Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 288 – Missing

Undaunted by a heavily reduced fixture list, the Scoutcast crew deliver one of their longest episodes of the season.

There may be only five matches taking place in Gameweek 31 but Joe, Luke, Az and David discover there is a wealth of different player options and strategies to deploy.

Discarding their usual player, team and talking point format for the community questions section, they focus in detail on the best assets to own position by position this weekend. 

While there is a consensus around goalkeepers, our Scoutcast regulars find plenty to disagree about among defenders, midfielders and strikers.

Luke is packing his team with differential ‘swords’ to attack the fixtures, while David is making sure he uses his two free transfers to include some ‘shields’ to keep up with the pack. 

Az is on the search for low-owned assets too and is even considering a notorious Scoutcast ‘magic bean’. Unsurprisingly, Joe is not keen.

The number of hits to take in a Blank Gameweek also get an airing, as does advice for those deploying a Free Hit chip to cope with player reduction. 

Regular features are also included, with the round-up of the previous Gameweek giving Az a rare chance this season to boast about a good score.

Best differentials, top clean sheet shouts and transfer and captaincy plans for the Gameweek ahead are also revealed. 

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 and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

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

1,497 Comments Post a Comment
  1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Am I blinded by being a non owner or was salah super average apart from that lovely assist?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Yeah, easy now to avoid or even sell him.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        And it gets easier as people stop captaining/owning too.

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Yep, he was pretty awful again.

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Could've easily scored when through or squared to Mane for a second assist. He's dangerous not to own because of the amount of chances he gets imo

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        But he absolutely should have squared to mane then, so selfish!

        1. Tcheco
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Agreed

    4. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      He was great today overall and a solid shift defensively.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Did we watch the same game? Selfish and ineffective in attack. And whilst defending was fine, it was hardly a mitigating factor.

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          He was sh#t doubt i will captain him even against Fulham the way he's been playing. Will most likely captain Vardy instead. Salah should of atleast scored a goal, he takes too long should of got an assist

          1. All For One
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Did get an assist for Mane but should of passed the ball to Mane

        2. Dr Van Nostrand
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          It was a big factor in closing down Bayern's main like of attack the flanks. His ball to Mane that liked the game was superb. Should have done better with his shot at Neuer but was effective on the counter. An 8/10 for me and the Echo agrees

  2. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Give me Porto or Barca for The Man U Revenge Tour

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Be Careful what you ask for 😉

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Bring it!!! (Ajax would be easier than Barca of course, but...I got no beef with the Dutch!)

        1. BUZZBOMB
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          We're gonna have no beef with anyone on Brexit lol...

  3. Fantasydreamer
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Which Leicester defender best to go for GW 31&33 (price fine for any)

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I'd order them:
      Maguire
      Chilwell
      Pereira

    2. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      None of them. But Maguire if you insist.

  4. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    The fact that Mane has made himself look like the obvious pick in going to go the direct opposite and get Firmino who got subbed off at 80 mins

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Lallana is direct opposite

  5. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Makes it a lot easier to dump all 3 Liverpool players on a FH in GW32 now if they facing spurs ahead of a champions league tie

    1. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Champions league tie is after GW33

  6. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    England 4
    Italy 1
    Spain 1
    Netherlands 1
    Portugal 1
    Germany France 0

    1. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Not good for FPL

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Incorrect

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Good ending for the final year of English clubs in Europe.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Don't know why they'd want to exit such a hospitable community.

    3. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      best league in the world!!

      1. Jonny HOW SON?
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        exactly

      2. Calderano FC
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Supplemented by foreign talent

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Aren't they all?

        2. shearer9
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          As is our whole skilled economy.

        3. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          in a multi-cultural diverse world... i'd say that's forward thinking by the FPL

    4. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Barca v Juve final

  7. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Play 1:

    A. Fanderson (HUD)
    B. Brooks (NEW)

    1. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Fanderson. Home against Hudders

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Cheers I'm just worried about his minutes

  8. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Ajax vs Porto would make for 3 tantalising quarter finals 😉

  9. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Key moment missing hendo

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Bayern being woeful helped too.

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Taking about our strengths

    2. shearer9
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Pool always look better without that makeweight

  10. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Scenes if all 4 English clubs avoid each other in the quarters

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      All in Peps hands.

  11. Kub3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    I’m going to captain Mané against Fulham. And then Salah will explode.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Of course he will

  12. bennyp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Mane most essential FPL player at the moment IMO. On fire.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Will u captain?

      1. bennyp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        100%.

        Form + fixture. Mane looks super confident. Sure Salah might brace, but Mane will be involved I think.
        Salah is doing a lot running at defenders, but the chances he is creating seem to be more in the form of assists rather than goals.

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      This.

      Salah is dead to me now.

      1. bennyp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        I wouldn't say he's dead. Mane just seems to be getting more chances fall to him, and that is a lot in part due to Salah. Salah runs at defenders more than Mane, which opens up space for Mane in the box.

        Mane looks super confident, and if that brings more clinical finishing, he will explode, especially against a team like Fulham who are basically relegated already.

  13. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    So those who captained Salah were again dissapt tonight. Mane massively outscored him. Again!!!

    Thinking of giving him the armband, however I am proven wrong Salah assessor. Last time I sold him he kept exploding with fake penalties.

    Shall we give the C to Mane?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      After this performance, giving the armband to Mané would be apt. Giving it to Salah would be pretty dissapt imo

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        I am scared by Salah EO%

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Was EO even a thing when you came 26th in the world?

  14. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    This game. Now I’m finding myself contemplating dropping TAA so I can get Mané. FML!

    Madness right? ..... Surely the way things go he’ll now blank?!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      It is Fulham, the move has its merits.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        For a hit though...

