Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 286 – Hopeful

Recorded during the last few minutes of Gameweek 28’s fixtures, the Scoutcast crew cling to the hope of huge points hauls right to the final whistle. 

For Az and Joe, though, the evening proved particularly frustrating as they are left to settle for a mere dribble of 11th-hour returns from the likes of Paul Pogba.

At least one of the crew saw their hope rewarded. Special guest Adam Hopcroft, who was filling in for the red-flagged podcast pair of David and Luke, ended the night on 62 points to set him on course for his sixth top 10,000 overall finish. 

Amid the excitement of a Gameweek finale, the crew also find time to mull over the key players, teams and talking points of the week.

Chelsea’s strong fixture run comes under scrutiny, as does the potential of a Leicester side under new management following the appointment of former Celtic and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. 

Chip strategy is also revisited with recent injuries to key players and the strong form of Newcastle presenting further challenges and opportunities as Fantasy mangers navigate the upcoming blank and double Gameweeks.

Gameweek 29 is then looked at in detail, with clean sheet and differential prospects put under the microscope. 

Proceedings take an unusual turn when Monty Python’s Life of Brian and He-Man earn mentions.

The crew finish the show by revealing  their transfer and captaincy plans. As the old football cliché goes “they can take the despair, it’s the hope that kills them”.

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Wednesday 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

2,335 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sane and Mahrez didn't even get to 60 mins on Wed. Can't see either taking much part this weekend.Pep has no faith in them.

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is it my idea or are you always get the top comment?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Card counting. Avoid him in casinos.

        1. AuFeld
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I was just reading about edge sorting. Wild.

          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Sounds painful.

        2. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Lol.

      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I've got a clause in my contract that says I have top comment when I'm on.

  2. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would you make any of these moves to GW31. I'll be using my FH in 32 & WC34

    Fab
    Robbo TAA Doherty
    Salah Pogba Son Rich
    Aguero Jimenez Barnes

    (Boruc Digne Camarasa Bednarek)

    A) Camarasa > Hayden
    B) Digne & Son > Haz & Diop (-4)
    C) Rich > Pedro
    D) Hold

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      May as well hold this week

    2. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      How many FT do you have? If you only have 1, I would just hold.

      1. MikeLowrey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        1FT. Already used one on AWB > TAA

        1. BIG TONES
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          So you have 1 left? Just hold it. Then you got two left to make key decisions next GW

          1. MikeLowrey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Yep 1 left. I was leaning towards as hold. Not 100% on Maddo just yet

    3. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Without Leicester I would do richa to mads

  3. Gashead9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba & Son > Vardy & Sterling (C) for free? Will have 7 in place for GW31

    Heaton,
    Robbo, Doherty, Bednarek,
    Salah, Mane, Son, Pogba, Anderson,
    Auba, Jiminez

    Hamer - A Smith, AWB, Kamara

  4. MASTER ROSHI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Stuck on what to go for:
    A) Richarlison, AWB > Luiz, Barnes (-4)
    B) Richarlison > Maddison

    Current team, building 31/33, FH32 0.8ITB 1FT
    Fab
    Robbo Pereira Doherty
    Salah Mane Pogba Son
    Vardy Jimi Arnie
    (Rico Richa AWB SCook)

    Thanks!

  5. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sane was a silly buy. But what To do?

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sell.

      1. korbendallas82
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The opposite of buy.

      1. korbendallas82
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Monster advise.

  6. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo should I go for assuming all are fit?

    A) Vardy and Hazard

    B) Arnie and Sterling

    C) Arnie and Hazard

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B. Solely based on Sterling. Hazard has been too inconsistent and I had him for 22 game weeks.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  7. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Laca to Hig tonight or just wait. I can't help myself

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wait

    2. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

    3. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wait till press conference

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is he rising?

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Potentially

    5. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      wait

      TV/SV is not crucial at this stage. Friday info is more valuable

      1. Winners900
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        This is so true. I will wait for more information and suddenly some surprises.

        TV/SV not important anyway now. Most people already have enough money iTb to get the right players these days.

  8. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Looking like Sterling is on the rise today and Son around -80%.

    Worth grabbing Sterling for a -4 and dropping Son? I am planning to FH32/WC34/BB35 TC?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Depends what the other bit of the -4 is

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        It was Laca to Vardy, already made that transfer.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I'd be tempted. I think sterling will outscore son by more than 4 over 2 weeks.

          1. Dirty Harry
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            That is what I was thinking as well. Sterling could go off this weekend, then a nice juicy double as well.

