Feature

Wasting Your Wildcard: Should FPL players ‘get a life’? We think not…

Fantasy Premier League managers can now read an extract from the recently released book ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’.

Written by long-term Fantasy Football Scout contributer David Wardale, the book hit shops last week is available to purchase with Waterstones.

After it attracted a great reception upon release, we are now able to provide you with an opportunity to read a section of the chapter entitled ‘Get a Life’. We think many of you will be able to relate to a lot of what you read here…



If you enjoyed what you read and want to see the rest of the book then make sure you get your copy of ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’ now.

Order ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’ with Waterstones HERE.

Australian fans can order through Booktopia.

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium | Forwards: Budget | Forwards: Mid-Price

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Arsenal | Bournemouth | Brighton & Hove Albion | Burnley | Cardiff City | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Huddersfield Town | Leicester City | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Newcastle United | Southampton | Tottenham Hotspur | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

Read them all in one place

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

1,434 Comments Post a Comment
  1. balint84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I bailly nailed?

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No Bailly, you're not nailed.

      1. balint84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        ehehhe-he
        Is he?

        1. Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          He should start imo, but cant say he's nailed.
          United are a wait and watch for me

  2. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Mane and King
    B) Pedro and Firmino

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A easily for me

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B (but got to see the cs to decide on pedro)

    3. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

  3. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed:

    Is it true that Ederson’s wife is expecting?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Expecting 5-6 Clean Sheets in the first 7 games

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        +1

      2. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Lmao

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        "Anyone got a list of first choice keepers who've had a vasectomy?"

        😆

  4. balint84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    what is the predicted United defense line?

    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      DDG
      9 players
      Lukaku

      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I think if you want a set-and-forget you’ll have to shell out for DDG

  5. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    S.Cook or Daniels?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Cook

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Daniels probably only nailed for the first 3 GWs. That being said, Id stay clear of Bou defense.

    3. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      BOU colander defence not for me. Who else have you got?

  6. creative
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any advice on one of these pairings?

    A) Sanchez & Firmino
    B) Salah & Zaha

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

  7. rilo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    any thoughts?

    Leno
    Mee PVA Mendy
    Mahrez Salah Mane Cairney
    Gray Aubameyang Zaha

    Speroni, Holebas, Ward, Peltier
    1.0 ITB

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Please try posting this over at the RMT community article instead 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/03/rmt-collection-spencer

      1. Kuqi Monster
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A scrolling banner saying this would really help your cause.

  8. tomlkier
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    GW1: Ederson (ars) or Ryan (wat)?

    1. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You need to play Ederson and downgrade Ryan to Hamer

  9. Ready Player One
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Feeling reasonably good about my team (until I watch CS and start all over again!), however something just not sitting right with PvA...

    Better 5.5 out there I should be looking at?

    1. Ready Player One
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Forgot to mention, have 0.5 itb

    2. tomlkier
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Bailly?

    3. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I like PVA. Attacking, good fixtures. Pretty perfect imo.

      I'm sure there's somewhere better you could use the money, but a Robbo / Bailly could work, if that's what you want

    4. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      PVA is a good pick imo.

      1. Ready Player One
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks guys!

        Gonna stick and twist later if need be then.

        Already have Robby and Bailly, with WB and Boly as fodder.

  10. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is King or Wilson likely to be nailed?

    1. hjalmarekdal
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      King likely

      1. t4thomas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks.

  11. hjalmarekdal
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    How to improve defence with 0.5?
    Ederson Hamer
    Robertson Luiz Schlupp Jagielka WanBiss

    Thinking of TAA for Schlupp and Mendy for Robertson. Thoughts?

  12. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Draft League.
    I’ve been offered a trade. Pogba for Son
    About even?

    1. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I fancy Pogba.

      1. Loftus cheeky nandos
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Son will be in Asian games after gw1 you don’t want him at this stage

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Draft league though so it’s a long term decision.
          Think I’m going to keep Pogba

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Do it!

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Get Pogba if that's the trade.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Other way round. I’m being offered Son.

          1. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Keep Pogba then.

    3. MAVER!CK
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      keep pogba

  13. La Vida Latte
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I've got three questions for you pros!

    1. What are the chances of Laca and Auba starting together?

    2. What are the chances of Schlupp keeping his midfield spot?

    3. What are the chances of Hudson getting a spot in Chelsea?

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'll only answer 1 and the chances are very very high.

      1. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks! Actually thinking of having them both in my team. Do you know why Laca hasnt started the last two?

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Emery has just been experimenting imo. I think Aubameyang is the better player and would be more lethal down the middle, but I can't see us benching Lacazette either. We are playing today against Lazio, the lineup should maybe reflect what Emery may select for the first match.

          1. La Vida Latte
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks!

    2. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      1. High chance of them both starting as auba could play on left with Lacazette in the middle
      2. Not too sure
      3. Don’t think he’ll get a spot. Chelsea have morata, giroud and batshuai all there. With Chelsea’s other attacking assets he’s unlikely to get a game.

      1. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks! Even if willian and hazard leaves?

        1. Loftus cheeky nandos
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yes because they have 3 strikers over him. Don’t think both will go, 1 might

          1. La Vida Latte
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Do you thin they will play Morata, giroud and Bat together? Aren't they all too center forwardy?

