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. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Which gets more points this week?

    A) Arnie (bha) + Pogba (NEW)
    B) Aguero (liv) + Maddison (EVE)

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Apologies

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

      I’d predict A this week

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      i think B

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

      Cheers guys. RMT thinks A quite comfortably. Tempted to follow the fixtures and do Kun > Arnie instead of Pogba > Maddison

  2. istanbul05
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on my wildcard team with £1m in the bank?

    Not 100% on Mane but not too many alternatives as a placeholder for Salah.

    Fabianski,
    Alonso, Trippier, Doherty,
    Hazard, Mane, Maddison, Richarlison,
    Kane, Mitro, Arnie.

    Hamer, AWB, TAA, Elneny.

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

      dope

    2. That Was Easy!
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t go down the Elneny route, never want a non-playing player on the WC, it’ll compound issues that will arise.

      That said, it looks great.

      1. Jack Frost
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, spend a tenth or two to get a playing bench... otherwise you'll have an unforeseen issue and it will cost a hit more than once during the season. Az chose Obiang at 4.4 and they're a few at 4.5.

    3. istanbul05
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers guys, probably sensible advice to change Eleny for a 4.4

  3. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    These moves worth a hit?

    Aguero & Mendy -> Kane & TAA (-4)

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Will you play TAA?

        1. Prison Mike
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Will be him or AWB

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I don't think it's worth a hit with the AWB option. But lots have done it thinking otherwise.

              1. Blue Moon Rising
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                I guess he needs the cash?

                1. MTPockets
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    Yeah but -4 is a goal. If Aguero gets one, means Kane needs a brace to just break even (ignoring bps).

          2. Bobby_Baggio
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            no

        2. Tommo1888
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          What’s the news on arnie playing this weekend ? Missed the presser

        3. Ronnies
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Guys,

          If im to get Hazard, i have to do it before price rise tonight.

          which is my best pick ?

          a) aguero >>>> kane
          b) richarlison >>> hazard.

          Thanks guys.

          1. Pitch Perfect
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            If its purely between the two,
            B. All day.

          2. istanbul05
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            B

          3. Bobby_Baggio
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            b

          4. Eytexi
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            B

          5. Pras (FPL)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            To get Hazard - you should pick the option that gets you Hazard..

        4. Feed tha Sheep
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Play Foster (BOUR) or Fab (bha)?

          1. Tempestic
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I'd probably go Foster, BOU aren't great away and Brighton are pretty good at home.

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

            Difficult one. Think i’ll go with Foster. Need to stick with the rotation.

        5. DAN DARE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          One last punt before the wc. Which way to go?
          A) Aguero, Sterling > Kane, Hazard -4
          B) Wilson, Sterling > Kane, Gudmondsson
          C) Aguero > Kane

          1. Jack Frost
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            B looks very interesting.. but Gud will have some tough, tough fixtures after this week... so the WC is so helpful.

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

          Aguero > Kane for free?

          1. Pitch Perfect
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            If you want to benefit from Kane, I think you have to find room another way, even if it costs 4.

          2. Bobby_Baggio
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            not for me

          3. Blue Moon Rising
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Yes and bring back next gw.

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

          Who to bench guys??? Feel like Palace + Wolves will end 0-0

          Patricio
          Alonso - Luiz - Trippier
          Salah - Fraser - Haz(C) - BSilva
          Wilson - Aguero - Mitro

          (Hamer) - AWB - Bennett - Stephens

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

            If you feel that, then swap Fraser for AWB

        8. Lrf
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I need to bench one out of:

          A) AWB
          B )Doherty
          C) Frasier

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

            Fraser I think this time

          2. Eytexi
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Doherty

          3. Nuka Girl
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I'd say Dohety this week.

          4. Lrf
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers all

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

          D Silva and Wilson -> Kane (c) and 4.4 fodder (-4) ?

          Switch to 4-4-2 and play on of Wan-Bissaka or Holebas every week. Other on bench is Højbjerg.

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

            no

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

          At this point I think that Liverpool really need Oxlaide-Chamberlain. He had made a difference to the dynamic of the team.
          Hope he can be fit sooner than expected, with Keita out !

