Podcast
4 October 2018 1996 comments
J0E J0E
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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. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Sunday night rage transfer working out well. No injuries

  2. the Penman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Know what I’m annoyed about?

    Mendy plays 4 games; City get 1 clean sheet.

    Mendy misses 3 games; City get 3 clean sheets.

    Bah. (Bitter owner here)

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Just imagine when he will play and City will get clean sheets.

    2. Four Hit Wonder
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Coincidence?

    3. jtreble
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I think Pep's made that connection too. :). Mendy's not great defensively but it'll be good to see him back.

  3. Jay_
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Score prediction for:

      CPL___vs___WOL

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        0-0

      2. tafrère
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        2-1

      3. Mysterion
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        0-0 points for everybody

      4. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        1-1

        1. Mysterion
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Ayew, Coady to score and disappoint everybody

      5. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I think 0-2

      6. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Low scoring draw is my prediction. I'm terrible at predicting scores though. Probably worse than lawro.

      7. Four Hit Wonder
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        0-0

      8. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        1-2

      9. Jay_
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers all. Will come back to this. Horlicks esq got both Spurs and Arsenal right last week.

        • drughi
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          1-1

        • Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          0 - 1

        • Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          2-0

      10. Winners900
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Pick one:

        A) Masuaku
        B) Obiang
        C) Same thing

        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          None, Billing

      11. Arsenal97
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        My team :
        Ederson hamer
        Alonso robertson holebas Doherty AWB
        Mane Richa Fraser Maddison Hazard
        Kane Mitro Wilson

        Who to bench ? Need 3 players next to hamer ?

        1. Klaren
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Robertson Doherty Fraser (or Wilson)

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I'd play Doherty over AWB

        2. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Bench - Robbo AwB Fraser imo

      12. sentz05
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Salah and Auba our for Kane and Hazard for -4, Salah out for Hazard or keep FT?

        1. AC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Looks good to me

        2. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Do it

        3. Four Hit Wonder
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          First

        4. dr.No88
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Kane and Hazard

      13. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Help me pick 3 to bench please:

        A) Doherty
        B) Robbo
        C) Duffy
        D) Fraser
        E) AWB
        F) Hughes

        Currently on AWB, Duffy, Hughes

        So hard as all could be in the points this week

        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Hughes, Duffy, Robbo

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            You’d really play AWB over Robbo? I love Wan-Biss but this feels a bit suicidal when Robbo can be so attacking and will be playing in such an attacking game

            1. Hansel
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              It's your call, but a CS and AWB tends to get 3 bonus. 32% chance of a CS roughly means 1 in 3 he will get 6-9 points, whereas Robbo might sneak in an assist but given no cleanie he needs 2 assists to match that, as (if as you say it will be high scoring) he most likely won't get bonus just for an assist

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Thanks this is decent logic. I do agree that Robbo won’t haul as he won’t get a CS. However the WOL-CRY game could literally go either way and so it’s a tough call!

        2. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Awb, Duffy, Fraser (just as i think watford win this game)

      14. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        What to do with Firmino? Have Robertson + Mane for the good fixtures after City.

        Could go Lacazette or Arnie...even big Glen Murray.

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I think Arnie is a good pick. I’ve brought him in this week.

          1. Athletic Nasherbo
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Had him at the start. Fixture proof?

            1. Smurf
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I’d say so but he doesn’t have to be this week against Brighton, it’s a nice fixture anyway.

        2. Tommyg
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Like laca pick. Could be very profitable against Fulham.

          1. Athletic Nasherbo
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Agreed. Didn’t play much in the week either.

        3. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Arnie and use money elsewhere

        4. Four Hit Wonder
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Tough question.

          If I still owned him I'd keep as he now looks more physically fit than in early GWs. Being the no. 9 in Liverpool offense is enough to get a goal and assist just by being there. Easy fixtures coming up.

      15. Mayo for Sam
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Best move here folks?

        1ft 2.8 itb

        Patrício
        Alonso TAA Trippier
        Richarlson Hazard Mané BSilva Pogba
        Agüero King
        Hamer Wan-Bissaka Kamara* Peltier*

        Going to WC next week

        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          King -> Vardy

      16. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Play Foster or Fabianski?

        1. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Foster (I have Fab, but can't see Bournemouth doing much at Watford).

      17. That Fantasy Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        My could be team this week for -4:
        Fabianski
        Holebas - Wan bissaka - Bennet - Trippier
        Hazard - Salah - Richarlison - Frazer
        Kane - Aguero

        Stekelenberg - kamara - Hudson odoi - peltier 0.3 itb

        Would need me doing Aubameyang + Alonso -> Kane + Holebas.

      18. BON
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        HELP! - I'm in a situation where I have 2 FT and I don't want to sell any of my players! ... I also have £1.8 ITB - yikes!

        Patrício
        Alonso, Mendy, Robertson
        Salah, Hazard, Masddison, Fraser
        Agüero, Mitrovic, Ings

        (Hamer, Wan-Bissaka, Bennett, Billing)

        I'm holding Mendy as he'll be back soon, and Wan-Bissaka/Bennett have covered well so far (9, 9, 6 points).

        I don't want to waste FTs on sub players when they're getting 90 every week, so that only leaves me with Ings who I would look at possibly selling.

        A. Zaha
        B. Wilson
        C. Arnautovic
        D. Murray
        E. Something else

        1. dan_247
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          C arnie 100%

        2. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I still think given the complications that Mendy is a sell. But if you feel he’s a hold then Ings to Arnie is a nice upgrade.

