Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 374 – ‘Unfairly unfashionable’ FPL players on the radar

Joe and Seb are joined by Tom Stephenson, who is second in the Fantasy Football Scout Live Hall of Fame, to look at the key issues facing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of Gameweek 32.

Jesse Lingard’s (£6.5m) brace at the weekend was just the latest in his eight-goal scoring spree since joining West Ham United on loan earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Burnley forward Matej Vydra (£4.8m) now has three goals in his last five matches after scoring against Newcastle United in Gameweek 31 and Chelsea’s Mason Mount (£7.2m) made it 12 attacking returns for the season with an assist during Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace.

All three are in fine form but are among players who are often perhaps too readily dismissed by FPL managers.

So with that in mind, this latest episode pays tribute to unfashionable players in the game. Can FPL managers profit from looking beyond their often lowly price tags or past failures?

To help Seb and Joe take a trip down the catwalk of outmoded players is Tom, who has never ended a season outside the top 36k in his long career and is currently poised for another strong finish.


Watch Tom’s Meet the Manager appearance above


Seb takes a look at how FPL managers can benefit from taking time to look logically at players and overcoming any biases, while Tom details some of the players he may have unfairly overlooked himself this season. Joe joins in the chat to showcase his table of some of the latest behind-the-times stars who are posting strong underlying statistics.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur enjoy a Double Gameweek 32. Is Harry Kane (£11.7m) worth a Triple Captain chip and is there a case for not maximising Spurs coverage this time around?

Tom, Seb and Joe tackle your other burning questions on the north London side, as well as Leicester City’s strong fixtures and a changing of the guard among mid-price midfielders.

The Scoutcast crew also look back on their Gameweek 31 highs and lows, as well as those of the community, in ‘Rough with the Smooth’.

Transfer and captaincy plans are revealed, the next four fixtures are frisked and Tom takes his turn to pick a differential. In keeping with the theme of this show, an unfashionable player, with potential for points at both ends of the pitch, is firmly in his sights.

This episode was aired live via YouTube. 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

159 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LegendMoon
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play up ........... Sri Lankan mush

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Happy Tamil and singhala new year to you all

  2. El_Gigante
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son in for Gundo or for Raphinha? Still have FH for GW33

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo long term. Leeds last 5 fixtures are good on paper

  3. LegendMoon
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Personally I would go for raphina, slight knock plus harder immediate fixtures

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Reply fail to above!

  4. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Still devod I lost Lingard on WC best 5.8m replacement for neto or take a hit?

    Leno
    TAA Holding Coady
    Salah Son Bruno Jota Neto
    Iheanaco Kane(c)

    Forster Fabio Silva Amartey Mitchell

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tielemans? Anything in the bank? Maybe Saka? Bruno and Neto out Lingard and Maddison in?

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bruno out with Burnley and Leeds next? Ok...

        1. LegendMoon
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Not as prolific with Pogba around

      2. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Nar nothing in the bank just the 5.8m 0.1m off for Bowen don't mind taking a - 4

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think TAA is too expensive for your side, you've had to weaken several other positions to accommodate him.

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If you took Trent out we're would you improve? He has nice fixtures and a point to prove being left out by England

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It doesn't help now anyway, I'm not saying TAA is a bad pick but you have no bench, any injuries or Holding getting rotated/dropped means you're in a trouble. you're already seeing that with nowhere to go from Neto.

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I'd probably go Pereira or Trossard, the latter looks good from next week.

  5. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do you think Gundo will start next match from the league?

    From one side he hasnt started soon.
    But from he will probably start all other Cup matches...

    A) Gundo to Lingard (-4)
    B) Save and hope he hauls or Masuaku/Philips do sth from the bench

    1. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have a similar question. Can't decide whether to bench him or play him. Currently I have him benched, with an extra man in defence.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's as rotatable as rest of City bar Ederson. Hard to ignore Lingard's form in a motivated team.

  6. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A

  7. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need to start 3 from these, Dias or Coufal is the tricky one.

    Coady Coufal Rudiger (Dias Phillips)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal - playing WB and against Newcastle. WHU defence should get better with Ogbonna due back

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal fighting for top 4. Dias rotatable, fighting for 3 cups, league is won.

