Podcast

Meet the Manager #3 – Will Thomas

4 October 2018 1996 comments
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. Mortiis
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Patricio
    Alonso TAA Trippier
    Hazard Salah Lucas Fraser
    Aguero Mitrovic Wilson

    Hennessey Wan-Bissaka Bennett Hojbjerg

    2ft
    Should I do Hennessey to Hamer to free up some money?
    Will want to do Trippier to Mendy and get Richarlison in at some point

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  2. stat
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Who do you think scores more points this GW?
    A) Mane
    B) Aguero

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    1. Monya Meow Meow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I think Kun will

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    2. George James
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Very tight that. Kun if pushed

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    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kun

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    4. Marty McFly
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      2
      2

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    5. Bonus magnet
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      0-0 so mane better

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  3. zizzou123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Aguero to Kane for a FT or Wilson to Vardy instead ? Latter more long term and I don't own Maddison :/

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    1. Monya Meow Meow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson to Vardy

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    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Wils > Vardy

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    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      How much do you have itb?!

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      1. zizzou123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        2.7 itb

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  4. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    My oh my ....what to do with defence?

    Thinking
    Patricio (foster)
    Alonso trippier and Robbo/Doherty/AWB
    Hazard Fraser Silva Mane (Fellaini)
    Zaha Aguero Wilson

    Which 3rd defender? Do I drop Robbo, or do I play 4 at back and drop mane/Silva .....

    Is it a bench boost play?

    Having teams play each other that swallows squad (4 in city pool and 4 in palace wolves hits me)

    The late nighters thoughts??

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    1. LSK
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Not many will agree but I would play Fellaini this week as Newcastle struggled from set plays against Leicester. Defenders I’d go for Alonso, Trippier and Robertson for attacking potential and because it’s a lottery between the other two imo. Could go either way.

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      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Who’d you drop for Fellaini?
        Concerned he could be on the bench .... played full matches the last few..

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        1. LSK
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          I guess that’s a worry. I’d just risk it rather than go with double Bournemouth attack but if you’re not feeling it don’t change on my account.

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          1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            My swap would be zaha out .... Fellaini in....
            palace haven’t scored at home yet....

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    2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Actually (foster) is (Fabianski)
      Forgot I’d done a transfer on Sunday

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  5. Four Hit Wonder
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Mitro to Giroud.

    Mad or visionary?

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    1. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Mad if it doesnt pan out, visionary if it does.

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    2. rojojojo
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Mad. At 0.8m less (or more depending on your selling price), Mitrovic has more shots per 90 mins, twice the amount of expected goals per 90mins, and after Arsenal, has a run of Cardiff (A), Bournemouth (H) and Huddersfield (A)

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  6. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Bit stuck on what to do here chaps. 1.5m ITB

    Patricio
    Alonso - Luiz - Trippier
    Salah - Fraser - Mane - BSilva
    Wilson - Aguero - Mitro

    (Hamer) - AWB - Bennett - Stephens

    A) Mane + Mitro > 5.6m + Kane
    B) Salah + Mitro > 8.8m + Kane
    C) Mane > Haz
    D) Salah + Mitro > Haz + Laca
    E) Anything else

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    1. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

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

    Bench one:
    A) Robertson
    B) Wan-Bissaka
    C) Doherty

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    1. Monya Meow Meow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Same dilemma and currently AWB on bench.
      Zero confidence though.

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    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      don't like choosing the expensive one but A this week

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    3. SlowStart
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

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    4. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B (i have all 3 and benching AWB myself) A on the bench would make the Pool game hard to watch as he always looks like getting an assist with all those balls into the penalty box. Last game, or one before, one of his crosses hit the cross bar, so close to a goal.

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  8. wildnothing
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Feedback on this wc draft please.

    Leno Fabianski
    Doherty AWB Maguire TAA Duffy
    Hazard Lamela Fraser Richi Maddison
    Kane Laca/Firmino Vardy

    2.0 itb and planning to do Kane/Lamela - - > Salah/Arnie

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    1. Gazpilicueta
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      not enough patricio.

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  9. MTPockets
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Salah pronounced as Sala or Salar?

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    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      pronounced as Salar I guess

      but basically just more emphasis on the 'ah' as if it's a hard r

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    2. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salach

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    3. Gazpilicueta
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Sah-Lah

      like valor

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    4. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah.

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    5. Over The Mounié
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Sailor?

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      1. MTPockets
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe in the blue oyster bar

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    6. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salaah

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    7. Four Hit Wonder
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Sa-LAAH

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      1. Four Hit Wonder
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Actually more accurate would be
        Sa-LAA

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        1. Werner Bremen
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Great nam you have

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    8. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      https://twitter.com/JohnCassonUK/status/999615187266174981

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  10. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Trusting in Palace's clean sheet more than Wolves'. Anyone with me?

