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Podcast October 4

Meet the Manager #3 – Will Thomas

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Will Thomas is among Fantasy Football’s rare polymaths, with the ability to excel in two different formats, Fantasy Premier League and Sky Fantasy Football.

In FPL he has five top 10,000 finishes including overall ranks of 753 and 82, while on Sky he has breached the top 100 on four occasions.

But as Will explains in our latest Meet the Manager video interview, juggling two different formats can have its pitfalls as well as its advantages.

He chats to me about his strategies for success and how to achieve a top finish. We also look back on his 2017/18 campaign, in which hedging his picks across two formats cost him dearly in FPL.

In addition, he reveals how Sky’s patient approach, due to limited transfers, as well as its focus on fixtures with multiple captaincy selections allowed, has helped Will to excel across most of his FPL career.

Will’s views on the current season also prove illuminating, including why managers need to take advantage of an unusually high number of budget gems this term.

He also reveals why he is shunning Harry Kane and is instead pinning his hopes for success on another, far cheaper, striker.

With a current FPL rank of 26,711, he looks to be already on his way to another strong season.

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

The first Meet the Manager video, featuring Triggerlips can be viewed here, while the second, featuring Philman, can be seen here.

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1,996 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Not sure whom to bench, expecting the least from:

    A) Fraser (wat)
    B) Zaha (WOL)
    C) Mitrovic (ARS)

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely not B

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    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Probably Fraser but just assess yourself because it coin toss

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    3. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

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    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

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    5. captainjilflex
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

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    6. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Was monitoring clean sheet stats; Noticed Wolves have one of the worst tackles percentages and totals. Play Zaha.

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    7. Castiel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'd be benching Fraser there

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  2. The Riders of Mohan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone considering any Brighton players?
    They've had a hard start to the season with MUN>LIV>SOU>TOT>MCI
    Yet Murray (6.5) has 4 goals and Duffy (4.5) has 2 goals
    Look like they have a good run for the next 9 weeks...

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    1. bengan1113
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely! Knockaert and Dunk could be nice differentials.

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    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yup Duffy the best option, he's in my team

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    3. The Riders of Mohan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Niiice - I can easily bring Dunk in its whether I do Wilson>Murray not sure with Knockaert over Fraser etc

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      1. The Riders of Mohan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        *Duffy :/

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    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      yes I am, looking at Hart>Ryan after this week and might go for Murray also

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    5. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      just got knockhart in

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    6. Teror
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'm bringing in Knockaert on my wildcard probably.

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  3. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    repost

    bench one >
    a. Fraser
    b. Wilson
    c. Rich

    thx lads!

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    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

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    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

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    3. captainjilflex
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

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    4. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

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  4. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Lads 1 question !!
    Do I need to Wildcard?

    Foster
    Alonso Robertson Trippier
    Hazard Mane Fraser Bilva
    Aguero Wilson Mitrovic

    Patricio WB Musuaku Peltier.

    Cheers..

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    1. Ryan Naysmith
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

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    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No

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      1. Farteta
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        No - looks good!

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    3. captainjilflex
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I think you could keep it fresh with ft or maybe -4 hit in the near future. looks good

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  5. Regin
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Is Ozil worth a one week punt on a free hit? Think it will be high scoring game? Or play safer option Alonso in a 4 3 3?

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    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Alonso

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    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Go for Ozil if playing catch up

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    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

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  6. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Lennon+Ings->Puncheon+Arnie for -4
    Smart move?

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    1. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure about puncheon

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      1. Mooster©️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        The only one I can afford(4.3)

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    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Dumb move. Puncheon ?

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      1. Mooster©️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        He’s 4.3m. Only option to this move

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    3. Joletouriste
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      What is the rest of your team?

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  7. ritzyd
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Patricio
    WanBis - Pereira - Holebas
    Moura - Hazard (c) - Mane - Maddison
    Jiminez - Aquero - Zaha

    (Hamer - Robertson - Walker - Hojberg)

    1FT 2.1 itb

    Save FT and GTG?

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  8. onetowatch
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Guys what do I do? 1ft 0.9itb

    Patricio button
    Bennet AWB Alonso Robertson trippier
    Salah hazard Madison Fraser ward
    Wilson aguero mitrovic

    A) save transfer
    B( Wilson to jiminez
    C) Wilson to Arnie
    D) Fraser to richarlison
    E) anything else?

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    1. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Save FT

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    2. Joletouriste
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      C

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  9. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Tripper (C) anyone :O

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    1. Farteta
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Very tempting, should have done it last week! Only problem may be fatigue from the Barca game

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    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Currently on him. Hazard is very tempting however...