        3. jtreble
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Mendy -> Trippier for me. Doubt he's going to play soon.

          1. jtreble
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            ... or Rose.

        4. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          It's crazy to say "I don't want to waste a FT on a bench player" when you also scream "help (!!) I have 2 FTs and no transfer that I want to make". It's also crazy to consider Ings a player you don't want to trade..

          I would either do C or a punt on Aguero -> Kane

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            If you really like Ings then I would also consider Fraser -> Richarlison

        5. Don Kloppeone
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yep agree Arnie seems the best shout

        6. The Jackal
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Sell Aguero and Salah you didnt like them last week.

          1. Not again Shirley
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Don't like Ings, never have.

      19. dan_247
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Play AWB or Trent?

        Current team

        Rui
        Shaw Alonson AWB
        Bilva Richarl Maddison Hazard
        Kane Aguero Zaha

        Subs: TAA Tomkins gunnaraon

        Thanks

        1. Klaren
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          AWB

      20. wildnothing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Which two to play for this GW?

        A. Doherty
        B. Monreal
        C. AWB
        C. Dilva
        E. Wilson

        1. Mysterion
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          AD

        2. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          C, D

        3. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          A C

          1. Rage Against The Raheem
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            A D i mean!

      21. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Gtg?

        henny
        alonso - pva - awb
        hazard - moura - fraser - richarlison
        kane(c) - mitrovic - vardy

        hamer - doherty - robertson - guendouzi

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I don’t like the triple up on Palace. Especially as Doherty is a great pick this week.

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Yep im umming and arring on that

            May play doherty over awb

            1. Smurf
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I’m doing just that. AWB could do OK but I prefer Doherty. I also feel Wolves have more (albeit slightly) chance of a clean sheet.

        2. drughi
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          would play Doherty over awb as you already have 2 palace defense

      22. Powell
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Right then, it’s prediction time.

        Alex Iwobi will be borderline essential by Christmas

        1. Jay_
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Just drafted him. And Kolasinac. Could be right.

            1. jtreble
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Kolasinac - there's a name I haven't heard in a while. Interesting.

          • Four Hit Wonder
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Does Emery think highly of him?

            1. Powell
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Loves him.

        2. Puncheon Guly
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Salah and Wilson to Maddison and Kane? -4
          I was set for Salah all season, but he's just so much money for someone who isn't returning regularly.
          Breaks many FPL rules - don't dump good players from good teams, don't chase points from last week, don't take hits for players who aren't inelligible

        3. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          is trippier really that nailed to start this week end ? thanks

          1. drughi
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            80%

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              thank you

        4. J to the T
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Bench one of
          AWB
          Doherty
          Zaha

          1. madame shelly
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            im benching zaha. palace not scored at home

        5. Sharpe Shuffle
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Anyone know if Auba is likely to start this weekend?

        6. Catsandhats
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Play 1:

          A) ings
          B) bennet
          C) Wan b

          Already have Hennessy and Doherty so it I would be doubled up on one of their defenceS

          1. Merlinho
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I have that choice but without the double up and I’ve gone AWB.

        7. Fantasynørden
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Salah and Aguero -> Hazard and Kane for free?

          Still got my wc as well. Do have Mané as Liverpool cover.

          1. drughi
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            yes

        8. JustPark
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Really appreciate. WC intact(probably activate later during IB)
          1) Salah + Mendy > Hazard + Trippier(442)
          2) Salah + Kamara > Hazard + Jimenez(343)
          3) 1+2 worth for a hit?(343)

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            2

        9. NotsoSpursy
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Kun -> Kane ? Ft

        10. Merlinho
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Draft league fun: start 2 from Robbo, Dilva, Wilson.

          Is Dilva likely to be benched? I’m tempted to bench him if so (especially as I’m a Liverpool fan so it helps the conflict)

        11. Bruno Bruno!!
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Thoughts on the following for a hit for a 1 week punt ?

          Zaha + B.Silva -> Lacazette + Gudmundsson

          1. FantasyNik123
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I like it.

          2. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Don't like it one bit. A definite bad idea.

          3. LSK
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Nah. So much talk about getting Kane in for a one week punt has people thinking it’s worth it for other players. It’s not. Just hold or make a long term transfer

        12. FantasyNik123
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Considering I'm 100% WCing next week, does:

          Salah + Aguero -> Hazard + Kane

          for a hit seem good?

          1. Bruno Bruno!!
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Looks good

        13. CatMac
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Bench one:

          A) Tompkins
          B) Bennett
          C) Pereira

          thks

          1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Do us the favor of listing their matches. Caps for home game.

            1. CatMac
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              OK, although I thought it would be well known

              a) Tomkins (WOL)
              b) Bennett (cry)
              c) Pereira (EVE)

              thks

              1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
                • 16 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                ABC in that order. Bigger chance of a Wol CS than Cry.

                (Honestly I don't remember who plays who and if it's home or away. Tiring to switch tabs to give quick advice.)

                1. CatMac
                  • 16 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  You mean BAC then 😉 thanks for coming back to me Svasei

                  1. CatMac
                    • 16 Years
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    Sorry BCA :blush:

                    1. CatMac
                      • 16 Years
                      7 years, 4 months ago

                      DOH. Ok Bench Tomkins, sorry it's late 😉

        14. LSK
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          For the people free hitting (I’ve seen a few) - assuming you have Trippier, make sure you put Kyle Walker Peters first on the bench on the off chance he is rotated. No need for a Spurs mid imo.