Opinion

How Scout Membership helped me to best-ever finish last season

The Fantasy Football Scout Members Area helped me achieve my best ever FPL rank last season.

I am convinced that if you sign up for the first time in 2019/20, you could be saying something similar by the time Gameweek 38 comes around.

As many of you know, when I joined the FFS team, my overall rank history was nothing to be envied.

After eight seasons playing the game, I had never managed anything higher than 176,058th place worldwide.

However, in my first year as editor of this site, I smashed my personal best by some margin, ending the 2018/19 campaign with an overall rank of 17,083.

I don’t want to take too much credit for that achievement, if anything the greatest factor in that improvement was the time I was able to spend in the Members Area, longer than ever before.

Sometimes I wonder if the great Mark Sutherns hired me as part of some social experiment, a Fantasy football version of Big Brother if you will.

Take a journalist with a pretty average FPL history, stick them in the Members Area for eight hours a day and watch what happens.

Whatever the brief of this reality show was, it’s hard to argue it was not a success.

Admittedly, it was not hard for me to beat my previous best rank, but at the start of 2018/19, I never even dreamed I would end up finishing 17k.

I even spent time inside the coveted top 10,000 managers last season, holding a place there from Gameweek 16 to Blank Gameweek 27. These were dizzy heights for someone with my FPL history.

So, how did the Members Area help this achievement and what could it do to help potential newcomers in 2019/20?

Let’s start with the Season Ticker, a cornerstone of success in Fantasy football.

This fully interactive model for displaying fixtures was an invaluable tool.

The ability to sort each team’s schedule by difficulty, either by defence or attack, saves you so much time when it comes to identifying who has the best or worst fixtures.

Having this tool allowed me to pick a strong team for Gameweek 1, helped me with both my Wildcards and guided my transfer policy throughout the season.

As the campaign progresses, the Fantasy Football Scout Season Ticker lets you identify the all-important fixture swings and know when it might be a good idea to move one player on for another.

Another large part of my success in the early part of the season was the captaincy, as I (somehow) managed to get returns from the first 17 I selected in a row.

This is another area where I can only credit the Scout Members Area for making most of those choices a lot simpler than they would have been without it.

Using the data available to me I was able to compare the candidates each week based on several key statistics, namely shots in the box, shots on target, big chances and expected goals (xG).

Once the form player(s) had been established, an analysis of opposition defences usually showed the way to go.

Using the tables in the Scout members area I was able to assess which of the candidates’ opponents were allowing the most shots, the most in the box and the highest number of big chances.

Combining data on the form players and the most obliging defences, more often than not, led to the captain decision coming off.

But this data did more than just help me pick captains, it guided the selection of my entire squad.

Using both the tables and comparison tools I was able to identify form players, assess their position on the field, analyse all of their shots in terms of quality and much more.

Combining this information with the Season Ticker is what helps you time these transfers correctly.

I have to credit the Members Area for helping decide to keep Salah one more week and captain him against Bournemouth last December

One particular table that was the most useful for me was Joe’s famous Goals Imminent table.

One of the most frustrating things in FPL is when you sell a player who has not delivered in recent matches, only for them to punish you immediately after their departure from your team.

This was something that characterised my playing-style before jumping feet first into the Members Area. I was often too impatient with my assets in years gone by, but Fantasy Football Scout Membership changed all that.

Joe’s table is the perfect tool for working out which of your underperforming Fantasy players is still showing strong enough underlying statistics to get back in the goals next time out.

For example, it was a combination of the aforementioned captain analysis and Joe’s table that ensured I held on to Salah and gave him the armband for that memorable hat-trick at Bournemouth, a week in which he suffered mass sales.

Perhaps the thing that surprised me the most about last season was how easy it felt to achieve what I did, which sounds silly to say given how much my overall rank improved.

Historically, FPL had been a game of toil and strife for me. I suppose for many it still is, and I’m still not sure on my Gameweek 1 team for 2019/20, but looking back, I was playing the game blind, without the incredible tools I have now.

Many mini-leagues titles that I had struggled to claim for years were swept aside in one fell swoop, including one or two with cash prizes.

