Podcast

Meet the Manager #10 – Mark McGettigan (aka FPL General)

With top 500 finishes in three of his last four seasons Mark McGettigan, aka FPL  General, is a more than worthy interviewee for our Meet the Manager series.

Mark explains what it takes to make the leap from being a good Fantasy Premier League manager to one who is challenging for the top places in the competition.

As well as patience and an aversion to hits, he believes that bravery in the transfer market and avoiding the crowd are important lessons to a successful ascent up the rankings.

He also reveals why underlying statistics are only one part of his Fantasy management jigsaw, which is dominated by the good old-fashioned eye-test.

The FPL website’s own Watchlist tool is another vital weapon in Mark’s Fantasy management armoury. He discusses why this often overlooked function has been so important to helping him better organise his thoughts regarding transfers.

However, with a current rank just outside the top 400,000, he faces one of his toughest tasks yet in 2018/19.

As well as sharing his strategies for success he also analyses where it has gone wrong this season and how he plans to turn it around.

Tapping into Manchester City’s potent midfield and ending his reliance on mediocre captains look key as he aims to once again finish strongly.

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

Previous Meet the Manager interviews:

Marc Rubinstein

Kenneth Tang

Jay Egersdorff

Adam Hopcroft

Matthew Jones

Richard Clarke

Will Thomas

Philman

Triggerlips

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

2,276 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wakanda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    anfield express twitter account suspended ... any idea why ?
    need to gather as much info as to who can play tomorrow.
    Mane - Cut in the leg
    Robertson - Dead leg
    I guess Salah is safe in the team for now.

  2. Ne0
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Does Aguero -> Kane (c) -4 make sense? Current captain is Arnie. First on the bench is Fraser.

    1. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      yes for me

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Wait for news if there is any.
      Move is definitely good if you keep Kane over4-6 gws mate !

    4. Afghanistanislas
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yep did the same

  3. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Fabs
    Alonso TAA Robertson*
    Haz Richarlison Moura Bilva Mane*
    Arnie Kun*

    Begovic AWB Bennett Success
    2 FT 0.1 ITB

    Any idea what to do?
    As Spurs fixtures the strongest among others, thinking on bring in 2 Spurs assets.
    a) Robertson+Mane to Davies+Eriksen
    b) Robertson+Kun to Foyth+Kane

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Keep robbo
      Bin kun+mane this gw.
      Either auba+sane
      Or
      Kane+dilva

    2. maratus
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Kun+Mane -> Kane+Son

  4. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA - Alonso - Robertson
    Richarlison - Sane - Sterling - Hazard - Kenedy
    Arnautovic (v) - Kane (c)
    ____________________________________
    Hamer: Dunk, AWB, Success

    Kenedy the right player to play in a 3-5-2?

    Or play Dunk or AWB instead?

    Might not matter due to rotation anyway and them stepping in, but what would you choose?

    Cheers.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Dunk
      Home to lackluster Palace team.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        This is what i’ve just done actually, thinking Brighton at home are stronger.
        Was taking it a bit further, if Palace will be on a high from winning last game, but that was only Burnley. Everton’s possible capitulation after Derby loss. However they’ll still be strong in defence i reckon.

        Dunk it is, cheers 🙂

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Cheer's mate

  5. Wakanda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Patricio
    Robertson, Balbu, Doherty, Rudigier
    MAne, Hazard, Sterling, Salah
    Zaha*, Arnie

    Murphy- only 1 playing sub

    2FT, 0.0 ITB
    Thinking of Patricio to Fabianski and save 1FT for next week ?
    Any dire moves that i miss out ?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Good move

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha to Mitro

  6. Afghanistanislas
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Auba's second price rise has screwed up my transfer plans to get him in next GW...leaves me with two options:

    A) Jimenez, Salah and Robertson > Auba, Sterling and TAA (-8)
    B) Arnie and Salah > Auba and Sterling (-4)

    1. Afghanistanislas
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      (these would be for next GW)

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Moorinho
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Like the look of B

    4. tvz32
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B for sure

    5. Afghanistanislas
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B does look more logical, just don't like the idea of losing Arnie yet...

  7. SomeoneKnows
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Would appreciate your opinion:

    A) Patricio > Fabianski
    B) Richarlison > Felipe Anderson
    C) Save FT
    D) Other idea

    Patricio
    Alonso, Trippier, Robertson*
    Hazard, Mane*, DSilva, Richarlison
    Aubamayang, Arnautovich, Wilson

    (Hamer, Duffy, AWB, Hudson Odoi)

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A
      Or mane>>sane

  8. Moorinho
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who to bench out of this front 8?

    Hazard (wol)
    sterling (wat)
    Martial (ARS)
    Aubameyang (mun)
    Arnie (CAR)
    Wilson (HUD)
    Fraser (HUD)
    Richarlison (NEW)

    Currently benching Martial..