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    3. Castiel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you don't have Kane its not a bad plan at all

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  10. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Mourinho presser 8:30am UK time this morning

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  11. Farteta
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Having a benching headache this week! Play two from:

    a. Holebas (BOU)
    b. WB (WOL)
    c. Doherty (PAL)
    d. Fraser (WAT)

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    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B and D

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    2. Man Getting Hit By Football
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Have all four and playing the 3 defenders, benched Fraser. Holebas I would bench next out of other 3. Don't fancy benching AWB or Doherty this week.

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  12. Haz to be Eden- Top scoring…
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Really struggling what to do here, do I get rid of one of my big Liverpool assets or focus on my bench??

    Patricio
    Laporte Robbo WanB Boly
    Salah Hazard Mane Fraser
    Aguero Arnie

    Foster Cairney Success Peltier

    2FT 0.7 ITB

    A) Cairney + Success -> Hojbjerg + Jiminez

    B) Success + Salah -> Kane + 5.9

    C) Success + Salah + Robertson -> Kane + Maddison + Doherty/Jonny (-4)

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    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      You can do both with 2FT... Mané out for some mid range milf of your choosing, and upgrade a bench player.

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      1. Haz to be Eden- Top scoring…
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. Could go Mane + Success -> Maddison + Jiminez/Mitro

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  13. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone already swapped Aguero to Kane? What's the reason for that?

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    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Cardiff

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  14. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Since my post got deleted where I asked Joenty to get a female FPL manager on his videos...

    Upvote this post if you feel we need a woman on. It would make a nice change and would be interesting to find out if they approach fpl differently.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Who is the woman with the best fpl record? Does anyone know?

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Probably me.

        6 top 10k finishes in last 10 years.

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        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Good shout for meet the manager then.

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      2. A.T
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Lucy had the most hot topics if that counts.

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    2. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Racist

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        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          No it isn't...

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          1. A.T
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            So is ok to say someone other than a black male would be nice?

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            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              There haven't been any black males on there, why do want to focus so much on colour?

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            2. A.T
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              I’ll answer it for you. No it wouldn’t, because not liking guests based purely on their race is racism.

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              1. G-Whizz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Try and answer my question instead of answering for me, no wait, I'll answer it for you 😉
                Just because someone mentions the colour of a race doesn't make that person or comment a racist one.

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  15. Mini Mane Mo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Those without Kane who are you captaining?

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    1. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      hazard

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    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Jimmy

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    3. Castiel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Marcus Alonso

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      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Who's Marcus Alonso?

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  16. Skhstanley
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Repost...

    A. Patricio (CRY A)
    B. Fabianski (BHA A)
    1. Bennett (CRY A)
    2. AWB (Wol H)

    Pick 1 from A, B & 1,2. Cheers!

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    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A2

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  17. Typo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    trigger pulled 2FT:

    Salah, Zaha -> Maddison, Kane(C)

    Lets go!

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  18. Regin
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Lamela, son or Moura on a 1 week punt on a free hit?
    Money no issue.

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

      Maybe Son but i think Kane or Trippier are only Spurs worth having

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  19. captainjilflex
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else going into gw8 with no Kane or Hazard??

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    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'm sure there's quite a few with 7 figure ranks... 😉

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

        dont. im sure thats where ill be next week
        🙁

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    2. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Wowzer, extreme! Who are you gonna capt?

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

        God knows. Maybe Trippier. i still might take a last minute hit to get one of them in as im planning to wc next week. Reckon its worth the hit this week??

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  20. Del FPL-iero
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?
    Patrício (cry)
    Alonso (sou) - Holebas (BOU) - Doherty (cry)
    Hazard (sou) - Maddison (EVE) - Pereyra (BOU) - Richarlison (lei)
    Arnautovic (bha) - Kane (CAR)

    Bench:
    Ryan (WHU) - Mitrovic (ARS) - WB (WOL) - Robertson (MCI)

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    1. Skhstanley
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      double wolves on defense? maybe play AWB to spread the risk?

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      1. Del FPL-iero
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, I'll consider this option.
        Another one could be Ryan instead of Patricio but then I have Arni vs Ryan

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    2. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'm contemplating spreading the risk with awb instead of doherty. Patricio in goal

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      1. Del FPL-iero
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you, guys!

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  21. A.T
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Who is the most nailed on 4.4 mid at the moment?

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    1. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Still Stephens

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    2. Castiel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Masuaku and Stephens when he returns from injury

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    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks

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  22. Game of Throw_ins
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Bench 2:
    1. Robbo (MC)
    2. Walcott (lei)
    3. Mitrovic (ARS)
    4. Doherty (cry)
    5. AWB (WOL)
    6. Wilson (wat)
    Currently on Robbo and Mitrovic/Walcott.

