Community

Fantasy Football Scout Community Trials open again

The dawning of a new year brings fresh opportunities, different perspectives and, of course, a brand new FPL wildcard to tempt us! In this spirit of renewal, Fantasy Football Scout are delighted to be re-opening our Community Trials in order to discover and celebrate upcoming writing talent.

Alongside the Pro PunditsScout Network and Scout Academy, the Trials are part of our continuing mission to support the wider world of FPL content creators and expand the extent of FFS’s own coverage.

Specifically, the Community Trials offer an opportunity for budding writers to submit an article with a view to getting a paid commission, raising their profile and generally furthering their editorial career.

We ran the inaugural version of this enterprise back in the Autumn and, after much deliberation of MANY articles, ultimately picked four winners: DomWatts23GreyheadKroos Kontrol and RubberDucky.

We handed each of these writers a chance to work alongside the Fantasy Football Scout editorial team on a commissioned article that will feature in the main editorial flow. The first of these was published last week, as mindfulness coach DomWatts23 revealed his thoughts on how to balance FPL with our mental health in an unpredictable season. You can READ IT HERE.

If you fancy an opportunity to follow in their footsteps then now is the time to get your thinking cap on and start sharing your ideas.

The Community Trials window will be open for four weeks, between today and Sunday, February 7. During this period, we will monitor everything submitted, provide a little feedback here and there and then reward the best and most interesting new writers with paid commissions to contribute to the main site.

We think this is a great opportunity to test out new ideas and angles, flex your creative muscles and get attention from our editorial teams. Even if you don’t get picked first time round, don’t worry, we’ll be running more trials throughout the year.

The second Community Trials are now officially open and run through to February 7, so start submitting using this link.

732 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Called it above. Leeds simply don't have a good enough panel to be resting players and still be competitive.Even against teams like Crawley.

  2. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Sterling injured or “not fully fit” I brought him in...

  3. Tsparkes10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Cancelo, Dias and KDB then? Sterling or Gundo tempting though

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m not on FH and have Cancelo, Dias and Sterling so looking for more info.

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I've gone with these 3

  4. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which of Mark's rivals paid a witch doctor to curse Leeds?

  5. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Leeds stars like Bamford, Dallas etc not even on bench - only rested?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Needed a rest. Leeds better out of the cup with such a limited panel. Premier league survival is paramount.

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Risky to use FH if City are playing one of the only two FPL viable matches.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't understand. City , Utd and Arsenal all have great games, that's 9 players right there plus 2 Newcastle.

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This. There is no *perfect* time to play a chip - if you wait for every factor to line up then you'll end up with 3 chips left in GW 38.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This guy is just trying to justify not playing FH in 18. It's a perfect week to do it. 3 stacked games in favor of top teams and a whole bunch of blanks.

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah I can't really imagine 3 better games. Even Newcastle have a good one to fill in the blanks with cheap players.

          1. FourLokoLeipzig
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I’d rather fill my blanks with Sheff United than Newcastle!

            1. FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Based on what? Sheff Utd don't score or keep cleansheets. Wilson is involved in 75% of Newcastle goals and is more likely to score than anyone and is on penalties.

              1. FourLokoLeipzig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Clean sheet odds generally a good guide. I’ll take a Sheff United defender if I can’t fill the spots with City / Utd / Ars, and Brewster as fodder. Maybe Yedlin as fodder too

                GW18 clean sheet odds:
                MCI: 53%
                MNU: 45%
                ARS: 44%
                SHU: 37%
                WOL: 35%
                NEW: 31%

                1. FPL.team
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  63% chance that Newcastle score so an almost 50% chance that Wilson scores.

                  1. FourLokoLeipzig
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    Don’t think Wilson’s a bad shout, but I prefer DCL now that his chief creators are back from injury

      3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Name 3 nailed starters in City and Arsenal. Planning to play a United defender? Arsenal Palace most likely will finish 1-1.

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Cancelo, Dias/Stones, KDB, Ederson, Tierney, Holding, ESR, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette. I could go on... Yes will play a Utd defender, they have a great game defensively.

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Ederson fit again?
            Dias or Stones?
            Cancelo surely starting?
            Those 6 from Arsenal will have zero CS amongst. And you can probably count on only one of them scoring,
            How many Clean sheets have United kept till now?

            1. FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              - Yes. Ederson on bench today.
              -Yes. Pick whichever of Dias or Stones or both.
              - Yes. Cancelo off at HT today and played every pre game since GW5.
              - I can see Arsenal scoring 2 or 3 and Tierney has lots of attacking threat if they do concede.
              - Counter argument. How many goals have Burnley scored until now?

