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. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fab
    TAA Doherty Tarkowski
    Salah Hazard Mane Sterling Pogba
    Barnes Jimenez

    Perreira

    -4

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cool

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That Midfield!

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        pity I keep on picking the wrong (c).

        Last 3 weeks...12,4,6...

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Rank?

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            nowhere

            160k

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

              If your nowhere. Then I’m to infinity and beyond. Lol

              1. Christina.
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                frustrating since I was 50k in gw 7

        2. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Same here. Think I’m going to drop Salah. Can’t justify keeping him now. Expensive if no armband. Son,Salah and Aubamayang captain picks have hurt me in recent weeks.

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Might be an idea. I gambled on Sane in for Sane last week. Maybe I should keep Sane and gamble on Salah out. Chasing down 45 pts in a ML.

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              *Sane in for Son

            2. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Oh yeh not to mention the Sane TC as well.
              I’m chasing a 60 point deficit in my main ML but he has no WC. He’s killing me with Mane over Salah.

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Beautiful, captain?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling at the moment. Might shift to Hazard.

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      G2G

    5. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      go big or go home mid, same as mine only Son instead of Salah, that extra cash allows me double LIV defence and Vardy 🙂

    6. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team!

      Got Robbo, Jota & Rondón over your Tarko, Mane & Barnes.

      Sterling(c)?

    7. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have virtually the same tea, so looks good! Hazard or sterling with the armband?

      I’m on
      Fab
      Robbo Doherty Lascelles
      Sterling(c) Salah Hazard(vc) Mane Pogba
      Jimi Barnes

      Pereira Digne Kama

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning dzz, have 9 players for dgw31 and 3 transfers left till then. my current team for gw31 is:

    Fabianski
    Lascelles Pereira Digne Schindler
    Salah Rich Hayden — Sterling*
    King — Kun*

    Bench will be Pogba Doherty Jimenez

    1) So with the 3FTs, who should I remove out apart from Sterling and Kun by then? Hayden seems the weakest player but that means no pool or Chelsea defence

    2) Which 3 players should I be looking to bring in?
    A: Sterling + Kun + Hayden >> Hazard + Mane + Barnes
    B: Sterling + Kun + Schindler >> Hazard + Higuain + TAA

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe A bit close call.

  3. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here guys?

    1FT 0.3itb

    Guatia
    Doherty Robertson Alonso
    Salah Jota Pogba Son Anderson
    Kun Rashford

    Mccarthy / Bennet / Lacelles / Kamara

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso > Shaw this week and Kamara > Barnes/Rondon next week.

  4. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    For this week only: Pogba or Mané.

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba

  5. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here? Rondón/Barnes don’t really excite me (especially Barnes with liv next week) & Higuain’s stats aren’t great. Planning to FH32 & WC34. Leaning towards A.

    A) Save FT
    B) Ings -> Rondón/Barnes
    C) Auba -> Higuain

    Fabs
    Doherty, TAA, Holebas, Pereira
    Salah, Mane, Siggy, FAnderson
    Auba, Vardy

    Steele, Kolasinac, Camarasa, Ings
    Bank 0.5m, 1FT

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Auba>Aguero dude

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can’t afford that one

  6. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play Rondon or Jota?

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rondon

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jota is playing Cardiff so him

  7. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bring in Aguero or Higuain? Do you think Aguero will be rested?

    1. mike09
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero.
      Not sure Higuain will start after his performance against Spurs.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He will. Hit the post in that game too.

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          After his performance? Wasn't he close too score 2 times in that match? Before Pedro scored.

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      not rested
      He gets rest after the game, 1 week break.

  8. mike09
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Patricio
    Robbo - Shaw - Pereira
    Salah - Pogba - Son - Mane
    Barnes - Aguero - Rondon

    4.0 - Bennett - Fraser - Keane

    0.0 ITB 1 FT

    Roll the transfer and G2G?
    Or something I should address now?

    Thanks!

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Leave it gtg

  9. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any higuain captainers ?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I was thinking about it.
      But decided to © Sterling

  10. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Eden Hazard yesterday after the game: “I was not good. I still felt the 120 minutes against City in my legs. And I had some pain in my thigh. I almost didn’t play, but the pain hasn’t aggravated. I’m fine.” #cfc

  11. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Think I’m going to take a -8 and take Salah out.
    Salah,Groß,Aubamayang > Hazard,Mane,Higuaín

    1. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Double CHE attack a bit mad unless you're chasing

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

        Yes, chasing a 60 point deficit in ML and he’s just dropped Hazard.

