Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 258 – Freebie

Arriving in the midst of a lukewarm Double Gameweek, the latest episode of the ScoutCast is more intent on looking ahead as the entire five-man crew press the button on the Free Hit chip.

We’re back to full strength, as Granville, Jonty, Andy and Az join me to discuss our approach to Gameweek 35’s slimline schedule, inspired by another round of your community questions.

That attacking riches on offer from Manchester City and Liverpool dominate the early chatter, as we give our take on the run-in targets least likely to suffer from rotation to feature for Free Hitters and the “chipless” this weekend.

We then pan for Gameweek 35 gold in less familiar territory, as we re-open the Coleman vs Baines debate ahead of their meeting with a Newcastle outfit perhaps already in flip-flops after four straight wins.

End of season template busters help round things off before we career into the regular weekend preview to offer early thoughts on the Gameweek armband.

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.

2,431 Comments Post a Comment
  1. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I just need ur opinion on that question please. I am WCing next week anyway and probably will get Vardy as my 3rd striker.

    This week I have 12 players but there are rotation risks. I can do Vardy+Vert to Jesus+ (cpl/new defender) for -4.

    Is it worth the hit? In this case I will lose 0.2m to get vardy back next week on WC

    Thats my current team
    Butland
    Robertson-Baines-Lowton (Long)
    Salah-Sterling-D.silva-Ozil-Milo
    Auba-Firminho

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      The question is, why would you want Vardy back with Leicester being utter garbage?

      1. semiconductor
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe i will reconsider but he was consistent the past few weeks honestly. You think I should take the hit?

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          In my opinion, yes, in a heartbeat, but there will be ay sayers, but i say go for it, Leicester are on the beach already.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            nay*

          2. semiconductor
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks for ur opinion. Should i get tomkins or lascelles in ur opinion?

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I would take the hit

      1. semiconductor
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. I think I will. Tomkins or lascelles u think?

  2. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku > Jesus (-4)?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I would.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

  3. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hearing rumours that TM might resign as a mod because of a changing schedule. Who do we want as a replacement? I think we need a breath of fresh air, someone who dares to challenge the collective group-thinking. My vote goes to FPL Virg.

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Are you having a laugh

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No resignation.

    3. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Show TM some respect.

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      There's no way I could fill even one quarter of one shoe of TM.

      FFS would be an infinitely poorer website without him. This place would genuinely seriously suck without him. I don't even want to think about it. ** Shudder **

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the vote, though 🙂

    5. BRFC1883
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      We all love TM, get back in your box.

    6. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Virg's 2nd account confirmed.

  4. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Last Man Standing GW34 🏆

    Safety score = 90
    Top score = 117
    LMS average = 91.34

    76 : 33 eliminated
    43 through to LMS QF.
    50% or minimum 22 out next GW.
    Well done to all the survivors. 🙂

    1. RED HOT CHILLI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      91 points 🙂 and into the top 50,000 at last. tough year 🙂

    2. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Got to hot for me, good luck to those still in it. Thanks again TM... 🙂

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Great run Fitzy 🙂

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Phew 94 (-4) so I guess I'm through to QF if there won't be any players out with that same score

  5. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Rank updated

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Time to smash up the computer.

  6. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    OR updated

  7. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    OR updated

  8. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Just confirming if I did say Mahrez>Sterling FT then activated free hit the Sterling transfer gets wound back??

  9. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    What's the consensus here between Jesus and Auba?

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus > Auba.
      Let's see if tomorrow's Pep talk changes things.

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        That's how I'm leaning too but Jesus is set to rise tonight.

    2. Ibracadabra
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Auba likely to be rested according to Wenger, many not including him at all.

      1. Ibracadabra
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        *Rotated

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Both essential

  10. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    How many points did you get today and how happy are you with it?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      12 and not very.

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeh me too. Could've been worse. Small rank rise for the day

    2. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      104.

      Not at all

      1. Nascimento
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Feel like I let my fans down

    3. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      17 from 3. Hoped for more from Mahrez tbh.

    4. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
        6 years, 1 month ago

        18 points from 7 incl. Alonso

      • TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        6 and no.

        1. Rik Waller
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          😀

      • che
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        28 from 7, including Willian now show. Mostly differentials, so over the moon.

        1. Rik Waller
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Nice. Who were they?

          1. che
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Barnes, McCarthy, Chilwell. Didn’t see that nil nil coming though

      • Robben Mee Blind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        21. Very!