          1. Tempestic
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Keita is okay, but yeh I agree with you. Cant help but feel like Fekir would have solved this problem. We've been lacking a bit of creativity from the midfield.

          2. DAN DARE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Doesn't sound like Keitas out for long, if at all

        11. Nuka Girl
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Who to play. 1GK 3Def out of these:
          Patricio (cry), Foster (BOU);
          Alonso (sou), Robertson (MCI), Holebas (BOU), Dohety (cry), Wan-Bis (WOL).

          I'm thinking
          Patricio,
          Alonso, Holebas, Wan-Bis
          Due to Home ties, City, and not trusting Watford double up.

          Any suggestions on selection, I'm struggling to decide?

          1. Pitch Perfect
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Your instincts are correct.

          2. Hillbilly
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            yes..correct, go with your instincts

          3. Nuka Girl
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers.
            Not getting that warm fuzzy feeling with this selection though 🙂

        12. Pitch Perfect
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Play one:
          A. Mitro (BOU)
          B. King (wat)
          C. Fraser (wat)

          1. Eytexi
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Mitro although he isnt playing Bournemouth

            1. Pitch Perfect
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Of course. Jumped the gun thinking of King and Fraser!

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

            mitro has aresnal

            1. Pitch Perfect
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Sorry correct. Have had a few pints.

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

              But play him, he does better at home and is the sort of player that Arsenal defence struggles with.

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

          over the next 2 GW's which combo scores higher?

          A - Lacazette + Knockeart -4

          B - Zaha + B.Silva

        14. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Do you think Zaha blanks against Wolves?

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

            Yes

            1. internal error
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Then A it is

          2. Forever In Our Shadow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Maybe but im giving him this week only. Hes has this week unless arnie is about to rise again before deadline.

            1. Annie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              70% in a few hours, should be safe

        15. Tempestic
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          TAA won't rise tonight will he?

          1. Forever In Our Shadow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Reasonable possibility. Not tonight but maybe tomorrow.

        16. That Was Easy!
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Lamela + Vardy

          Or

          Son + Arny

          Lamela was looked much more lovey and I have to imagine he starts.

          1. That Was Easy!
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            FH, mind you.

          2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I'd go Lamela and Arny

          3. Pitch Perfect
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I like Vardy long term, but son and arnie for this week.

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

            The one with Vardy in it.

          5. Forever In Our Shadow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Waste of a fh if you ask me.

            1. That Was Easy!
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              May be, however I did the same last year to success, and with 3 Pool, 3 City (Mendy as well), no Spurs, no Hazard, there’s worse weeks to use it.

              Especially with my team looking great next week. Many ways to play this game.

              1. Forever In Our Shadow
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Indeed And I wish you the best of luck. Vardy Maddison might be a good shout. Everton arent exactly tight at the back.

                1. That Was Easy!
                  • 11 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Yeah, definitely considering it. What I do want to nail is my Spurs mid, which is very tough.

                  1. Forever In Our Shadow
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    Thus why I suggested maddison. On all set pieces. Got a goal in him and hes nailed.

                    1. That Was Easy!
                      • 11 Years
                      7 years, 4 months ago

                      You’re right, much less of a chance for it to go tits up.

        17. batmaniac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Meet the manager is one of the best bit of work by the team this season.
          I'm following Will and going behind the sofa this weekend without kane.

          1. Tempestic
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Same...

          2. COYS Down Under
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Same

        18. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          A Arnie and Dunk
          B Laporte and Ings

          B would allow an upgrade to Mendy

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              A if you can keep Dunk on bench a lot. Otherwise B

              1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                • 16 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Cheers MT. Dunk dropping is annoying unless he drops tonight

          2. The Left Duke #3
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            FT done. Salah to Hazard (c)

            Fabianski
            Alonso Shaw AWB (Robertson Doherty)
            Hazard (c) Mane Maddison Richarlison (Kante)
            Aguero Zaha King

            A) G2G
            B) Aguero to Kane (c) -4
            C) WC

            1. korbendallas82
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Jay Egersdorff has Aguero. And he went for keeping him. Cause it would be a -4 transfer. And Then he said he wanted Aguero back already week 9. He settled for Hazard captain.