        1. Cojiro
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          How competent is your opponent at chip strategy? That's where I'd be looking to catch up. Hits really won't help you

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

            He’s used his WC. Has 7 players for GW 31.
            Past history says he is a semi casual. He took out Hazard last week for Sterling. Not sure I’d have done that with no WC.
            Thanks. Your probably right.
            May just look at Aubamayang > Higuaín this week.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not for -8

    4. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      not for -8 I wouldn't

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

        Thanks.

    5. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      -8 removing Salah? You’ve gone mad

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

        The -8 maybe. Removing Salah maybe not.

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Every man and his dog will captain him during the blanks. Rank will be decimated if he performs (which he will)

  12. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which one better for -4:

    a) Laca+Son to Aguero+Maddison
    b) Laca+Jota to Aguero+Deulofeu
    c) Laca+AWB to Aguero+Kelly (is he replacing AWB in Palace?)

  13. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What gameweek are people looking to BB?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't matter for me, so I'll hit it when my bench looks decent

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'm guessing there's no juicy dgw bonanza this year?

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          No WC so won't get full dgw bench anyway

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Probably 35

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ta

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Depends what happens in the FA Cup/ what the doubles are. Definitely free hit 32 for me, so probably 35 BB

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, I'll have to find this spreadsheet knocking around. Have all my chips except wildcard

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      35

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    5. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      35 but wc 34.

  14. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know why Puncheon didn't feature last gw? Was counting on at least a 1 pointer gw31 🙁
    Likely to play or do I get rid?

    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Get rid

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing else to worry ??

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Course, posted whole team on last page

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Puncheon to brooks would be my move

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks

  15. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which combo do you prefer?

    A) Maddisson & Robertson
    B) Mane & Chilwell

    1. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one, B

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone working the following chip strategy:

    1. Build for dgw 32 and bb
    2. Free hit 31
    3. Final 32 transfers and bb
    4. Wc gw 33 (add dgw 35 players on bench and bring in bgw 33 and dgw 35 players if possible), or give up 33 and wc 34
    5. After more transfers to get 11 playing (maybe not all dgw), tc 35?

    Would be useful to know who your key player targets for 32 might be.

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

      Yes. That is my tactic.

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

        I nearly have my squad sorted.

        Ederson - Fabianski (Will probably be Kepa)
        Robertson - Doherty - AWB - Schlupp - Shaw
        Sterling - Son - Pogba - Hazard - Camarasa (May trade)
        Rashford - Jimenez - Aguero (could be Kane)

        1. Trippier Hazard
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Got the same front lines and mids as you - my defence needs some work, am aiming for the following (may have to accept not all will be DGW):

          Foster, Ruddy (if he replaces Patricio)
          Doherty, Stones, Luiz, Shaw, AWB
          Sterling, Pogba, Hazard, Son, Moutinho / Townsend / Milovojevic
          Rashford, Jimenez, Aguero / Higuain / Kane

          Are you BB in 32 or 35? I'll consider BB in 35 if transfers / hits don't look worthwhile and TC in 32 instead.

    2. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I don’t like that tactic for one reason - it’s impossible to build for 32 as we have no idea who will double in 32 until after gw31.

      So in my view there’s more upside in FH32 to get the optimal squad full of doubles.

      1. Trippier Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wouldn't say is impossible, but agree it's difficult and with some risk. Ben Crellin's spreadsheet does help with planning. MCI, CHE, CRY, WOL, MNU players all good targets I'd say.

        This tactic is better at preserving team value (don't lose money tied up in Doherty etc) and allows BB and TC on DGWs.

  17. zeepeee
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wise to invest in Hazard and Higuain?

    Fab | Guaita
    Doherty | Robertson | TAA | Pereira | AWB
    Pogba | Son | Sane | Salah | Billing
    Lacazette | Jiminez | Rondon

    Thinking of transferring Hazard and Higuain in for Lacazette and Sane this week. (Have 2FTs)

  18. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lloris

    Shaw Luiz Bennett
    SalahC mane jota pogba
    Aguero vardy jimenez

    G2G?? 1 FT and 0.0 ITB

    How can I bring in hazard ?

