Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 277 – Surviving

Two Gameweeks in the space of just a few days meant there were plenty of team sheet surprises for Fantasy managers this week.

Despite the likes of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah missing out on a starting berth for one match, the Scoutcast crew just about survived Gameweeks 14 and 15.

Harry Kane was the hero for Az, Luke and Joe, who handed the Spurs man the armband for a 24-point haul against Southampton on Wednesday.

But it was a mixed set of fixtures for Andy. He captained Sterling for an 18-point return against Bournemouth but was left heartbroken when the winger failed to take to the pitch against Watford on Tuesday.

The crew take stock of this week’s line-ups when weighing up their Gameweek 16 transfer and captaincy plans.

They also find time to consider an overhaul of their forward line ups, after it emerged that well-owned West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic is set for a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Bargain hunting among the ranks of Fulham, who have strong fixtures on the horizon, is also on the bill.

In addition, the crew ponder the lessons they’ve learned this season. A failure to invest more heavily in Manchester City’s potent attack haunts Joe, who had his own survival mission this edition as he battled through a cold.

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 or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

It is also worth mentioning that FFScout moderator Rotation’s Alter Ego has collected this latest episode’s timestamps to help find particular sections. This can be found as the top comment in the Youtube version.

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

766 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    It's difficult to get Aruba with Kane Salah Sterling in the team so it's Okay To get Laca or should I Get Auba ?

    1. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Im picking Laca instead of Auba if that helps, think hes better value

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I think that too

        1. 2hotty
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Me 3

  2. Joedahla
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    who would you pick?

    Sane VS Son
    Kane vs Auba

  3. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Ffs Gomez out for 6 weeks does no favours for Liverpool's defensive assets. Clean sheet potential goes down imo.

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It helps TAA owners like myself.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Might help him starting games, but there's not much point if it reduces his CS potential.

        1. #FPLBhuna
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          agree with this

        2. All For One
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Who you lot switching Gomez to?

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      What do you think of VVD’s attacking threat? Two assists in two games since I had him. Can this be attributed to Liverpool improving their set pieces or just inevitability that the biggest lump gets the action

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        He always seems to be getting chances to score but hasn't scored in the league for us. Maybe he'll get 2 in one game or something haha, that's what usually happens.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Can’t wait would love you to be right BF

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            He can save it for United next week lol

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      TAA & Lovren on WC...

    4. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Think Liv kept 3/4 cs with Lovren this season. Relax

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Against City, Huddersfield and Watford. None of them attacked Liverpool.

    5. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Best defender in the world to step in though, Matip not too bad either I still believe in you when I didn’t earlier on in the season

  4. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Do you find in FPL you always want a little bit more?

    Start of the season I wanted a top 10k finish and to win my mini-league.

    Currently sat at just outside the top 2k and 70 points clear in my mimi-league and I want more. I want to be in the top 1k. I know if I achieve that I will want to be in the top 100. If I achieve that I will want to be in the top 10. At that point I want to win FPL.

    I could go from being happy at the start of the season to finish at 9,999 in the world to not being happy at finishing 4th.

    Is it just me that always wants that bit more or if you get to a decent position are you just happy to maintain it?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Obviously always striving for higher.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No I feel you lol. Grand scheme of things though, I’ve never been top 10k before yet since GW9 this season have been drifting between 2k and 4.5k, so cant be too disappointed!

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Such is life. Some people are never happy. Nothing wrong with always wanting to be better though

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      if you don't win you lose

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I can assure you that when you get to OR2 you want to win it....

    6. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yep, if you notice more closely you do this in everything in your life. Always wanting more, which is not a bad thing really.

    7. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Totally see your point, i’ve never been in top 10k, let alone this early in the season sat at 7k or thereabouts, if i finished 9,999 i’d still be overjoyed though.
      However, always striving for higher, until yes, you want to win it full stop.

