Podcast

Meet the Manager #3 – Will Thomas

4 October 2018 1996 comments
J0E J0E
Share:

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.

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the price of £15.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

1,996 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Which gets more points this week?

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

    Open Controls
    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Apologies

      Open Controls
    2. LSK
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      I’d predict A this week

      Open Controls
    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      i think B

      Open Controls
    4. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  2. istanbul05
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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.

    Open Controls
    1. theroadrunner
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      dope

      Open Controls
    2. That Was Easy!
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days 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.

      Open Controls
      1. Jack Frost
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 days 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.

        Open Controls
    3. istanbul05
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  3. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    These moves worth a hit?

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

    Open Controls
    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Will you play TAA?

      Open Controls
      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Will be him or AWB

        Open Controls
        1. MTPockets
          8 years, 3 days ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. Blue Moon Rising
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            I guess he needs the cash?

            Open Controls
            1. MTPockets
              8 years, 3 days ago

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

              Open Controls
    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      no

      Open Controls
  4. Tommo1888
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

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

    Open Controls
  5. Ronnies
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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.

    Open Controls
    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
    2. istanbul05
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      B

      Open Controls
    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      b

      Open Controls
    4. Eytexi
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      B

      Open Controls
    5. Pras (FPL)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  6. Feed tha Sheep
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Play Foster (BOUR) or Fab (bha)?

    Open Controls
    1. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
    2. Fantasynørden
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  7. DAN DARE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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

    Open Controls
    1. Jack Frost
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  8. Marty McFly
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Aguero > Kane for free?

    Open Controls
    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      not for me

      Open Controls
    3. Blue Moon Rising
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Yes and bring back next gw.

      Open Controls
  9. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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

    Open Controls
    1. Hillbilly
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      If you feel that, then swap Fraser for AWB

      Open Controls
  10. Lrf
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    I need to bench one out of:

    A) AWB
    B )Doherty
    C) Frasier

    Open Controls
    1. aborg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Fraser I think this time

      Open Controls
    2. Eytexi
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Doherty

      Open Controls
    3. Nuka Girl
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      I'd say Dohety this week.

      Open Controls
    4. Lrf
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Cheers all

      Open Controls
  11. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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.

    Open Controls
    1. Hillbilly
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      no

      Open Controls
  12. aborg
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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 !

    Open Controls
    1. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days 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.

      Open Controls
    2. DAN DARE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  13. Nuka Girl
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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?

    Open Controls
    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Your instincts are correct.

      Open Controls
    2. Hillbilly
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      yes..correct, go with your instincts

      Open Controls
    3. Nuka Girl
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  14. Pitch Perfect
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

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

    Open Controls
    1. Eytexi
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Mitro although he isnt playing Bournemouth

      Open Controls
      1. Pitch Perfect
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

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

        Open Controls
    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      mitro has aresnal

      Open Controls
      1. Pitch Perfect
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Sorry correct. Have had a few pints.

        Open Controls
      2. Rage Against The Raheem
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

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

        Open Controls
  15. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

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

    A - Lacazette + Knockeart -4

    B - Zaha + B.Silva

    Open Controls
  16. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Do you think Zaha blanks against Wolves?

    Open Controls
    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Yes

      Open Controls
      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Then A it is

        Open Controls
    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        70% in a few hours, should be safe

        Open Controls
  17. Tempestic
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    TAA won't rise tonight will he?

    Open Controls
    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Reasonable possibility. Not tonight but maybe tomorrow.

      Open Controls
  18. That Was Easy!
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Lamela + Vardy

    Or

    Son + Arny

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

    Open Controls
    1. That Was Easy!
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      FH, mind you.

      Open Controls
    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      I'd go Lamela and Arny

      Open Controls
    3. Pitch Perfect
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
    4. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      The one with Vardy in it.

      Open Controls
    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Waste of a fh if you ask me.

      Open Controls
      1. That Was Easy!
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 days 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.

        Open Controls
        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. That Was Easy!
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

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

            Open Controls
            1. Forever In Our Shadow
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

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

              Open Controls
              1. That Was Easy!
                • 12 Years
                8 years, 3 days ago

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

                Open Controls
  19. batmaniac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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.

    Open Controls
    1. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Same...

      Open Controls
    2. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Same

      Open Controls
  20. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    A Arnie and Dunk
    B Laporte and Ings

    B would allow an upgrade to Mendy

    Open Controls
    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Cheers MT. Dunk dropping is annoying unless he drops tonight

        Open Controls
  21. The Left Duke #3
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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

    Open Controls
    1. korbendallas82
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 days 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.

      Open Controls
      1. korbendallas82
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        -4 tf, to get Kane for Aguero.

        Open Controls
      2. The Left Duke #3
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 days 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

        Open Controls
        1. korbendallas82
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

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

          Open Controls
    2. Sancidino
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 days 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

        Open Controls
  22. fridge
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

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

    Patricio. Ings. Doherty. Cairney

    A) transfer needed?
    B) bench right?

    Open Controls
    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Doherty > AWB
      Ings > Fraser

      Open Controls
  23. Releasebreaks
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    When will have breakfast show this week?

    Open Controls
    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Saturday.

      Open Controls
    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Dinner time.

      Open Controls
    3. Jimmy Floyd
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Friday night pints show?

      Open Controls
  24. Sancidino
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Which one? have 2 FT and 0.3 itb

    A)Tosun and Dilva»Laca and Fraser

    B) Tosun»Arnie

    Cheers!

    Open Controls
    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      B

      Open Controls
    2. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      B (Assuming you have Mitro)

      Open Controls
  25. DameCorp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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

    Open Controls
    1. fridge
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  26. Tsparkes10
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

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

    Thoughts?

    Open Controls
  27. Clintymints
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Mmmmm Sterling and Kane in for Aguero and Salah -4

    Feel like I'm missing a boat here

    Open Controls
    1. Four Hit Wonder
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Yes

      Open Controls
    2. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
      1. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 3 days 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

        Open Controls
  28. AF90
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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?

    Open Controls
  29. Tsparkes10
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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)

    Open Controls
    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
      1. Tsparkes10
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Hmmm idk with the fixtures

        Open Controls
    2. jumbob
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

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

      Open Controls
  30. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days 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 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days 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

      Open Controls
      1. HD7
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days 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 🙂

        Open Controls

You need to be logged in to post a comment.