    3. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would start coast, Rüdiger and Dias with Phillips first sub

  8. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you prefer Saka or Bowen long term?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Difficult one. Arteta could easily priorities Europa over the league and play Saka in Europa. Bowen is only nailed until Antonio is back.

      1. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Wait to see whether Arsenal go out on Thursday.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bowen.

    3. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bowen personally.

    4. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neither

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I would go with this

  9. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you do Salah to Son this GW and switch back to Salah next week? For free

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably not, as you’re using two transfers for a one week punt effectively. If you were well covered on the bench then you could make the case but I typically dislike those free hit style transfers.

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not such an issue if after a WC and other fires to put out.

        1. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          no other fires *

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Worth a punt.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not a terrible idea but Salah can still score. Son does have BGW33 but plays SHU in GW34 (Salah has MUN).

      I'll be keeping & benching Son alongside Kane in GW33, albeit I have the capacity to still put out a decent XI!

    4. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No one else to sacrifice other than Salah?

    5. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not a fan of the hokey cokey. Can you transfer out someone else

    6. Kingtekkerz
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can transfer out Bruno instead, but dont know if thats any better?

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Who's in your midfield 5?

        1. Kingtekkerz
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Salah, Bruno, Jota, Lingard, Raphinha

          1. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Hmm - it's a tough one mate. Can you do Raph - - > Son + sell a defender / striker for - 4? You need Son, but I really don't like the idea of getting rid of Salah or Bruno this GW.

  10. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best move here, 1.9m itb

    Johnstone
    James TAA Rudiger Holding Fofana
    Lingard Son Jota Salah Neto
    Vardy Kane Davis

    Looking at:
    A) Davis to Nacho (bench Neto, Holding and Fofana)
    B) Neto to Pereira, Greenwood, Bowen or Mount
    C) Save

    I dont mind benching neto, easy move to Raphina later down the line
    If its B, Pereira has his appeal as allows Son to Bruno the following week

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B. Pereira. I can vouch for him after third time lucky 😉

  11. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Fun fact: Chelsea and PSG are both coached by managers who lost previous Champions League finals, while the other quarter finalists (bar Dortmund) all have managers that have won the trophy. This is going to be seriously competitive set of semi finals.

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      All eyes on the prize

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Faintly unsurprising given the closed shop of teams that make the semis and the merry-go-round of managers among those clubs.

      Poch from Spurs and Spurs actually making the final is the one oddity imo.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, boring af

  12. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So with Cresswell almost certainly out, I'm left with Dallas, Rudiger, Stones and Veltman.

    Chelsea's hectic schedule means Rudiger is at high risk of being benched/rotated. Stones obviously at risk too provided Laporte is fit.

    Do you think it's worth taking a hit to get Reguilon in for Cresswell, or risk just having just Dallas & Veltman start? (both with poor fixtures).

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Given Reguilon blanks in GW33, does that really solve your playing/benching options for that week?

      Stones & Reguilon blank in GW33. Theb you just have Dallas, Rudiger, Veltman.

      Given West Ham is an important game if assume Rudiger starts against them, but that's going to be a tough game, wouldn't bet on a CS.

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Source that Cresswell is injured? 75% likely to play according to app.

    3. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hmm not sure... but I’d be sure to have Dallas coming in unless Cresswell makes a miracle recovery - he could do damage again against Liverpool

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys. Think I will hold off the transfer for now and maybe just get Trent in gw33 instead.

  13. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not a terrible idea but Salah can still score. Son does have BGW33 but plays SHU in GW34 (Salah has MUN).

    I'll be keeping & benching Son alongside Kane in GW33, albeit I have the capacity to still put out a decent XI.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Reply fail to Kingtekkers

  14. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lucas Moura has returned in 6 of his last 8 starts. That's really tidy form. Starting both the issue perhaps.

    Getting tempted by the swap from Raph.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would probably place Moura above Reguilon and Lloris for the Spurs 3rd spot.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        depends how you are setup for BGW33

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep

        I've ruled out defence. It'd be a luxury hit justified by the minus 2 logic but if Stones starts I've got a perfectly good back 4 with Raph as bench. Don't especially fancy Raph - put off by the flag and that Bielsa started Bamford when not fully fit in 29 and 30.

    2. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Or in 3 of his last 6 if you look at recent results, I’d be worried about 2 starts but surely worth the gamble over a 75% raphinha, saying that it’s a transfer waiting to happen ....