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    1. Bald Eagle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      1, 5. I think this is the only GW to bench Robbo. Can't see them not conceding.

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      1. Game of Throw_ins
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Yes, Robbo will have a permanent spot after this GW. AWB at home may again get 3 bonus pts if they get a CS !

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        1. Bald Eagle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah I agree, but Wolves high on confidence can score vs anyone. Think they will score again. It's between AWB and Doherty for me. Playing Doherty for his attacking threat myself and benching Robbo and AWB.

          Good luck mate.

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    2. Joletouriste
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I would definitely play Walcott and Mitrovic. I think there will be goals on that games. After that AWB would be my first choice on the bench but it's a tough choice because he could get bonus points if they have a cs. Liv will probably concede goals so Robbo shouldn't get a cs but could get attacking returns... Robbo, AWB, Doherty for me in any order

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      1. Game of Throw_ins
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks man, appreciate it. So you prefer to bench defenders over attackers, i guess.

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  23. Bald Eagle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Would anyone do this switch for free? Have 2FTs and don't want to waste one. Can also do just Ederson to cheaper GK and have 2FTs for IB.

    Ederson & Shaw to Patricio/Fab & Trippier

    Yes or No.

    Don't know if I trust Man U defense with their form. I know it looks like a CS on paper...

    Would appreciate any help.

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    1. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yes I'd do it! Trippier is sweet, and I dont like uniteds program

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      1. Bald Eagle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate.

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    2. Game of Throw_ins
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Carrying 2FTs to IB would be better imo.

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      1. Bald Eagle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Which GK is your preferred one in the 4.5M price bracket? Patricio would be a double up with Doherty.

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        1. Game of Throw_ins
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I like Patricio as wolves look solid at back. Maybe tempted by Ryan too as they have some great fixtures now (specially if he drops to 4.4).

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  24. B.P.R.D.
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A) DSilva -> Ozil
    B) Aguero + DSilva ---> Vardy + Sterling

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    1. Bald Eagle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A but wouldn't get Ozil. Keep Kun, he's a monster.

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      1. B.P.R.D.
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. Could also get Son.

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  25. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one

    Mitro
    Awb
    Bennett
    Fraser

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    1. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Bennett

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    2. Bald Eagle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Bennet.

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  26. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Ok I get that the forum needs ideas for new articles etc, but an interview with someone with 2 top-10k finishes is not something I’ll be devoting minutes of my day to. No disrespect intended to the manager in question but does smack of barrel scraping.

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    1. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Uhm, was it not a consistent top finisher? Top 100 four years running in sky, and two top 1000 finishes in fpl?

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    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Read it again, he has 2 top 1000k, and 3 more top 10000k

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    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Are you referring to Will? It says he has 5 top 10k finishes.

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      1. yer old da
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I’ll see your 5 top 10k and raise you a 7 in 10 seasons. Even with that record I wouldn’t fancy a meet the manager when there are better players than me about.

        Anyway, don’t want to turn it into a big discussion, if the community are happy it’s all good, just my tuppence worth.

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        1. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          You've spent enough time on this forum to know that opinions and input from Managers at all levels are welcomed here. I don't understand what you have against hearing from the particularly successful ones.

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          1. yer old da
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Nothing against just not that interested

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  27. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I have 2 FT and 2.4 itb... H-Odoi and Kaba comfortable bench fodder atm.

    A) Zaha > Vardy (0.5itb)
    B) Jimenez > Rashford (1.2 itb)
    C) H-Odoi > Richarlison (0itb and rip bench)
    D) Kabasele > Holebas (2.1 ITB)

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    1. Bald Eagle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      C for me, at least Zaha plays even though he'd be next to sort out.

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  28. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Team atm:

    Schmeical
    Doherty, Alonso, TAA
    Haz, Salah, Fraser, Lucas
    Jimenez, Zaha, Aguero

    Speroni, AWB, Kabasele, H-Odoi

    2 FT 2.4 ITB

    A) Zaha to Vardy
    B) Kaba to Holebas

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    1. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I would do a

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  29. Farke in hell
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Pray for the City Bus

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  30. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Wildcard active. Will bring in a Liverpool attacker after the break. Pereira or Shaw for 5.1? Any other thoughts?

    Ederson Hamer
    Alonso TAA Pereira Doherty AwB
    Hazard Maddison Fraser Richarlison Hojbjerg
    Kane Aguero Arnautovic

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