_headers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Is he nailed?

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

          Fancy Son more over next 6 gws. liv and arsenal are not bad fixtures for an attacker. they are both vulnerable in defence at times

          1. Jinswick
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Yep, same here. Although I’d probably look at Martial for 2 weeks and then switch to Mane in 28.

      21. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        DCL > Wilson for a hit and play him over Son or Ramsey?

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

          Yes. play over ramsey

        2. Red Dagger ✪
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Absolutely.

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Bench Rambo?

      22. Totally J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        1FT 0.6 ITB

        Pope
        Alonso Ota Maguire
        Sterling Salah Lingard Shaqiri
        Wilson Aguero Kane

        Elliot Ogbanna Wimmer RLC

        Good to go or Ota to Daniels with a view to getting in Walcott next week?

        1. DS84
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          i downgraded my defs on a WC. many cheaps options atm. BOU, BUR, WBA, EVE, SWA, SOU, BRI all have good fixtures.
          Use the extra money for your midfield or up front

      23. DS84
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        what do you think guys?

        foster
        Simpson Jones Daniels
        KDB Sanchez(c) Sterling Salah Walcott
        Wilson Kane

        bench: Pickford, Mawson, J. Ayew Bardsley

        Need to gamble on Simpson to free up funds.

        1. DS84
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          on WC btw

        2. Totally J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Why wildcard now?

          1. DS84
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            normally i save it for the dgw, but far behind in mini league and my team wasnt that good anymore.
            Try to get at least 13 DGW players with good planning and hits.

      24. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Probably no chance for Sterling being rested with Sane injured? Maybe captain him.

      25. Buck The Trent
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Play ?

        A Pope (MCI)
        B Adrian (bha)

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

          B

      26. lilmessipran
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        How does this wc team look, keeping the bgw 31 on the back of my mind as well

        Pickford Foster
        Alonso Jones Maguire Bauer Fernandez
        Salah Sterling Theo Choupo Mcarthur
        Kun Kane Wilson

        1. Going Home
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Well Liverpool play in GW31, so I’d maybe think about having a couple or three players from them...

        2. Buck The Trent
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Like

      27. steven8991
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Safest captain to choose?
        A. Salah
        B. Sterling
        C. KDB

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

          KDB if you watched that last match.