Podcast
19 April 2018 2431 comments
Mark Mark
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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.

  1. barracuda
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    I have failed miserably with C picks so far and really want to go with Jesus. Am I having it wrong once again? #gutfeelinglettingmedown (Salah owner)

    1. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I'm definitely going Jesus. Feel he's extremely consistent. Non-Salah owner though.

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Captain Salah.

      1. Bggz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        where were you in August?!!?

    3. JasonG123
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Salah is the best option if he starts.

      For some reason I prefer Sterling to Jesus, the clean sheet point and extra point for a goal tips it in his favour for me.

    4. barracuda
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers troops, worried about his time on the pitch if he starts. WBA playing some good defense lately.

  2. Z
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Butland,
    Baines, VVD, Klavan
    Salah, KDB, Sterling, Zaha,
    Aubameyang, Lacazette, Jesus

    1. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      double defs on Liverpool and double forwards on Arsenal spotted, not a good pick imo. Auba & Jesus should be enough

    2. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Quality

    3. Fantastisk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Quite like the double Arsenal attack.

  3. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    WC into a TC and my rival outscores me by 11 points with no chips and nothing but dumb luck. Why even try.

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Was it really dumb luck or is he just better at this than you?

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Gross penalty, Smalling goal, every player we had in common scored, basically every player I had different (ie Mahrez) blanked, every player we had in common got points, and every differential he had (ie gross/smalling) scored.

        For perspective, he had Okazaki half the season and sniped most of his goals, got a bunch of Doucoure goals, had players like Matic, Townsend, Shelvey at times, took Valencia outrageously overpriced over Jones when fit, etc..

        Used his TC on Mane in GW4 for no apparent reason, Bench Boost GW6 for no reason, Free Hit GW7 for no reason. No real planning all season, literally has just rode captain Salah and dumb luck.

        Has one finish at 68k and a host of finished in the hundreds of thousands and even millions. Compared to my top 5k and a 33 overall back in ESPN days.

        Frustrating.

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yep sounds like a jammy basterd

        2. JasonG123
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Fair enough. I was competing with someone like this a couple year ago, they would take random hits switching around Kane and Aguero and it would seemingly always work out. Toom until about GW36 for me to finally overtake him, he finished in the top 1k that season whereas he'd never finished in the top 200k in any previous season.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            It's that type of game, we just gotta take it on the chin and come back harder next year. Don't let emotions lead poor decisions.

    2. JasonG123
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Sometimes it's hard to identify where we ourselves were lucky since we focus on the times we were unlucky. For example this week I can identify both:

      Lucky: Barnes deflection goal, Gross taking penalties, Alonso not given a straight red.

      Unlikely: buying Maguire over Smalling and Morgan over Chilwell due to rotation fears, selling K.Long on GW32 WC, benchings of Willian, Lukaku and Morgan.

      Think it evens out in the long-run.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Oh I am fully aware of my poor decisions and luck throughout the season, but I completely agree it's easy to overlook. For example I was lucky with Mustafi recently, and maybe Barnes today. But for every one of those he seems to have 3 or 4. Meanwhile, my sound decisions go punished week after week as well as the poorer decisions.

    3. Fantastisk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      You sound like a casual.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        finish top 5k and come back to me.

        1. Bggz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          ladies!

  4. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    LeJeune or long (have Lowton)

    1. Fantastisk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Long banging in the goals.

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Mmm

      2. MrZ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Different long

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      ive got both Long is starting lej on the bench atm

  5. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Shoot... missed sterling rise

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      😀

      Missed Jesus and Sterling's price rises 😛

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Oof

  6. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    There are some players whose face you dont like in FPL team and when they dont perform, its even more frustrating to own them! 😮

    Looking at you Mahrez... -_-

  7. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Zaha or mili

    1. Fantastisk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Zaha

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Why? Milk cheaper and on pens

        1. Fantastisk
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Why are you asking then?

          1. FPL Scoop
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Lol. I was still unsure, and wanted to see people’s reasons they would give for zaha also

            1. Get up ya bum
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Because he's a much better pick

              1. FPL Scoop
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                Because?

                1. Get up ya bum
                  • 16 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  Do you watch footy mate?

                  1. Fitzy.
                    • 14 Years
                    7 years, 7 months ago

                    You're giving him too much help now Champ!

                    1. Get up ya bum
                      • 16 Years
                      7 years, 7 months ago

                      :mrgreen:

            2. Fantastisk
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Zaha has a higher ceiling and you can't rely on penalties for Mili, which is where his points come from.

      2. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Mili**

    2. JohnnyMagrinho
        7 years, 7 months ago

        What’s with the attitude? You’ve asked a question (a very inane question I might add), got some responses and basically told everyone who’s answered to go away.

