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Can FPL managers trust Crystal Palace defenders with appealing fixtures?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have long been able to turn to Crystal Palace’s defensive assets for cheap returns.

The Eagles, marshalled by veteran Roy Hodgson, have hit double-figures for clean sheets in the last two seasons, and also carried set piece potential.

But this season, the well appeared to have run dry, with Palace only recording three clean sheets thus far.

More worryingly, the Selhurst Park outfit were also on the end of two Christmas stuffings, losing 7-0 to Liverpool and being outplayed by 10 men in their 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

But since the Villa defeat, Palace’s defence has shown signs of recovery, with encouraging performances against Leicester and Arsenal.

We are taking a deep dive into the stats to see if Palace can once again be relied upon for cheap defensive returns.

As this article uses extensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

THE FIXTURES

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1,028 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WEST HAM TEAM NEWS

    Team to play West Brom: Fabianski, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio, Lanzini.

    Subs: Randoph, Balbuena, Alves, Diop, Fredericks, Noble, Johnson, Fornals, Yarmolenko.

    WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

    Team to play West Ham: Johnstone, O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi, Gibbs, Livermore, Gallagher, Sawyers, Pereira, Robinson, Grosicki.

    Subs: Button, Furlong, Ivanovic, Edwards, Peltier, Kipre, Field, Krovinovic, Robson-Kanu.

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      beat me to it...

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’m usually quite slow haha

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

      Antonio brace incoming.

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

      Another 2 for Pereira

    4. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Top comment too, lovely. Maybe it means Antonio hatrick Coufal assist and cs 🙂

  2. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WEST BROM: Johnstone O'Shea Bartley Ajayi Gibbs Gallagher Livermore Sawyers Grosicki Pereira Robinson

    WEST HAM: Fabianski Coufal Dawson Ogbonna Cresswell Rice Soucek Lanzini Bowen Benrahma Antonio

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Unlucky

  3. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Coufal ✔️
    Soucek ✔️
    Antonio ✔️

    Big game for me as I have no players in the 2nd game of the day. Hope these lads do me proud!

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ditto

  4. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Right Johnstone, let's keep out Antonio but let in a Soucek header from a Cresswell corner.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This so much this

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

      You are so detailed...:)

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I can 100% back this.

      Make it happen hammers.

    4. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      alternatively a johnstone penalty save from antonio with soucek following up with a goal on the rebound and a coufal CS

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Does Antonio get the assist in this case?

        Can't remember the pen save rules!

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Should do if it was on target.

        2. teneighty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Should be Johnstone assist!

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t mind that. Have all 3.

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

      89 mins, 10 saves.
      Stop an Antonio penalty.
      Be hurt doing it and carried off on shield.
      Button on.
      Soucek to score from Coufal cross.

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sod all these silly predictions, apart from Antonio 4 goals from 4 Coufal crosses, which is fine. So there.

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Time to save my disastrous GW, Sou(c)ek!

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you captained him!? the guy is still a defensive midfielder ultimately, which people seem to forget

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hes not really defensive mf though from what I have seen( I haven't watched them alot) but he seems more like a box to box mf when I see him.

        1. BenDavies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I've watched Soucek all season, and have been bigging him up massively every week. Had him from the start, got rid for West Ham's poor run and then had him since GW12. Guy is a set piece and aerial threat, but I still would not be comfortable captaining him as you're restricted to set piece scenarios mostly. You want an out and out attacker as captain. He's also not a defender so doesnt get the CS points. He's never a captain.

          1. seanie3
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            biggest regret was getting in soucek and following the heard, should have stuck with my original plan of ESR, I got him in for GW18 on FH but was too quick to ignore him due to one week fail, lesson learnt as he or saka are much better picks than soucek for rest of the season

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I did. Sick of Salah, Son and Bruno letting me down. Might as well be let down by Soucek.

        1. Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thats the spirit!

      3. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep, and he was even more defensive at the weekend. I watched him all game and if he's like that tonight it's looking like new instructions from Moyes and he's out the door for me for someone more attacking

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What a load of crap

    Why is moyes risking antonio again just 3 days after playing 90 mins? Player health is of utmost importance

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is silly.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I changed my name since sniffing or hunting baps didn't go so well this season, but this job is easier 🙂

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wait till a highly owned player i dont own blanks

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Haha.