    8. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It reminds me of playing golf....you can always do better and think what if!! I’m just outside 1k but not that happy with my team, thinking about a -8 to mix it up

    9. JohnnyMagrinho
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Just think if your position in percentages. Then you’ll be happier.

      • MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Be happy with whatever you've got, achieve zen. People always wanting more? Never happy.

      • Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. I had a 84 point week this week, and i'm not patting myself on the back for those that brought in, i'm scolding myself for playing AWB ahead of Doherty on my bench.

        There's always something that could've gone better; i think i'm just too competitive.

    10. Edmond
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Which combination do you prefer?

      a) Aubameyang & Felipe Anderson
      b) Lacazette & Sane

      Cheers lads.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B, easily.

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B miles

      3. 2hotty
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        most deffo B

      4. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

      5. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A, plus Sane...

    11. BulgarianOwls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      for a hit ?
      A alonso and arnie for Holebas and Laca
      B hazard and arnie for Felipe Anderson and Auba

      1. Me Spurs
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

    12. KJT123
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      RMCWT...

      Fabs Steele
      Alonso Lovren Doherty Chambers AWB
      Sterling Sane Son Richarlison Gibbs-White
      Kane Laca Jimenez

      1. bialk
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Lovren - TAA
        Chamber - Digne
        Son - Fraser
        Richarlison - F. Anderson
        Jimenez - Mitrovic

        And thank me later...

      2. bialk
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Alonso - Laporte

    13. Postbox12
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling in a 3-5-2 or Auba in a 3-4-3?

      Dilva only other City asset, have Kane and Wilson upfront already.

      1. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        this week Auba. Long term sterling looks essential

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sterling

      3. Goat
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sterling

      4. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sterling

      5. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not Kane. Sterling and Auba. Better value, maybe even better points. Use the money to enhance your bench...

    14. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      FFS cup results consider hits taken during gameweek ??
      Or the GW rank ??
      Thank you guys

    15. Tehol
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      My team currently
      Fabianski - 4.0
      Laporte - Alonso - TAA - Doherty - AWB
      Salah - Hazard - Anderson - Fraser - 4.2
      Auba - Jimenez - Arnautovic
      1.5 ITB 1FT

      Rubbish GW15 but I won my Minileague match up so at least not all bad

      Need some advice. Probably will WC next week.
      Options

      1) Hazard to Sterling and keep 1.0 ITB
      2) Downgrade Hazard to Richarlison and upgrade Arnautovic to Kane for - 4. This will help in next Minileague match up as opponent has Kane but not Auba
      3) Hazard to Sane and Arnie to Laca for a hit again. Is double Arsenal up front too much?

      What to choose?

      Thanks

    16. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      2 FT and 3.2 ITB. Thoughts on this?

      A - Aguero & Arnie > Auba & Jiminez
      B - Arnie & Duffy > Jiminez & Spurs defender
      Other? (Don't like Wilson's fixtures)

      Hart
      Robertson - Doherty - AWB
      Salah - Eriksen - Fraser - Richarlison
      Aguero - Arnie - Mitro

      Hennessey - Cairney - Duffy - Bednarek

    17. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Alonso or Laporte as set and forget premium option?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Alonso and Robbo for me currently but if I had Laporte he would be too

    18. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      can anybody give a good comparison and stats which would help deciding who to get out of lacazette and aubameyang...its frying my brain trying to decide 😛

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I’ll give you the stats for £14.99

        1. Srv210
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          if i had money I wont be asking man haha

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Auba has 4 more goals and more points for only 1.5 or so more. More explosive and capable off hauls off the bench

      3. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Auba has better stats but keep in mind that if both play together Laca occupies the central role

      4. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Just look at their scoring history. Auba consistent in Budesliga, Laca got a few in an easy French league. Auba wins.

    19. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Apologies, I've been on here a few times today with questions and comments etc, but just to get some feedback if possible.

      How would people here spend £5.4M with 1 FT?