    2. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Trying to building for 31/33 but only currently have 6. Could make this 7 or 8 with a hit after this GW.

      x
      Robbo x x
      Salah Mane Hayden x
      Vardy Barnes x

    3. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  9. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Guys, Not sure which changes to make please help! £1.9M ITB 1FT

    Patricio(Hamer)
    Robertson, Kola, Bennett (Digne, AWB)
    Pogba, Son, Salah, Anderson (Hojberg)
    Rondon, Aguero, Jimenez..

  10. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alright first RMT in some time, can I get some feedback?

    Heaton
    TAA - Robbo - Doherty - Bennett
    Sterling - Salah - Pogba
    Aguero - Rashford - Jiminez

    Bench: Hamer - Brooks - Digne - Hojbjerg

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Gtg

  11. mpalmercity76
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    TAA 18 points and Oriol Romeu 11 points on the bench.

    Scored 55 points but if I had those two I would have been top of my work league..

    gutted....

    anyone else with a story of woe from this week?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Damn that really sucks.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I had Doherty and Son captained.

    3. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch

    4. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Had siggy first sub with 16. Moved him out for Son

  12. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    1 week punt - Auba Son and Kola -> Vardy Sterling and Luiz for a -4 ?

  13. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hm… downgrading Salah to Mané makes Puncheon > Haz a possibility. Worth the punt?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes , I did Salah to Sterling
      Time to live a little.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        It does feel a bit wrong though. Oh, and it would be for a hit.

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Wouldn't do it for a hit but Salah to Mane does open up lots of possibilities. I'm getting him for Son next week.

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, a hit would be risky. Quite tempting still though. Something to think about before GW31.

            My other transfer option this GW is Son > Sterling (C) - and a hit for Auba > Higuaín. It's really too many options to consider going forward.

  14. mpalmercity76
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Also RMT please

    FAB

    TAA, DOHERTY, ROBERTSON

    SALAH, POGBA, MADDISON, RITCHIE

    AGUERO, JIMINEZ, LACAZETTE

    WAS LOOKING AT AGUERO CAPTAIN BUT WITH POGBA AT HOME AND JIMINEZ ALSO WORTH A PUNT.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I rate your team as a bit shouty. Not sure on Ritchie. Otherwise good.

  15. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A) Son/Aubameyang > Sterling/Rashford

    B) FAnderson/Aubameyang > Sterling/A Barnes

    C) Son/ F Anderson/Aubameyang > Sterling / Mane / A Barnes (-4)

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      just do auba barnes and upgrade a mid next week

  16. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    If pep hints at aguero resting I’m tempted to do...

    Aguero & Son-> Sterling (c) & Higuain

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      extremely sideways at a crucial time with blanks on horizon

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not if Aguero is benched and Sterling hauls

        1. Prison Mike
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Plus I back Higuain to outscore Son over the upcoming period and he doesn’t blank...

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          “if”

          1. Prison Mike
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            That’s why watch pressers carefully, it’s pep though so probably won’t give much away anyway mind

  17. bel24
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Getting rid of Richarlison tonight for Bournemouth Mid. Would you
    A - Fraser
    B - Brooks

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      a better player b better value depends if u need the money

      1. bel24
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Was gonna do A but see he”s dropping in price tonight. Why are people getting rid

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          no idea, casuals not planning for 31/33 i guess

          1. bel24
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Sound. Money not a prob so might just go with my gut (Fraser) till I WC in 34. Cheers

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  18. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I see Digne is dropping in price tonight.
    Who are these people selling a gw31 player. Obviously the same people who caused the Kun price rise a week before his blank.
    This is the primary issue I have with the price stock market within FPL. It only functions correctly if you can eliminate the morons.

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      agree - im not complaining at all.

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        dont agree with the last part though

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not everyone has the strategy of building for 31. Some will just free hit.

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Fair enough.
        The kun thing is what set me off initially.

    3. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's Digne out for TAA. Digne will probably get 4 points across gameweeks 31 and 33. Whereas TAA has a a high ceiling.

  19. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Help please guys.
    My ML lead cut from 90 to just 32 over last 8 weeks.
    What moves would you do with 2FT?

    Guaita, Speroni
    Robertson, Doherty, Pereira, Digne, Lascelles
    Salah, Pog, Son, Richarlison, Anderson
    Rashford, Kun, Jimenez

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

      Get Sterling (C) somehow.

      Get rid of Rich for starters.

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        yeah considering Rich out to Maddison. Any suggestions how to get Sterling in? I guess selling Aguero is the way to go?

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

          keep Aguero

          so yeah Rich out

          if you need a team for gw31 then you'll prob want to keep Anderson

          Son out? If your nearest rival doesn't have him, it won't matter too much. Then get a cheap GW31/33 midfielder. I can't do the maths, sorry, it's up to you.