    2. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Non owner lol

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So transparent.

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

      Easy catch!

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gnom gnom gnom.

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

      No more Haller. Not much choice.

    5. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Your lack of Antonio is showing

      from a fellow Antonio-less owner

    6. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      as a completely unbiased non-owner i agree. take him off after 20 minutes or so. give him a bit of a runabout but that's it

    7. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio non-owner alert

    8. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dinner is served yum yum yum

    9. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      please cry harder and louder

    10. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Because he's fine.

    11. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ok

    12. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I suppose he knows more about it than you do you plonker

  7. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Triple West Ham defense. It's time for round two.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Double WHU here, unlikey a CS tonight, more about them attacking returns.

  8. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Extremely lucky and predictably jammy Antonio owners. Not predictable because it makes sense that he plays 90 and then starts, but predictable that casual picks are rewarded again.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cry more

    2. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      HHahahha

    3. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      SALTY

    4. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Reading this as an owner

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Second catch within minutes!

      1. Custard Gannet
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm just constantly amazed that people fall for it every time.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's an art, and he's mastered it.

      2. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But he is by far the best one.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nope, he actually isn't. The best ones haven't been found.

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

      I enjoy being casual at times.

    7. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can't see how they are lucky or jammy? Antonio was a great pick and they had the b@lls to do it where many didn't.. anything else to post on here other than casuals this and casuals that.. gets boring now..

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nothing ballsy about picking a known crock. Its bullheadedness which shouldnt be rewarded in a just world. FPL isnt just though, its constantly unfair and thus massively jammy and casual favored

        1. seanie3
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          a known crock? well that could apply to god knows how many players in the PL. So we don't pick them just on the off chance they might get injured after 6-8 games say, but in the meantime don't rack up all the points they are scoring.. crazy comment. its about picking players at the right time and moving them on if out of form or injured..

        2. seanie3
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          going against the herd mentality is ballsy, not picking players just because others say they are crocks or will get injured is crazy.

    8. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Plonker

    9. dylano21
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Best Budget forward in the game. All owners good luck. A brace would be great.

  9. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstonnnneee

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      carrier pigeon? we all celebrated his brace 2 days ago now...

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

    Johnstone atleast three points - not too much to ask for

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      can see a mega haul from him tonight. i'm talking 10+. CS, 3-6 saves and 3 bonus.

  11. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Played my BB this GW.

    I think 15-20 points is a good BB score considering I had only SGW players.

    Ended up with 12.
    Button - 2, ESR - 6, Dier - 2, Dallas - 2.

    Expected a CS from Dier. Rest is as expected I suppose.

    Is it a bad score?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3 blanks and a CS, meh.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        *an assist

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Meh, seems to sum it up.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, fairly.

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Below avg BB return

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      it is ok, anything over 10 points is a win.

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

      i think 12 points gain is fine - means you can focus 2nd WC on first 11

  12. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anybody else in the uneasy position of having played Johnstone over Martinez?

  13. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's the easiest way for Johnstone to score 21 points today?

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      To play a basketball match.

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 pen saves

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Penalty save and CS.

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

      How many do keepers get for a goal?

      1. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        6

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        6 I would imagine. No Chilaverts in the EPL though.

      3. richarlison2348
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        6

    5. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pretend he's John Stones.

    6. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      save 3 pens against Antonio lol

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

      Sterling taking west ham pens - can't see that happening tbh

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Never say never, I could see Sterling “forever blowing bubbles” in 4-5 years

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

        Sterling taking pens wouldn’t help sadly. No save as he clearly will put it over the bar

    8. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      darts game after the footy ?

    9. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Approximately- not sure about PK and Save values

      Stop 2 PKs = 10 points
      clean sheet = 4 points
      Participating = 2 points
      Bonus = 3 points
      Save 8 shots = 2 points

      Total 21 points

  14. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A West Ham 9-0 would be quite nice.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek double hat trick?

      1. bigwig
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        triple hattie

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn’t mind at all. Happy for him to go mental. Or Crewell or even Anotonio.

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      if you unwind that line in the 9 and connect it to the bottom, then i agree a 0-0 would be nice

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only if Coufal score all 9 with no assists.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Those goals will be worth watching then 😀

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

      Would like that lol

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

      Antonio brace?

