Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 301 – Crossroads

A bad Gameweek can leave Fantasy managers facing a tricky crossroads to navigate.

The direction they take in response to a disappointing score can prove pivotal to the rest of their season.

This is the key issue that the Scoutcast crew of Joe, David and Karam address as they look to get over their below-average early-season points tally and rapidly falling rankings.

For David, the path is simple – it’s Wildcard time. There are still plenty of places up for grabs, however, as he explains how he intends to assemble his refreshed Fantasy Premier League squad.

Karam is sticking to his plan of waiting until Gameweek 9’s fixture swings before taking such drastic action. He first highlighted this on a previous Breakfast Club appearance some weeks ago and hasn’t deviated from the strategy since.

Meanwhile, an already Wildcarded Joe looks back at his good and bad campaigns over the years to reveal that “doing nothing” may be the dullard response, but is often the most effective.

This latest Scoutcast episode also takes in defender plans, the fallout from Manchester City’s recent loss to Norwich and how to deal with a possible injury to Mason Mount while on Champions League duty.

The usual features, from clean sheets to Rough with the Smooth, are also included.

There is also time for Karam to recommend a top differential for the coming weeks.

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel. 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.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 5

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

361 Comments Post a Comment
  1. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tempted to take my first hit of the season, talk me out of it.....

    Digne Mount Salah > Rico Son Mane -4

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

      Madness given Digne fixture and son tough fixture

    2. Heiro
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep, terrible. Essentially paying 4 points for Son. Others are equal to a sideways move

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

      Ahhhh - the old 2 x downgrades and 1 x upgrade for a hit.

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

        Wrong time. Maybe next week

      2. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I love those 😉

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haha cheers all

  2. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any news on Martial this week guys?

    Not sure if I should switch out or not.

  3. Dee Lixon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rico not nailed? Defenders coming back for Bournmouth. Otherwise tempting

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

      kelly

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really?

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

          kelly from bournemouth I believe played in the week after injury so on way back

    2. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fail. Answer for THFC4

    3. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m going with him on WC to enable Wilson to Auba

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

    Is Digne essential for GW6 ?

    Could easily be a +10 pts for him. I'd be worry if I didn't own him.

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No defender is essential. This season

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

        Besides Trent yes

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

          Cue the benching in a Liverpool sheet this weekend !

      2. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sheffield at home surely is one of the best fixture out there for a defender ?

        Only speaking of GW6, not the entire season.

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

          Sure , nice to have him this week but Everton not looking great defensively. TAA still by far the best attacking defender in the game

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

      stop worrying.

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

        He's one of the worst player to watch when you don't own him imo. Always up there to take a shot et cross the ball.

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

          if you own keep. If not avoid. Simple.

          1. Pompel
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Starting to doubt whether he justifies £6m this year, tbh

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

            Yep , that simple

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

          The game isn't on telly, so you don't have to watch to it 🙂

    3. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn’t buy him nor sell him. Classic hold

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

      Obviously not.

      He'll be in the Scout Picks so you can forget about getting over 2 points, he's due a red if anything.

    5. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not essential, Everton's defence is average at best. May still do well this gameweek though but not for me long term.

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

        This. I have him and looking to sell after this week

  5. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How about Tim Krul on WC ? And having A Burnley defender instead of Pope?

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

      No way. Norwich never even been close to a sheet

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        They played City Pool and Chelsea and Hammers away. Pretty tough fixtures.

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

          Were poor defensively last year too. Why over heaton or pope?

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Having a GK from a team who even half know how to defend is advisable.

  6. arkom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Söyüncü / Lascelles / Ward
    Sterling / Son / KDB / Richarlison
    Pukki / Abraham / Auba

    (Button) Cantwell / Dunk / Lundstram

    WC team - thoughts?

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

      Good god no. Liverpool missing

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Go back to the drawing board . Get some pool and Come back

  7. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can't wait to see Mendy getting some minutes and showing his usual marauding runs. If that remotely happen, he is in my WC. Also monitoring Cancelo as well.

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

      Mendy is overdue an injury now.

      Cancelo will be great if he can nail down the spot.

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

        I hope he keeps fit now. My team needs a differential, and he can be just that I believe. Fixtures great too.

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

      Yeah but no rush , lets see him start first

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

        He is the kind of player you can take a punt on. Of course it's not straight gorwars with Zinch doing ok so far.

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't wait for some scientist to prove fluoride n our water and lead in our teeth leads to Zombieism.

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

        What you smokin out there? 😉

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Herbs

      2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Apologies_ I meant Mercury of course.

        I'm showing signs of these toxins as I'm old.

  8. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi people!

    What are your thoughts on this wildcard team? 

    i tried to keep double city because of fixtures but also wanted Son. Only regret is not having Aubameyang.