        Really poor conduct there. Next time don’t bother asking.

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Attitude? Telling everyone to go away? I’m literally just trying to get peoples opinions on why Zaha would be a better pick than Milivojevic. Fantastisk was helpful. Chill out.

    3. davies
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A) Pope + Robertson

      B) Karius + Ward

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A but keep an eye on Burnley presser.

      2. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A. BPs attacking potential

    4. There Can Be Only One
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      So after much deliberation, I've decided to take the 12 point hit instead of use my FH chip.

      Out go Morgan, Alonso, Son, Gros & Mahrez and in come Kompany, TAA, KDB, Sterling, Milivojevic

      Which gives me 10 this week, not sure I can justify another 4 point hot for Ryan to Dubravka

      DDG (Ryan)
      Kompany - TAA - Lowton (Smalling - Chilwell)
      Salah (c) - KDB - Sterling - Miliv. (Alli)
      Wood - Auba - Firmino

      0.9m ITB

      Decided that as it's a blank GW for the 5 I'm taking out, the 2 point a hit rule applies
      I would rather have City players through to the end of the season than any of the ones I had, and I expect them to outscore what I have even with the -4 due to the extra game
      Lets me do a FH in 37 when the guys above me in the ML will TC, so gives me an opportunity to refresh then and not take too much of a hit.

      I can obviously still redress this and play the FH, just wanted peoples thought to see if I'm being crazy??

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I'd just FH personally. A lot of the players you're taking out seem to come under the "rage transfer" category, just because they underperformed during the DGW, but they may offer more points in future.

      2. Bggz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        you dont have TC?

        rotation is key this week and there will be a reasonable amount of luck in selections. but then same applies for GW17

    5. flippetyflop
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I've seen a few murmurs on here that Anfield Express get's his info from another Twitter account......does anyone know who this is?

    6. yer old da
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Preferred formation for FH this week?

      A. 3-4-3 with Firmino
      B. 3-5-2 with Mane?

      Other strikers obviously Jesus and an Arsenal boy TBD.

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A

      2. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Depends who is starting.... If no leak, would go for Firmino

    7. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Already done lukaku Willian to Jesus sterling (no FH) for -4, giving 7 players for bgw (8 if mee plays):


      Robertson Lowton vdH Mee*
      Sterling Silva
      Jesus Barnes

      For a -8, which is better?
      A) Mee to long/leJeune/other 4.6 max
      B) gross to mili (or zaha, but he is more expensive)

      The transfers I’m making now are to hopefully do me well til the end of the season.

      *note: yes I know, I’m not going for salah. Risk I’m willing to take for the long run rest of THIS season

      1. Bggz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        out of interest when did you use your FH and did it work out?

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Used it in 31, was pretty happy with the 109 or around that points.

          1. Bggz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            thats good, im hopeful for this gw and my fh. looking at my bb this week it wasnt really worth it. not to know that though

    8. davies
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A) Hennessey + Kenedy

      B) 3.9 + Mili

      I have Pope/Auba, fwiw...

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        B

    9. Football Weekender
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Set pieces section seems to have Baines as the number 1 pen taker for Everton... is it not Rooney?

    10. Kanteisking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      So my entire freehit is based on this Anfield Express. What if these blokes are playing FPL and decide to bend us all over this week to chase down a rival

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        LOL it'd almost be worth it for the scenes on here.

        1. Kanteisking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I know I would do it if I was chasing a mini league. Tweet that Salah, Firmino and Mane all out of the squad

      2. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Leaks come from here btw
        https://mobile.twitter.com/AdrianCocking_/with_replies

      3. JasonG123
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Someone commented a few days ago that AnfieldExpress have been playing the long game and that they can win FPL with a single tweet.

        1. Kanteisking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I believe it

      4. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Too natcistic for that 😉

    11. semiconductor
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Bench 1

      1. Robertson
      2. Baines
      3. Lowton
      4. Lascelles

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        4

    12. UptheBlues
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      just a question in relation to the free hit. If I were to make transfers this week before playing the free hit, will my team return to the way it was in gameweek 34 or how it was after making the transfers this week?

      1. MrZ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Return to your previous team m8

    13. MrZ
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      For remaining season, which is better, Lejuene or yedlin? & Why?
      Got lascelles also...
      Other defender : mustafi, smalling, tomkins..

    14. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I think wenger has made his statement clear. Auba will start from bench.
      Laca will be projected as a main goal scorer this time, he's in my team.

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I don't think it is nearly that clear.

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Wenger is the ultimate troll

      3. Football Weekender
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        He hasn’t made it clear at all, he’s just made everything more unclear!