Access to all the data and the time to sift through it armed with everything I needed to make the right choices.

In a game such as FPL, most of the time, the more information you have, the easier it becomes.

My 2018/19 campaign is very much testament to that philosophy. Research is everything. Not only does it help you make a sound choice more often than not, but it also eases the decision-making process.

I’m a firm believer that the more information and data you have, the easier your FPL decisions become

Now, you might be sat there reading this article thinking, ‘of course David is going to push the Members Area on us, it’s his job.’

That may be true in part, it is my responsibility as the editor of this site to convince as many of you to sign up as possible, but this is far from me trying to blow my own trumpet.

That’s because I can’t really take credit for the incredible gold mine of FPL information that is the Members Area. It’s an absolute masterpiece forged by the hard work of others way before my time.

That’s why I feel very comfortable signing its praises. It’s not my creation, I was just fortunate enough to inherit the best Fantasy Football website in the business from the veritable Godfather of FPL.

If you have never had Membership before and are hoping to have a good year of FPL, then I can only recommend that you sign up.

As my experience from last season proves, with access to everything Scout has to offer, it will be hard not to improve your overall rank history.

MORE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS CONTENT

Arsenal | Aston Villa (manager) | Aston Villa (defence) | Aston Villa (attack) | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Norwich (manager) | Norwich (defence) | Norwich (attack) | Sheffield United (manager) | Sheffield United (defence) | Sheffield United (attack) | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

1,576 Comments Post a Comment
  1. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT please. Any changes? Thanks!

    Pope (Button)
    Robbo, VVD, Zinchenko, Digne (Lundstram)
    Sterling, Salah, KDB, Perez (Dendoncker)
    Jota, King (Greenwood)

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Forwards look weak imo, but still a solid team

    2. Kell_oggs
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very similar to mine.
      I’ve got instead:
      Digne > Coleman
      Kdb > Eriksen
      King> Wilson
      Jota > Wesley

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good, not sure how much Zinchenko will actually play through out the season, same with Jota position as they've also signed Cutrone

    4. Hog Roast Junkie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good.
      My preference is Siggy and Wilson over KDB and King for first few weeks until I can assess KDB position

  2. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    @jonny whatever his name is. Nicely timed article x

  3. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First 2 gws which pair do you think scores more?

    A) Wilson Fraser

    B) King KDB

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B for me, just

    3. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends how many penalties Bournemouth get. If 0 pens then A by some distance.

      1. lespaul
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Easily B

    4. Bilbao Baggins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hot topic this

  4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How can I improve my team?
    And what should I do with my 0.5m itb?

    Heaton
    TAA, VVD, Zinc, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, Moura, Perez
    Wilson, King
    [Button, DD, GW, Lundstram]

    Cheers

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Might as well keep ITB and put towards Moura replacement.

    2. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same as my teams, but I want to change it because:
      1. I wont want king + Wilson combo beyond week 2.
      2. Moura might be dropped come gameweek 3 when sky
      returns, plus they play city I gameweek 2 .
      3. Zinc isnt nailed.
      Could be a lot of surgery and stress before gameweek 3 kicks off?
      Are you happy with this lineup?

    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      it's good

  5. Trini Chelsea
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan (Button)
    Digne, van Dijk, TAA (Rico, Gibson)
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Barkley, Moura
    Wilson, Deeney, (Greenwood)

    Please RMT,
    0.5m in the Bank

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Virtually identical to mine mate I’ve gone Heaton over Ryan tho

      1. Trini Chelsea
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Afraid of Heaton on GW1 with Spurs

    2. Hog Roast Junkie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Strong 11 if they all play. My worry is you could easily end up with a 10 man team some weeks. I'd use the 0.5m in the bank to have a guaranteed starter on the bench

      1. Trini Chelsea
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        LIke who?

        1. circusmonkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Diop

  6. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I don't see many following the advice of the article on squad structure and money allocation, saying premium goalies are worth it. I have gone Ddg this year, got 2 new defenders in front of him What do you think?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Seems like a funny to go with. Utd could be a horror-show again.

    2. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      United defence is an unnecessary gamble right now.