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep

        Just posted above I'm less keen on Raph this week than I'd normally be. It's more a question for me whether Stones starts and if Moura gets both.

        There is an upside to it but on balance I'm not sure it's justified.

  15. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Chilwell Southgate's first choice left back?
    How close is Shaw to get the jersey?
    Is Targett ever mentioned when England squad is discussed?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It'll be Shaw and Chilwell going to the Euros if they're both fit, probably Shaw to start.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Ed. Two quality players.

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gosh, Targett still a bit far away from the discussion IMO. I'd put Cresswell, maybe even Bertrand, ahead of him

  16. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Isit really a must to sell sterling for son?

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nothing is a must but 2 games for the price of one with money in the bank, it’s a bit of a no brainer

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

  17. Have your say in the Fantasy Football Scout survey
    Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all,

    Hot Topicing this as want to make sure all site users have the opportunity to fill out the first FFS survey. I've set this up to learn more about what all site users think of all of the different aspects of the site (Premium, Community and non-members included).

    You can view the link to the article with more information here:
    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/04/13/have-your-say-in-the-fantasy-football-scout-survey/

    If you'd like to take part, a direct link to the survey is here:
    https://1u8a057p7lt.typeform.com/to/uPfSANCM

    They survey takes around 20-30 minutes to complete. It is completely anonymous but if you'd like to be entered into the prize draw to win one of five £50 Amazon vouchers, make sure you enter your email address and fully complete the survey.

    1. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It took me an hour but then I am an overthinker 😉

      Good survey. Would encourage people to take part. Hopefully ffs will keep the good bits and bring about improvement in the less good areas.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both times I´ve tried it crashed half way through and went back to the start. I really wanted to help but I just dont have the time anymore...

      1. im1974
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This. Crashes at question 12 whether you type anything or not

        1. Az
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Could you just confirm what question 12 is? It differs person-to-person depending on your answers, so just want to make sure I'm checking the right one.

    3. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Already completed survey but something maximus bonus ponitimus posted yesterday reminded me, Im not a premium member in part because ffs uses opta data which is absolutely rubbish. The data quality is miles behind statsbomb and even behind understat (which has the considerable advantage of being available for free). As he correctly points out, and as seb does on the scoutcast, it is rating lingards second goal at about 0.25 xg. Erm, there wasnt a goalkeeper, as optas model doesn't take into account goalkeeper position. That's just a tiny flaw in the model don't you think?

      Secondly, the way it calculates xA is also completely incorrect, aggregating passes contributing to a goal rather than simply assigning xA to the final passer. If kdb lays it on a plate for mahrez to tap in on a 0.9 xG shot, kdb should get 0.9xA. Ruben Dias shouldn't get an xA of 0.1 or whatever because 25 passes earlier in the move he squared it to John Stones.

      If ffs purchased and used statsbomb data instead of opta I would sign up as a premium member.

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks buddy, really good feedback and thanks for completing the survey.
        Have added your points to a seperate doc. where I'm collecting any "extra" feedback.

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks Az, appreciated. Also wanted to say blackbox is absolutely fantastic, a superb addition to the fantasy football world. Thanks to you and Mark for putting together such a good show every week, always something I look forward to.

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keeps crashing at f ad it’s feedback question wonder why?

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Site feedback

    5. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Worked fine for me and completed it. My biggest disappointment this season is the captain sensible articles which I noted on the survey.

      Look forward to improvements next season, on what is already one of my favourite sites.

    6. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Get rid of the betting ads / betting tournament plugs please.

      Some of the writers are good, many are not. They just spout the obvious with weak or non existent conclusions.

      There's a fella called Mark who writes a decent article and also knows what he is talking about. Give him a try and pay him what he's worth 😉

    7. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I´ve completed your survey, no problems.
      Just wanted to add that I really wish you would sort out the message board. Pages fly by full of nonsense (A or B, pick my team, etc) and the insightful gems get buried. Better use of Hot Topics, and themed threads would be fantastic! Thanks for all you do!

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks Ted, appreciate it!

    8. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Great initiative!

  18. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Roll FT
    B) Dias>Coady/Regulion

    Martinez
    Shaw Dias Azpi
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Raph
    Kane Iheanacho

    areola bamford dallas veltman

  19. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I was disappointed in the Scoutcast that Tom, after picking Pereira as his differential, didn’t put his money where his mouth is and plan to bring him in for Alonso as his trade this week.