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    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nope

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    2. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      well AWB most likely gets 3 baps if he does, so that's why I'm playing him

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    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No. Palace haven't scored at home and Wolves' recent xG conceded is quite low.

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      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Why is that relevant? Tgey will almost surely score vs Wolves imo

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        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Is that actually a serious question? Palace have failed to score in their three home games, two of which were against rubbish teams like Soton and Newcastle. And Wolves' defence is much better than those two teams. I can't help you further if you're failing to see why this is relevant in deciding which team is more likely to keep a CS this weekend.

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    4. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      One of my dilemmas ....

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    5. Don Kloppeone
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Atm no but it’s a killer. Also have Robbo in the mix

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    6. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Other way around for me

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      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I saw that a lot of people here think like that

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    7. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No

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    8. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Playing Doherty over AWB

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    9. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Wolves don't concede many goals and a better team imo..wolves more likely to score, 0 - 1 I think

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    10. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I am with WanB vs Bennet, although I'd probably go Doherty over both if I had him.

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  11. barcaa7
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kun + Salah --------------> Kane + Hazard (-4)

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    1. FplBerg
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I would

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    2. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No other way to get Hazard in?

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  12. SlowStart
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Playing 4-3-3 atm, would like to switch to 3-4-3.

    Current team;

    Ederson (Hamer)
    TAA, Laporte, Alonso, Pereira (AWB)
    Richarlison, Mane, Hazard (Jorginho, Billing)
    Aguero, Zaha, Firminio

    Potential Transfers

    GW8 Zaha > Mitrovic
    GW9 Alonso > Doherty (or someone else 5.0 or less)
    GW10 Jorginhio > Maddison
    GW11 Mane > KDB, Lapotre/ Ederson > (?) -4pts
    GW12 Mitrovic > Arnie

    Any thoughts appreciated.

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  13. Gazpilicueta
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Trent and Laporte on my bench, bad idea?

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  14. doublyG
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha -> Mitro for free?

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    1. SlowStart
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Thats my plan for this week. Then Mitro > Arnie GW12.

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      1. doublyG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Mitro's fixture dont turn too nasty to get him out so soon. I'll be doing Wilson -> Arnie in GW10

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  15. Oggle22
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    G2G? -8 Salah, Zaha & Gundagon to Maddison,Gudmundsson(1 week then Fulham mid) and Kane

    Ederson
    Trippier(vc) Alonso Shaw
    Mane Moura Madd Gudmundsson
    Aguero Kane(c) King

    Foster AWB Romeu Stankovic

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    1. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      This is crazy

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      1. Oggle22
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Don’t want to miss the Kane hattrick and don’t want to risk transferring Kun out?

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    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      -8 to get rid of Salah before his fixtures seems odd

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      1. Oggle22
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Don’t want to miss the Kane hattrick and don’t want to risk transferring Kun out?

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    3. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Taking a -8 hit for a player you're immediately going to transfer? Just get the Fulham mid and be done, that way you can save the FT next week.

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      1. Oggle22
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Don’t want to miss the Kane hattrick and don’t want to risk transferring Kun out?

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  16. COYS Down Under
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Pick 2:
    A) Fraser - wat
    B) Roberston - MCI
    C) AWB - WOL
    D) Doherty - cry

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    1. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'd play A and D

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    2. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      same dilemma

      currently on AC

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  17. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    In a dilemma whether to go the Kane or Salah route.

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    1. rjcv177
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kane owner and salah avoider...but long term the egyptian better option IMO

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  18. That Was Easy!
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    FH activated, see how she goes. Not going to beat myself up if it doesn’t come off.

    Hart
    Rudiger Shaw Trippier
    Hazard Son Ozil Gudmudsson
    Kane Lacazette Arny

    Hamer; Doherty, Obiang, 3.9

    Anyone have suggestions here?

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    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Patricio instead of Hart maybe

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      1. That Was Easy!
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Just going by CS odds for the defense honestly, will take a look at CPL and HUD goal threat though.

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    2. That Was Easy!
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Would like to get some MU attack although they are hardly convincing, and probably impossible to pick.

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    3. Four Hit Wonder
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      ITB?

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      1. That Was Easy!
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Nothing, unfortunately my TV seems to be at 101.2, which is the SV of my old team (TV of 103.4)

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  19. rjcv177
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    King is going out for me.

    Would u get your crush for 3gws (deeney) or buy the one everybody will buy in the future (arnie coming in at gw11 anyway)?

    Even if deeney scores he will not have the same wave of arnie, making impossible any price rise.

    Thoughts?

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    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      You have a crush on Deeney?

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      1. MTPockets
        7 years, 10 months ago

        sloth fetish

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    2. LSK
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just get Arnautovic or hold King until you want him. No need for a go between

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  20. Tommo1888
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Jiménez or deeney ??

