Podcast

Meet the Manager #6 – Adam Hopcroft (Choppers13)

Over his eight campaigns, Adam Hopcroft has finely tuned a bespoke management style that pays close attention to underlying statistics, the Season Ticker and the good old-fashioned eye test.

With five top 10,000 finishes, including two within the top 1,000, it’s a strategy that has clearly paid off.

Adam looks on course for another strong finish this time out too, with a current placing in the top 30,000.

Here he discusses in detail the key statistics he pays particular attention to and why medium, not short-term, upcoming fixtures guide his Season Ticker.

Each year he also gathers more information about players, which helps decide whether strong underlying statistics herald a point blitz or disappointment.

Adam then applies his tailor-made statistics and fixture analysis to the current campaign to reveal the players he is looking to ditch and those he is keen to bring in.

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

Previous Meet the Manager interviews:

Matthew Jones

Richard Clarke

Will Thomas

Philman

Triggerlips

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1,031 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Will Mane drop once more before the deadline

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      unlikely

      getting transfer IN now

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      no

    3. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Too bad 🙁

  2. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you fill the 4.4 mid slot with?

    Stephens or Gunnarsson or Anyone else?

    Pat / Hamer
    Alonso / Robertson / Mendy / Doherty / Balbuena
    Salah / Hazard Maddison / Fraser / 4.4?
    Aguero / Mitro / Ings

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      obiang is popular

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Kayal for me.Nice bench option

    3. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers

  3. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    I have 2 choices for this week

    1) Drop Richarlison for Maddison or someone around 7.1m price range and save 1FT

    2) Drop Richarlison for cheapo and upgrade Wan Bissaka to Robertson with 2FTs

    Basically, would you prefer Maddison plus 1FT or Robertson?

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      1 for me

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        cheers

        just feeling itchy since Robertson is in my long term plan 😛

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      1, WB is the best bench fodder

    3. Slaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Keep WB, but I do also think that you should find another way to get Robbo in.

  4. ColdRainyNIght
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    About to tinker my defence, need to get a defender and a keeper
    A) Chilwell, Perreira, Duffy or Yedlin/Lascelles
    B) Lossl, Fabianski, Ryan or Dubravka?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yedlin
      Fabianski

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Chills fabs

  5. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Repost.

    Hey guys, really stuck on who I should remove between Richarlison or Maddison to get Salah this week?

    Cheers

    1. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      maddi

    2. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Community looks to be divided on this one. Personally i'd take out Rich.

    3. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Rich. Maddi has fixtures and form. Rich not so much

  6. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you rather have?
    A) Vardy and Lovren/Gomez/TAA
    B) Mitrovic and Robertson

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A) could have Vardy or Firmino

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      B because of gametime

    3. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A if you know who will be playing

  7. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    everyone still holding for KDB ?

    1. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I am tempted but I already have Sterling + Aguero.

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Tempted as I don't have any City attack

  8. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Does Tripier > Mendy make sense?
    Tripper got me 28pts in 4 games. The fixtures in the next three are OK except the Man City game. And Spurs are basically out of Champions League, so he will have some mid-week rest.
    Mendy is also good, with some not-so-easy fixtures (admittedly, all fixtures are easy for Man City).
    My back line: Alonso, Robertson, Trippier, WB, Bennett.

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

      Mendy is a must.

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  9. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Is this worth a hit?

    Kane + Zaha + Richarlison/Maddison -> Laca + Arnie + KDB

    1. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Probably

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Surely Rich out and not Mads?

        1. tucaoneo
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I think Maddison is more consistent (very unlucky to blank against Arsenal) and has better fixtures.

          1. KUNingas
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks!

  10. Your Mum Zohore
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Is it madness to do Kun => Salah for a hit?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Not only mad, it's impossible.

      1. Your Mum Zohore
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Let me reword it then: Madness to get Salah in the team by sacrificing Kun?

        Better?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Might get away with it this week but long term, probably not.

  11. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    A. AWB > Yedlin
    B. AWB+ Kane > Pereira+Lacazete (-4)
    C. Peltier > Yedlin
    D. Peltier + Kane > Pereira+Lacazete (-4)

    Note : Peltier is Bench Fodder (5th Sub) all this time, never play. Want to sell him to avoid price drop.

    But also thinking that selling a bench fodder is useless. If I sell AWB i get some extra money for the next transfer

  12. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Mane is the top transfer out at the moment. Interesting. :).

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Not in daily transfers. Most of that damage was on the weekend when he didn't play.

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

        It will be interesting to see if there are similar Hazard sales if he’s out this weekend.