  19. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Aside from Liverpool players who are the must have players for GW31??

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea attacker

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Leicester, WH(if FAnderson and Arno get their ish together) and Chelsea.

    3. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure there are any essentials but my favourites are Bournemouth (Boruc/Aké, Fraser, King), West Ham (Antonio, Felipe, Arnie), Leicester (Chilwell/Pereira, Barnes, Vardy) & Hazard.

  20. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Building for 31
    Fab
    Robbo TAA Doherty Bednarek
    Salah Sane Rich Son
    Aguero Rondon
    (Stek, Ings WB Camarasa)
    2.3Itb 2 FT

    A) Sane, Ings -> Hazard, Barnes
    B) Son, Ings -> Pedro, Vardy
    C) Son Sane Ings -> Hazard Brooks Vardy (-4)

  21. S3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Son & Laca - Hazard & Arnie (-4)
    B) Laca to Higuaín

    Currently drifting towards A

  22. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    so frustrating just priced out by 0.1 for vardy and sterling. Take a -4 to get a replacement sub keeper in Guaita? (Not going to play either of them)

  23. Catenaccio FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So we are all going with Hazard for his "easy" fixtures, right?
    Oh boy we are never going to learn to stay away from that guy.

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not... F him, such a FPL troll, going for Higgy and Luiz.

      1. Catenaccio FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Higuain is a brave choice.. personally i haven't seen any kind of form from him..in that price bracket i would prefer Vardy personally.
        But if you get it right with higuain you can skyrocket on the ranks. Good luck.

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Fulham have a habit of playing assets into form

          1. Catenaccio FC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            So true, they became a boxing bag even for lesser teams.

    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He has got me plenty of points this season. I seem to have owned him at the right time for most of the season.

      1. Catenaccio FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly that's the thing with him you need to find when the moon is right to get him. Don't get me wrong i also owned him for some of his hauls he is sure an exciting player to own. Probably now that he won't be playing false 9 is the correct time to get him.

  24. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Did Auba to Higuain. Have 1 ft left. Save or GTG?

    Rui
    Robertson Diop Boly
    Salah Pogba Son Moutinho
    Kun Rash Higuain

    Foster Kante Bednarek AWB
    1.5 itb

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah to Mane if you’re willing to take the risk

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Save or go Son to Mane.

  25. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Team locked in is:
    Allison
    Robertson, Doherty, Kolasinac
    Hazard, Pogba, Mane, Son
    Aguero, Rondón, Jiménez
    Bench: Redmond, Digne, Wan-B
    Good to go?

  26. LordEllison
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hey all Got 2Fts and 0.1 itb any ideas what transfers to make??

    Fabianski
    Doherty - Robertson - Alonso
    Son - Pogba(C) - Salah - Jota
    Aguero - Vardy - Jimenez

    Subs: Guaita - Kolasinac - Hojbjerg - Wan bissaka

    Abit stuck thanks!!

  27. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys, did my 2 FTs - auba + AWB to Kun and TAA. anything else worth a hit here or g2g?

    Fab
    Robbo Taa Doherty Pereira
    Son Pogba Salah
    Kun(c) Jim rondon

    Stek, Jota, Bamba, Camarasa,

  28. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fulham to nick a 1-0 win, somehow, some way.

  29. NO SALAH
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Team is:

    Fab
    Robbo ◘ Doherty ◘ Pereira
    Salah ◘ Pogba(vc) ◘ Sterling(c) ◘ Son ◘ Jota
    Jimenez ◘ Rondon
    Bench: Digne ◘ Bednarek ◘ Kamara

    300k fall in last 5GW, need to bounce back. Planning for BGWs. Is it a good idea to bin Son for Hazard or Mane? Should I get TAA and Luiz maybe?

  30. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Getting nervous about the Wolves Cardiff match up - similar story to Huddersfield. Really not sure I want both Jim and Jota

    Fab/Guaita

    Robbo Luiz Jonny/Pereira
    Mo Mane Pog c Jota
    Kun Jimmy Rondon

    AWB Camarasa

    1.7 itb 1Ft

    Suggestions