      A) Arnautovic to Aubameyang
      B) Martial to Sterling

      Bearing in mind with (A) that I own Laca + Kane. My worry is that it'd be too much cash up front, but seemed such a clear move y'day!

      1. Goat
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B next week

      2. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B, he's only got a knock.

    20. as33
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Who do u guys replacing Arnie with?(Wilson and Kane in my team)

      1. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Laca for me, same front three as you. Am taking a -4 or even a -8

      2. jumpinjeffflash
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Lacazette for me, unless Emery says something in the presser that puts me off...

      3. Mixed Bag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Jimenez or Lacazette depending on funds

      4. PompeyUpNorth!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I rushed it last night to beat the drop and went Mitro. I've just noticed he's on 4 yellows...Anyone know when they reset or carry over to 10?

        1. jumpinjeffflash
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          End of December, I believe. Someone smarter than I will fact-check me though!

    21. Dont choose VW. Pickford
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Captain?
      A Kane (Leic away)
      B Lacazette (Hud home)

      1. Mixed Bag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Kane has a great record against Leicester and is in good form. I'd still go for Lacazette though.

      2. jumpinjeffflash
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        (B) just because Spurs have Barcelona midweek and I'd imagine Kane will come off early at Leicester

    22. Pigeon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I have 1FT and 3.6m itb, should I hold?

      Ryan
      Alonso Robertson Digne
      Hazard Sterling Richarlison Anderson
      Aubameyang Wilson Jimenez
      Button Doherty AWB Hojbjerg

    23. Dead Lift
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A few words about Alonso.
      Is it time to move on and get rid of him or do you think he's a good cover for Chelsea's upcoming nice run of fixtures?
      He seems not at his best but we all know what he is capable of.
      What are you doing then?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Keeping based on the points you made

        1. Dead Lift
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          He has offered to me a decent 4.8 ppg. Not great but I keen on keeping him in my WC.

      2. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Keeping of course - Chelsea are likely to keep clean sheets in the upcoming weeks and he's the defender most likely to score big points. If he's rotated (for which there's no evidence) it's an easy downgrade to any other defender in the game.

      3. Mixed Bag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Keep. He's guaranteed to hurt you as soon as you ditch him.

      4. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Got rid this gw.
        Will get back after Christmas if he starts to fire again !

    24. Joedahla
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      how would you rate son vs sane and kane vs auba? i can afford all 4 with sale of salah and arnie!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sane and Kane

      2. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I've gone with Kane and Lacazette.
        Allows funding for more big hitters in midfield.

        1. Joedahla
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Looks tempting, but I cannot afford both kane and laca. Only one premium striker available. My team as of now:

          Fabianski, Ryan
          TAA, Alonso, DIgne, balbuena, AWB
          Salah, Hazard, Sterling, Richarlison, Kayal
          WIlson, Arnie, Success

      3. Mixed Bag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Auba has the potential to be rested or played OOP in a bad way. He's also scored with every shot on target he's had recently. Not sustainable. Definitely Kane for me out of the two.

        Son v Sane is tougher. Probably Sane just, Spurs don't look like they're going to destroy teams. Sane could get bigger hauls.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Is Lacazette likely to start 3 games out of each for, say, and come in the fourth one?

          Or could it be worse than that?

        2. Joedahla
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Thats a really great analysis, and I totally agree with you. I also think that if you go kane, you should go sane over son just to have a city cover. I believe that two spurs players will be too much, as they do not score that many goals as you mentioned.

    25. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      How is everyone? Had a couple of bad fpl weeks but rung the changes so, is this team gtg?

      Ederson
      Robertson TAA Balbuena Doherty
      (S)terling Hazard Felipe
      Kane Auba Wilson

      Hamer Brooks Camarasa AWB

      1. Joedahla
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        looks really good tbh. Looking at your team, I wish I was on a WC...

    26. Reckoner.
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      0.1m off doing Eriksen > Sane after this GW.

      What are the chances of Speroni dropping to 3.9 before Sane rises to 9.5? (Have Alisson & Hamer)

    27. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Any defenders worth taking a 4 point hit for this week? I need to shift out Duffy and I'd have up to 5.6 to spend.