    3. Captain Roberto
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Their midfield is quite weak defensively so their defence will still get exposed often. However, with the two defensive additions I bet a few more clean sheets, and DDg will get more save points than Alison, Lloris, and Ederson.

  7. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT.

    Heaton / (Button)
    TAA / Robertson / Digne / Coleman / (Lundstram)
    Salah / Lucas Moura / Maddison / (Dendoncker) / (Stephens)
    Aubameyang / Wilson / Kean

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No City players. Need work

  8. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cathcart nailed on?
    Is he and Dunk a better rotation then Charlie Taylor and Diop the former has better fixture rotation but less attacking threat maybe.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rotation avoiding top six is better than home & away so Brighton/Watford very good for that I think. I'm on Kiko and Montoya to switch it up a bit.

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. They nailed? Dunk always seems quite threatening could convert to some more goals. Kiko always seems injured and I’ve bad memories of him before

        1. St. Joseph
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Dunk threatens his own goalie more than the opposition's 🙂

        2. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Montoya seems nailed at right wing back. Kiko starts if fit I think.

  9. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Wilson worth the extra 1.5m over King?

    1. Kante Touch This
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends how you'd utilise it, but I'd say yes

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yh. Wilson Was involved in 26 goals (14g 12a) in only 29 pl starts last season

      His telepathic connection with fraser is poisef for more points. King drifts away from games and is inconsistent

      1. Shipstontrev
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        So much this.

    3. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      8 m for a Bournemouth player?
      Nope.

    4. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think Wilson will score much more if u can squeeze him in

    5. tbeans22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Recently saw the stat that King has only been involved in 1 of their last 12 goals. I'm out on him and happy to just roll with Fraser.

  10. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT:

    Ryan Button
    Robertson VVD Stones (or Zinchenko) Coleman KWP
    Salah Sterling KDB Barkley Dendoncker
    Jota King Greenwood

    Comments appreciated?

    Thanks

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pretty good. Zinchenko to start.

  11. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez or Barkley?

    1. Kante Touch This
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pez seems more nailed.

    3. Graceless Goof
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez

  12. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Moura or Siggy?

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Moura is only for one game imo. If you are planning early transfers, then him

    2. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've gone for the both option. Moura with 0.5ITB and then bringing in Siggy GW2.

      Planning transfers is not ideal, but punting on a big GW1 haul.

  13. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just noticed that everyone asks, nobody answers

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If Fantasy Football is a religion, then asking questions on FFS is like praying.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I find answering can be as much fun as asking tbh - although more often than not you'll find some poor sensitive soul with their knickers in a twist if they don't like the answer... So ensure you can stand over it 🙂

    3. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i think we have more questions than responses, but nobody answers is clearly wrong....

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        True but at the time of writing there were about 8 questions in a row.

        1. Gazpilicueta
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          sure, i get that... but i mean, its hard to have the answer before the question....

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This.

  14. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah is absolutely eviscerating the GW1 captaincy poll

    The FFS masses are no dummies 😉

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Have an upvote for eviscerating.

      1. Graceless Goof
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Have an upvote for upvoting

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Have an upvote for gracious act.

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I've up voted your up vote of the upvote

          This is some inception level upvoting

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        To do the Jamie Redknapp on it:

        'He's literally got a machete there Geoff, and he's literally just going around disemboweling the other captaincy candidates... Absolutely world class, the boy' s literally s little magician. Literally. '

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Guess this black sheep will either be leading the FFS league or in last place. Either is fine - I don't do middle of the road.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Who is your captain?

      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I will scrum at either end with you, Andy. 🙂

  15. Kante Touch This
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who's better long term and short term?

    A)Jota Fraser
    B)Wilson Barkley

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A imo

    2. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like B for both

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A long so B short I guess

  16. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can't change team for the whole season.

    Best mid for 4.5?

    Thanks, lads!!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Donk

    2. Hog Roast Junkie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hayden

    3. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have same bet! Whats your team like?

  17. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final decision to be made.

    Pope Heaton
    Digne Robertson Zinchenko Diop {X}
    Salah KdB Sigurdsson Zaha
    Wilson {X}

    A) VvD (2x LIV Def) + Jimenez (Is he fit?)
    B) Dunk (Rotation with Diop) + Firmino

    Guys, help needed.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A. Not sure I'd want to start with jimi though.

