Podcast

Meet the Manager #11 – Mark Sutherns

As the creator of Fantasy Football Scout, Mark Sutherns is one of Fantasy Premier League’s most well-known managers.

In our latest Meet the Manager video, Mark drops by to give an insight into his strategies for success over an impressive FPL career that started in 2006/07. Since then he has achieved eight top 5,000 finishes, including four in the top 500 and one in the top 50.

The search for value has been key to his success over the years, as he hunts out players that he believes will rocket in price in the future and also deliver strong points returns.

He also discusses how the fear of missing out on a player because he is £0.1m short drives this bargain-hunting ethos as well as the occasional early transfer.

As the man that brought Opta data to this site, his admission of being ‘a stats man’ is something of an understatement. Here he offers advice on the best statistics to keep an eye on and why such in-depth analysis can be a vital weapon in Fantasy managers’ armoury.

In our 50-minute chat, he also explains why ‘the eye-test’ should be treated with caution and also how he has learned from his mistakes over the years. This was particularly the case between 2013/14 and 2014/15 when he followed up his worst ever finish with his best, when he reached 42nd in the world.

Dealing with the pressure of making transfers in the public gaze is another issue covered. He also discusses how stepping back from the limelight this season has given him a new lease of life as a Fantasy manager.

The chat with Mark is available to view on Youtube here and in the embedded video below.

Previous Meet the Manager interviews:

Mark McGettigan

Marc Rubinstein

Kenneth Tang

Jay Egersdorff

Adam Hopcroft

Matthew Jones

Richard Clarke

Will Thomas

Philman

Triggerlips

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1,718 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    --A--
    gw21 (2FTs): Sterling, Rashford > Pogba, Jiménez (no City)
    gw22: Pereyra > Sané

    --B--
    Just get them all now for -4 for the City cover.

    1. 003
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling and Rashford could also deliver! Wojld we expect Pogba to continue?

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Surely not at that level, but my ML rival has him and has really dented my lead.

        Flag + Lukaku to me = too risky to assume Rashford even sees time at Newcastle.

        1. 003
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Didnt knew he was flagged, then I would do A

      2. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Kane and Kamara are my other fwds, fwiw.

  2. 003
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Three dilemma's

    Play:
    X) Ings versus CHE away
    Y) Camarasa versus SPU home

    Capt:
    1) Hazard versus SOU home
    2) Kane versus CAR away

    Line up 3 players for defense
    a) Robertson
    b) Wan Bissaka
    c) Bennett (wolves)
    d) Holebas
    e) Digne

    Pls help me out

    1. Gorbitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Y
      1
      C D E

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        seconded

  3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Little bit of advice here lads please....
    My plan is to move Balbuena to TAA after this game week with TAA looking potentially likely to go up tnite and Balbuena injury doubt should I do it now?? To catch the rise.... any West Ham fans have an insight to whether or not Balbuena will make this game week or not???
    Cheers fellas

    1. 003
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      My strategy this season to just await what happebs instead of 0.1 rises worked out nicely. When you make the correct transfers they will rise anyway.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate wise words and very true too!!! Cheers for the advice

      2. Gorbitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So true. Same for me. Totally chnged my season compared to previous years.

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t see balbuena being fit.

      At first it wasn’t supposed to be serious, then it was deemed serious and now it’s optimistic again according to ExWHUemployee.

      No news normally isn’t good.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate, yeah that’s normally the case with no news cheers again for that

  4. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Sane to Pogba or save?

    1. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      for no hit yes imo

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        This

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Even for a hit.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Do it

  5. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Button or allison?

    1. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      thats a pretty dramatic swing man thats like Kane or Jimenez lol
      Etheridge? How long Button likely to start for?

      1. Michelle Davin
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I meant who should i start 🙂

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Etheridge going to Asia cup I think

    2. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alisson

  6. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Sané owners unite! o/

    :’(

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      He'll come good.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I’m still genuinely excited to own him. Can’t wait for Thurs’ game to see how Pep tries to tackle Liverpool, then there’s Wolves who play with a back 3, then Huddersfield.

        Yes, he’s pricey, but glad to own a Man City attacker each week.

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      😆 😆

      Feck it! Let's Captain him.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Haha! I so nearly captained Rashford last week as my brother did the week before (for 2 pts) and he’s having “one of those seasons” where everything goes wrong, so he resorted to captaining someone different to try and catch up!

        Would love Sané to return a goal and assist vs Liverpool as a neutral.

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I did last GW 🙂

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Im sticking with him

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Good man! Me too.

    4. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      He’s going to blank again, sorry

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Rain on our parade, why don’t you :p

        1. BATISTUTA ®
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          “This year is our year”
          -Jürgen Klopp

  7. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford situation is giving me a headache

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I'm probably just getting rid. I'm assuming Lukaku gets the start, especially with the groin--whether a legit injury or not.

