Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 133 – Beginnings

14 August 2014 7186 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

A new beginning. On the eve of a new campaign, two grumpy middle-aged has-beens gather in a studio to recall the summer’s feast of football and look ahead to another Fantasy season, full of hope.

There’s no frills. No live video cast. No special guests. Just Granville and I, stripped back and almost unplugged.

Don’t let that put you off, though. Even with our limited powers we at least attempt to cut through the issues currently rattling around in the minds of Fantasy managers.

We assess the Old Trafford revolution, the world without Suarez and the merits of the three-man strike force. We slice through the current transfer trends and weigh up matters such as the Sigurdsson/Bojan rotation, Fagregas vs Hazard and the Chelsea back four conundrum. We also manage to warm up with a nice little argument about the Alexis Sanchez bandwagon – the traditional pre-season barney.

Be there at the birth via this link, or witness the new dawn via the handy player below.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

7,186 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    ..

    A) Silva + Adebayor
    B) Eriksen/Lamela + Dzeko

    Open Controls
    1. Kevtheotter
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
  2. Gunner HitIT
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Guys how to get the defence right if you got the top 3 strikers?

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cheapish defense

      Open Controls
    2. Eleven Geckoes
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cheap defenders who will play:-)

      Open Controls
  3. Volk
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who will be the biggest flop of the new season (poll)?

    http://strawpoll.me/2344925

    Open Controls
    1. BurnySizz
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bojan?

      Open Controls
      1. Eleven Geckoes
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I prefer Mame Biram Diouf

        Open Controls
  4. cramps
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    the chelsea fixtures from GW12 through 32 are an absolute joke!

    Open Controls
  5. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How many games you reckon we'd get out of Chambers?

    Open Controls
    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      2

      Open Controls
    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Who will Young possibly loose his place to?

      Open Controls
      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        rafa, valencia, shaw, rojo (?).....

        Open Controls
        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks, wrong post!

          Open Controls
    3. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      1-3

      Open Controls
  6. President John F. Keninnsie
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard + 5.5m (Jones)
    Fabregas + Cahill/Terry

    Feels so unsafe to go without Hazard... Thoughts?

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      The latter, I'd rather have a chelsea defender and mid than just Hazard but its reaaaaly close

      Open Controls
      1. President John F. Keninnsie
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers.

        Open Controls
        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          What do you think of this one Innsie?
          A) Courtois Moore (5th defender) Hazard
          B) Begovic Terry Sterling

          Open Controls
          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            b

            Open Controls
          2. President John F. Keninnsie
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            That's tough too. Probably B as I wouldn't spend more than 5m on a keeper.

            Open Controls
          3. Nice to Finally Michu
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers you two, I currently have B as well and I honestly like it more but I thought I had finally found away to work Hazard in but I think i'm gonna stick and hope my team can survive the temptation to make changes over the next 24 hours as i'm really happy with what i've got

            Open Controls
    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      b. as much as I'm scared not having haz, i'd much rather have terry over jones

      and cesc should do well too

      Open Controls
      1. President John F. Keninnsie
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks TW.

        Open Controls
    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think Hazard is a must. And Utd's fixtures are good enough early doors for a few clean sheets. Add to that Hazard's ability to punish the lesser sides.

      I have almost exactly the same conundrum (read Ramaey instead of Fabregas)

      Open Controls
      1. President John F. Keninnsie
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah that's why I'm finding it so hard. My team was all set with Hazard but now I don't feel comfortable with Ward in my team so I'm looking at my other options. I think Ramsey is almost a must btw.

        Open Controls
        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I hear you on Ramsey. I may try and scrape funds to upgrade Sterling.

          Open Controls
    4. money face bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i think fab will perform better than hazard as he has a good preseason..will wait until haz shows some form first.

      Open Controls
    5. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      ...similar feeling about Hazard. Right now I would say Fab+Cahill/T. And whatabout bringing Hazard in later...? I've got Costa, so that helps a bit.

      Open Controls
  7. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Might just keep Ward and fix it later.....

    Open Controls
  8. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Duff still looking like a starter for Burnley?

    Open Controls
  9. Point Magnets
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    what do you think?

