Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 343 – Are Liverpool and Arsenal players key to Gameweek 1?

FPL managers can tell when they are only a few days from the start of a new season because niggling doubts, worries and second thoughts about players start creeping in.

That’s certainly the case amongst the Scoutcasters Joe and Az, who this week are joined by Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy.

Manchester United fan Andy is even doubting the points potential of Red Devil’s midfield hero Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m).

Meanwhile, Az is looking to start the 2020/21 campaign with two bargain basement midfielders. And Joe has found himself with not one, but two £6.0m midfielders, much to Az’s derision.

In this lively season opener, the crew nearly come to blows over defensive strategy, with Liverpool and Arsenal assets taking centre stage in the discussion. There’s also some tough talking when they chat about midfield and attacking options.

The Blank Gameweek 1 for both Manchester clubs is also looked at, as the Scoutcasters consider the best strategy to cope with the absence of these teams, as well as the need to bring in their assets during September.

Fixtures over the next four Gameweeks are frisked and Joe takes his turn in the hot seat to pick a differential to help FPL managers take an early lead. Well, that’s the plan.

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

Best players by position:

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

1,009 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have 3 Southampton players.....simply cant belive it!

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And i am 3rd time in a row, top on the new page......

    2. Penzardlife
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings, Armstrong, McCarthy?

      1. xHaTr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same here!

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

      Me too. Goalie, Armstrong, Adam's.

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 5.5 mid other than ASM?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Fraser mby

      1. Lukakus Unit
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Fraser is 6

    2. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saka is a punt given reduced mins, but Armstrong is the only one.

    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Diangana

    4. Lukakus Unit
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Punts with potential: Diangana, Harrison, Saka
      Solid players: McGinn (no GW1), Armstrong
      Consistent FPL vets: Moutinho, Doucoure (if he starts), Henderson (if you don't mind taking up a LIV slot)
      Good but injury prone: Gudmundsson

    5. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its Armstrong and its not close

  3. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    DCL or Wilson?

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Big Willy

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I also like big willy

        1. Robson-Canoe
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I always wanted to see an X rated Bambi movie

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      DCL

  4. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Did I just nail it?

    McCarthy - (Nyland)
    TAA - Dier - Justin - KWP - (Johnson)
    Auba - Pulisic - Havertz - Alli - (Bissouma)
    Werner - (Martial) - Adams

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good.

      A few punts and less template than a lot on here.

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey fam! Thoughts on this?

    McCarthy (Button)
    Robbo Davies Egan (Mitchell Johnson)
    Salah Auba Havertz Alli (Bissouma)
    Jimenez DCL Mitrovic

    GW2 - Salah to Rashford
    GW3 - Auba to Sterling
    GW4 - Egan to TAA

    I know the plans will surely change! But I like the idea of it!

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Prefer Martial to Rash
      Love the Sterling pick
      I'd begin with TAA tbh

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate! Great points!

  6. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don't know about anybody else but as much as I enjoy FPL, I'm finding the amount of FPL content on YouTube etc is actually starting to get quite nauseating.

    There seems to be too many FPL experts now with YouTube channels uploading content. The amount of stuff I'm seeing is just complete overkill. Everything has already been discussed to death! It's just too much and is getting boring.

    I'm finding that I'm switching these videos off after a few minutes. It's good to have these guys put out these videos to help people but it's just getting too much and it's largely re-gurgitating the same stuff. I could understand it a bit more if the season had started but it hasn't and literally nothing is happening.

    All I'm seeing on my YouTube feed is latest draft this, latest draft that. Why are people changing their teams so often when literally nothing really is happening to warrant changes apart from a few more pre-season games which has little bearing anyway. I don't see that there have been any major signings of any huge interest or significance either. I certainly don't have any of the new signings in my team.

    I get the impression that there are hundreds of people spending hours and hours looking at their teams chopping and changing their GW1 squad and agonising over who to have as if there life depends on it. I can almost guarantee that by GW3 most will be reaching for the wildcard and completely changing their squads anyway. The same thing happens every season! Lol. Complete waste of time. I haven't touched my team for 4 weeks. Pick your team and be done with it!

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Great post. Feel free to follow me on youtube xoxo

    2. luke25
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Personally I agree there's a lot, maybe too much content but there's plenty of people who enjoy it and like to tinker so if they want to watch the content then it's their choice 🙂

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

      Or writing long posts on ffs. Nobody is making you watch any of it.

    4. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      People want to make a career out of it and there is a market for it

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I know that I don't have to watch it. Was just wondering really if anybody else feels like there is just too much content now. If anything it actually makes me lose interest in FPL if anything.