    15. dee_top
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      What would you change in this FH squad, fellas?
      Butland
      Ota Baines VvD
      Sterling Arni Salah Zaha
      Jesus Auba Firmino
      Subs: 3,9 Mili Long 3,9

    16. Swagat
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      How is this FH Team?

      Pickford
      VVD Baines Mustafi
      Salah Sterling(c) Sane Zaha
      Aubameyang (vc) Jesus Firmino

      3.9,Milivojevic Long 3.9

      0.2m ITB, anything to improve?

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Maybe 4 or 5 won’t start

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Really good, I'm happy with firm and auba as "rotation risks".

        Consider Sane to KDB upgrade

    17. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      LMS Overall Ranks (43 teams)

      Top 500 = 4
      Top 1K = 5
      Top 5K = 17
      Top 10K = 19
      Top 50K = 37
      Top 70K = everyone

    18. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      So, the DGW34 BB was worth around 100+ points .... should we be happy with that ?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        It's worth about 21 points above normal teams. The score is less important.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Comparison with 37 will be imoortanat too

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Why, might be a higher scoring week. If normal team score higher, only the difference matters.

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Comparing the points above in 37 v 34, the two big BB weeks

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                Sure, TC was 9 above. FH was 4.
                Those 3 figures in 37 will be interesting along with FH35.

                1. Hotdogs for Tea
                  • 10 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  Put it another way, if we take BB points off the score, are we happy ?

                  Top 10k probably averages 60 including the captain, but in a double game week you would look to double it ... and ... get the bench points

                  I reckon in a DGW BB we should be aiming at 120 + bench points to match our own average performance ?

                  Has to be 130 - 140 ish ?

            2. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              The difference in BBs matters, not BB vs normal score

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                If normal teams score closer to BB37 teams, it more of a fail in the whole. Individual teams can have great BBs.

                1. The Suspended One
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  7 years, 7 months ago

                  I guess the relative differential each week is more important, but you have to compare to other BBs to get equal measures

      2. JasonG123
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        In the top 10k, BB teams scored about 21 more points than non BB teams. Reckon that's about par for the actual BB, it was the players on the field that were probably 20-30 points below par.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          BB & WC combo important too - not sure how easy it is to compare but quite a lot who didn’t BB probably didn’t WC just before either

    19. steven8991
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku and Son change to Auba and Sterling for -4.

      Do it or not?

      1. RIDZ
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        yes

    20. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I'm sure I'm not the only happy GW32 WCer. Heard a lot of rubbish about it being dumb and "template"..

      358k to 141k in 3 weeks

      116 and I had 7 from 6 today, Morgan over Chilwell and double United def Sunday. Could have easily been 140

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        What's your team link?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Thought it was in profile..no?

          https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/146156/history

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            That's different to your link due to the "a/"

          2. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Well done, this week is the main reason.

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Thx, think this week may be more important

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                For sure. Great chance to make another 10-20 on normal top 10K teams without including hits.

      2. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Nice! I have gone from 87,176 to ummm... 87,592 😆

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          At least it's not a big hole to dig out of 😉

      3. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        7k to 4k, I consider that a successful GW32 WC.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yessir

    21. RIDZ
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Who to captain:
      a) Sterling
      b) KDB
      c) Jesus
      d) Salah
      e) Auba

      Currently on Sterling for differential because Salah won't play 90 mins I'd guess

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        If Salah starts, him probably.

    22. SpaceCadet
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Who would you keep for the rest of the season?

      A. Hazard
      B. Alli
      C. Mahrez

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Still have WC?

        Rotation fa cup for the first two and the other is dreadful lately

      2. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        None really, Alli

      3. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        None of em.

      4. RIDZ
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        C

    23. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      When is this leak supposed to come in relation to the deadline? I will be at a concert in Tahoe at deadline time and I'm thinking I won't be stopping to set my FH team....

      1. Football Weekender
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Friday night or Saturday morning (UK time).

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Nice, hopefully early enough...

    24. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      How's everyones FH team shaping up? For the limited options, it's tricky to pick a team I'm happy with. May revert to my 1st team and just go with it. One thing I've learned from this week is that the more hours you put into planning, the more it hurts when it doesn't work out.

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Nothing sure yet except couple of Stokies and Sterling... Will take a break after GW34 performance, relax today and start working on team tommorow...

    25. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Anfield Express


      @AnfieldExpress
      20h20 hours ago
      More
      Mohamed Salah: "Now it's very clear, I want to break the Premier League record. One goal to go, right? I want to break both records! It's just four goals and four games!"

      Salah (c)

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        C for sure