Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 371 – FPL managers set for uninspiring Blank Gameweek 29

Scoutcast regulars Joe and Seb are joined by Fantasy Football Scout editor David to look at the key issues facing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of Blank Gameweek 29.

With just four fixtures, the weekend’s schedule looks particularly uninspiring.

But while Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (£11.5m) is the standout captaincy pick ahead of the north London side’s clash with Aston Villa, there still could be plenty of low-owned gems and bargain points-scorers to help propel FPL bosses up the rankings.

Our trio sift through each fixture to find the likeliest sources of goals, assists and clean sheets.

Attacking defenders are also looked at in detail, as Joe, Seb and David try to find players who can return at both ends of the pitch.

Seb takes his turn to pick a differential, Joe pitches a new TV show involving West Ham United’s on-loan star Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) and David reveals more about Fulham than the Scoutcast bargained for.

There are the next four fixtures to frisk, too. This will help FPL managers look beyond Blank Gameweek 29 to reveal the twists and turns of the schedule over the next month.

Rough with the Smooth returns and the crew also look at their Gameweek 28 scores.

This episode was aired live via Youtube on Tuesday night. Be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel 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

163 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    What do people think about Nat Phillips? He's 4.0m and looking more assured. Liverpool have a great run-in as well. Worth getting?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Why not, at that price it's not really a gamble imo.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        Easy to bench if you have to as well.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      It’s obviously a really nice idea and a pretty big lure but that’s it for me. If he starts the rest of the games and does well I won’t be using any hindsight.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Need to compete with the like of Rudiger Dawson Coady so worth considering but probably 'no' at the moment

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        I actually think TAA might be back on the table since team value seems to matter so little this season.

        I'm thinking of going pretty strong on the backline for the run-in with the intention still to play 3-5-2 but with some speculative attacking options that often give way to form a 4-4-2 or even 5-3-2.

        This is on WC31 ofc.

  2. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    It’s gonna be funny if Bam hauls to see everyone flocking back for the SHU fixture

  3. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Good chance my FH team with have 4 or 5 at the back based on the individual players available. No point choosing a formation to slot players into. Never has been.

    Please forward this to: All FPL content creators. 😀

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Is trying to call a result (blank sheet) any less viable this week than trying to call attacking returns?

      (I quite get your point about choosing players over shirts generally) (With FH - were I to have it - I'd be focussing on attacking defenders this week in the light of general goal drought recently and no fewer than 5 teams - Villa Newcastle Leeds Fulham and Brighton - that can't seem to find the back of the net - 13 blanks between them in the last 25 matches)

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Not sure of the relevance to my post tbh. If there are 5 attacking defenders, hypothetically, that you think will score more than attacking alternatives, then choose the defenders.The fixture/team/result is only one factor that you should add into your projection for each player individually. There's a reason, for example, that people are getting Dallas, but not considering other Leeds defenders so much. It's because in some circumstances, people understand that team coverage doesn't mean give you points. But it's not always extended to coverage in general, including formation myths, which people think it's better to cover attack more than defence by playing only 3 at the back, or always backing the attacking over the defender (although that's also tied in with ceiling myths).

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 12 days ago

          We pretty much agree I suspect.

          Where we diverge is probably simply in a question of emphasis. I'd be influenced to some degree in the recent to lack of goals and focus more on defensive assets (attacking or otherwise). It'd certainly not be my only criteria but we are living in strange times with unprecedented fixture congestion and I'd consider defenders with fairly minimal attacking credentials as a possibility when I otherwise would be unlikely to.

          If I'm counting right:

          31 clean sheets in 38 fixtures in the last 3 game weeks on a wide range of fixtures
          180 clean sheets in 280 fixtures approx over the season so far

          The quality of the football has been largely awful and getting worse. The teams all look beat to me.

          That argues to me that your "never has been" any reason to choose formation is slightly overstrong. Yes you pick your best players on a range of criteria not on formation but as I say I'd weight defence more highly than I would normally simply due to recent trends.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 12 days ago

            If CSs are more likely in general, they are more likely for the individual player. So factor that into your projections when comparing players in different positions.

            How is it overly strong to say that it there's no point choosing a formation before considering the players. Perhaps you'd follow your logic through and play 5 at the back this week on a FH this week, regardless of the players on offer? Of course not. Never has been a good way to play. Yet the language people use when working through their decisions suggests that the formation is the starting point. For me it's purely incidental in a FH week, and a minor consideration for tactical reasons (over the course of multiple weeks) in general.

            If you look for fill spaces in any chosen formation, you have restricted yourself unnecessarily. I'm struggling to get this across without sounding pompous because it's really obvious haha. What you're describing is predicting clean sheets, not choosing a formation based on recent trends.

            You're agreeing with me but seemingly hanging onto an idea of a 'general trend' informing your decisions before you even check out what players are on offer. In reality though, I'm sure you'd look at a defender vs an attacker and ask yourself which will get more points, rather than simply take the defender because of the general trend. As I said, that has never been a good way to play the game, because, well obviously not.

            Sorry it's rushed and poorly written. Just getting ideas across and moving on

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 12 days ago

              And if we're following your logic through to reductio ad absurdum you would never consider 3 attackers as a likely starting point in a season where there had been no clean sheets at all 🙂

              All I see when I read my comment is a willingness to be informed by a climate where goals and attacking football is in short supply. This could hardly be more hedged:

              " I'd be influenced to some degree in the recent to lack of goals and focus more on defensive assets (attacking or otherwise). It'd certainly not be my only criteria"

              I take it as s strength to be willing to adapt my thought processes. Pompous that's me.