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Not sure I’m following why they haven’t released the press conference details?

        1. Alli 3',17',64�…
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          cause there wont be any

        2. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Rereading that, I was unclear. Rashford is flagged for a groin injury, and Lukaku is back. So I'm just not going to bank on Rashford.

    2. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Any chance Rashford takes Lingard’s place once Lukaku fully back?

      1. Jay Jay Okocha
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        He should

  8. Alli 3',17',64�…
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    wow lot of Auba captains

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Best option this week

  9. QueefParkRangers
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    F Anderson + Rashford

    to

    Pogba + Ings

    Will cost me -4

    Really need Pogba and feel Rashford will be benched

    1. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Only if you captain Ings

    2. Gorbitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Same problem, and think i’ll take in Pog and Ings for -4 too

  10. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy to Jimmy for a FT?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Nah, unless two free transfers

  11. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Making the team decisions now because tomorrow is going to mentally and physically fragile.

    Kane, Hazard, Pogba or Salah. If you got all of them, who are you going for?

    I have it on Haz atm, Kane vice, makes sense on pacer... but Salah could equally smash it since he's basically OOP against a team who pretty much is expected and has to attack. He could easily flourish. I feel Haz and Salah benefit more from baps since they get a cs chance and more baps for a goal and they are basically strikers on penos. Far higher ceiling than Attacking mid old Harry there, but he does have the fixture.

    What's your thinking?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      doing same

    2. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Form for me, so has to be Salah

      Agree with the above.

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Im on Hazard at the moment just worried what happens if Morata plays due to Giroud's injury - as this season proved Spaniard on the pitch is bad for Eden.

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Same here so think will move to Aubameyang

    4. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      So Salah or Haz over Kane? Has last weeks deeper position made the decision a bit?

      I don't particularly like captaining strikers, but make the exception for Kane and Aguero, I'm not mad on captaining Haz either since their striker position sucks. But with Salah you get the form and know he's going to get chances. + my rival will probably just keep his captaincy on Salah too!

    5. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Going for Eden as SOU cant defend ...Morata over Giroud any day

  12. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone have a link to LMS update? Looked in hot topics but nothing:

    1. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      saftey score was 39 i think

      1. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, was just wondering where it’s posted. I thought it was bulked usually but it’s never listed in hot topics

        1. Alli 3',17',64�…
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          idk he was here a while ago, jsut next time you see him post go to his posting history or bookmark that or something for future

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Go to the price change hot topic, Torres Magic is usually lurking around there.

    3. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      You can find a link to the live required score on LiveFPL under the LMS section, which will remain until the next update.

      He also has a website where he lists all the scores, found at:

      https://torresmagic.webs.com/lmsupdate.htm

  13. AuFeld
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hennessey to start vs WOL? Can't see Gauita holding the starting GK role after having Kante's goal roll through his finger tips.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure, Gauita looks better to me.

  14. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any change needed in here?

    Button
    Alonso Robertson Doherty Digne
    Salah(VC) Sterling Pogba Fraser
    Auba(C) Jimmy

    Ederson | AWB, Success, 5.0

    1.6 ITB.

  15. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Best GK/Def combination? 3 at the back.

    A) Alisson, TAA, Doherty, Holebas, AWB, 3.9
    B) Alisson, Lovren, Doherty, Digne, AWB, 3.9
    C) Fabianski, TAA, Lovren, Digne, Doherty, AWB

    Cheers..

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      C looks more complete. Not a fan of doubling down on defensive players. Holebas for Lovern? Holebas rotates well with Doherty until his fixtures turn for the better on GW 23.

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. I'm not really a fan either but a Liverpool defender at 4.9 is great value IMO.

  16. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Sane and who to fund Hazard?
    Current defense Alonso-Robbo-Doherty-Digne-AWB

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso to taa

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I'm 0.1 short 🙁

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      And which defender to bring instead please...

    3. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso to Luiz or Robertson to TAA without too much sacrifice.

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Robbo to TAA could be the move thanks mate..

      2. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I am still regretting getting rid of Robertson as it lost me £0.3

  17. Thick Of It
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any thoughts on this WC? 0.0 in the bank if I do this

    Etheridge/ Foster

    TAA/Digne/ Luis/AWB/Bennett

    Salah, Pogba/Hazard/ Anderson/ Camarasa

    Jimenez/ Aguero/ Firmino

    1. Pinturicchio10
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Looks solid.

      • AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Etheridge is a trap. Bring in Button to rotate with Foster.

        Bennett is a waste, bring in Jonny.

        Kun wouldn't be my first pick for my premium forward and Firmino is streaky at best.

        1. Thick Of It
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          All fair points but Cardiff's fixtures look strong, and how long will Button be playing.

          Agreed on Bennett.

          Kun and Bobby are admittedly risky, so maybe Kane and a.n other instead?