    1. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's different picking out a punt for a podcast to managing your own team though, far more factors to consider. It's a bit of a pointless segment to be honest as it's only really relevent if you're on free hit, dead ending your team or on wildcard. So I only take it into account for about 4 weeks out of 38.

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        True. But now is the perfect time to take such a punt with only 7 weeks to go and with no clear inkling if Alonso is going to be involved in Chelsea’s upcoming decent fixtures.

  20. LegendMoon
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I found the survey really easy to navigate and really only took 15 minutes to answer giving quite in depth answers. Be interesting to see however if anything actually changes given the cumulative thousands of hours posters will have spent on it

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        50% will want one thing and 50% will want the opposite!

        1. fusen
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I disagree, I think 50% will want the opposite and 50% want one thing!

          1. LegendMoon
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            6 of one and half a dozen of the other more like

      • Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        They should also try talking to people who have left the site, rather than those who are still here, as obviously they are still here because there is something they like about it.

        With regards to the results, we'll see. Negative feedback has been given en masse before and we are told it will be acted on, but invariably the FFS tactic seems to be sweeping it under the carpet.

        1. Az
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Hi Jarvish.

          It would be great to get the thoughts of those who have left the site, but not that easy to track them down...
          Agreed that people filling out the survey will be the ones that there is something they like about it, but I can already see that there are areas which some people don't feel are as good as they can be, or have feedback on how things run and operate currently. I'm really keen to learn what's working - and whats not - so I can make suggestions on improvements that come directly from those that use the site.

          I get your point completely about the negative feedback, but this is a way of making sure that voices don't get lost and having it all in one place, in a structured manner will make it ultimately easier to analyse and act on.

          If you've taken part already, then thanks - and if you haven't, would greatly appreciate your time - and you can add these views to the survey too (although I've already made a note of them in a seperate doc. where i'm collating any "extra" feedback).

          1. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I have taken the survey, not sure why.

            The problem, Az, is that you are focused on "what's working and what's not", in other words on the detail. But the biggest factor that has driven many people away is "what FFS has become" and that's a very different question.

            It's about the underlying intention of the site. Once it was a hub of keen managers - good managers and good posters - comparing notes and working things out together. You remember that I am sure. There were original posts, original characters and many of the best articles were written by community members that others knew and respected.

            Then it started to transition to a commercial model, in which monetisation became the primary purpose. When 'experts' were hired to write articles they weren't the ones that had done and provided that research free of charge previously; they were new people that no-one had heard of, hired not because of any connection with FFS but because they had a twitter profile. The poster above (Jarvish) had produced excellent articles and summaries on fixtures and DGWs for years but when FFS wanted an 'expert' they hired Crellin, who as far as I know has not the slightest interest in FFS apart from earning money from it. He is also less reliable in his analysis than Jarvish was, though he does have the benefit of presenting his guesses in a pretty way.

            That went across the board and now nearly all of the so-called pundits and experts hired by FFS have no interest and no history with the site and don't post here other than when they are paid to. They prefer to do their FPL on twitter. You should consider what kind of advertisement that is. Isn't it an implication that others might as well do likewise?

            Joe seldom if ever posts. FPL General (whoever he is), Sam and the others seldom if ever post. They aren't part of the FFS community; they are snake-oil salesmen with a product to monetise is all. Even you - well, I'm not on here much nowadays but I don't recall you posting here often in recent times, not until employed to do so.

            So you should not be surprised that the majority of the best, most interesting and original managers that used to be the backbone of the FFS community have gone. It wasn't that they turned their back on FFS. It was actually that FFS turned its back on them and essentially drove them away. And no amount of tweaks to content will bring them back because they were never here for the content, they neither need nor want spoon-feeding and they cast a wry eye at some self-proclaimed expert parcelling some generalised guff together according to a tired format and calling it an article. Many of them used to pay the subscription in general support of the site. That goodwill is long, long gone.

            Last, and the clearest clarification of what FFS wants to be is the incessant advertising/"partnering"/sponsorship deals with gambling companies, daily fantasy companies, "index" Ponzi schemes... These pay good money, I am sure, and are the easiest way to generate commercial revenues because they are essentially whores who exist to take money from the gullible and will pay well for access to gullible 'marks' they can profit from. And FFS has become an intermediary in that unholy trade, never mind that it is selling any soul it ever had by using its credibility and trust for that purpose.