    Pope Button

    Aurier Pieters Soyuncu Lundstrum Diop 

    Son Sterling Mane De Bruyne Chong

    Haller Abraham Pukki

    0.0 itb

    thanks guys  🙂

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

      I would get Trent. I don’t like tbh. No salah aguero or Auba. Nor Trent Sorry

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Interesting. Though id still get TAA

      You managed a great midfield with 3 mid priced forwards. If the defence can keep up then why not?

      But TAA . 24 Chances created or Key passes i guess.

    3. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Needs bench fodder big time

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

      TAA in Chong out , then will look again

    5. grooveymatt65
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      ok thanks guys! not getting salah as i have mane. trent i will look into...

  9. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Where's all this talk of Sterling now being a rotation risk? It's Sterling for god sake.

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

      Sterling is not going to be rotated, Sterling gets 0 min on Saturday....

      Me think Mendy would have a say whether he gets rested or not. But I think he is too important but hey.. it's Pep.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed, but did you mean 90 mins?

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

          He will play imo, Pep can't afford to rest him. But you again look at this City bench, Mahrez can indeed fill his place. I believe we will know more after presser's hopefully, or maybe even tonight.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People want to justify selling for Son, I think.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah i thought that, it's madness, i reckon Sterling will come back with a bang this GW.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Got rested about this time last season. Pep is big on giving players rests and there’s a clear parallel with KDB last week.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Just checked. Was rested in 2 (World Cup probs) 9 (Burnley H) and 15 (Watford A) in first part of season. Every 6:7 matches.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          There’s no way he’ll be rested every 6.5 matches

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            He’ll miss 3/4 - most in first part of season - would be my guess. That’s going on last season. It seems a perfectly plausible scenario.

            You may not want it to happen but there we go.

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling was rotated in 25% of games against non top 6 PL opposition last year. Plenty of reason to worry.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        So you’ve gone without?

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

          Yes. But I'm terrible, rank 3m

  10. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Will have this team in GW7, would I need to WC any time soon ?

    Ryan
    VanDijk Otamendi Soyuncu
    Cantwell Salah Son KDB Sterling
    Abraham Pukki

    Button Lundtram Greenwood Kelly

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

      Not at all.

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No way.

    3. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thats a hell of a team! Whats your squad value?

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        101.4

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haha same mids i’m going for

  11. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All G2G here?

    Pope

    Digne TAA Maitland-Niles

    KDB(C) Sterling Mane Son Cantwell

    Barnes Pukki

    Lundstram Greenwood Hanley

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

      Very. Though would captain sterling if plays less than 70 tonight

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

        Cheers. I'll keep an eye on him. My captains been so bad so far this seaosn

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

          Same here apart from choosing Salah cap v Arsenal

  12. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Quote from Premierleague.com written by the Scout 8 May 2019

    "Managers should also remember they can view how many transfers their rivals have made in the Gameweek,"

    Is this feature now removed for good?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes i couldn't view my opponents transfers

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

      Seems like it

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

      I think it's reinstated. You can do the maths given the funds he has at that particular week.

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

        Values shown are for the previous deadline

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

          Cheers

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who asked for the information to be removed?

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

        Jeff Brazier

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

        Darco Majetic

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

        Mark was tired of copycats

  13. KnightSlayer
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just got mount this week if he is injured

    Mount to cantwell
    Kelly to Mendy

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

      No way - no guarantees Mendy starts on Sat. Might be one for the Carabao Cup

  14. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling will be rotated little this season. Who else can play left wing convincingly? Bernardo maybe. Mahrez is not good there.

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

      Bernardo. Even Jesus. Pep will find a way. His players are very interchangeable

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

      Sterling isnt even good there himself. When hes there to provide width which Pep wants in certain games, Sterling isnt good in that role. Hes very good when he can play "left wing" and basically Plays as a slightly wide striker though.

  15. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to bring in?

    Heaton

    Matip*/TAA/Digne
    KDB/Son/Sterling/Mane/Cellabos
    Wesley*/King

    Button Lundstram Greenwood Kelly.

    0 ITB

    2FT

    *Wesley has to go. Seen him a few times now and I doubt he’ll score double figures this season. Double pool defence is not paying off. Barnes is the logical replacement for Wesley, which leaves me 4.7 for a defender.

    A) Pieters
    B) soy
    C) Mings (not keen on AV double up)
    D) other

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

      A

  16. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Aurier or Otamendi?

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

      Aurier

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ota

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

        City will keep sheets. And fancy a goal or two from him too. Aurier on the other hand could lose his place soon

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Neither? 🙂

      Otamendi if you fancy City to start keeping it tight. Getting a Poch full backs is asking for headaches, rotation galore.

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

        Probably this. Would actually go Matip

      2. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks all, lots to think about! I want ceballos out for Iwobi

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

          I’d look at pushing more money up the field too.

          Few 4.5s might be better.