    A.Sterling and Terry

    or

    B.Yaya and Hutton

    (bearing in mind Yaya will be part of this midfield)

    A.

    Begovic

    Terry P.Jones Chambers

    Mata Sterling. Ramsey. Fabregas

    Rooney Costa.Bojan

    (Myhill, Hutton, El Ahmadi, Wisdom)

    B.

    Begovic

    P.Jones. Chambers. Hutton

    MATA YAYA. RAMSEY. FABREGAS

    Rooney Costa. Bojan

    (Myhill, Moore, Wisdom, El Ahmadi)

    Open Controls
  10. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A) Courtois Moore Kaboul Hazard
    B) Begovic Clyne Terry Sterling

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just realized the first option could have Clyne instead of Kaboul as well

      Open Controls
      1. Deicide
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        B.

        Curtous and Cech are a risk imo.

        Open Controls
        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          cheers mate

          Open Controls
  11. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Best cs potential GW 1 - Hutton, Moore or Wisdom?

    Open Controls
    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Wisdom
      Moore
      Hutton

      Open Controls
  12. China Mag
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry lads. I had a window to come on here over lunch, but my internet went down. I didn’t think that my post had even been sent! Good to see that there are still plenty of lifers on here. Hopefully I’ll be able to stop and say hi a bit more over the new season. But I have changed jobs again, and so am super busy. I won’t get a chance to post again until this evening, but I will look back later and check any replies.

    I’m not sure on toon prospects. That is, I am very confident that IF we had a proper manager, that the players we have could do very well and even challenge Everton and Spurs for 6th spot (especially as they have Europe to contend with). But I have zero faith in pardew. Saying that, I will be getting in either de jong or cabella pretty soon. De Jong seems pretty injury prone though, which is putting me off him slightly. Cabella has looked very good in pre season. Riviere has also looked good, and I expect him to start the season as main striker (but probably move to the right or left for dave or the new argie guy if he doesn’t start the season on fire). In defence, nothing much has changed since last season. We will probably still fluctuate between keeping clean sheets and shipping 4-5 goals! Haidara is likely to start at left back as santon is injured. Janmaat has looked really good in the small amount he has played in pre-season.
    My team is currently;

    Krul/ Elliot
    Luis, Ferdinand, Chambers, Wisdom, Hutton
    Hazard, Mata, Ramsey, Siggie, Hoilett
    Rooney, Costa, Giroud

    Anything major that I have missed? I am set on my usual early WC, so I only need the team set up for 3 weeks. Any thoughts?

    I could get in sanchez for ramsey by either going fabregas over hazard, or a 4.5m defender instead of luis (leaving me very light in defence).

    This will probably be my only RMT, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      De Jong is the best option at Toon and i'd do Hoilett to Marney and Ferdinand to Clyne

      Open Controls
    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i'm considering colo as a 4.5m defender.... thoughts?

      thought I saw somewhere that Giroud was lacking fitness. Per the pre-season guide: "Up front, Yaya Sanogo has started two of the last three games as Olivier Giroud builds up his fitness after featuring for France in the recent World Cup."

      would probably prefer dzeko over giroud

      is hoilett nailed on? wonder if mutch puts him under threat. and think he's a bit much to spend on a 5th mid. would probably rather downgrade him and upgrade your defense a bit (terry over luis, and maybe upgrade ferdinand or one of the 4m defenders)

      james/blackett or young could be good punts if you're WCing soon

      Open Controls
    3. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      De Jong could be fantasy gold. Everyone remembers Newcastles terrible defence at the end of last season but they all forget how good Newcastle were up til xmas with cabaye pulling the strings. Overall the team.is stro ger this year and I fancy them to do quite well. As you said the defence is still pretty similar so still likely to concede but I expect the options up top to be decent prospects

      Open Controls
      1. China Mag
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        We NEVER NEVER EVER EVER score from corners. So don’t get a toon defender expecting attacking points. Colo should at least get some bonus though. He’s probably the best toon option, presuming that Janmaat is 0.5m more expensive.

        I did have dzecko instead of giroud until this morning’s news about pulis. Is Giroud not
        expecting to start then?