        I'm not quite sure how you can make money from uploading videos of yourself talking about FPL which is a pretty meaningless game in terms of life fulfilment etc. I don't really see how being successful at FPL enhances your life in any way at all. It's really nothing more than a hobby and a bit of fun or it should be anyway.

        If people are somehow making money from it then fair play to them. I'm obviously missing a trick. Maybe I should have my own channel!

        The only channel I really watch is letstalkfpl. I like Andy but even he is overdoing it a bit lately with the videos. The problem is is that there really isn't anything anybody can tell me that I don't already know given that I've been playing for 14yrs and have a pretty decent history. Perhaps thats why I find a lot of this content a bit boring.

    5. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Of course there is. Whenever anything gets popular you get loads of people trying to get rich from it. No wonder the sudden explosion of links to gambling sites like Fanteam and Football Index

    6. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Name checks out.

      • The Spion Kloppite
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        use the OFF button

      • Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Surely just don't watch it? It's not like it's taking up valuable space on Youtube & stopping people uploading their videos of bellends shouting at video games or airheads opening boxes.

      • Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Posted about this the other day. This whole 'community' is completely overkill now.

        I can't say too many are experts anyway.

        1. gooberman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          The best days were the days of Mark and Granville and the podcasts they used to do. Really enjoyed that. It's just too saturated now. It's also making the game harder. Too many people playing now and everyone is spoonfed with all this info and don't have to do any research themselves.

    7. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bottomed:

      1. Egan
      2. Ramsdale

      Need only one from SHU defence. Thx!

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        1

    8. AdamJ91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What price could we potentially see Watkins come in at? 6.0/6.5?

      1. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yes, 6.0 probably

      2. Azathoth
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Don't think he'll be more expensive than Mitro,who has FPL experience.....so 6m the most,probably 5.5m.

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          oooh! A 5.5 striker would be very useful

          1. ManofKent
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            There's now Callum Robinson - Should play most matches for WBA

      3. Moxon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Probably 6.0. Would happily take a punt at 5.5.

    9. lekalatch
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy Steer
      TAA Justin Lascelles Mitchell Douglas
      Salah Auba Son xxxxx Bissouma
      Firmino xxxxx Adams

      A) Wilson Barnes + 0.5
      B) Mitrovic Alli/Willian

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Firmino hurts my eyes, Martial placeholder?
        A

        1. lekalatch
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Martial placeholder yes.

      2. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mate, with that defence you will be WC-ing in about 3 weeks.

        Prefer B

        1. lekalatch
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Well good that's the plan then 🙂

    10. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Help!

      McCarthy (Nyland)
      TAA, Doherty, Justin (Mitchell, Buur)
      Mane, Auba, Son, Barnes, ASM
      Werner, Mitro (Brewster)

      Buur and Barnes to Egan and Saka/Armstrong (+0.5m itb)?

    11. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m going to do a wee post inspired by *checks notes* ummm jafooli?

      So he made the point that a triple up on any team is quite troubling because if any game were to get suspended by corona, which is quite likely as cases are on the rise, then you will be in a lot of trouble.

      What does this mean for our goalkeeper spots then? The 4.5/4m combo sounds nice but you run the risk of going a week with no keeper. Is this a risk people are willing to take and hold on to the keeper for the season or should we consider a return to the dreaded 4.5m keeper rotation so we should have a keeper playing every week (unless you were super unlucky), thoughts ?

      1. luke25
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Tough, but if I had to, I would say it's not worth planning for something that may not even have an effect. Don't want to look back on the season wishing you stuck to your original thoughts

      2. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If it ever came to suspending games again I think we will have much bigger problems than that tbf. There wouldn't be just the odd game here and the odd game there that is suspended. Most games will be most likely, so no teams will play.

    12. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Which one would you prefer?

      A) Son & Ings
      B) Alli & Werner

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

      2. xHaTr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Annoying answer but would really try to fit Son Ings and Werner in.

        If i had to pick I would say A

      3. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        A

    13. davies
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Which option lads?

      A) 4.0 Bissouma Wilson (343)
      B) Saiss ASM Brewster (442/352)

      McCarthy 4.0
      TAA Davies ***** Taylor Mitchell
      Salah Auba Alli ***** Soucek
      Werner Ings *****

      Cheers.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        A

    14. TheBootyFinesser
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      G2G?
      McCarthy-(Nyland)
      TAA-Davies-James-KWP-Taylor
      Salah-Auba-Havertz-Pulisic-(Bissouma)
      DCL-Wilson-Mitro

    15. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy
      TAA Davies Saiss
      Salah Auba Havertz ASM
      Werner Antonio Adams

      (4.0 Ayling Bissouma 4.0)
      1.0m

      GW2: Salah & Antonio ➡️ Bruno & Martial
      GW3: Auba ➡️ KDB

      Thoughts?