              1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                I would think of using FH if it gives me an incremental 20 points minimum - best option a DGW probably. I would never use FH to just make up those numbers as most people are doing. I am looking at all these FH teams and feel what I have might just be 8 to 10 points short of what they might get once the GW ends. Definitely not worth it.

                1. FPL.team
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  I have 5 players this week so yes it will give me much more than 20pts. FH is not a one size fits all solution so you can't just blanket say it's a waste.

                  1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    Agree

        2. dimo_fpl
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Lacazette, Saka, Tierney, Leno, Smith Rowe and Auba will all start against Palace.

        3. EL_FENOMENO
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          KDB, Dias, Cancelo, Stones, Lacazette, Holding, Leno, Tierney, Saka. DDG or AWB. Possible but not very likely.

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Good to make up numbers. But enough to get those extra 20 points against non FH teams with 7 good players starting?

        4. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          KdB, Dias, Stones
          Saka, Lacazette, Tierney
          Why not get MUN defense?
          Not on current form it won't.

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Just posted this above:

            I would think of using FH if it gives me an incremental 20 points minimum - best option a DGW probably. I would never use FH to just make up those numbers as most people are doing. I am looking at all these FH teams and feel what I have might just be 8 to 10 points short of what they might get once the GW ends. Definitely not worth it.

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              You won't make that up in a DGW necessarily. I think FH guarantees value when you have no starters. Replacing SGW players with DGW ones doesn't yield as consistently good returns if your team is built correctly. Son (shu) will not necessarily be outscored by Rashford (liv, bur). So where do you get these '20 points' from by FH'ing a DGW?

              You don't. Whereas I know for 100% sure that Tierney is going to score more points than Zouma this week with a potential to significantly outscore it.

              1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Valid points. Probably my team with 7 decent players is the reason for that post.

            2. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              So you think my initial team with 4 players + son and grealish would outscore current FH team ??

              Leno
              Cancelo dias awb
              Grealish* son * kdb Bruno rashford
              Lacazette Wilson

              If Spurs villa game gets cancelled, grealish and son becomes Rodriguez and saka. 4.3 striker becomes richarlison.
              That'll make my team look like

              Leno
              Awb cancelo dias (Clarke)
              Kdb Rodriguez Bruno rashford (Saka)
              Richarlison Lacazette Wilson

              Both the above draft are mostly templates, and will definitely give more than 8-10 points , as the 3 teams in focus wiz Manchester United, Manchester City and arsenal are in great form

              1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                No comparison there. 4 vs 11 definitely will. 6 (if Villa + Spurs happens) with 2 additions might not warrant an FH. My point is if you have 7 to 8 good players, FH can wait.

                1. The Overthinker
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  I agree with the last part, if you have 7, no need to FH. A transfer or 2 should be fine.

            3. CobraKai
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              FH on a DGW is a trap. Played this game long enough to know DGW rarley perform in both GWs and get outscored by SGW players.

    2. No Salah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This is a meaningless argument, whether or not to “FH”, depends on your team. Even considering spurs game off, I have

      DeGea
      Cancelo Stones
      KDB(c) Rashford Bruno
      Wilson

      So should I FH for three Arsenal or not? I choose not to.

  7. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Glad to see Dias and KDB go off at HT.

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      And Cancelo too(for me haha)

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This looks lovely... Stones, Cavani, Rash to AWB, Brewster, Sterling (play Smithrowe) if likely fit.

    Darlow
    Cancelo Tierney Stones
    Son Rash Bruno KDB
    Wilson Laca Cavani
    (4.0, Smithrowe, Kilman, Mitchell)

  9. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Dias, cancelo, kdb it is !!!

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      same here

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Agreed. No need to overthink it...

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hey G!!!

        Yeah for sure

        3 city
        3 united
        2 arsenal
        1 Spurs
        1 Newcastle
        1 Aston villa

        If Spurs vs Aston villa is called off,

        Change of formation from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I'm avoiding that fixture all together I think. Might do a Son draft but currently looking at:

          3 City, United, Arsenal and Newcastle (1 sub).

          Just need to change Shaw and Sterling in my team...

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Shaw to Bailly should be easy switch.
            Sterling will take some time in making a decision

            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I've done Shaw to Maguire and left Sterling in and hope it was just a one game rest. If he doesn't then I'll let the bench deal with it but definitely not going to replace him with Auba...

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yawn.

  10. Wild Rover
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lol

  11. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Crawley 3 up

  12. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    3-0 Game over...

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Crawley 3

  14. dimo_fpl
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If I was using FH :

    Darlow
    Cancelo Tierney Maguire
    KDB Gundo Auba Fernandes Rash
    Laca Wilson
    (Ramsdale,Yedlin,Brewster,Mitchell)

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Are you?