  15. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    You know who I think would be a good fit in WHU? Giroud.

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would be, but Giroud is above West Ham's level. Guy scored 4 against Sevilla.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Giroud would be a nice fit at Chelsea...

      Oh wait

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yeah he would if we had anyone who could cross a ball and beat the first man..

      2. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well yes, but he imo he deserves to be first striker in a team and Frankie don't seem to trust him that much.

    3. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Plenty of teams would take Giroud, including Chelsea

  16. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With only Coufal today I will be retreating behind the sofa until 10 p.m. tonight if anyone needs me.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thx for letting us know. But no need to hurry before the game starts.

  17. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would be funny if WBA win 1-0. And I say that as a Soucek and Coufal owner.

    1. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With Johnstone assisting. I'll take that!

      1. BenDavies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        so greedy...just take the CS and save points and be happy!

        1. teneighty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          On a serious note, I'd take 2 pts from him tonight.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ******** hilarious.

      Get out.

    3. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wba squeeky bums are gonna come at some point, otherwise big Sam ain't doing what his job

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        GW21 - GW28. That is crunch time for WBA.

        1. bigwig
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          make or break. This game too though WH not exactly free scoring

        2. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No, later. BFS needs his new signings first. 25-35 will be the critical part of their season and that's when they'll start accruing more CSs. If you look at what happened at Palace and Sunderland, that's the kind of curve the Allardyce rescue mission typically takes.

    4. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would be nice. Rooting for a 0-0 myself.

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing would surprise me this year ... it's quite possible.

  18. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy starts

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Source?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        #NeverWrong

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

      3rd...

  19. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looking at my bench for next week and it's blatantly scoring significantly more than this weeks bench boost. Just couldn't face watching Leeds - Brighton with Dallas, Ayling and Bamford on my bench! Stupid DGW fever.

    1. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ah but you wouldn't have brought in most of GW20's bench, if you weren't Bench boosting in 19

  20. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    These on SKY SPORTS NEWS absolutely loathe each other. Kaveh Solkehol looks like he wants to be sick.

  21. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah + Watkins ---> Grealish + Kane ?

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Its funny, I did the opposite transfer last week and it made sense then.

      Antonio instead of Watkins that is.

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

      see how big mo gets on tomorrow

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

      Not for me

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chances Antonio scores an OG but somehow Coufal keeps the CS?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal is taken off after 60 minutes to breastfeed his newborn and Antonio trips over his arse in the 70th minute for an own goal

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        BFS can nurse the infant for 5 weeks without eating. Coufal not needed.

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

      It’s a virtual certainty

      Safe as houses

    3. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. Coufal keeps a CS tonight while Antonio scores a OG in GW28.

  23. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio and Coufal lets go babbbbbbyyyy

  24. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Coufal, Antonio, Johnstone LET'S GOOOO!!!

  25. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Forget Coufal assisting Antonio, imagine if he assisted Cresswell...

  26. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    It’s early of course but would you do Kane and Raphinha to KDB and Davis for a hit? Second player is bench warming in either case as got Soucek/Dallas to fill 11th spot

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're getting rid of Raphinha before he faces a club in crisis. At least give him that game. And getting rid of Kane for a hit doesn't seem wise. I'd play Raphinha over Soucek and Dallas, btw.

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

      Hmmm.. yes.

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

      I'm not selling Kane.

      Would rather sell Salah.

    4. JeGro
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't like Davis as he will never get you more than 1 point if he should ever come off the bench.

      Who else is on your bench? I would consider taking the risk if you have 2 playing subs

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

    I think Leicester are gonna beat us tonight
    Followed by Frank getting sacked

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mate I think every team in the league can beat us, we don't have any steel to our side. I'm surprised we're only a few points behind 4th still.

  28. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This is the sort of match that you'd expect Westham to win easily enough but I can see Westbrom being stubborn and holding them to a 1-1 or something!

  29. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Coufal, Antonio & Soucek!! Letsss goo

  30. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need some points today. Lets go Coufal, Soucek, Antonio and Johnstone.

    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same four players. Come on!

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How many points do we need to be satisfied? I want 20+