            1. noquarternt
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Excellent post

            2. Scholes Out For Summer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I mean surely you have to see it from their perspective... Something organic like FFS can not afford to maintain itself, literally can not afford it, without having a strong financial incentive. I do think it's gotten more in your face recently, which hopefully can be addressed without hurting the operations of the site and platform overall. They should definitely be more selective about their sponsorship choices but there's no way they can afford to keep this running just by good vibes and community feels...

              I know it may just be romanticizing about the past, but I just respectfully disagree that the people who has run this site has somehow driven people away with greed and their "snake oil salesmenship". Seems to me you are romanticizing about the past

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                1. FFS was profitable when Mark owned and ran it. There was never any question about survival, just a decision to make the primary aim maximising revenue.
                2. FFS as it was has not survived. What exists now is essentially a completely different site with a fundamentally different ethos, it just uses the same logo and superficial style.
                3. I'm not romanticising the past. What I have said about what has happened is factual and FFS has lost much of what made it great thereby.

                1. Scholes Out For Summer
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  1. It was profitable as an off the desk side hustle. It is now more than that and a legitimate business. That's two completely different things.

                  2. I disagree it has different ethos. It might have bells and whistles that you dont like, and i agree that I dont much like either, but the whole ethos hasnt changed. Its still about FPL. The people might have changed but you cant control that people now a days care about RMT and rank instead of the community.

                  3. Your facts doesnt seem like facts but your opinions about how things have changed.

            3. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              What are the chances of this becoming a hot topic Ruth? (smile)

            4. Cheeseoid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Well said Well said Ruth. The fall of Football Index typifies the kind of get into bed with anyone who will give us a quick buck which has set in here. I wonder how many of these other gambling companies are just as shady in their practices?

              The spoon feeding of the masses, actively trying to drive away community tournaments and their organisers and dismissing concerns of members without giving any thought to what they were actually saying all drove me and a lot of others away.

              Thee are many other options of places to talk about FPL than here and many of us have gone to these places whether it is Twitter, Whatsapp, Nirvana etc there is something for everyone out there.

              As you can see from the growth of players in FPL which has more than doubled in the time i have been playing the options of places you can talk about it has doubled as well. It is a very competitive marketplace and frankly I don't think the comments section on FFS really cuts the mustard any more.

              Most of the people who have dropped off their posting on FFS do still play FPL and do still post. It just isn't here. Most of the people who ran community tournaments such as myself so still run community tournaments. It just is not here

              I can't see a way back to what it was as a community. It's a shame though, I have fond memories of that time period. But I think FFS has gone too far down that path and the members have been pushed away already.

            5. Az
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Hi Ruth,

              Firstly, thanks for taking part in the survey. Secondly, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed post about your frustrations with the site, I'd encourage anyone and everyone who shares your sentiment (or others) to a) take part in the survey or b) email me at az@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk.

              I just want to take time to address some of your points. Let's just clear up a few things though. You specifically mention Ben Crellin and say that "when FFS wanted an expert" they hired him. You also mention FPL General. You talk about them like they are FFS staff. They are not. Ben Crellin is affiliated with Hub, General is his own beast with various sponsorships and ties to the athletic. They have never been "hired" by FFS, or indeed every done any work for the site so this claim is incorrect.

              You also describe Joe as being a "snake-oil" salesman but he's been doing the Scoutcast going back as long as you (>6 years). Sam is a new recruit, providing the site with a variety of skills that were not there before (help with social, video style, bringing in members of the community / other spaces into the network to help them develop a platform). To insult her is unfair. You say that many of the "so called pundits" have no association with FFS. I disagree. Myself, Andy, Luke, Fabio, Mark, Simon, Seb are all people who have long lasting ties with FFS. Other pundits are brought on because they are deemed to be credible people (whether on here, Twitter, Reddit wherever) who can offer good advice, alternative strategies and most importantly, are able to dedicate regular time every month into articles and videos.