      1. dimo_fpl
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Using FH? I don’t really know tbh. Wasn’t planning on, but like pretty much everyone else, Spurs Villa has ruined it

    2. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That's my current draft except Sterling and Saka instead of Gundogan and Aubameyang.

  15. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    No Bamford no Leeds win

  16. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Embarrassing.

  17. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sell Grealish on FH?

    Which is better?

    A- Grealish + Holding
    B- Saka + Cancelo

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  18. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Fortunately Bielsa already has a bucket handy to puke in.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TBH getting knocked out now saves him coming up against someone unpronounceable anyway.

  19. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm thinking Pulisic or Ziyech to be my DGW19 differential.

    I think Chelsea are being slept on. They've had a bad run of form but it's largely coincided with an injury to Ziyech and a bunch of hard fixtures.

    Last 3 games were ars AVL MCI. They have a very appealing DGW too imo with ful lei. Leicester defense has not been very good.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea do seem to be a forgotten team...

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I can do something like Son + Davis > Pulisic + Rodrigo as my GW19 transfers as part of a BB.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      They will definitely come back strong. Ziyech makes a huge difference to that team. Since his absence they have been relying heavily on the left flank. Ziyech makes them more options.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        gives*

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So if Villa game cancelled losing 5 of this lot,

    Martínez
    Stones, Cancelo
    Grealish, Bruno, Son, KDB
    Kane, Watkins

    Did not want to play WC or FH??

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If it gets cancelled, you'll have to FH

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Looks that way, will lose .2 on KDB (Salah > KDB early on)

  21. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Nearly 4 at Crawley 🙂

  22. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Still shocks me that players don't back their weak foot when presented with an open goal!
    Should have been 4

  23. El Lobito 10
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do you think Spurs Villa will go ahead? I've an incredible FH team but need all the budget. Will probably be priced out tomorrow. F#@king covid

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Have a plan ready if that games gets cancelled

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        The issue is if we find out before or not

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Should be ready till last 15 mins just in case we get something.

          The safest thing to do is completely avoid both.

          Personally I will assess the situation and then make the transfer. I have son and grealish in my current draft

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Unlikely

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Same thoughts but there is a possibility that Fulham is brought in for it. If I pull the FH trigger and it goes ahead it would be typical of my season. 4 players in that Spurs Villa game

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Do you think Fulham will agree to it?
          Like I am sure fixtures are not announced out of the blue. Teams need to prepare for a match. And saying you've got a match in 48 hours doesn't help it

          1. El Lobito 10
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            If it happens, I would assume they have been told already. It is unlikely though, unless Mourinho's pressure can impact it all

  24. elwardio
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For game week 19 on which is best?

    A. Soucek and Rodrigo

    Or

    B. Harrison/raphinha and Antonio

    Have coufal bamford Dallas as well

  25. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If villa-spurs game gets cancelled,

    I'll do

    Grealish,Son,Davis,kilman to
    Rodriguez,saka(bench), richarlison,Clark(bench)

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On FH?

  26. GreennRed
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Michelle Keegan, are you watching?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd rather watch her.

      Do the dishes.

      Wait that's worse.

  27. Caleb's Kitties
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Woww so only 45 min each for KDB stones dias cancelo..and no sterling..

    Stones cancelo KDB maguire bruno rashford tierney laca auba into my FH team 🙂

  28. GREEN JUMPERS
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What's the deal with Sterling "not fully fit" for this one?

    1. Simon69
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Peps words? I assumed he was being rested.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The same deal that it always is with Pep...

    3. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Just a classic injury break like the internationals one.

  29. Simon69
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I know we're all waiting on an update for the Villa-Spurs game but I really want 4.30 Tuesday to hit so I can spend less time thinking about the upcoming blank and double.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This. Im kind of hoping Jose may give a hint perhaps if he is interviewed at the game today.

      1. Simon69
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Spurs-Fulham being rescheduled instead would be the ideal situation but I guess lack of notice an issue.

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          That would be a dream! I think there would be a lot more leniency for rescheduling around notice. No fans either to consider. Fingers crossed.

    2. elwardio
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      LOL yep couldn’t agree more

      1. Simon69
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cue low scoring affairs for both and lots of rotation for the double.

  30. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Havertz goal. Essential.

    1. Simon69
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I had him 17 GWs too early lol

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not for BGW18 he isn't...

    3. Werner Bremen
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The guy just needs time. Still very young.

      1. Simon69
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        System is the issue for me - Was consistently brilliant for Leverkusen.