Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 287 – Battling

After a bruising Gameweek 29, the Scoutcast soldiers are ready to wage war on the remaining fixtures of 2018/19.

Helping them out is regular listener FPL Reuser, who has come up with a cunning plan for Fantasy Premier League success that involves collecting a strong armoury of sturdy shields and razor-sharp swords. 

Joe, David, Luke and Andy discuss the best shields, which are high-owned players needed for protection against red arrows. Also covered are the finest swords, which refers to low-owned players with the perfect combination of points potential and solid fixtures.  

Getting the right combination in place may well be the Holy Grail of Fantasy management that the Scoutcast has been searching for over the last decade. 

Our merry band of podcast pugilists also find time to look ahead to the upcoming blank fixtures in Gameweeks 31 and 33 with a focus on the best Liverpool and Bournemouth assets to own. 

While Az couldn’t attend due to other commitments, he did find time to drop by in the YouTube chat during this episode’s live streaming to set us straight about the Everton defence. 

Elsewhere, David lays into Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo and reveals how a discarded plastic bag is now dictating his transfer decisions. 

The Scoutcast troops also mull over the key decisions facing them in Gameweek 30, including the best differential ‘swords’ to acquire, the likeliest clean sheets and their transfer and captaincy plans.

Finally, this episode ends by flagging up the work of the charity Anthony Nolan, which carries out fantastic work saving the lives of people with blood cancer. 

This follows the news from community member FPL Poker Player that his daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Although in remission, she still needs a bone marrow transplant. People can help support the work of Anthony Nolan by making a donation or signing up to be a bone marrow donor via their website

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.

In addition, the Scoutcast is now also available via our Soundcloud channel and via the third 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

1,485 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pmos
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    H/H definitely

  2. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Tadic?

    A) Gameweek 8
    B) versus Real Madrid

  3. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    You guys dunno you were born.

    People fuming over not hearing the Doherty news before the 11:30 deadline. ..

    I once didn’t transfer Paulo Wanchope in because of a postal strike !

  4. pmos
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which of the Silvas would you pick for the DGW? Either of them should be more nailed than any of the wingers, imo

    a- Bernardo
    b- David

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

      Bernado more nailed on for me, but David better for FPL returns per minute played I believe?

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

      Dave

  5. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So that’s pogba off pens then...

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

      Bit early. Ole did say about Paul is on pens in his interview, but it certainly was a great hit

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Na

  6. E25
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son to Mane this week or wait till next?

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

      Wait for sure

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

    Need help on my GW30 team please lads!!
    1... A - Etheridge (WHU home) or B - Boruc (HUD away)
    2... A - Rondon (EVE home) or B - Lascelles (EVE home) or C - Brooks (HUD away)

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      BA for me, but second one especially could go either way so not confident at all

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

      Boruc and Rondon

  8. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Been a good week for everyone who don’t believe that financial prowess should determine the outcome of the game. Wohoooooo!

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

      Yes, well done to Utd for doing it despite the team having been assembled for peanuts!

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Compared to PSG: certainly

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

    LMAO @ Neymar. Moron whos not even in the top 20 players in the world absolutely blown the f out

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

      Sure he's a moron, but not even in the top 20 players in the world? Can't imagine a list of 20 better players than him

    2. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m not his biggest fan with his antics but no denying his quality

    3. Party time
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I thought you were a good man Brosstan but this statement puts an end to that. Neymar not in top 20. Wow!! You're one of a kind

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

        He’s for sure in the top 20, but is also definitely overrated. Has not lived up to expectations, tbh.

        But he really can be a grade A twit

      • Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not in the top 20? Behave.

      • noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Don't feed him.

    4. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fabianski
      TAA, Shaw, AWB
      Salah, Sterling, Pogba, F Anderson
      Auba, Jiménez, Rondon

      Button, Doherty, Digne, Højbjerg

      1FT, 1.0 ITB

      Auba > Higuain
      Shaw > Robbo (-4)?

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

        Def 1st one

    5. leocarter27
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bottomed.

      Doherty to Chilwell -4? In prep for 31 and 33? Cheers

    6. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      spurs are home to brihgton and city to cardiff in 33, maybe i shouldnt have concentrated so much on 31 but more on 33....

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        could wc in 33 i suppose

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        oops sorry city wont play that game will they ? d oh !

        1. Robbie Slater
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Both matches might not be played in wk 33

      3. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Swansea and Millwall to reach semis?!?!?

    7. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I am so glad Lukaku didn't take that penalty.

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

        Can’t believe Rashford hogged it when kaku on for his hatty. Some of the names I heard Pogba been called in the Southampton game I tell ya, might have to dig up them souls

    8. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Watching the highlights and just seen that Buffon fumble - howler!!!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Gianluigi Buffoon more like

      2. Party time
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Wet pitch maybe

      3. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Just seen Sir alex cantona and OGS picture... What a picture

        OGS is awesome.. And yes i'm a liverpool fan

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          you sure bout that ?? 🙂

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Sorry couldn't resist, we're all a bit giddy about Ole 🙂

            1. Hy liverpool
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Lol

        2. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Finally put an end to the conspiracy theory that OGS is SAF in disguise, at least.