              I also just want to be really clear that over the years, FFS has evolved from something that was once a side-project set up by Mark, pretty much on his own, to a business that now has people that depend on the salary they make. Now, we can argue that this has taken the "soul" out of the site, but at the same time, it is completely unfeasible to think that the site could be anywhere near what it is now without a dedicated team of people managing the various aspects of the site. Back in the day, Mark used to pretty much run everything and with a shallow pool of regulars to the site, it wasn't much of a problem. But with the boom of FPL, the technical aspects of the site / tools, the need for more written and video content, more people simply need to be involved. I know that you know this, but I just want to really stress that FFS is so much bigger than it was. It simply can't depend on "goodwill" of others. If FFS was to lose staff members, and go back to one or two people running the site, it would die. It's as simple as that really. You mention in your reply below that FFS was profitable when Mark owned and ran it - that may have been the case (I don't know the numbers and neither can you), but a) FFS is no longer run by Mark and b) I do know that these profits were not huge and Mark wasn't earning a huge amount himself when he owned and ran the site.

              Now this ties in to your final point about the sponsorship deals. Now back in the day when Mark was in charge, FFS had ties with Paddy Power. I was around the site a lot back then and it was never an issue, probably because of the size of FFS and people understanding that these kind of deals were needed to be able to support the site. I've been surprised over the last couple of years as to the backlash thats come out of FFS making similar deals - and in my opinion, I don't find that betting or any other sponsorships are "rammed down peoples throats" - rather its a couple of articles a week. Now I'm very interested to hear if that view is shared by the majority of the community, and I will be looking to see what the general opinion is of this. The Football Index debacle was something that hit us, and all the people affected, hard of course - but this wasn't some dodgy company that FFS got into bed with. It was fully licensed and regulated by the gambling authority, what happened with them simply wasn't foreseeable.

              My final point is just about me really. I've been a member of this site for over ten years and I've seen the way in which FFS has grown from something that was, in essence a bit of fun, to a site that sees thousands of people on it every day. For a lot of people who visit the site now, it's almost like a "second home" (myself included). I use it daily, reading and watching things that interest me, looking at team news and use tools that I firmly believe all add to my FPL experience. I wouldn't have taken the role if I felt that any of the team were driven by money or greed, and having known people like Chris, David, Neale, Geoff etc. for many years - I can tell you with absolute certainty that pride in their work and the desire to make FFS the best place for FPL managers to chat, learn and enjoy their hobby are paramount. Having worked full time for a month now I have seen everyone across the different teams share ideas, discuss improvements and the way things could be better. You talk about the "underlying intention of the site" and for me this hasn't changed from what it once was. A website dedicated to providing quality information (both written and video) to arm FPL managers with to rise the ranks, a way for people to chat and converse with each other (and we are aware that there are limitations with this, we are just trying to find the best way forward) and a site that incorporates and continues to build on new tools and improvements that players find useful.

              Anyway, sorry for the long post. It does sadden me to read messages like yours though and I'm striving to do what I can to make FFS an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Hi Az

                I have left it plenty of time before replying because I didn't want to get into a 'tit for tat' kind of thing. Here are my comments.

                1. The purpose of my post wasn't to vent frustrations. Actually I'm not frustrated about FFS, just wistful. I'm not a member any more and am unlikely to ever be again.
                2. What stimulated the post was your comment immediately above about getting the thoughts of those who no longer participate here. I wanted to offer a perspective about that as best I could.
                3. Ben Crellin was indeed hired by FFS to write articles about DGWs a few seasons ago. I know he has subsequently thrown his lot in with FFHub but that's not relevant. What I was pointing at was that when the transition began to be made to a more commercial model, it wasn't those who had supported and helped build FFS that were hired to write articles, it was new people. That's just a fact, Az.
                4. Related to this, you imply that Mark built FFS. That's not really true. He was the leading light and the focal point, sure, and it couldn't have happened without him. But FFS as it was was also built by a community of people providing their support and contributions free of charge, just for the love of it. That's also a fact, Az.
                5. I didn't write the 'snake-oil salesman' thing well. It wasn't meant to be aimed at Joe, though I see it reads that way. What I am getting at is how everyone and their dog wants to monetise FPL nowadays and you have gathered a fair few on FFS who are better self-promoters than they are managers.
                6. This is evidenced by the fact that most of your hired contributors seldom if ever post here and aren't an active part of the community. Not all but most. They prefer to chat about FPL on twitter by and large. And that's another fact, Az.
                7. We seem to disagree about whether FFS has fundamentally changed. No matter. You wanted the perspective of those that helped build it and are no longer participant and that's what I tried to describe, seeing that I know and still communicate with some. I feel it has changed beyond recognition and so do many others.
                8. You might argue that it still does (some of) the same things but that's not the point really because your idea that the job of FFS was and is to provide content isn't mine and isn't what was once the case. It provided a hive or a hub for aficionados of the game and they didn't come here to be spoon-fed. It's a bit galling that you now say that FFS was always (in effect) a spoon-feeding service because that wasn't my experience at all.
                9. Lastly, I have always found you personally to be a straightforward guy and I have no axe to grind here. You asked and I attempted to answer. I think it's a shame that things have gone the way they have but that's the way of the world. And I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.

