Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 347 – Making sense of the first four Gameweeks

Joe and Az are joined by Karam to try to make sense of a bizarre opening four Gameweeks of the Fantasy Premier League season.

With Aston Villa and West Ham United notching surprise wins against Liverpool and Leicester City respectively, the last set of fixtures were particularly odd.

Armed with Premium Members Area statistics and information, they use the international break to investigate why certain defences are performing better. Could the ‘new normal’ of this socially distanced, fan-free campaign be a factor?

Top attacks are also considered with Tottenham Hotspur’s revival as a goal-scoring force among issues picked out by Joe.

Meanwhile, Karam’s focus is on the best strikers to target. From premium picks to budget buys, there is plenty of choice.

Az ponders the merits of expensive defenders, when so many cheaper alternatives are delivering for FPL managers. His section of the Scoutcast includes a shocking fact involving the most creative defenders so far.

Elsewhere, there’s another extended ‘Rough with the Smooth’ section, as results conspire to bring joy, and certainly woe, to many in the community.

This week’s focus is firmly on the season so far and whether there are any lessons to learn for our trio. Next week’s episode will focus in more detail on Gameweek 5 transfer and captaincy plans, especially as most international fixtures will have been completed by then.

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.


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

491 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DRACARYS
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jorginho or March for long term?

    1. RocketMan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      if jorg plays hes on pens... March does look attacking though.. its tough as Jorg was dropped 2 games ago

      1. DRACARYS
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        My concern exactly. Chelsea mid seems to have a lot of options and that pen incident last match confuses even more

  2. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If I use a transfer for this week will I get another next week before premier league is back?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure if this is a joke? The answer is no.

      1. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not a joke just didn’t no if we’d have 2 free transfer after international breaks

        1. RocketMan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          no its per Gameweek, not just the week.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No we won't get

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Members, what are the best public tables you guys use? Looking for a few good xG, xGc, touches in the box, shots in the box, etc? Cheers

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jonty's goal imminent table is popular. Doosra also had one table which he used to post.

  4. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC?

    Martinez
    Robertson • Chilwell • Saiss
    Salah • KDB • Son • James
    DCL • Maupay • Antonio
    (4.0 / KWP / Mitchell / Bissouma)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice. I have 9 of those in my current non WC team. I think that Midfield is ideal

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

        Yeah it’s balanced. Want to get as much coverage on WC that I can

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I’m dying to get Antonio

    2. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      about as good as it gets

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Covers all bases I guess

    4. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure about so much in defense and so little up top. I like Antonio as a pick, but not for the next 3

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which WC draft looks better?

    A) Balanced one with 0.5ITB

    Martinez/Martin
    Robo/Chilwell/5.5/Lamptey/4.0
    Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish/4.4
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    B) Heavy one

    Martinez/Martin
    Chilwell/Reguilon/Semedo/Ayling/4.0
    Salah/Sterling/Son/McGinn/4.4
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    1. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I am on sth VERY similar to your A) team - you can check below 😉

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Really like B

  6. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC Team Draft #3
    Thoughts..? 🙂

    Martinez - 4.0
    Robertson - Chilwell - Saiss - KWP - Mitchell
    Salah - Son - J.Rodriguez - Zaha - Soucek
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      All good, can't really fault any picks.

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very very good if your preferring Kane over KDB/Sterling

      1. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        at this stage, I do.
        You can’t have them all at once.
        Kane is easily downgradeable to someone cheaper to free up funds for JRod / Zaha ➡ Sterling / KDB some day

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice and similar to mine, just would you really want to play KWP anytime soon?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        KWP is the best 4.5m defender imo

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Don’t see anything supporting that, can’t see more CSs coming, same about attacking points

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Eye test

          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Link your team mate

        2. LewanGOALski
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          same thinking here. Eventually one of Leeds fullbacks.

          He also might become WHU defender from GW8 onwards

  7. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any comments regarding my wildcard team?