  13. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard was bought for 10.6
    Im on WC

    Team is:
    Fab
    Mendy Robbo Duffy Alonso
    Hazard* Richa Maddy Salah (C)
    Aguero Arnie

    Subs: Button, Kenedy, Success,WanB

    Should I make Haz to Mane/ Sterling or anyone and then buy him back next GW? Basically getting some points but losing profit?

    If not who to be first on bench - Kenedy or Success?

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Don't sell. Success

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Nope. Bad idea. Ken for me

  14. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone considering Alonso --> Mendy ?

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Not this week

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        This

    2. Slaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Long term yes, this week no, although Alonso fixtures are pretty good

  15. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Start 2 of these:

    Siggy (@MUN)
    Trippier (MCI)
    Zaha (ARS)
    Van Aanholt (ARS)

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      SZ

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Siggy and Zaha would be preferable, however I'm required to start 3 defenders. I've got Robertson, Alonso, Trippier, Wan Bissaka and PVA.

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Hard
      Siggy and maybe zaha
      Tripp and pva look like bad idea

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Can't start both soggy and Zaha as need 3 starting defenders

        1. Klein
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Probably siggy and pva then.

          1. gryffsonofarthur
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            PVA and Trippier feel like a coin toss against great attacks.

            Feel both will lose clean sheets, but head to head I think Trippier slightly edges it based on possible set peice points.

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      ST for me then.
      PVA and Trip will more than likely post similar (low) scores but I would always play the premium defender unless the other player has a great fixture.

  16. We ain't got no histor…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Would you wc this team guys, no hazard and liv attack pushing me do it:

    Kepa Hamer
    Alonso Mendy Robertson AWB Peltier
    Sterling Fraser Richarlison Madison Anguissa
    Aguero Kane Jimenez

    Cheers

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling / Kane - > Mané / Mitro?

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Kane and rich to salah and someone can fix for now. Hazz may or may not play this week. But i would definately want him in soon.

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No way.
      It's nothing a minus 4/8 wouldn't fix.

      Hazard may well miss out this week anyway, you could then be in a better position than most other managers.

      1. We ain't got no histor…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Which transfers would you recommend mate

        1. Moosie the Staggie
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I would probably move on Kane and Richarlison to Salah and a mid price forward.
          I'm favouring Arnie but Murray(possible injury doubt) King or Wilson could be decent shouts too if you have budget restraints.
          I know many on here are looking to ditch Bournemouth assets but for me their fixtures don't look bad from an attacking perspective.
          I would fancy them to score against United and Arsenal at home.

    4. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Anguissa?

      1. We ain't got no histor…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Andre frank Zambo Anguissa plays for fulham

        1. gryffsonofarthur
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I know who he is. I'll say again, Anguissa?

          1. We ain't got no histor…
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Haha guilty as charged mate

          2. gryffsonofarthur
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Better enablers available.

            1. We ain't got no histor…
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 5 months ago

              Got him in the first gw and after that it was a waste of transfer to change him

              1. gryffsonofarthur
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 5 months ago

                Getting rid of Kane would help balance your team.

            2. Moosie the Staggie
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 5 months ago

              For sure, but they are not worth a free transfer though, unless you are in the perfect position of 2 free transfers and nothing to fix with your team.

  17. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Start:

    Ryan (WOL)
    OR
    Begovic (@FUL)

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I would go ryan

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Ryan for me

    3. Slaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Ryan

    4. Dream Killers 2.0
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Ryan

  18. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Laca or Vardy? Vardy have better fixtures but Arsenal is doing well. I also have Maddison.

    A) Laca (cry, LIV, WOL, bou)
    B) Vardy (WHU, car, BUR, bha)

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Arnautovic

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Already have him

        1. gryffsonofarthur
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Vardy, as I have him and he's on pens.

          Also the 1st place player in my league (I'm 2nd) has Lacazette and captained him last week. So hoping for more future failure and Aubameyang to keep stealing his thunder (and take pens).

    2. Slaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Summed up my week when Vardy was my last hope for attacking returns and just buggered off down the tunnel with about 10 minutes to go, leaving Leicester with 10 men.

        Was it a stomach bug?

  19. grayedog
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    2.2 ITB, 2 FT

    Rui Hamer
    Alonso Robbo Laporte Chilwell AWB
    Hazard Mane Rich Fraser DStephens
    Aguero Mitro Wilson

    A) Mane + Alonso -> Salah + Doherty (rotate Doherty/Chilwell)
    B) Mane + Laporte -> Salah + Doherty (rotate Doherty/Chilwell)
    C) Mane + Alonso -> Salah + VVD
    D) Rich -> Maddison
    E) Hamer -> Fab (if I keep my team otherwise, so I don’t lose a FT — rotate w Rui)

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      D

      1. grayedog
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Would you also do Alonso or Laporte -> Mendy?