        1. Robben Mee Blind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          *make that 20. Still happy!

      • Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        5 points today from 6. Bit gutted. But a good weekend overall with a nice green

      • ignis88
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        20 and not very. Vardy goal or Burnley CS would have been great

      • firetog
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        6 players 12 points. Horrible

        morgan =0
        alonso=0
        willian=0
        vardy =2
        mahrez = 3
        barnes = 7

        moved up to OR 384 though so could be worse.

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      First time in top 10 k this season at 9400 . No free hit will usher me back out at weekend though I expect.

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Who knows mate. FH for GW34 equalled a red arrow for many

    6. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Is there is no Liverpool lineup leaked earlier, where is the best place to find it a minute before deadline?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        The same place.

    7. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wow. I had a horrendous start with 28p from 15. But ended up with a green arrow! 13k 😎

      1. Point-one short
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Nice! Up to 17.4k from 26k here. 🙂

    8. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Few potentially unpopular opinions this week:

      1. Newcastle will beat Everton, so drop pickford/baines/coleman.
      2. City v Swansea won't be a whitewash. Swansea will score, they also have so much to play for, whereas City don't. I think tripling on sterling/kdb & jesus is overkill. Don't take Kompany/Ota/Ederson.
      3. Westham also need 3 points for an added buffer. I think Arnie is a good pick and I wouldn't be taking any Arsenal defenders. Drop Mustafi/cech.

      Side note: Stoke v Burnley is very tough. We all (myself included) are expecting Burnley to win. Both teams have a lot to play for, arguably Stoke a lot more. I think both will score. Shaqiri is a good shout.

      Defence: I think Liverpool (i'm biased), Newcastle and Palace offer the best defensive options this week.

      Mids: Salah + Sterling/KDB. Then Arnie/Shaqiri/Zaha/Ritchie

      Forwards: Wood + Firm + Auba/Jesus/Perez

      A rule I give myself when punting is to never bet against teams with a lot to play for. I think we have seen the results of that in the past few weeks with the bottom 5 sides, West Brom in particular.

      That said, punt of the week: Burnley win + over 1.5 goals at $4.50.

      1. BRFC1883
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        what are these odds? you are advising staking $4.50?

        1. bennyp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          No the odds are 4.5/1. Australian betting companies show odds as a dollar value. So 4.5 to 1 is shown as $4.5 odds.

      2. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Wise words. I'm inching closer to a triple up on city for a -12, but at the back of my mind is what you just pointed out. I'll double-down and say:

        Jesus might be the most disappointing transfer after the dust has settled this weekend.

        But I'll probably still end up getting him, just to follow the herd. *sigh*

        1. bennyp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I'd split the risk a bit more. I see Wood/Perez just as likely to bag one as Jesus.

      3. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        City will crush Swansea

    9. drughi
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      45k hmm think I will have to settle with a top 20k rank this season

    10. minges
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      bench points for those who BB this week?

      23 for me, Gudmundsson starred. Disappointed in the actual starting 11 tho.

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        17. Acceptable

      2. Point-one short
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        11 pts, but starting 11 did well

      3. Expected Toulouse
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        14 that included Adrian (0). So i will take that.

      4. ignis88
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        20 with a 0 from Hennesey

      5. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        23 with Gudmundsson here too, highest bench score of season.

        My lowest 4 scorers that I could've benched would've scored 12 which is also my highest of the season (highest BB for my team before this week would've scored 10).

      6. Nigel Tufnel
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        26 from Foster, Milivojevic and Schindler.

    11. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      OR updated

    12. Aubaaaaa
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Who will you sub out?
      A. Hazard
      B. Sanchez

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Owned both, both on the choppimg block. But I sold Sanchez this week as I needed the funds released. Hazard is still in my team for now.

    13. AxeMinion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      How essential is Salah this week?

      Who would you prioritize between Salah & KDB?

    14. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      free fall

      1. Robben Mee Blind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Is that a new chip?

    15. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Almost certainly will change, but thoughts on this lot? Too risky?

      Pickford
      Baines Robertson PVA
      KDB Sterling (S)alah Zaha
      Auba Firminho Jesus

      Nordfeldt | Milivojevic, Chambers, Long

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Looks good, shame you can't squeeze Milli into the starting 11, but leaked Liverpool news might change that.

        My only suggestion would be to avoid going triple city in attack, choose one between KDB and Sterling and upgrade your defence. There's a fair to reasonable chance Swansea could make life difficult for them.

        1. Point-one short
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks for the reply. I think City will play it as an exhibition match and smash Swansea.