            1. Loftus cheeky nandos
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              They won’t play together but Hudson is more central, so wouldn’t get in

  14. Chunnam
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What dya think -

    Ederson

    Wan-bissaka - TAA - Daniels

    Salah - Sanchez - Eriksen - Silva - Hughes

    Aguero - Arnie

    (Hamer - Peltier - Malone - Kamara)

    Poor bench i know

    1. Where dahoud at
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Shocking defence

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Have to downgrade one of Eriksen/Sanchez imo. That defence is really poor.

    3. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Please try posting this over at the RMT community article instead 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/03/rmt-collection-spencer

      Awful defence awful bench. Needs a rework. Lose a premium, upgrade the rest

  15. Loftus cheeky nandos
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best 6 mill defenders?
    Do you go into the spurs defence?

    1. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not in the start. Too many WCplayers.

      Robertson, Mendy

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Robertson, Davies

    3. Trevez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Davies

  16. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hughes

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Nerys? Phwoar.

  17. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Planned to get some house work done today? Think again.

    Today's Friendlies:

    Everton v Valencia - 15:00
    Bournemouth v Marseille - 15:00
    Fulham v Celta Vigo - 15:00
    Newcastle v Augsburg - 15:00
    Saints v Borussia Monchengladbach - 15:00
    Watford v Sampdoria - 15:00
    Palace v Toulouse - 16:00
    Leicester v Lille - 17:15
    Cardiff v Real Betis - 17:15
    Liverpool v Napoli - 18:00
    Arsenal v Lazio - 19:00 (Arsenal's opponents were originally Sevilla, but they had to pull out)
    Spurs v Girona - 19:00

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Licking my lips at Liverpool Vs Napoli, very tasty

    2. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Interesting to see who plays for a few of them

    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      3 o clock blackout applies from today unfortunately.

    4. Ryan_P27
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Any televised or live on YouTube?

  18. Trevez
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please any issues here??
    Bettinelli
    Bailly Mee Cedric
    Eriksen Salah Pedro Richarlison
    Austin Aguero King
    Fabianski Mandy AWB Odoi
    £2.5m itb
    Plan will be to downgrade Aguero to Laca and Pedro to KDB GW3

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Please try posting this over at the RMT community article instead 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/03/rmt-collection-spencer

      Can I get a big flashing sign saying this please? 😉

  19. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone considering a front 3 of:-

    Tosun Zaha Arnie/King

    Or too cheap?

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      That is an expensive front 3 😮 !

      I am on Gray, Reid, Kamara atm 😉

      4-5-1 the main formation till Wilcard is used at some point.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Just you, Mark and FPL Virgin.

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        What is Mark going with?

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          C

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Could work. Always early WC to fall back on if it fails.

  20. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is Patricio a set and forget keeper or better to rotate with Foster/Fabianski?

    1. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Currently s&f in my team with Stek

    2. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No, not good enough

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Probably best to try set and forget - him and Fabianski are the sorts to have you looking at 10 benched points in an away performance at Arsenal that you bench them for

    4. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I’ve got Patricio/Fabianski but pondering a set and forget.

      Any decent 4.0 keepers though?

      1. Willllsonnn!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Not really any playing 4.0's.. think Stek and Hamer best chances of occasional stand-ins

    5. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Just Patricio. Great value.

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        ...but might get him when wildcarding. City’s first 7 fixtures are just so great.

    6. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I know it's an extra 0.5 but I always feel it's better to have both keepers playing to avoid the inevitable wasted transfer on a keeper early on

  21. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A Alisson/Mane
    Or
    B Ederson/Sane

    1. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ederson/Mane

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Right way around? Ederson and Mane

    3. jca
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If you don't have Salah, then it's Ederson/Mane or Allison/Sane. To me this is better coverage than a double up same team.

  22. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Which combo?

    A) Tomkins + Willian
    B) Bertrand + Richarlison

    Thanks in advance

    1. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B

  23. Loftus cheeky nandos
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Alderweireld? Surely if he goes to Man U he’ll be a great buy, as he’s be nailed into defence?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      As a fan, praying this move happens!

  24. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Will Lloris be fit for the Newcastle game?

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      one would assume, as he is a goalie.

  25. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Ederson Mane and Aubameyang
    B) DDG Ozil Aguero

  26. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Its CHO-time!

  27. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Stuck on the below for now and see how this weekend's final friendlies and CS go. How's it looking?

    Alisson
    Cook Bailly Luiz
    Pedro Mane Salah Sanchez Richarlison
    Morata Tosun

    Hamer Jagielka AWB Quaner

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Please try posting this over at the RMT community article instead 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/03/rmt-collection-spencer

      Morata is a no from me I'm afraid

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Ok thanks for the feedback.
        Who would you get instead?

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Morata,Tosun > Firmino,King maybe and free up a Liverpool spot to another 5.5 maybe Ederson

    2. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Leave it there. It's excellent imo. 9/10

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Wow thanks. Even Morata?

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Especially Morata. If you've watched Napoli as much as I have you'll know he'll be getting loads of chances. He's a great pick going under the radar.

  28. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    SB6, one of the reasons these number badges are misleading, lol.

  29. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So, Everton have the fixtures but their preseason form stinks.

    Are others taking a punt on them?

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      just richarlison for me, but i'm avoiding the defence.

    2. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Apart from when they won 21-0

  30. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Will Shaw start?

    1. amit1964
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      yes for 2 games

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He should start the first game at least, risky though as one poor performance and he will be dropped quick smart!