        I currently have Salah, Robbo, TAA

        Was planning -4 for Sterling, Jimi to either Wilson, Haz or Vardy, Fraser but now with Mané absolutely beasting it...

        Arghh

        1. bennyp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          I wouldn't TBH. Liverpool are likely to keep a clean sheet. So that's 6 points at least for TAA, meaning Mane needs to score 10 to match him, which is also likely...

          BUT, if you need more players to field in the next GW, i'd bring in Haz for Sterling.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Thanks mate. Gotta let the head rule with this one.

            Mo is just so fricking disappointing!

  15. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Salah nice and rested after not over-exerting himself today 😎

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      And shite

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I think he did over exert himself tonight.

      Let the ball do the work
      The ball doesn’t get tired
      Pass the f~

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Pass the f**king ball

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    TAA VVD and Mane currently best 3 Liverpool options imo

  17. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Do you expect TAA to play vs Fulham guys?

    1. Scotty B
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      100%

    2. Kub3
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Yes. Liverpool are going for the league. I doubt Klopp is resting anyone

  18. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Which move would you consider to field 11 for BGW?

    1. Jiménez/Sterling/Puncheon > Wilson/Hazard/Fraser (-8)
    2. Jiménez/Sterling/Salah > Wilson/Hazard/Mané (-8)
    3. Jiménez/Sterling/Salah/Puncheon > Wilson/Hazard/Mané/Fraser (-12)

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Salah out for -16 at least

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        How 'bout a -20? 😀

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          -24 🙂

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Anything for BGW!

            Will probably do a -4 or a -8, but it's tempting to just gamble switching out Salah given Mané's form.

            1. FPL Pillars
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 16 days ago

              Not worth switching mate. Stay calm!

              1. TAT
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 16 days ago

                In-form Mané against FUL is definitely a worry. Can only hope Salah will find form too…

  19. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Higuain surely just left behind as been a bit ill and not needed when 3-0 up. 100% he will start on Sunday.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A bit Ill? Like Auba 😮 that one time

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      All Higuain owners are saying this.

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I own Higuain and I agree

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        And so do all my Higuain-owning friends

    4. BUZZBOMB
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      He was left behind to be 100% for next match according to BBC. A "fever". Good enough for me to suggest he'll be fit given he's not needed tomos.

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Don't know what all the fuss is about, he will get 2 points max

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          How do you know Buzzbomb's Christian name?

          1. FPL Forward Thinker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Maximilian

  20. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Once more ended up with wrong choice on what seemed a 50/50 decision last week. No room for Mané now with double Pool defense + Salah

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Same here.

      Salah can bog off if necessary.

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Thinking it would be stupid to shift Salah for Mané for a hit now, when I'm taking hits for a full team anyway. But Salah -> Mané for GW33 is an option.

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Why didn’t you wait to make the decision?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Just do Salah to a Mané. Not like getting rid of Salah is actually going to hurt anyone anymore.

        Keeping hold of his over expensive useless ass is doing far more damage, in fact.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Famous last words

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Prepared to take that chance. Had enough of Mo now.

      2. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Brought TAA in for GW30. Could afford him without hit but, whereas would have to drop Sterling for Mané, and was expecting a clean sheet against Burnley, so though that would e 6+ points gained versus waiting until this GW to possibly go with Mané instead. That went well in hindsight...

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Yep same here. Doing my head in

      Surely we can’t take a -4 to take out a LIV player just to get Mané (and for him to prob blank).... can we....?!

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Nah, do it for GW33 if anything and just hope he stays quiet vs Fulham (not that I believe that)

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          This game is a real headscrew

    4. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Same here

  21. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Mane is essential now.

    Even if I have to take a hit I’m getting him in for Sunday and sticking the armband on him.

  22. Numb
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    TAA is not starting vs Fulham is he?

    1. Kub3
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Why wouldn’t he?

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      100% starting I read.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Oh I missed that

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Klopp did say he needed to be managed. I am worried he could be rested.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Perfect time for an international break injury.

        He’ll be needed even more in the 1st leg with Robbo suspended.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Surely he’ll want to go on international duty to try and establish himself

      2. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Especially as he has England games coming up and they can’t afford to lose him now with Robertson suspended in Europe.

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Needed to have his minutes managed *

    5. MTPockets
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Robbo punishment benching - good game for a Moreno run out

      • fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Depends on if you own him.

    6. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Captain Salah or Mane?

    7. Scotty B
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Mane or Salah captain this week?

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Shaqiri will punish us all

    8. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Some hope for Lascelles owners may be OK for week end

      https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/photo-newcastle-received-fitness-boost-ahead-bournemouth

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        I actually thought he was banned, but turns out that was Schär not Lascelles.

        Could do with him playing just to make up numbers and give me an extra point this GW.

    9. i am jose mourinho
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Is it better to play 10 starting players or do a -4 ?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Depends

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Only a -2 with 10 starters, no?

    10. Manani
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Dohetry (4.9m) or Jimenez (6.2m) out?

      got 0.4m itb

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Depends who you want in

      2. MTPockets
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Depends whether it's for Balbuena or Wilson

      3. shearer9
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Sterling -> Hazard -4? Got max Pool, Maddison, Vardy and Rondon already. Cheers boys.

      4. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Who to bring in with Hazard?

        Vardy
        Wilson
        Higauin

        Thanks

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Wilson

      5. FPL Maldini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Yes Mane has looked great recently but haven’t we all been here before?

        Liverpool assets take their turns to share the points.

        None of us would be shocked if Mane blanked this weekend

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          I would be.

          Mané is red hot right now and getting in the positions to score.

          Salah looks like a kid trying too hard but getting nowhere.