                1. Ruth_NZ
                  • 9 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Don't know if you are still reading here, Az, but here's a current example. Today's "Scout Network" column is exactly what I meant by "some self-proclaimed expert(s) parcelling some generalised guff together according to a tired format and calling it an article".

                  Read it, Az. Any halfway competent manager could tell you what that article does. Back in the day there might have been a hot topic on it and the commentaries would have been more interesting and in-depth than that. So exactly who is that column supposed to be helping? Idiots and infants who still don't know what the shiny thing is that has the nice food? (Clue: it's a spoon.)

                  If the views offered had the credibility of coming from people with recognised acumen it might be different. But they don't. I have no clue who these people are, they may be active on twitter but they don't post on FFS and nothing they have ever written here has seemed perceptive enough to make me want to check them out (your good self excepted, of course).

                  These are the types of snake-oil salesmen I was referring to. And the article stands as a fine example of what FFS has become.

            6. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              +1

      • Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Legendmoon.

        Well I can guarantee that I'll be taking responsibility for the survey, so the buck stops with me. I really want to action change off the back of peoples responses, so those thousands of hours will not be wasted.

        1. LegendMoon
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks Az, I would just like to add how right Ruth is in what she says above, the site does need better and more interesting articles preferably by posters with something to say, a lot of the articles now just seem like filler.

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          If I were to be honest Az, I would probably want to make money out of FPL too. Nothing wrong with it. However, and this is not your doing, is balance has migrated from the site. I am not a lover of the presenters today as I was when I first discovered the site. I am especially irked by gambling adverts; It is preying on those who suffer from a disease and I hope all "instant" gambling is banned totally.

          Thins change and no doubt FFS has to change to stay on the bus. On a positive note, I enjoy the Black Box thread, which shows a return to the old days. I just wished nobody invented XG XA etc. Opinions from presenters using the "eye test" is far more entertaining.
          I have chosen to join Suj and James which is far more informative TBH

      • JohnnyMarrsGuitar
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ruth NZ / Jarvish - fundamentally, due to you not being happy with what FFS has become, you will never EVER be happy. Fair? Whether you agree with the business model and working with gambling companies or not, it's just an unfortunate aspect of how this sort of site needs to make revenue. Just in case im coming across a kn*b, both your educated and passionate opinions are part of the reason I still pop in now and then and have a read, I take your points but genuinely think you're being a little bit over critical here

        Az - fair play to you for the time taken to read, digest and take time to provide detail responses (ok it is your job now so its the least we should expect) 😉 but in all seriousness having you about as a permanent 'employee' or whatever can only be a good thing in terms of that link between FFS as a business and "the guy who actually just likes FPL"

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I don't think Ruth and Jarvish are overly critical, as they articulate my concerns better than I could. I have made similar points in the survey, but it is clear to me that many have left this site over the years. So basically FFS is getting away lightly in terms of criticism.

          Being commercial does not mean that business ethics and integrity play no role. Now I am not saying there is a complete lack thereof, but it leaves plenty of room for criticism.
          E.G. Just because FFS wants to be profitable does not mean they have to be work with betting firms. Whether accredited or not does not make a difference. You can make a stand against it or accept the money and push that kind of messages.

          It is entirely possible for a leadership team to not partner with certain types of firms.

          Fact that the seem to stand by those decisions will see them lose members, but maybe it is all accounted for in various scenarios in their business plan and when they make business cases before partnering with such firms.

          1. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Isn't just obvious this is bllox built on bllox? On this weird trajectory, we'll have a fantasy site based on this site.

            The fun has to stop somewhere, and it usually does when money comes in.

            As of for 'professionals' – please.

