Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 259 – Smooth

Just as we witnessed in Gameweek 31, the Free Hit chip does its thing, granting the ScoutCast crew and many in the Fantasy Football Scout community the smoothest of landings as we begin preparations for another Double Gameweek take-off.

Jonty, Andy and Az join me for the Gameweek 35 post-mortem, as, driven by your questions, we ponder whether this season’s debut chip has rendered the blanks as the best opportunity for a rank hike.

However, this is no time to rest on our laurels, with another double-header looming. That fuels discussion on Manchester City, Spurs and even Swansea City’s players; assets at opposite ends of the Fantasy spectrum, united by the potential of two fixtures in Gameweek 37.

To invest in those spoils, we need to make sacrifices, so we assess the midfield makeweights and ponder if Marcos Alonso can finally shake Jonty’s curse, or whether we should all cash in on the Blues banned wing-back.

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.

1,696 Comments Post a Comment
  1. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Finding it tough this week to many a decision.

    Alonso, Vahrez, City players...

    Make or break?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      City players and Alonso

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        If you’ve kept Alonso this long then you may as well keep.

        Sell Vahrez.

        Buy triple City.

        1. Sandy Ravage
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 day ago

          Holding Alonso limits your resources for getting other better players

        2. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 day ago

          Triple City would mean Alonso has to go I reckon

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      You know you want some MCI.
      What if they go and hammer the hammers?
      Alonso hasn't been good lately, defences in general haven't been good, clean sheets have been hard to predict.

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      When in doubt, do nothing.

    4. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Wait to see what Mark does 😉

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Do nothing.

        Roll the transfer

        Reassess next week for a major dgw push

        4 transfers for -8 maybe

    5. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I think vahrez is too much Leicester with their form. palace looking ok and might get a result this weekend. think one of sterling or Jesus is a must

    6. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I’m going either Jesus or bold on Son.

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        In exactly the same position.

        I’ve got Alonso, Son, Willian

        But no City players. Chasing rival has Sterling & Salah

        Do I:
        A) role 2, hope S & S don’t do too much damage the W/E, then reassess
        B) Ditch Alonso now as main way of raising cash: Gross & Alonso -> Sterling & 4.1m

  2. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    WC team with BB37......any improvements?

    McCarthy / Dubravka
    Masuaku / BDavies / Smalling / Stephens / Naughton
    Sterling / Kennedy / DSilva / Hazard / Son
    Jesus / Kane / Austin

    Not seen many with Haz....fancy him to score big in 37.

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Wld go Ayew instead of Austin

      1. ludi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        +1

      2. asquishypotato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        This.

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Has to get wrapped in cotton wool for Chelsea’s only chance of a trophy?

    3. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Looks pretty solid but would have Salah over Hazard this week if he plays

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

    Auba > Kane?

    feels like a waste of transfer as I am transferring out a dgw player

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

      Kane's potential dgw37 score is much bigger than Auba's.

      1. Mini Mane Mo
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Ppl are assuming that Spurs will steamroll WBA and Newcastle.

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 day ago

          People assume an arsenal with nothing to play for are going to batter a Burnley side they burgled their way against last time, and a Leicester side that is geared up to counter them.

          1. Mini Mane Mo
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 day ago

            There’s still Europa League up for grabs

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Kane will deliver

  4. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Do we expect Klavan and VvD to start?

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Probably. Find out tomorrow.

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I’d say so, Lovren a bit more injury prone.

      Could even me Clyne Klavan Gomez Moreno due to the injury situation

  5. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    If David Silva is out for the game against Hammers then he is a must for the dgw.

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Not if he's back in Spain.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        I imagine we will be back in 10 days from now.

        1. wulfrunian
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 day ago

          *he

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Not necessarily?

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Must-have imo.

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 day ago

          I think he’s a good pick, but on the basis he is potentially in spain? No. Rested, yes, but not necessarily back in the squad.