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Wow that front line...Yes Martial

      1. Moorinho
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Ready for that christmas rotation lol

        1. Mini Mane Mo
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Interested to see what’s your defence like

          1. Moorinho
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Ederson/Hamer

            Cook, AWB, Robbo, TAA, Doherty

            1.7 itb to upgrade Cook to Trippier when he does come back.

            https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/2455902/event/14

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Nice TV. Use it to boost your overall rank!

              1. Moorinho
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                only recently stopped taking useless hits lol

    2. Wakanda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      fraser for me.
      Arsenal leak goals. There will be goals.

      1. Wakanda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        imagine it being a 0-0 match for bournemouth. double 2 pointers.Diversify will be safer too

        1. Moorinho
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          yup, i'll probably be switching in between them until the deadline haha

        2. Garth Marenghi
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Why 0-0?

          1. Wakanda
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            worse case scenario

            1. Garth Marenghi
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Ah, gotcha. I thought that was your score prediction.

    3. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Martial for sure

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Sold Arnie before the rise, god I hate myself

    1. Moorinho
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      why would you do that?

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        no idea, I was like yolo

  10. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play:

    1. Luiz (wol)
    2. Wan-Bissaka (bha)

    Thanks

    1. Moorinho
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Luiz. Though I feel both are unlikely to get a CS.

    2. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Luiz

  11. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who to get instead of Salah ?

    A - Salah > Sane
    B- Salah > Rich

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A long term

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Hummm Thxxx

  12. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Captain and vice captain ok?

    Ryan
    Alonso Robertson Doherty
    Hazard(v) Sterling(c) Sane Richarlison Anderson
    Arnie Wilson

    Button Fernandez Bennett Kamara

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I’d put both on the city players, you know one of them will play

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Just worried that both may miss out.

        1. Moorinho
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          who will start then? Mahrez + ?

          1. King Kohli
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Bilva Jesus Mahrez front 3?

            1. Moorinho
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              fern, gundo, dilva midfield?

              Could see it happen, but I'd put my money on at least one of Sane/Sterling starting.

              Liverpool are right on their heels as well and that front 3 is too Pep even for pep haha

            2. Garth Marenghi
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              I think Raheem is 50/50 to play. I think Leroy more than likely will play. But I’m not Pep. He tends to sit Leroy for bigger games, so play him against watford, sit him for Chelsea.

              My guess.

  13. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Cap?
    A) Arna
    B) Salah
    C) Wilson
    D) Richarlison

    1. Moorinho
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      of those, salah

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

  14. We ain't got no histor…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Guys,
    Used 1 FT already for Aguero- Auba
    To use another FT or save?

    Ederson Hamer
    Alonso TAA Benett AWB Lindelof*
    Salah Martial Dilva Fraser Richarlison
    Auba Arnie Jimenez

    Cheers

  15. SomeoneKnows
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who should I captain?

    A) Hazard
    B) Mane
    C) Aubamayang
    D) David Silva
    E) Richarlison

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      C

  16. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who do you prefer for the remaining matches till new years day ?

    A) Kane- SOU lei BUR eve BOU WOL car

    B) Kun-- wat che EVE CPL lei sot LIV

    For me Kane all day long. Sea of blue ticker and Nailed on unlike Kun who's likely to get rotated with Jesus or gets hauled off at 60mins.

    Not to forget Kun has 4 away matches in which he has struggled this season and faces liverpool in one of home matches

    Thoughts are welcomed.Id say smart money is to do Kun -> Kane as early as possible

    1. Moorinho
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero to Auba/Kane has been done by like 500k managers already this week lol

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Id prefer Kane over Auba as he's the main target man for spurs. Goals could be shared between Auba and Lacazzete

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Kane main forward while Auba could slot to wings according to formation change or tactical switches by Emery

  17. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Current team,

    Ryan
    Alonso Laporte Robbo*
    Hazard Mane* Anderson Fraser
    Kane(C) Wilson Mitro
    Hart, AWB Billing Benne

    0ft, 2.4itb

    Mane and Robbo probably will be out,
    should I do Mane → Sterling for -4?

  18. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Ings?
    There is no real alternative at that price.
    A perfect enabler over the Xmas period.

    1. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Not really Davis commented something like that he will be assessed before the game. Seems that he is not far away from being fit. As you wrote perfect enabler. Has been No. 1 striker in Soton and having penalties. Hope it doesn't change now after Hughes gone.

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Still a bit off. Hard to check out SOU assets yet, with a new gaffer coming in.

  19. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Shaw? Been yellow flagged for a while now.