        When I was fishing around on here the other day, people were saying that hoilett is likely to start. Has something changed to make that not so now? I was probably only going to play him GW1 when siggie is at old Trafford.

        I think I am going to avoid man utd defenders, despite their juicy fixtures. I expect them to concede loads of goals due to their injuries, and learning the new system. And young playing POO doesn’t really tempt me.

        Open Controls
        1. tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          why's that? poor corner takers or poor setup or just bad luck? how would you compare colo to other 4.5m defenders from other teams though? like how do you rate your cs potential compared to theirs

          not sure really...Doos has Sanogo so odds are, the curse of Doos will strike again and Giroud won't start 😉

          i'm not so sure who will start tbh. just know they have Mutch who might be competing with Hoilett for that spot? i'm no QPR expert though. I'd play siggy gw 1 though, expect United to concede, especially with all their injuries (evans, shaw, rafa, valencia)

          me too. fair enough, young is somewhat tempting to me but got no room for him, will wait and see and worst case can downgrade another mid to him if he looks to be a bargain

          Open Controls
      2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cabella will play the cabaye role I think, but de Jong looks good prospect when he gets back

        Open Controls
  13. Despacito
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Fellas, some thoughts would be great!

    De Gea (Bego)
    Cahill, Davies, Caulker (Naughton, Ward)
    Mata, Tadic, Ramsey, Siggy (Mutch)
    Bojan, Roonpig, Costa

    0.0M

    THANKS

    Open Controls
  14. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Appreciate some inputs.

    Most were against playing Bojan every week. So, I'm considering this move:

    Luis Moore Eriksen to
    Cahill Jones Siggy

    1. Nailed on defenders in Cahill + Jones to play every week
    2. 2 for 3 man rotation for Clyne-Kelly-Ferdinand
    3. Bojan-Siggy rotation mostly + 'easy' away fixture for Bojan

    4. Kelly -> PvA? Fixture wise this is the only difference

    [PvA] ->
    Bojan (hul) PvA (TOT bur SWA STO) vs

    [Kelly] ->
    Bojan (qpr) Kelly (WHM BUR LEI hul)

    ________
    Final team is

    Bego
    Clyne Cahill Jones Ferdinand Kelly
    Fabregas Ramsey Mata Siggy Marney
    Sturridge Bojan Rooney

    Cheers

    Open Controls
    1. Koflok
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i knew it this post was too long 😀

      Open Controls
      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Post was too long but you got there in the end, good looking team

        Open Controls
        1. Koflok
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers NTFM

          Open Controls
  15. spotfixers
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Final Draft

    DDG (Elliot)
    Felipe Chambers Lovren Bruce Wisdom
    Fabregas Sterling Barkley Ramsey Siggy
    Rooney Bojan Costa

    Open Controls
  16. djhand
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Manone

    Debuchy - jones - lovren

    Mata - Ramsey - hazard - mutch

    Adebayor - rooney - bojan

    Just after opinions on my initial selection. Cheers !

    Open Controls
    1. premierglaser
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      What's your bench?

      Open Controls
      1. djhand
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cahill - shelvey - chambers

        Schmeichel

        Rooney (c)

        Open Controls
  17. tommyrogic
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    does anyone know is someone has built an app for the ultimate FL game at all?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Doubt it.

      Open Controls
    2. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Theres barely a half decent one for fpl and its not even the official one. Doubt therell be one for upl

      Open Controls
  18. Roy Rovers
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any 4mil def nailed on?

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Moore

      Open Controls
      1. Roy Rovers
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        At Leicester?....cheers

        Open Controls
        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Indeed, should be the most nailed option

          Open Controls
  19. premierglaser
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Would you rather have

    A) Clyne & Jovetic

    B) Yoshida & Dzeko

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    2. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yoshida won't play after the first GW.

      Open Controls
      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        this

        Open Controls
        1. premierglaser
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks all

          Open Controls
  20. BeachBadger
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Was fairly happy with my defence until this mornings Palace news. What do you guys think? Still good to go?

    Krul Foster

    Cahill Debuchy Naughton PVA Kelly

    Open Controls
    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You've only got one Palace defender so yes

      Open Controls
      1. BeachBadger
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

        Open Controls
  21. Darsh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    4.5 defender to rotate with N.Taylor?