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

    On a Wildcard. Is Jones nailed?

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Pretty much

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      No, I wouldn't say nailed. Might miss one game.

    3. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      heard that Bailly was only dropped through illness last few games. still a bit unsure on utd CBs

    4. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I’d say so, as much as anyone is at the stage...

  7. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    unsure on how to line up this week, should I be starting someone i’ve benched?

    I’ve gone mahrez to Eriksen, next week christensen to smalling

    would you rather have son and Davies?

    DDG
    lowton christensen dummett
    Eriksen salah kenedy lingard sterling
    Jesus Kane

    Fabs // jayew Morgan mustafi

    cheers for any help

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      No your good

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Looks good imo

  8. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    On a WC with 0.3m if you find any improvements?

    Ederson/ Fabianski
    Verts/ Chilwell/ lejeune/ Dummett/ VDH
    Salah/ Sterling/ Willian/ iwobi/ Tarroll
    Kane/ Jesus/ Auba

    1. ludi
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Arnie instead of Willian?

    2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I’d be tempted to go arnie over willian

      1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Interesting..... I thought WH were dead

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 day ago

          Maybe even Ramsey dependant in the arsenal situation. Willian is a bit of a mess right now, as an owner I have no idea what I’m getting out of him.

    3. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Yes Arni over William W Ham need the points

  9. ludi
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    A. Lukaku --> Jesus
    B. Mahrez --> Sterling

    Currently tempted to do A this week and B next week because Lukaku has a bad fixture and Mahrez could recover against Palace. Thoughts?

    Rest of the team:
    DDG - (Ryan)
    Vertonghen - Chilwell - Lowton - (Dunk, Morgan)
    Willian - Marhez - Eriksen - Gudmundson - (Lingard)
    Kane - Lukaku - Barnes

    1. Boholad
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      keep lukaku hes due hattrick against Arsenal.

    2. ludi
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Alternatively can do Willian to Silva or Arnie and keep both Mahrez and Lukaku...

    3. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I’m thinking the same.

    4. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      B this week A next week

  10. Boholad
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    do you keep lukaku for 1 more gameweek, knowing that Arsenal are likely to rotate for the Madrid match?

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      as long as you have a city player and kane then yes

      1. Boholad
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        no Kane. Erikson, Ali anf Vertoghan tho. could use the free transfer to do mahrez to sterling.

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Dependent on your ther options - no if considering Kane or Jesus

    3. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Keep Kaku this week Maybe Mahrez to Sterling for this week

  11. Nigawan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Who should I play this week?

    a) DDG
    b) McCarthy

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      A

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      DDG based on tonight’s antics.

      Southampton need to score to win so leaves them open against an attacking team.

      Arsenal will need to think about the away game next week.

    3. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      DDG. Southampton v Bournemouth could be a goal fest.

    4. Nigawan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      thanks guys! 😀 will pick the best keeper in the premier league then. hahah

  12. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Awaiting news, but Alonso out for Davies or Vert for -4?

    Would allow a Gross to Sterling for the Double next week

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Vert

  13. michudagawd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    1 FT, 0.3 itb

    De Gea
    Lowton Duffy Morgan
    Salah Mahrez Willian Lingard
    Vardy Kane Barnes

    Ryan - Arnie Bailly Alonso

    Thinking Bailly + Mahrez to Vert/Davies + Sterling for -4. Thoughts?

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Sounds great.

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Good Moves

  14. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Bench one

    A Mili
    B Arnie
    C Barnes

    Cheers

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

      B

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      B. Form but against the worst team.

    3. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      A

  15. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone going for Lukaku and Kane?

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

      Yes. Why?

  16. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Anything worth a hit?

    DDG
    Christensen, Lowton, Tarkowsky
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Willian
    Kane, Barnes, Jesus

    (Ryan, Mili, Mustafi, Mariappa)

    0ft, 0.9itb

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Looks Solid

  17. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    De Gea,
    Davies, Lowton, Tark,
    Mahrez, Son, Willian, Lingard,
    Kane, Auba, Vardy.