      2. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        FirmiNo

        1. Point-one short
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          You think he's rested?

    16. Manani
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso > Otamendi

      or

      Son > Sane??

      already got Sterling

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        B

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        both

    17. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Dropped 20,000 places on a DGW free hit.

      I'm holding my head up high, though. Anyone could of got the Mahrez-Willian-Son-Gross GW32 Wildcard Template. I'm proud to have thought independently and tried something different.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Do all you jackets tie at the back?

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You still have your WC, right?

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Wildcarding around noon on Saturday.

          1. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Might be best to leave Sanchez out of it.

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              😆

      3. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Brave and might still work out for you with the remaining unique chip strategy.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Unless I break into the top 5K, it's a season of abject failure for me. I set myself high standards.

          1. DAN DARE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Youre yet to get a top 5k finish. You must hate your life

      4. Hoofedgod
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        same same! got an aweful 60 on my FH. Captain Sanchez and Long on the bench.

        O well, Bench boost 37 on it's way!

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Lots of high profile GW34 FHs had a mare. Alex Ball. FPL Kat. And more.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Who?

      5. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        There were 430 (top10k) other poor sods who used a FH this GW. You weren't the only one with such a poor plan 😉

      6. minges
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        TBF the idea of WC in 32/33 BB34 FH35 TC36 is only half done, so cant be judged completely yet, and neither can your strategy... stick to your guns and follow your plan and it may work out

        just don't be a smug a hole about it if it does 🙂

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I stay quiet when I do well. I avoid posting a good score on here because I know it can make people who are having a mare feel low.

      7. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        plenty of people chose Sanchez they just don't bang on about it

      8. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You can easily finish top 10k

    18. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Climbed 80 odd k with my 93. Not too shabby.

      Nail FH and il be laughing.

    19. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      What are people making on the Wenger comments on Auba? Wildcarding next week, is it worth a hit to make Auba into Lacazette or an alternative?

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Auba was almost a certainty up to Wenger's comments. Kane + Jesus seems to be the way to go.

        1. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          A certainty to play? I thought he was saying he was unlikely cause they want to get ready for the Europa game so will play a similar side? Unless i just misread

          1. Duffy Dunk
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            That's what I said. Auba was favourite until Wenger said he wants to play a similar XI to the one he'll play on Thursday.

            1. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Ah right, i misread your comment then

      2. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Defo not worth a hit to Laca.
        To someone else? need to see your entire team to judge that.

        1. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Pope
          Long, Monreal, Dummett
          Salah, Milivojevic, Sterling, Arnautovic
          Firmino, Jesus, Aubameyang

          And then all my bench arent playing! But i have plenty of money in the bank too, could afford anyone

      3. Manani
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        what's the cokmment?

        got auba in my team, probably won't change him to jesus though

        1. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Wenger will use Sunday as preparation for the @EuropaLeague SF meaning Aubameyang may miss out: "He cannot play on Thursday. I am not sure to play him at the moment. Most of the time [after Europe], it was a help. But when you prepare, it is a handicap that he can’t play." #AFC

          according to Ben Dinnery

    20. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Close to 200k rise after this gameweek! Now on to tackling gameweek 35... who needs a free hit anyway!

    21. che
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      How’s this for a Bench Boost transformation. 4 points yesterday, 26 today! Note to self: It’s not over till the fat lady sings

    22. Kasper the ghost keeper
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone taking a chance on Tosun for the free hit?

      1. minges
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Personally going big up forward on FH.. Tosun might be a good sneaky differential tho

      2. DAN DARE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        As it stands, yes, but will upgrade to Firmino if we get a confirmed start

      3. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Could be an interesting differential espec. with the uncertainty about Auba. My only concern would be that Newcastle seem to be playing much better and Everton truly are dire. I have Walcott (no FH) but wish I didn't.

    23. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Just for this week
      1. Tomkins (or any other cpl defender)
      Or
      2. Lascelles (or any other new defender)

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        2.

    24. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No replies on last page 🙁

      I have no idea what to do with my team this week. Or rather so many ideas I'm paralyzed by choice. Already on a -4 :
      Foster
      Mawson VVd Long
      Sterling Salah Walcott Milli
      Firmino Auba

      DDG Willian Alonso Wilson Ake
      3.1itb
      ?
      Team doctors, any advice greatly appreciated.

      ???????

      1. semiconductor
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I would sell alonso or wilson for a playing one

      2. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Upgrade Wilson, plenty of template options up front.

      3. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks alonso to kompany and wilson to jesus it is.