    Martinez | Steer
    Chilwell | Saiss | Reguilon | Dallas | KWP
    Salah | Son | Havertz | Rodriguez | Greilish
    Kane | DCL | Brewster

    The only potential issue I see is that I've got no MC attackers, but I'm ok with that until they have a striker back in the team and on form. Rodriguez and Grealish have been in my original team since gw1 and gw2 respectively, so this isn't a "points chasing" wildcard.... I activated it mainly to bring Kane, Son, Salah, Chilwell and Reguillon in.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why Havertz and Reguilon? Otherwise like the team

      1. The Mighty Hippo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Havertz may become Pulisic depending on how Chelsea line up and perform. I'm still holding on to the belief that they will start to click in their attack soon. Havertz playing as a no.10 will make runs into the box and he's shown some positive signs in his last couple of matches.

        Reguilon is a bit of a punt, but I think Spurs will allow him to get forward and he looked really solid in his first game with them. I also expect a few clean sheets as well, so he's just shaded it into the team ahead of Casgagne at the moment.

  8. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jimenez to Antonio
    Podence to 4.5
    Ward Prowse to Son

    Should be worth a hit I guess? Low risk high reward?

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jimenez has 3 good fixtures coming and Antonio's next 3 aren't great. I know fixtures haven't really meant much lately, but I still don't think I'd be making that move.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not sure what to expect from him after he blanked Vs "Fulham"

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I expect him to start firing soon (I'd be happy with 2 returns from the next 3) but if this is your only route to spurs forwards its not the worst.

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC. Who to sell for Saiss? Lamptey or Justin?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Justin

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Justin

  10. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Team as it stands with 1ft and 0.8m itb. What ideas would think of here? , I have been through so many, but like other peoples thoughts and opinions to.

    McCarthy
    James Saiss TAA
    Salah(c) KDB(vc) Son Hames
    DCL Mitrovic Brewster

    Nyland Podence KWP Ferguson

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James to someone. Probably cheaper ( I like dallas) and then upgrade Mitro later?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I can upgrade James to Chilwell and upgrade Mitrovic to Antonio

    2. RocketMan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would get rid of mitrovic to either antonio, wilson, bamford,

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah agree but it can wait a week

      2. RocketMan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        i wouldnt bank on SHU conceding

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good to save for now mate

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        My thinking to , cheers mate

  11. RocketMan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Heres an interesting one.. To get all my defenders playing (ie not 2 x 4.0 .. with 0.2 ITB) I can drop 3 defenders at 4.4, what do you think

    A) (mitchell + ferguson 4.0) Ayling , walker peters , chilwell (+0.2ITB)

    B) (mitchell) cooper (leeds), jermal lewis (new), jack robinson (SHU), chilwell

    what do you think?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. RocketMan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        really... I am swaying to B so that I have 5 that play... + mitchell will maybe get dropped soon

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          True dat. Just don't like the players in B I guess.

          1. RocketMan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            ye they are not the attacking defenders but it gives me more flexibility

  12. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just did
    Wood + Sterling -> Kane + James Rod
    May have just made a kneejerk but seems like Ill be kicking myself if they haul again and burnley and city dont look right

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Netherlands v Mexico , yes I will be watching that

  14. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I am on my WC and strongly considering throwing Pulisic straight in at a generous price of 8.3m

    Do you reckon it is just a bit too soon or do you reckon he starts against Southampton?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hard to say, he came off the bench last game but only got 8 minutes. Could be eased in but yeah 8.3 if he can stay fit is pure value

    2. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      When Heaton is fit does Martinez get benched?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No

      2. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Player (fixture) : CS Odds %

        A) Taylor (wba) : 30%
        B) Coady (lee) : 32%
        C) Justin (AVL) : 33%
        D) Ward (BHA) : 35%

        Which 2 to play??

      3. 1471
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Decided to WC this week, thoughts on the team? 0.1 ITB

        Decided to take a risk and go without a Pool defense for the first time...

        Martinez (Forster)
        Lamperty - Konsa - Saiss (Mitchel - Walker-Peters)
        Rodriguez - Son - Sterling - Salah - Grealish
        Kane - Wilson (Brewster)

      4. Rahul Tibrewala
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        RMT Without Wildcard

        Ramsdale

        Saiss Walker Peters Robertson

        Son Rodriguez Salah Podence

        Kane Calvert lewin wilson

        Sub: Steer Mitchell Ferguson Bissouma