    4. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Otamendi

    5. 577cmot
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on this 343 WC team?
      - Soy, Engels and Rico rotate nicely
      - May be light in midfield but want Auba

      Pope
      TAA, Digne, Soy (Engels, Rico)
      Sterling, Salah, Mount, Cantwell (Hayden)
      Auba, Pukki, Barnes

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

        As good as anything else tbh. You could go Mane over salah and upgrade Hayden but not much to gain tbh

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

          +1

          Barnes->Abraham with money saved by selling Salah

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

            Is Mount even fit?

    6. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on a Hammers defender? They have been actually decent this season.
      Good fixtures to follow too.

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

        Have to play Cresswell next week so I dunno

      2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Right on brother!
        Try to pick one that doesn't get sent off, I'm riding that Hobo train already.

    7. PlayPercentage
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I need a cheapo replacement for Martin Kelly (4.0).
      He is currently injured and the first choice CBs are coming back to full fitness.
      Any suggestions?

    8. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane + Monut ➡ Son + Wilson for -4 sounds good? Have exact cash. Gives me -

      Pope
      TAA - Zinchenko - Pieters
      Mane - Sterling - KDB - Son - Cantwell
      Wilson - Pukki

      Woodman - Lundstram - Hanley - Wickham

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

      Gonna wildcard next week so
      1-Dilva to ??? 1 week punt 7.6 mil to spend
      2-Vvd to Digne???

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

        2 for many reasons

    10. yer old da
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota > Abraham or Pukki?

      1. JohnBlack
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Pukki

    11. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If WC now and based on the next string of 5-6 fixtures, who would you put bottom of the list for points over that time?

      Aguero
      Aubameyang
      Sterling
      Kdb
      Mane
      Son

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        KDB

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

        KDB or Mane probably

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

          I was thinking mane....tough isn't it!?

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

            Mane could be top. It’s tough. I would guess Auba

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

              Look at his fixtures and who else is gonna score the goals for arsenal?

      3. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        RMT says Son.

    12. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Was there any news about Mount’s injury?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If there was there would probably be an article entitled 'The latest on Mount injury..' or maybe even a tweet or two.

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I just posted this below - don't know how useful/ reliable though:

        https://twitter.com/SJohnsonSport/status/1174342786428088320

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

          How does an X-ray show ligaments?

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Ha! Good spot.

            Perhaps this guy is talking out his proverbial

          2. RichardNixon
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            hmmm, I have my doubts as well. I mentioned previously that I have had maybe a dozen ankle injuries over the years and I would find it odd that the swelling has receded in less than 24 hours. If anything I would have expected the swelling to be worse today and probably tomorrow as well, and then start to recede. After that you do the scan.

            Anyhow, if there's truth in it then good news and it sounds very minor but I still don't reckon he will play this weekend. Doubt he will be able to train before the game and a weak ankle is vulnerable to roll on itself again if not 100% recovered from simple things like changing direction or coming to a stop from a sprint.

    13. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Montoya and Barnes to
      Lundstram and Abraham
      -4, exact money.
      Look OK?

      1. Otis Kay
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        no, silly move.

        Lundstram away to Everton = no clean sheet
        Abraham home to Liverpool = not bad, still Liverpool (good defence)
        + deducting 4...

        Barnes home to Norwich --> good fixture, could easilyyyy score
        Montoya away to N'castle --> not the worst fixture, good attacking prospect as a defender
        No deductions...

    14. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      With James a doubt, wonder if Greenwood might have a chance of playing?

    15. dark91
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Son benched. Hmmmm he is really pushing to join my team

    16. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sonny rested, lovely

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        wow

        Makes me want to get him in even more now.

        1. LewanGOALski
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yup. Probably pushing the button today/tomorrow myself

    17. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Has this been posted already? Update re. Mount's scan from Simon Johnson (who seems to cover CFC for 'The Athletic') - don't know how reliable he usually is but the summary sounds promising (the full article is behind a paywall)

      https://twitter.com/SJohnsonSport/status/1174342786428088320

      1. MTPockets
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah he's ok. "Not as bad" doesn't say much yet though

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yeh I agree hence my disclaimer re reliability. Hopefully more solid info on Friday

            1. MTPockets
                4 years, 7 months ago

                https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/18/chelsea-star-mason-mount-avoids-ligament-damage-ankle-10767617/
                "Mount is set to miss Chelsea’s weekend Premier League clash with league leaders Liverpool, but will only be sidelined for a short period"

                Whether they really know that or just clickbait though...

                1. Don Kloppeone
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Cheers. At least it is in line with the one I posted!

        • No_Mo_Salah?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          2ft and 0.7itb. Any suggestions? Was thinking McGinn to James but now he has a knock so will have to see... Thinking about Vardy and Vdjik to Auba and

          1. No_Mo_Salah?
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Fail