            Lastly – there is a megalomaniac behind this site. "FFS Academy" etc. WTF?

    2. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If Jota starts,will be third 90 in a week.
      So,begin from bench at Leeds?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Depends, if they go 2-0 down vs Madrid first half subs could give an indication

        • chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Are you thinking of benching him if that's the case?

      2. chaser123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Save my FT this week?

        Mendy
        Coady Rudiger TAA
        Son Salah Bruno Lingard Jota
        Kane Iheanacho

        Forster Holding Masuaku Davis

        1. aleksios
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Easy save.

          1. chaser123
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Thank you

      3. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thoughts on greenwood? With Martial out his minutes should increase and ended last season very well

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          he’s a great shout for the run-in

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

        If liverpool go out of champions league tie only thing they have left is top four. Don't play till Monday. Klopp will be putting out his best team from then on.

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

          Reply to aleks

      5. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bench one please.
        a)Rudiger
        b)Holding

      6. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        G2G and correct benching order?

        Mendy
        TAA-Shaw-Coady
        Salah-Jota-Son-Gundogan-Lingard
        Kane-Vardy

        Forster-Rudiger-Coufal-Brewster

        0.1 itb

      7. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Took a -8 of KdB, Gundo, DCL > Salah, Lingard, Watkins.

        I needed to fix it now. City aren't gonna play either KdB or Gundo vs Villa when that game is sandwiched between the FA Cup Semi and the League Cup Final.

        Just needed to own up on the mistake of keeping City attack on the Wildcard. I thought vs Leeds it could work but it really didn't so... back to the template I go. Watkins can be a nice little hold. He's nailed on and Villa are looking a tidy team. He's also motivated to get in and stay in the England team. I think there's added value in picking England hopefuls. Lingard is obviously a must get. I sort of knew it too but got too cute. Not gonna compound my mistakes.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          gl camzy. -8 is huge but the players you brought in should reward you.

        2. FOMFF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          KDB > Salah is the balls of steel move.

      8. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you for your reply early on PIngi, just saw it now 🙂

      9. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I know its devil's work to guess Pep, but If Man Utd wins their remaining game (one game behind city), they will be 8pts behind City, which should still prompt him to play somewhat best lineup, right? (mainly alluding to Dias and Gundo), will not want to repeat same mistake vs Villa as against Leeds

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          You could be right. But I don’t think it’s worth having more than one City player for the run in.

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yes, the league is far from won which I think a lot have missed. There will still be rotation, but I think he will learn from the uber-rotation that lost them the Leeds game.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Agreed about rotation still happening but think there's a point being missed about that Leeds game - don't see that rotation cost them it. It was simply finishing. Their rotated team is still immensely strong.

            Leeds had 2 chances and scored from both - even Palace would be proud of that
            City had 29 chances

            Just one of those games really. You could replay it several times with those chances and Leeds would never win.

        3. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          No I don't think he will.

          The other games are just too important. Maybe Dias plays but I will be very surprised to see Gundo start.

          The games line up like this: FA Cup semi vs Chelsea > Villa > League Cup Final.

          Impact sub perhaps but it would be crazy ahead of a big final to play Gundo and KdB 3 times in a week.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I can see Gundo being "sacrificed"

            He's become integral but he's only been "necessary" as the KdB replacement. City can still put out an A team without him as Mahrez (to an extent) Foden Bilva all offer plenty in the sort of role that Gundo might play alongside KdB.

            Put another way City need one of KdB and Gundo but not both and KdB still remains well ahead of Gundo in making the City attack tick.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              The other point is that I thought the Leeds line up was specific to Leeds - that's often the way with Pep. Not sure it worked out like this in practice given the red card but it felt like Pep was doubling up on Raph by fielding both Mendy and Zinchenko. It more or less worked too given that Raph and Leeds showed little before the red card. Not sure Pep would take the same sort of approach with Villa who don't have anyone to eliminate and he'd likely go with one of his more orthodox line ups.

        4. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He certainly can't play a B team against Villa - important game for the PL. Not holding my hopes too high that Stones, who is my only City player left, starts but there is certainly a chance

      10. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Am I good to go for this week?

        Pope (Forster)
        Dallas, Stones, TAA, Rudiger (Mitchell)
        Salah (VC), Bruno, Lingard, Mount (Gundo)
        Nacho, Kane (C), (Bamford)

        Thanks.