      Was thinking of bringing in one of the Arsenal defenders, but is it worth it for -4? The alternative would be benching Duffy and playing AWB this week.

      1. tattywelshie
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Bellerin looks the best option, I'd be tempted to go for it, yeah it's for a hit, but you'll probably be playing him solidly for the next few weeks so should pay off

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Bellerin over Kola you reckon?

          1. tattywelshie
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I have a feeling Kola might get dropped, dunno why, Bellerin seems a lot more secure

            1. Sarcastic Warnock
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              This.

      2. Mixed Bag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not worth it for a -4. You'd need a clean sheet to cover the cost. How many have Arsenal had this year? 2?

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          True.
          Any defenders from other clubs you would consider worth the gamble this week?

        2. tattywelshie
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Over 1 week yeah that's true, but over the space of 6 weeks for instance, likely to get an assist and at lease one cleansheet

      3. Duane Dibley
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I'd bench this week if you have no other pressing transfers, play AWB and replace for free next week as Brighton's upcoming fixtures are none too friendly anyway

    28. bronzadonis
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      WC

      Fab Hamer
      Alonso Digne Holebas Doh WB
      Sane Sterling Fraser Rich Fodder
      Kane Auba Wilson

      0.3 ITB

      Any thoughts welcome. Thx lads

      1. bialk
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Hamer - Steele. You can use the second GK in January.

    29. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Starting to be swayed a bit by Laca > Auba arguments. On WC which do you prefer?:

      A) Auba, FAnderson
      B) Laca, Son

      Fab
      TAA, Laporte, Doherty
      Sterling, Sané, Fraser, XXX
      Kane, XXX, Wilson

      (Hamer) (Gunnarsson, Schindler, AWB)

      Cheers!

      1. 2hotty
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        i like b

      2. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I actually like Laca and Fanderson.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          It's not a terrible shout but then where do I use the spare £1.8m cash?

          1. Boss Hogg
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            You'll want Hazard in January!

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Who knows!

              But for a WC now, Haz isn’t a great pick and it doesn’t feel right to leave as much as that sitting in the bank!

    30. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      what moves are best
      A- Salah/Arnie to Laca/Sane -4
      B- Arnie/Alonso to Laca/Kolasinac or any 5.3 or below(suggestions welcome
      -4

    31. All For One
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Gomez>Trent
      Salah>Felipe Anderson
      Arnie> Kane

      -8 Worth it?

    32. HairlessGrealish
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Arnautovic + Salah to Kane + Martial or Felipe Anderson?

    33. aborg
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Strange how nobody is speaking about Madisson's points in the last two GW's of 8 and 10 respectively after most people sold him.
      Anyone like me still owning him and intending to keep through the next hard fixtures?

      1. 2hotty
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        he broke my heart i would never take him back

        1. aborg
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah I understand. I was pissed off with his red card but kept him as I could not afford taking a hit to swap him out and luckily he gave me returns in the two games after.

      2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Most got him for those easier fixtures and he spat in our faces. However if he gets points v bigger boys he could get involved in that 6-7 million mid battle...

      3. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Fixtures toughen a bit, so i'm not too upset that i took him out on a wildcard after his weekend points.

    34. BearHug
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Who do you guys think has the best chance of cleansheet this gw, between:

      A) Leicester- home to Spurs
      B) Cardiff- home to Southampton
      C) Palace- away at WestHam

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B, big boy Morrison to save me again with an assist if not

    35. El_Gigante
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Was thinking about beefing up the bench for December. Is Noble a good option at £4.9m now that Arnie (who I think was above Noble in the penalty taker pecking order) is out?

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I like Gibbs-White.

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        No he is not. Camarasa attacking and on pens and set pieces now

        1. Sarcastic Warnock
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          This.

      3. bialk
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Torreira is on corners.