    Open Controls
    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Gn280a6EMMxCvIQ5own-B4Zd4H_EsYudliY2HpXLVnM/edit#gid=1804675185

      Open Controls
      1. Darsh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        thanks

        Open Controls
    2. Eleven Geckoes
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe Cameron ,de Laet ,Chambers .

      Open Controls
  22. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    what's this Fantasy Football Buddy app do? and what's the difference between the free and pro version?

    Open Controls
    1. Rats Ass
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just DL it and see. I think FPL must've made them wait to update it until the official FPL app had launched.

      Open Controls
      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        what's the difference between free and pro though?

        Open Controls
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      best app on android! I use this for FPL transfers/viewing league etc.
      In paid version, you can sort players in transfer page.

      Open Controls
  23. premierglaser
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ferdinand or Simpson?

    Feel ferdinand is a higher quality player but aging and wingbacks often offer more attacking potential

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ferdinand will start, Simpson wont

      Open Controls
      1. premierglaser
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hah well that solves that, then.

        Open Controls
    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      ferdinand cuz he's more nailed on

      Open Controls
  24. Volk
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    For anyone who missed it earlier and might be interested in the Chelsea defence situation:

    http://strawpoll.me/2343234/r

    Open Controls
    1. Rats Ass
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hope Mourinho didn't vote in that, I have Azpi.

      Open Controls
  25. The Gravless Sheik of Dream…
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    HI Guys can I have some opinions on my team

    Krul Elliot

    Luiz Debuchy VanAanholt Wisdom Moore

    Sterling Coutinho(c) Hazard Ramsey Mutch

    Costa Rooney Fletcher

    Open Controls
  26. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Are Utd really going to start with Blackett and James? All that spending and start two from the youth team. Can't see it myself.

    Open Controls
    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      who else will they start with? got a game on saturday last time I checked, no new signings, and several injures in the back

      Open Controls
      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Just seems incredible, that a club like Utd find themselves in such a situation.

        Open Controls
        1. La Décima Chaser
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I guess you have not seen any of the pre-season games. Blackett has been superb and deserves to start over Smalling with very one fit! James starting will depend on Vakencia. If he is fit then Young will play LWB.

          United have always had faith in youth. They have not signed all the players they would have wanted, but youth players have not been a problem for them! Blackett in particular coukd be a gem at 4.5. I have him in my side already!

          Open Controls
          1. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Not season any pre-season.

            Just look through the squad and don't see much quality.

            Much less than City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

            Open Controls
  27. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A) Jones
    B) Debuchy
    C) Lovren

    Tough one, first to 3

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    2. Kevtheotter
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A)

      Open Controls
    3. King Kaka
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I have C

      Open Controls
  28. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Would like some feed lads if ya dont mind

    Foster (Krul)
    Cahill PVA Hutton (Clyne Naylor)
    Mata Fab Siggy Ramsey (Marney)
    Rooney(c) Costa Jovetic

    Any and all views thanks

    Open Controls
  29. JeremyBentham
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Team A:

    Begovic (Gilks)
    BAINES Cahill Caulker Chester Hutton
    HAZARD Mata Ramsey Siggy BOYD
    Rooney Costa Barnes

    Team B:

    Begovic (Gilks)
    WARD Cahill Caulker Chester Hutton
    STERLING Mata Ramsey Siggy ERIKSEN
    Rooney Costa Barnes

    So: Baines, Hazard and Boyd -or- Ward, Sterling and Eriksen?

    Open Controls
    1. King Kaka
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      B of those two options

      Open Controls
  30. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What is this Krul Elliot thing all about? Can some one explain it to me?

    Open Controls
    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Krul is the starter but you have the back up just in case he gets rotated/injured. it's the best GK tandem for 8.5

      Open Controls
      1. La Décima Chaser
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Or you get two 4.5m goalkeepers who will rotate well and solve it that way! I personally don't like the back up deal, especially at Newcastle where in certain fixtures, you wouldn't want their goalkeeper!!

        Open Controls
        1. tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          if you only want to spend 8.5 on gks, krul + elliot seems to be the best bet. if you want to spend more then go ahead

          Open Controls

You need to be logged in to post a comment.