      1. TheBootyFinesser
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        looking good tbh

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers mate!

      2. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saiss > KWP rotating with ayling
        & havertz > son(proven player) wont u fancy?

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Tbh I think Saiss + Havertz/Puli should comfortably outscore 4.5 def + Son long term.

          1. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            If there is pulisic to start then this is no brainer but i think it is easier to hold son at least 3-4 weeks & transfer him to pulisic/havertz whoever emerges if needed.
            Also wont u think saiss rotation risk with marcal? What are your thoughts about egan instead? Anyway good looking team GL mate !!!

    16. PepSala
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It all comes down to this lads

      A) Ings and JWP
      B) Adams and Havertz

      1. Jimjam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

      2. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

      3. Bullet Eder
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

    17. CAPA
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone know which Villa keeper is likely to play until Heaton is back?

    18. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A) Havertz Wilson
      B) Werner ASM

    19. Red Red Robins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just done my Fanteam one, and ive heard a bit about it on here in regards to people doing 50? How many are you doing? Im thinking 2 maybe 3 with various tweeks.

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'm just doing 1 team, most people on this site are doing 1-5.

        Someone on there has 100!

        1. Red Red Robins
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          100?, dont really see the point but each to there own

      2. luke25
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you have to pay for each team or just each tournament you enter?

        1. Red Red Robins
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          think 25 euros unlimited teams

          1. Egg noodle
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            25 euros per team

            1. Red Red Robins
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Oh really? I never new haha. Do 2 then

    20. jai1212
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think I am well settled except having two huge ass talking points in my head.

      1. Is it worth being without Son to get someone like a Pulisic/Havertz when you already own Werner

      2. I have Mitro + 1.0 itb, and I'm keen to get DCL. Do I take him right away or wait and analyze for a few weeks

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Tempted to go with Havertz instead of Son as well and if your keen on getting DCL I would do it now, you can always "downgrade" to Mitrovic, you won't keep that 1.0 itb anyway for a few weeks 😉

      2. Bullet Eder
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Get DCL now. Start with Son if you have Werner, easy downgrade to Havertz/Pulisic if they start firing. Everyone getting very excited about Chelsea but we don't know how they'll settle.

    21. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I can see Justin in many drafts. Nobody afraid about possibility that Castagne takes his place?

      1. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        One of them will play on the left and the other on the right

    22. FPLteacher - Season 15
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Where could I improve?
      Pope Mccarthy
      TAA VVD Douglas KWP Mitchell
      Auba Son McNeil Stephen ASM
      Ings Werner Richarlson

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Richarlison not worth it

      2. AD105
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Keepers too expensive, go with one of them and a 4.0, possibly downgrade Richarlison to a Wilson/Mitro and upgrade one of McNeil or Stephenson, good to go other than that!

    23. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A)
      McCarthy
      Alexander-Arnold / Van Dijk / Justin / Walker-Peters
      Aubameyang / Salah / Son
      WERNER / ADAMS / Mitrovic

      B)
      McCarthy
      Alexander-Arnold / Van Dijk / Justin / Walker-Peters
      Aubameyang / Salah / Son
      INGS / CALVERT-LEVIN / Mitrovic

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        A

    24. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who do you think is the best mid up to 6.5m for GW1?

      1. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bowen

      2. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bowen

      3. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        could be pereira

    25. luke25
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone thinking Aguero after GW1? Not seen him mentioned much which is weird but guess Jesus will take minutes again

    26. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Am I on the right path?

      McCarthy
      TAA, Davies, Ayling, Mitchell
      Auba, Alli, Salah
      Mitro, Wilson, Werner

      Subs: Nyland, Bissouma, Taylor, Greenwood

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I like it. Why not have a punt on James Rod or Pereira in GW1 and then transfer them to Greenwood in GW2? Both Ayling and Mitchell are underwhelming picks for GW1.

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers, thanks for advices! Your draft so far?

          1. Robson-Canoe
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yes very happy with my team since I decided to go without Salah, but could go terribly wrong 🙂

    27. AD105
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies or Egan at 5?

      And best 4.5 defender that isn’t KWP?

      1. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Davies, but i like Dier more

        Justin

    28. rozzo
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is Fernandes on the bench a waste of funds?

      Mccarthy
      TAA VVD Egan Mitchell
      Auba Havertz Soucek
      Werner Jimenez Mitrovic

      Nyland Bissouma Johnson Fernandes

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

      2. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No

      3. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I'd have a GW1 punt and plan a transfer for GW2. Mitchell isn't going to do much.

    29. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      AMN nailled?

    30. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Which combo is better

      A. Dier/Davies, Werner
      B. Doherty, Ings/Jimenez