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Flappy

    TTA, Doherty, Kola

    Salah, Pogba C, Mane, Son

    Jiménez, Kun, Rashford

    Boruc, Jota, Pereira, Lascelles,

    Jota & Kola to Luiz & Brooks leaves .1itb.

    Think Son needs to go but going round in circles?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      still saying luiz and brooks for kola and jota

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Keep thinking salah to Sterling then back for 31?
        Salah & Son to Haz & Sterling .1 short 🙁

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          waste of transfers

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Plummeting in rank, any thoughts here? got 1ft and 0.6m.

    Fabianski -- Button
    Doherty • Pereira • Digne -- Lascelles Schindler
    Salah • Pogba • Sterling (c) • Rich --- Hayden
    King • Jimenez • Kun

    A: Digne >> TAA
    B: Save FT and hope for the best..2ft's might be handy next gw but then if anyways intend to get TAA next gw on my 2FTs, might as well get him now?
    C: Schindler >> Evans
    D: Rich >> Fanderson / Maddison / H.Barnes
    E: Something else

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  22. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I think it's hilarious that people still have richarlison.

    Im not being mean. it took me months to sell him because other stuff kept coming up every week and he just sat there doing f all.

    1 return in 9 weeks. Bound to haul now.

    1. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Milivojevic 10 times better.

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ssshhh

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      anderson, maddison, martial etc havent done much better so it doesnt really matter in most cases

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Danny has certainly been a disappointment on a par with him.

        I reckon Madison has potential.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          *fanny

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I still have him.Gonna tear Liverpool apart this weekend.Lol

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah i know.
      I sold him for Anderson.

      Oh wait hes terrible as well.

  23. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Captain?
    A) Mané.
    B) Sterling.
    C) Aguero.
    D) Hazard.

    Currently on Sterling.

    1. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nice, you wildcarded?

      I'm still sitting here and can't decide lmao

      1. DR0GBA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        that said definitely B

      2. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yep. Literally every response i got said dont do it, but oh well. Was no fun pretending to back a team i didnt see hauling.

        1. DR0GBA
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          are you worried about Aguero at all since Jesus is back in training and the quotes about Kun being knackered?

          1. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Even if he's dropped for one of the next two he could haul in the other, and knowing i dont have a wildcard anymore he's good to have long term.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B and good luck.luck.fair play for going you're own way.

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers haha, finally something a little supportive 🙂

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Most people on here follow the crowd. Independent thinking is frowned upon.

  24. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Help guys...
    Lacazette our for

    A) Vardy
    B) Higuain

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I know - very tricky call. Leaning on Hig for the novelty.

    2. HoldingMeeStones
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A coin toss. I went for B based on stats and Vardy not having many of his recent shots on target.

      1. Meme2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I’m feeling the same...I feel vardy May grab a goal but higuain more potential of a brace or more, thanks

  25. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fplstats and FFix differ massively on Higuain rising (former says tonight, other says not likely).
    Anyone know who to believe?

  26. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    just did = Auba, Salah, Rich, Digne -> Hig, Haz, Raz, Luiz

    I'm on the ropes and coming out swinging 😀 hopefully Sarri doesn't rotate 😐

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      That’s bold, Salah back for 31?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        might Free Hit, no idea yet - I'll cross that bridge when I come to it 😀 you never know, he might get a knock in the CL game

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I am building for 31+ 33, FH 32, WC 34, seems safest way.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            yeah it definitely is, but looks like I may be destined to go maverick

  27. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any ideas for this team?

    Fabianski
    TAA, Doherty, Shaw
    Salah, Son, Pogba, F Anderson
    Auba, Jiménez, Rondon

    Button, Digne, Højbjerg, AWB*

    1FT, 3.6 ITB

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Auba + Hojbjerg >> Vardy + Sterling

      1. AFC49
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That doesn’t work. -1.1 lol

  28. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Those with WC/FH/BB/TC still left, would it be crazy to punt on a TC Sterling this weekend? Currently looking at FH32/WC34/BB35 which means a TC in a SGW. Salah vs HUD was the plan, but I'm currently not 100% convinced on that.

  29. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hopefully just a precaution then for Hazard withdrawal. Might have to wait until tomorrow’s presser to get him in tho... https://twitter.com/HLNinEngeland/status/1101161841294798855?s=20

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      “im fine”

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the update Eden 😉

  30. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Son + Salah >> Haz + Sterling -4

    Yes or No?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      no

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I was .1 short or would of