          1. AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Not sure. I'd rather have Hennessey (or Gauita) and Patricio. Looks like they have the two easiest defensive fixtures through GW 30 according to the season ticker.

            Kane or Auba. I prefer Auba as he rotates well with Salah for captaincy. Mitro complements Jim's poor fixtures until WOL fixtures turn for the better starting GW23. Other great cheap FW options: Rashford, Ings, and maybe Barnes/Wood from BUR if they can get their act together.

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Would you do Sane to Salah for free this week?

      1. Pinturicchio10
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Definitely

        • Thick Of It
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Would have done it yesterday just to save the 0.1. Citeh midfield is a minefield

        • QueefParkRangers
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          yes

        • J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Of course....

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Convince me either way on Haz vs Auba for the captaincy this week.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Very close indeed. Go with your gut.

        2. Pinturicchio10
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Watch Fulham play

          • Thick Of It
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Aubameyang is consistent, Hazard is more explosive. So taking the punt I would go with Eden

          • JRO093
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Haz. Southampton b poor defensively, Haz the main man for Chelsea. Arsenal not sure on their starting xi and Ranieri trying to sharpen fulham defense

          • AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Morata may start which never bodes well for Hazard. FUL to be without their two main cb's, Chambers and Mawon, who have been the main contributors to FUL's recent defensive success.

            (c) Auba imo.

          • dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Auba- Fulham will have no Mawson or Chambers in defence.

            With Willian RLC Giroud and Hudson- Odoi out Morata will start up front which is not good for Hazard

          • J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Can’t go wrong with either, just follow your gut, or whosever gets more votes in the captain poll 🙂 .

        3. JRO093
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Choose the bench order between:

          A) AWB
          B) Robbo
          C) Camarasa

          1. Pinturicchio10
              5 years, 4 months ago

              CBA

            • Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Very close, expect all to blank. BCA if had to.

          2. The Wizard of Ozil
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            F.Anderson -> Pogba worth a hit?

            1. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Not. Next week

            2. Pinturicchio10
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Not this week imo

              • RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                No chance

            3. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Happy new year lads.

              Absolutely hate that I will lose 0.2 on Alonso and Mitro tonight. Worht a hit out for Auba and Jonny/Lovren?

            4. purple.emu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Heaton in for Hart or Hennessey?

              (I'm confussed!)

              1. FPL Daniel
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Guaita. To be guaranteed a keeper

            5. MFDoom
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Hit a block and ran out of ideas where I want to go with my team. Thought of ways to bring either Salah or Auba in but not sure either are worth all the moving about it would take. Or is there a standout City attacker I go for?

              Fabianski-Button
              Robertson-Alonso-Laporte-Doherty-AWB
              Martial-Hazard-Pogba-Pereyra-Kante
              Kane-Jiminez-Ings

              2.0 in bank

              1. Ini
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Long term I’d get Sané for Martial. While they have not returned, his price has dropped and it’s only a matter of time before they deliver given the underlying stats.

                1. MFDoom
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 4 months ago

                  I've been thinking of swapping out Alonso for a cheaper option, which could allow me to swap Pereyra for Sane and keep Martial for now. I like the look of Man U going forward atm. Another idea anyway. Cheers

            6. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Scout picks or Cap sensible not out??

              1. FPL Daniel
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                They are out in Facebook

            7. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Great MTM this is gold,love to hear Marks thinking process.

              1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                the only one worth watching

                1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 4 months ago

                  Harsh....

                  1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 4 months ago

                    And Yellow

            8. mdm
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Mitro, Martial and Snoddy -> Jimenez, Pogba and Camarasa for -4? Yes or No

              1. Ini
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Not for a hit, no.

            9. Ini
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Snodgrass and Mitro —> Pogba and Kamara?

              These are the only two players in my team that I’m willing to move. Thx you, appreciate the help.

              1. Thick Of It
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                If kamara is bench fodder yes. After Ranieri's reaction no idea if he will be playing

                1. Ini
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 4 months ago

                  Yes, bench fodder for sure. Thx u

              2. AuFeld
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                Don't ditch Mitro. Kamara to be benched after the last match. Snodgrass to Deulafeu (spelling fail?) if you have the $0.1 itb

                1. Ini
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 4 months ago

                  Hmm good shout. Thank you - I will consider.

            10. sirmorbach
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Between Sane (LIV) and Rashford (new) I should bench Sane, right?

              1. Ini
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                I’d play Sane, since Rash is a doubt (unless I’ve missed any updates)

            11. Scheister
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              2 FTs and 1.0 itb

              A) Martial to Pogba
              B) Sane to Hazard, and Trippier to TAA
              C) Martial to Anderson, then B next week
              D) other?

              Fab
              Robbo Luiz Trippier Doherty
              Salah Sane Richarlison Martial
              Kane Jimenez

              Button AWB Ings Camarasa