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

          🙂

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

        Happy to take hits into 31 before FH 32 and WC 34. Comments on this plan and week 31 team welcome. Keeping Jiménez and Doherty as hold lot of value and will probably want back on WC.

        Week 30 Bednarek to D Luiz and Pogba to Maddison -4

        Week 31 Mané to Brooks, Rashford to Higuain and Kolasinac to Robertson -8

        Week 31 team

        Boruc
        D Luiz Van-Dijk Lascelles Robertson
        Salah Hazard Maddison Brooks
        Higuain Vardy

        Steele Doherty Jimenez Gunnarsson

        1. Bruno Bruno!!
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Looks solid

      5. pol
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Having Hazard and maddison in midfield which 2 would you pick for GW31/33:

        A- Higuain
        B- Vardy
        C- King
        D- Other

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

          A

      6. tbhogal
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Hi Guys, What changes are needed here? £1.7M ITB 1FT...

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

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

          Kola to TAA

      7. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        With one of 2FTs, I'll bring in TAA. With the other FT, who would you drop?
        1) Son
        2) Rashford

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

          Son

        2. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          1

      8. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        So VAR is basically Jordan Pickford then.
        Looked great in the World Cup, has been dodgy ever since.

        1. Bruno Bruno!!
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          lol @ VAR

        2. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Trippier

          1. Differential C (Mark)
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Him too!

        3. @fpl_phenom
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          thems the rules lads

      9. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How is this for a GW31/33 team, going in with 10 ?

        Fabianski
        VanDijk Chilwell TAA
        Anderson Salah Hazard Brooks
        Higuain Arnautovic

        * Aware Arnautovic is a risk

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Decent if Arnie back playing 90 and Anderson does something for a change

          1. Party time
              5 years, 1 month ago

              1 shot in 6 matches, correct me if I'm wrong 🙂

              1. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                1 shot on target last 10. 10 shots total

                1. Party time
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    🙂

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

              Good side. Only concern is double West Ham with Arnie uncertainty, Anderson loss of form and tough away fixture v Chelsea in 33. Would perhaps go Maddison over Anderson or Vardy over Arnie depending on cash as think Leicester attack could come good.

          2. FPL Forward Thinker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Why so much chat and debate about PSG, VAR and Penalties.

            We should be talking about Ashley Barnes and how essential he is to everyone. Hard to ignore given current form and stats.

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Rather see if Wilson back fit

          3. Yank Revolution
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            For any doubters about Kimpembe's unnatural position today, just look at the 5th photo down in this article...Yeah, that looks normal to me *eyeroll*

            https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-6779099/PSG-1-3-Manchester-United-3-2agg-gasp-Marcus-Rashford-VAR-penalty-seals-quarter-final-spot.html

            1. Flaming Flamingo
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              About as natural a position as his arms could be short of cutting them off.

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

                Oh you're one of those who think footballers deserve arms 🙄

                1. Flaming Flamingo
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  1. Flaming Flamingo
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Laughing emoji didn't work *sigh*

              2. Yank Revolution
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                True ignorance--- He looks like he's an Olympic hurdler, not a defender trying to legitimately block a shot (where you jump straight up and down, arms at side, not bent out elbows!)...If even plain as day still photos don't do the trick then nothing else will...You do you playa. Glory glory Man United.

                1. Robbie Slater
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  “Jump straight up and down” hahaha. As I thought, never played a game in his life

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

                    Never played the game in his life? Never jumped in his life more like, Unless I’ve been doing it wrong all these years

                    1. Robbie Slater
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Haha this

                  2. Yank Revolution
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Are you really, truly this dense?

                    "However, if a player’s arm is in an unnatural position, for example outstretched or above their head, then a foul should be awarded whether accidental or not."

                    His arm, and elbow in particular, were outstretched and UNNATURAL...Yes, you know more than professional referees...get lost.

                    1. Flaming Flamingo
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      I don't think an adult who uses the word "playa" has the right to be calling anyone else dense.

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

                        Shut up, beach

                      2. Yank Revolution
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Ahhh so usage of slang determines one's intelligence, eh, Einstein? Go chase yourself....

                    2. Robbie Slater
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Funnily enough, he looked like an olympic hurdler as you put it (he really didn’t) because he was running, as they do, to block a shot.

                      Would love to see players play your way though, running round like penguins with their arms by their sides.

                      Genuinely flabbergasted you think players make blocks “jumping straight up and down, with their arms by their sides”. What planet are you on?!

                      1. Yank Revolution
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Naturally "at their side" or hanging just off the side IS allowed, as is bringing your arm up IN FRONT OF YOU to block your face or groin...we see it all the time, its called proper defending.

                        This was not an example of it.

                        As soon as you extend your arms beyond their natural position, you're in danger of a ball hitting it and getting a foul/pen. AND IT DOESNT MATTER IF YOURE JUMPING TO BLOCK THE SHOT, YOU CANNOT THROW YOUR ARMS OUTWARD, UNNATURALLY, PERIOD.