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    1. rjcv177
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      deeney here...jimenez never in my thoughts 😉

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    2. That Was Easy!
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Jimenez’ stats are extremely
      Impressive over the last 4, was quite surprised when I took a look. I think Watford are on the decline, Holebas the only one I’d consider.

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    3. Monya Meow Meow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I like Jim

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  21. Rohun
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Current Team:
    Patricio - Hart
    Alonso - Robbo - Chillwell - PVA - AWB
    Salah - Hazard - Dilva - Fraser - Stephens
    Aguero - Ings - Kamara

    Should I WC to this:
    Patricio - Hart
    Alonso - Robbo - Chillwell - DOHERTY - AWB
    MADDISON - Hazard - RICHARLISON - Fraser - Stephens
    Aguero - KANE - MITROVIC

    probably look to get Liverpool cover in a few weeks.

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    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      In a few weeks after they've played Huddersfield and Cardiff? Bit late then.

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  22. Monya Meow Meow
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Probably the hardest GW yet for me in terms of picking my team. Need to bench one of the following:

    Robbo - City will most def score so he prob needs an assist or 2 to be in the points. Possible?

    Doherty - Solid team defensively and goes forward a lot, playing away though

    AWB - Same as Doherty but playing at home and is a BAPS magnet

    If it makes a diff, Pat is starting in goal for me over Foster. Hedge my bets and bench Doherty especially since I have Zaha starting as well?

    Some thoughts appreciated thanks.

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    1. spray
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm playing Wan-Bissaka. Bonus, home, against a promoted club, plus I feel they aren't the worst as an organised defense.

      I have Walker and am in a similar boat compared to Robertson. I think LIV MCI will be 1-1 similar to Chelsea last week. I think that the running defender will be pinned back, but... Walker has the form and I've invested the dollars, I'm not going to bench him.

      I'd still run Wan-Bissaka first and be happy with a decent first bench ready to come off the rank.

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      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks for your thoughts mate.
        So should I drop Robbo or Doherty?

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    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I have TAA, Doherty and AWB
      Starting AWB

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  23. +
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Going with TAA on wildcard but kinda hope he gets a rest on Sunday. Form has dipped and looks like he needs a rest.

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    1. That Was Easy!
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Can’t see a rest in this game prior to the break

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  24. conew
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Cech to:
    1. Rui Patricio
    2 Fabian

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  25. Little Frank
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Ederson Hamer
    Alonso TAA Chilwell AWB Bennett
    Salah Mane Hazard Fraser Stephens
    Aguero Mitro Ings

    2FTs, just have enough to do Ederson -> Patricio and Fraser -> Maddison, rationale being I think Maddison is a decent long term pick as a 4th mid whereas I think the Fraser boat has sailed now.

    Decent moves?

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  26. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Please help choose starting 11
    Current pick is

    Hart
    Alonso Trippier Doherty
    Hazard(by)Maddison Rich Fraser
    Kane(c) Lacazette Mitrovic

    Fab AWB Laporte Gundogan

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    1. FPLShaqiri
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nice headache to have, looks best 11 to me

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  27. Bob B
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    DDG (NEW)
    Robertson (MCI) Alonso (sou) Trippier (CAR) AWB (WOL)
    Salah (MCI) Hazard (sou) Richarlison (lei) Fraser (wat)
    Aguero (liv) Mitrovic (ARS)
    _____________________________
    Hamer* Ings (CHE), Peltier* Stephens*

    Team good enough to make it through this gameweek?
    Rolling the transfer to bring in Patricio & TAA for DDG & Peltier next week

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  28. jumbob
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hi guys!
    Which and who do you prefer?
    A) Walcott -> Lamela/Rich
    B) Mané -> Moura/Son/Willian
    C) Mané -> Sanchez (Massive punt)

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    1. jumbob
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Only for 1 GW btw, WC next

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    2. Monya Meow Meow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Definitely not C for sure.
      B doesn't seem like much of an upgrade as well and A feels too sideways.
      Save FT?

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      1. jumbob
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Gonna WC next, so dont really want to save ft.
        Idk if B is sideways given their fixtures this GW.
        Agree that C is shite though, moment of weakness!

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    3. Bonus magnet
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

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      1. jumbob
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Leaning towards that, as I can see EVE struggling this GW, and Mané could hopefully get some returns.
        I guess Lamela is more tempting than rich, but him playing AM instead of winger kinda bums me out

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  29. FPLShaqiri
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Deulofeu coming back - is this likely to impact Will Hughes?

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    1. FPLShaqiri
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Been trying to figure out how to get Hazard in and feel like with Watford's fixtures Fraser > Hughes could be the best way

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  30. Cookie Kid
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Play which 2:

    A) Doherty cry
    B) AWB WOL
    C) Fraser wat
    D) TAA MCI

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