  20. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    Alonso - Mendy - Robertson
    Hazard - Maddison - Salah - Fraser
    Aguero - Jimenez- Arnie

    Button - Doherty- AWB - Ward

    Looking early at next week's transfers. How does this sound?

    Alonso/Fraser > 3.9m/KDB -4 (play AWB/Doherty each week).

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      i feel Alonso can outscore KDB in next 3-4 weeks

      1. subhojit123
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        chelsea have next 3 against burnley, palace and Everton. I don't think apart from burnley, it won't be clean sheets for them.

      2. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        The next 3 games may also be the wrong time to play Doherty/AWB.

  21. Slaps
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    WC next week with 2 FT's, which two forwards would you go with this week, budget of 15.8? Currently thinking Vardy and Wilson

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      yeah, that looks fine.

      Firmino and Ings/Deeney is also an option

      1. Slaps
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks but 3 pool already

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Probably Arnie and King/Wilson

  22. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA - Tripp - Alonso
    Hazard - Fraser - Maddison - Mane
    Firmino - Aguero - Mitro
    (Hamer - AWB - Bennett - Højbjerg)

    2,2 ITB - 2 FT.

    Should I just let my transfer roll? or any suggestions?

    1. subhojit123
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Get lovren instead of taa

  23. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Which pair scores more over next few gameweeks -
    1. Salah, lovren
    2. Sterling, alonso

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Salah, Alonso

      1. subhojit123
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. But liverpool have kept clean sheets in most matches till now. Lovren looks nailed. Is Alonso raiding the box like he did in first few weeks?

    2. Osman
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling can go toe to toe with Salah and Alonso by far, so yea B.. IMO

      1. subhojit123
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        I have B at the moment. Was thinking going for A. Hence posted. May b I would hold on then?

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

          Is Lovren even nailed? With the UCL there is too much rotation in LIV back 4.. so I would hold

          1. subhojit123
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Yesterday lovren was rested. So looks like he will start in PL matches

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      1 imo

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Not worth the transfers though when it's a 50/50 imo

        1. subhojit123
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed. Only fact that's itching me is the uncertainty over sterling starts. And Chelsea clean sheets.

  24. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Recommendations for a defender that regularly starts around the $4.5 mark? I'm currently leaning towards Duffy. Anyone else I should be considering?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yedlin

    2. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Duffy, Dunk, Yedlin, Balbuena, Diop, Bennett.

    3. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Doherty.

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

        Forgot to add, I already have Doherty and AWB.

    4. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Balbuena

  25. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone think Spurs City will be 0-0? Both teams have kept multiple cleanies in a row. Might start Trippiér AND Mendy..

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No chance.

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No chance. Spurs missing Vertonghen. Lloris has been brainless recently with his decision making as well. City will murder us I reckon

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I think city will thrash spurs.2-0 or 3-0 city imo

    4. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Hard to see given the attacking intentions of both sides.

    5. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      3-1 Man City

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

      Only question for me: MNC will score but will TOT?

  26. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Do this for a -4?

    Rich to Pereyra and TAA to VVD?

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me.

    2. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      You have one free transfer?

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Yes but can't do the second without the first

    3. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I'd hold.

    4. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I agree with the players being booted but not the intended targets. I don't see many LEI cs despite their fixtures and I would want Robbo ahead of VVD.

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        It's the Watford midfielder I'm after rather than the Leicester defender.

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Class player but not one I'd want.

    5. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      TAA > Lovren for free

    6. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No way

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

    Just came back to a flagged Haz, how serious is the injury?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sarri said: "[Thursday] he is out for sure, he has a back problem. We are trying to solve the problem for Sunday. It is not very easy."

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

        Don’t sound good, thanks for the update

  28. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    No-Salah owners... Whom are you captaining this week? Assuming Hazard is out...

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

      If they have Aguero, can’t see anyone else they can trust the armband honestly

      1. subhojit123
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        #MeToo

  29. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Interesting interview above with young Chopper. Shots in box, Penalty box touches, big chances seem to be the key indicators of player selection.

    Learn anything else?

  30. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Would you make any changes to this WC? 🙂

    Foster*
    Mendy Robbo Duffy Alonso
    Salah Maddy Richa Hazard
    Arnie Aguero

    Subs: Button, WanB, Kenedy, Success

    *Becomes Fab after GW10

    Still cant decide Kenedy or Murphy as bench fodder?
    Any better alternatives to Richa around his price?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Patricio fire and forget gk plus 4.0.
      Doherty for Mendy.
      BOU forward needed ideally King as he is on penalties which is useful when the tougher fixtures occur.