              1. korbendallas82
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                -4 tf, to get Kane for Aguero.

              2. The Left Duke #3
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Just watched his video. It's hard to justify the -4 really when I have money tied up in him and want him for C next week. I do have a WC still tho

                1. korbendallas82
                  • 12 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  I have a wc to. But i havent done tf yet. Kane wont rise tonight i think.

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

              You will be wanting Aguero gw 9, so not B for sure. I would say G2G

              1. The Left Duke #3
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Ya I flirted with Salah and King to gudmundsson and Kane (c) -4. Prob is I'd need a hit to bring Salah back in if I don't play my WC. Hazard just seems more essential

          3. fridge
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Foster
            Alonso. Trippier. Chilwell. AWB
            Salah. Hazard (c). Maddison. Fraser
            Aguero. Zaha

            Patricio. Ings. Doherty. Cairney

            A) transfer needed?
            B) bench right?

            1. COYS Down Under
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Doherty > AWB
              Ings > Fraser

          4. Releasebreaks
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            When will have breakfast show this week?

            1. Forever In Our Shadow
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Saturday.

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

              Dinner time.

            3. Jimmy Floyd
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Friday night pints show?

          5. Sancidino
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Which one? have 2 FT and 0.3 itb

            A)Tosun and Dilva»Laca and Fraser

            B) Tosun»Arnie

            Cheers!

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

              B

            2. COYS Down Under
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              B (Assuming you have Mitro)

          6. DameCorp
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Front 8:

            Salah Mane Maddison Fraser Gunarsson
            Aguero Zaha King

            Which option is better with two FT.

            Kun + Salah > Kane + Haz
            Salah + King > Kane + Richarlison

            1. fridge
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I did Mane & defender > Hazard & cheap defender and it feels right

          7. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            2.4itb, 2FT... Kabasele > Holebas and save? Kabasele is 2nd spot on bench rn and quite happy with my team :/

            Thoughts?

          8. Clintymints
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Mmmmm Sterling and Kane in for Aguero and Salah -4

            Feel like I'm missing a boat here

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

              Yes

            2. COYS Down Under
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              That boat may well be the Titanic though....

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

                ikr

                Salah just looks like a broken man but could easily get a hatty

                Aguero's mins are concerning but Liverpool also look meh

                It's a big decision that could be a disaster or brilliant

          9. AF90
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Fab/Foster
            Alonso, Robertson, AWB, Doherty, Peltier.
            Salah, Mane, Maddison, Fraser, Stephens.
            Kane, Mitrovic, Arnie.

            GTG?

            Plan to keep Salah/Mane for HUD & CAR then get Hazard GW11 (still have wc)
            Can always go Salah -> Hazard next week if I change my mind! Currently will get Aguero back in for Kane though.....sound good?

          10. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I have 2 FT

            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)

            1. COYS Down Under
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              A (but I'd prefer Mitro or Arnie over Vardy).

              1. Tsparkes10
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Hmmm idk with the fixtures

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

              A is tempting. Vardy looking good atm, and EVE shaky defensively

          11. HD7
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Current team:

            De Gea
            Walker Robbo WanB Alonso
            Hazard Richa Mane Fraser
            Zaha Aguero

            Subs: Hamer, Tomkins, Hughes, Kamara

            Plan is

            GW8: Save
            GW9: De Gea to Dubravka and Mane to Salah
            GW10: Fraser to Maddison and Walker to TAA (-4)
            GW11: Zaha to Arnie

            I shouldnt use WC for it and just go with the plan right?

            Another question... do you think TAA is a good idea to double with Robbo for Pool nice fixtures? If you have another idea, Im listening 🙂

            1. COYS Down Under
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I'm personally just going for the WC, the fixture swings are calling for it I think.

              Plans are nice but an injury or two to a player you're planning to keep and then you can end up on GW11 without the team you needed.

              And TAA + Robbo is definitely the way to go along with their best attacker

              1. HD7
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Thanks bro!

                So its TAA Robbo and Salab probably.
                As for the ther points you made... If I see injuries to players that arent planned to be changed... WC time comes for me too 🙂