  20. Garth Marenghi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    How many minutes does Hazard play versus Wolves?
    A) 0
    B) 60-70
    C) 10 minute sub
    D) full 90

    1. Moorinho
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on the scoreline. If they're 2-3 up by 60, could see him get a rest.

      1. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So you think he starts. Suppose so, feel like a bench role could be possible as well, if they’re down a goal, bring him on last bit of the game

        1. Moorinho
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          he should. He's got enough rest from his niggling injuries!

          1. Garth Marenghi
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I get what you’re saying but I think in some way he’s gonna be time managed. If he were on the bench I wouldn’t be terribly surprised.

            1. Moorinho
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Sarri's not really known for his rotation. Hazard's the main man, the worst that will happen is him being taken off early. He'll start pretty much every match he's available for.

              *Chelsea fan here

              1. Garth Marenghi
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                I hope you’re right!

    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

  21. grayedog
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT, 1.6 ITB.

    Rui / Fab
    Robbo / Alonso / Laporte / AWB / Chilwell
    Hazard / Sane / Rich / Fraser / DStephens
    Kun / Wilson / Mitro

    Two questions:
    1. I know everyone’s asked, but Kun -> Auba or Kane?

    2. Pick two to bench:
    a) Chilwell (ful)
    b) Fraser (HUD)
    c) Wilson (HUD)
    d) AWB (bha)
    e) Mitro (LEI)
    f) Richarlison (NEW)

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      AD

    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      1. Kane
      2. D and (E or A)

  22. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    What happened with Balbuena ? Knock ? Will he play ?

    1. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Knock, think it was a dead leg or something. All that is known is that him and Cresswell are 'doubts' no confirmation either way

  23. Klein
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Not complaining and trying to be a crybaby but
    If the intension was to shoot : assist
    If the intension was to pass : not assist
    Have to wonder who is the smart one inside fpl

  24. Norsemen
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Played WC. What do you think. Any suggestions?

    Fab (Hamer)
    Alonso TAA AWB (doherty Benett)
    Sterling Sigurdson FAnderson Fraser (Gunnarson)
    Auba Kane Arnie

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Very good

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      But not double wolves, get Signed instead of Doherty

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        *Digne

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Bennett to Schindler ??

  25. Carlton_Goal
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Currently unsure who to captain here, currently on Sterling and Sane vice but really don't know.
    Fabianski
    Alonso | Robbo | Keane
    Sterling | Sane | Richarlison | Anderson | Fraser
    Aubameyang | Arnautovic

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah I'd leave captaincy like that

      1. Carlton_Goal
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers, probably the safe option. Tripple Hammers and double Everton is enough of a risk as is

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      On the same boat !

    3. Win'dian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Striling and sane both rotation risk and you dont want your captain to come on for last 10 mins.
      Captain Auba if u brought him in for his form and expecting decent returns.

  26. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Does this WC team look good?
    Fabianski (Button)
    Alonso TAA Digne (Bellerin)(AWB)
    Sterling Sane Son Fanderson Brooks
    Arnie Kane (Success)

    1. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good to me. One of the better ones I've seen with both Kane and Auba

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I don't have both :p

        1. Carlton_Goal
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Just kidding, misread Arnie as Auba haha. Still a good team though

          1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Haha no worries cheers mate 🙂

  27. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    0.1 short to do Jonny to Trippier. Is a Trippier drop likely during the week?

    1. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Keen to know as well, as looking at a Salah, Success, Alonso -> Alli, Lacazette, Trippier move next week for -4. However, I'm 0.1 off at this stage..

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        hopefully a load of managers will ship him out before tonight's deadine (wishful thinking)!

  28. Klein
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any chance both sterling and sane are benched in a gw? One will start right?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Unlikely but you can't trust Pep

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I hope that one Start's

    3. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      That was my logic in having both. 3 players fighting for 2 places so at least 1 should start, unless they change formation or Bernardo moves out wide

    4. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I mean if they doesn't who will

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        don't*

    5. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Think it's unlikely.

      But could easily happen with Bernardo Silva and Walker providing the width and Jesus and Agüero playing. So just watch out.

    6. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Doubt both benched

  29. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Patricio
    Robertson Digne Pereira
    Richarlison Felipe Hazard Mane
    Kun Arnie Wilson

    Foster | AWB, Billing, Kelly

    1FT and 3m itb

    A. Mane to Sterling
    B. Kun to Kane
    C. Mane+Kun to Sterling+Kane (-4)
    D. Mane+Wilson to Salah+Jiminez (-4)
    E. Other

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B
      C if you can handle disappointment of sterling benching(possibility this gw but Must have player now imo)

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        That's my worry. Cheers! 🙂

  30. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    What minutes do you all think B.Silva will play this GW?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      90