  18. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Shameless money grabbing article this one, not like the old days

    1. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't blame them for making a bit more money. FFS has done so well.

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      “The Fantasy Football Scout Members Area helped me achieve my best ever FPL rank last season.

      I am convinced that if you sign up for the first time in 2019/20, you could be saying something similar by the time Gameweek 38 comes around”

      Stopped reading here. Shocking

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Where can I buy your book?

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could just ignore it. David has to feed his kids (if he has any) and pay his rent/mortgage too.

  19. Graceless Goof
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which one?
    A)
    VVD, KDB, Moura

    B)
    Sterling, Zinchenko, Barkley

    Button - Heaton
    Lundstram - Shaw - Digne - xxx - TAA
    Dendoncker - Perez - xxx - xxx - Salah
    Greenwood - King - Auba

    Or any other combo/adjustments for 23.5m

    1. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am having a similar problem. I have a feeling Barkley is going to be the mahrez of a few years ago. But A is safer

      1. Graceless Goof
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Pretty much. Which one are you leaning towards?

  20. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So is Walker's spot under threat now? FFS Pep

    Back to the Zinch...

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cancelo can play both sides

      1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Gah

        1. L S P
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          i *can* play both sides too but doesn't mean i do.

          Cancelo's a RB.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      His stats for various positions played in his career are on transfermarkt. 96% on right hand side.

  21. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    okey dokey I get the point of the article...but really?

    So what happens if you have a worse season next year?(and it will happen sooner or later)..then what? you look for another first time member to write this article.

    I was a first time member last season, and guess what? It wasn't my best season ever.

    Sorry.

    1. Graceless Goof
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Money back!

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Some may suggest a proof reader would have been a better investment

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I wish I could give you more than a single upvote for this.

  22. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one:

    A. Pope + Heaton
    B. Pope + 4.0 + 0.5 ITB

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  23. cthaeh
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Are Digne's occasional goals/assists really worth 6m? Do we really expect many CSs from Everton?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think so - hoping Kean can hit the ground running and start converting them

    2. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Happy to start with him (good fixtures)

      And since the line-up of city isnt clear yet (will it ever be?) it can be an Easy trade to Stones/zinchenco/Walker/cacelo (who ever seems most likely to play)

  24. Mr Q
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Givning this for free guys 😉

    Heaton

    Robbo-digne-kwp

    Salah-sterling-Perez-fraser-pulisic

    Wilson-Adams

    Button, cathcart, lundstram, nketiah

    With 0,5 itb to be able to upgrade kwp or Adams

  25. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2G? Many Thanks and good luck.

    Ryan
    Coleman Zinchenko Robbo
    Siggy Perez Salah(C) B Silva Frazer
    Kane(v.c) King

    Button M Niles Lundstram Greenwood

    1. notmarkhughes
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I Like this side. I've gone for Tielemans over Perez personally - not doubting his out of position potential, but I just think Tielemans is more nailed on to start the season

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Many Thanks and good luck.

  26. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any nailed on defender for 4.0?

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Graceless Goof
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      None nailed as of yet

    2. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      you could get 57.142% of Robbo

  27. Greko82
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Moura or Fraser for GW1?

    1. Graceless Goof
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      For just one week Lucas. For the long term Fraser

  28. notmarkhughes
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Could someone RMT? Im anxious about not having Wilson, Digne or a second primo defender - but I like the balance of this side. What're you thoughts?

    Pope
    Zinchenko AWB Trent AA
    Dendocnker Siggy Sterling Salah Tielemans
    Kane King

    Button Lundstram Kelly Greenwood

    Thanks

  29. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Robertson + VVD + Digne + Zinchenko
    Salah + Sterling + Martial + Perez
    Wilson + Deeney/Deulofeu

    4.0, Dendoncker, Greenwood, Lundstram

    0.5 ITB

    Thanks guys!

  30. cthaeh
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why no love for Pukki around here? Fixtures?

    1. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      unproven in the league. It seems as tho most think he just wont cut it up here.