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 12 days ago

                In the unlikely event you're still reading and I haven't irritated you enough

                Some people happily select players for their EO. They do this knowing that that player may not be their best choice but they are worried about other people's judgement and not their own. They are not selecting what they think is the best team from their squad or the players available but the one that will protect them.

                Other people will play a differential partially for his differential value. Differentials are largely that for a good reason. The player is unproven in some respect. The differential is selected as often as not knowing it is high risk.

                Still other people will choose to captain a defender. They know that the chances of a pay off may be low but they are perhaps influenced by a previous success. It's not a logical choice - almost ever - but still people take it. Done periodically it can pay of course. It's rarely logical but if you want to make progress it can be gold.

                None of these selections are strictly logical on the terms of choosing your best team available but they can all pay off given the nature of the game - trying. to beat or protect yourself from other people's choices.

                Here's the thought. Is it any less logical to decide that in a given game week that few people will be able to play 4 at the back or even 5 and decide that there are circumstances (FH perhaps) that you can gain an edge by doing something that other's can't do? This is not saying "I'm going to play 4/5 at the back willy nilly" but to consider whether it can give you an edge- with a risk - if the right players are available and perhaps to select the extra defender - perhaps illogically - just as sometimes a differential sneaks in illogically or a defender is captained illogically or you hold a player because you don't trust your own judgement - more logical that last one perhaps,

                To make it work you need of course to get the right defenders just as you need to pick the right week for a differential, a defender captain or just play safe with EO. You look at the players available, the risks you want to take, the advantages you want to protect.

  4. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    i told steve the spud i love him on the last page and he didn't respond

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Unrequited love is the worst. RIP self-esteem 🙁

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        i love you

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 13 days ago

          Thanks

          1. Bruce Lee
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 13 days ago

            still love you

            love in such a way the other person feels free

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 13 days ago

              Appreciate it 🙂 Your love is better than covid

              1. Konstaapeli
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 12 days ago

                😆

  5. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    12 days till i can 3 putt the first,do one virus

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      English mate?

  6. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Who to bring in for a hit?

    A. Veltman
    B. Lingard
    C. Neither and field 9

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      C, 9 is more than enough imo

  7. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Still have FH, TC and WC to play. Really not sure on FH this week but thoughts on this lot for -8??

    Martinez
    Dunk
    Soucek Son Lingz Auba
    Antonio Bamford Maja

    Cheers

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      If Son and/or Bamford injured then i will be forced to use FH..

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        I expect quite a lot of active teams have both Son and Bamford and will be affected but does it make sense to FH when the pool of players to bring in are limited?

        1. Bubbles1985
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 13 days ago

          Yeah true.
          I could always shift Bamford to Kane for another hit but -12 seems excessive.

          What is the hope for using FH33??

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 13 days ago

            Blank is confirmed for Spurs, City, Soton and Fulham. Depends on how many Spurs and City players I have left after WC31. I could use the FH later as there are talks of getting fans in stadiums before the end of the season which will result in some fixture change

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Would not take a -8 with a wildcard in hand, think I would play the FH here since you are missing Kane.

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        He is my main problem given Son now looks likely to miss out...!

  8. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Digne and Salah to Dallas and Lingard (-4) are the planned moves for 29.

    Is Holding to Veltman or DCL to Antonio worth another hit?

    WC31 FH33
    1FT 0itb
    Martinez
    Cresswell Holding
    Raphinha Son Bale
    Kane Bamford
    (Fabri Stones Cancelo Digne Gundo Salah DCL)

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      DCL to Antonio looks good to me

  9. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Got this lot of 8 players for -4, not keen on taking a 2nd hit but could be down to 6 if Son and Burn are out 🙁
    Would you play the FH if Son and Burn are out or just roll with the 6 below?

    Areola
    Burn*
    Raphinha Son* Bale
    Kane Watkins Antonio

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Defensive FH?

      Bale minutes suspect and Leeds have been firing blanks. It may not turn out this way but there could easily be 3/4 clean sheets this week and that could send you tumbling given your fairly template attack.

      Leeds 4 blanks in last 5
      Brighton 2
      Villa 2
      Fulham 3
      Newcastle 2

      Just a couple of those blanking is danger - especially Newcastle and Fulham given generic Dallas and Brighton defence.

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        Really on the fence here, ideally want to keep the FH for WG33 but agree that playing the FH here could be the sensible option, it's just that FH in GW33 is the exiting option.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      I'd still hold, not going to be a massive weak for anyone except the lucky clown who TCs Struijk or someone

  10. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Best 2 week punts to bring in?

    A. Lookman + Kane
    B. Bale + Maupay

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Kane not optional imo.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        Did you not see the Arsenal game? Spurs are lost without Son

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 13 days ago

          And Kane still hit the post. I don't care, he's nailed on, he finishes seasons strongly. No way I go without.

          Bale I don't even think is nailed on to start the next PL game. He was awful.

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      A, get Kane

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      A - Lookman better than Maupay and Kane at least tries and is on pens

  11. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Currently have 1FT, no chips, nine players including Burn and Son. Waiting for press conferences is torture!!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      I recommend Bobby McFerrin

  12. Tommo1212
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Opinions please ....thinking about the games remaining for both teams....potential goals , assists , bp’s and rotation . Who scores more points ? Gundo or Salah ? ( not as cut and dry as you might think imo)