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

                          http://theifab.com/laws/fouls-and-misconduct-2018/chapters/direct-free-kick-2018

                          the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an offence

                        2. McEwan
                          • 14 Years
                          5 years, 1 month ago

                          What about when players go to contest a header? Is that a foul if they head the ball with their arms in an “unnatural position”

                2. Flaming Flamingo
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Something tells me your opinion would be very different if the penalty shout were against United and not for them.

                  1. Yank Revolution
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    No, some of us can be neutral on decisions, whether they benefit a team they support or not. And VAR is the greatest thing to happen to the sport in ages.

                    1. Flaming Flamingo
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      I don't know what you're trying to imply. I actually wanted United to win, for whatever that's worth. Secondly, VAR isn't the problem, rather it's the incompetence of the referees.

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

                        Not always going to back the refs but it doesn’t help them in situations like this. There will be multiple similar incidents like this one tonight were it will be interpreted differently. And the debate will rage on. Maybe stick another cash generator layer in, RVAR to oversea the decision

            2. Robbie Slater
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Looks fine to me. You ever actually played the game?

              1. Yank Revolution
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Haters gonna hate

          4. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Evening. Good to save ft here? 1.4mitb. Free hitting in 32

            Fab (stek)
            Robbo Doherty pereira (yedlin bednarek)
            Salah hazard sterling (c) pogba Anderson
            Jiminez rondon (kamara)

            Thanks

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

            Head is telling me to bring in King, gets 90 mins most weeks & on pens. Wondering if he'll be rested though with Wilson and Solanke not far away.

            Gut says Brooks but he has his minutes managed and just returning from injury.

            Any thoughts ?

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              If Wilson back this week I'll get for 31

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

                Feels risky, players often pick up niggles and have set backs when they have just returned from injury.

          6. McEwan
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Is there communication to the ref if possible handball when it happens in the box every time? You would think some of the more clever players, when they are driving into the box facing up a defender will flick it to try get by them instead of a dribble on the floor, pro footballer should be able to pick out an arm from 3 yards

            1. OPTA FPL
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              11 goalkeepers?

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

                Triple captain in a double gameweek for sure tho

            2. Differential C (Mark)
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              One of mnay reasons why I feel the "unnatural" position context shouldn't be ignored, and must be factored in. Any decent footballer can pick out an arm from a few yards out, surely. Only considering whether the ball hit the hand as the only argument for a penalty is not the right call. Removing any debate but sacrificing the game.

          7. Cookie Kid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Who’s top of your GW31/33 incomings?

            Vardy?
            Hazard?
            Higuain?
            Bournemouth attcker?

            1. Alexis Nonsense
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I got Rondon in...instant regret 😛

              1. Cookie Kid
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                GW33 doubt! Good fixture if he plays though

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Was just looking at cost of 3 to bring in next week will make 10 total. Hazard Wilson and defender Chilwell or Ake maybe. No Leicester Chelsea or Everton players atm

            3. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Vardy & Higuain I think...

            4. waldo666
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Debating weather to go Rash to King/Wilson or Aguero to Higuain, leaning towards Bournemouth as have Hazard already.

              1. Cookie Kid
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I’m thinking -8 to get up to 10 players but actually struggling to spend the cash

                Also selling Jiminez would be painful, bought at £5.6m

                1. waldo666
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  I'm looking at something similar if prices changes are kind to me. Shaw, Rash, Kamara to Rice/Newcastle def, King/Wilson and Barnes -8.

          8. AFC49
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Doherty or Shaw to Robbo?

            1. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Doherty

            2. waldo666
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Doherty

          9. Differential C (Mark)
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            First thought when I first saw the incident, thats a pen. Hand is in an unnatural position. Penalty.
            Many would argue ball to hand, it was travelling too fast, Presnel couldn't pull his hand out in time. And I can understand their POV. But to me, what was his hand doing there in the first place.

            With all doubt NOT removed from decision, it kind of makes you think, "Whats the point of VAR, then?". Was a huge believer, now not as sure.

            1. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              but the doubt has been removed IMO, a panel of referees reviewed it and under the rules of the game its a penalty.... pundits are going to have to get used to this... if your hand stops the ball like what happened tonight then its a penalty... hes jumped and made himself a larger traget to get the ball around.

              1. Differential C (Mark)
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I still believe VAR will bring long term benefit to the game. My convictions are not as strong now.
                Completely agree with your asessment. But chec k all twitterati and TV, there is huge debates about it. I had thought VAR would put an end to that, but nooooo.

                1. Differential C (Mark)
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  *assessment of the decision

            2. Party time
                5 years, 1 month ago

                var or not, in the end, one man makes the decision and not the var.There will always be controversies

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

                  Yep

            3. jdp219
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Best grouping going into gw31?
              1) Rice, Mane, Barnes
              2) TAA, Maddison, King
              3) TAA, Brooks, Higuain

              Will bring in two of them this week (2FTs) and the other next week. FH in 32.
              Already have: Salah, Robbo, Haz, Luiz

              1. @fpl_phenom
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                3

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

                3