    Subs: Ryan, Chilwell, Christensen, King.
    1FT and 0ITB.

    Mahrez to Silva this week or save?

  18. Kenny Dogleash
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Thoughts on this lot? Bricking it with no Salah, but only 0.2 itb, so realistically-8 to get him. Worth it?

    DDG
    Vert, Tarkowski, Lowton
    Mahrez, Alli, Lingard, Gudmundsson,
    Kane, Lukaku, Vardy

    Ryan, Chilwell, Kiko, Kenedy

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Maybe Kaku Mahrez for Jesus Sterling

  19. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Is sticking with Hazard foolish? Dont have Salah or any city

    1. nikornla
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I would say yes

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Would have Sterling over Hazard for run in

  20. nikornla
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Which GK?

    A) Karius vs Stoke (H)
    B) Pickford vs Hud (A)

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      A

  21. Mondeo
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Hello DZ!

    Who would you prefer for next 2 GWs?

    A) De Bruyne & Smalling
    B) Sane & Arnautovic

    1. nikornla
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Sterling & Smalling

      1. Mondeo
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        Already have Sterling locked in!

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Would go A

  22. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Hey guys, holding a 20 point lead and my rival has Eriksen who could haul this weekend at home to Watford. I'm 0.1 short on doing Mahrez > Eriksen (who I'd like regardless) but should I enable with Bailly > Naughton (who might be useful in GW37) and take a -4 hit this week or do something else?

    1 FT and 0.7 ITB

    DDG - Hennessey
    Bailly - Alonso - Lowton - Long - Morgan
    Salah - Willian - Son - Mahrez - GroB
    Lukaku - Vardy - Barnes.

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Mahrez for Sterling this week
      Kaku Jesus next week

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

    If you owned Christensen would you sell him for gameweek 37 or hold?
    Would probably be for a hit

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

      Definitely* for a hit

  24. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    GTG? Unsure whether or not to double up on Burnley defence or start Hennessey. FT was Aub > Kane.

    Pope
    VVD Otamendi Tarkowski Vertonghen
    Mahrez Salah (V) Townsend Zaha
    Kane (C) Jesus

    Hen Shaq Maguire Quaner

  25. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Trying to get a 2nd city midfielder, already got sterling. Which do u like?

    A. Son to KDB
    B. Willian to Sane or either silva's
    C. Gundmunssen to Gundagan

    1. MALDINI'S EYES!
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      B

  26. MALDINI'S EYES!
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Alonso and mahrez >> Davies and Sterling -4?

    What you think mates?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Tough. 4 points hit to take 2 x doublers out....

      Still...form and all that

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

      I would

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      I would easily. Sterling could get a lot of points even if minutes are limited

    4. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Mahrez to Sterling
      Keep Alonso

  27. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Jesus could be an amazing captain differential this week.

  28. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    If Salah isn't starting, I will do Salah > Eriksen for a - 4. If he is due to start, would Mahrez & Alonso > Eriksen & Laporte be worth a - 8?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      not -8 no

  29. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    help me choose please

    a davies
    b vert

    cant make my mind up 🙂

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      A - attacking returns much more likely.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 day ago

        thank you. not as nailed though...

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Def Davies. If Rose still a doubt to play imo

  30. LonesomePundit
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 day ago

    Undecided on this as am 90% playing bench boost this week rather than next week - set up much better this week essentially and it will allow me to make more attacking transfers next week instead of replacing Lowton, Adrian etc.

    However, worth removing Mustafi for a hit for any defender at 5.4m or lower?
    Thinking Bertrand, Cedric, Trippier maybe (risky), Lascelles (double Newcastle). Or just keep Mustafi and take his 2 points max.

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 day ago

      Keep Mustaphi Not worth the hit