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

    Is a bench of Digne/Brooks AWB Success good enough on WC? Need to play 1 of these every week

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

      It's good.

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

      Yes

    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Brooks and Success are too uncertain, you need a strong bench for Christmas period

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So no...

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      yes

    5. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      yessir

  2. ZAWAd25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Time to for my first hit this season to bring in Kane

    Ryan (Hamer)
    Alonso Robbo Wan-B (Doherty Bennet)
    Hazard Sane Richarlison Martial (Mcdonald)
    Vardy Kun Arnie

    Vardy + Kun >>>> Wilson + Kane ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Both probably make the Scout Picks so why not.

    2. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Very good move I think Kane’s fixtures look really good for the next 5 games and Wilson keeps scoring against everyone. I’ve brought in F.Anderson aswell his form is good and he has brilliant fixtures too

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

      Yaaay

    4. ZAWAd25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      cheers lads!

  3. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Getting more and more tempted to captain Salah over Kane.

    “Home advantage” is not good enough for me.

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

      Southampton with no manager away from home they could get hammered, and if they do it could be Kane doing the hammering!!!

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

      How about 9 G+A in 8 games against Southampton for Kane? Hat-trick in the same fixture last season as well.

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

    Yan Valery. Made his starting debut last GW. Impressed very much, better that the underperforming Cedric who played better when shifted to LB. Saints Fans love him, so next manager may be tempted to keep him on the XI.
    Price: 4.0m
    If he starts next in GW16, perfect Bennett replacement.

    1. Jules Rimet
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks!

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

      (y)

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

        Thank mate !!

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

      Bennett may not need replacing. There was talk of an injury concern on the Wolves forums and they are expecting him to be back in the stating team

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

    Ederson
    Alonso,TAA,Robertson
    F.Anderson(V),Sané,Mane,Fraser,Richarlison
    Wilson,Kane(C)

    Subs Hamer,Jiminez,Laporte,AWB

    Any changes needed guys, i’m Hoping if i’m Going on form and fixtures this team should do ok. Thanks

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

      Play laporte and g2g

    2. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Who would you switch for, I can only think of Fraser but he has Huddersfield at home and is due some points I think. Thanks

  6. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hazard √
    Kane √
    Sterling √
    Sane √

    That should do then.

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

      All ticks for those here as well

    2. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      nice

  7. altan8797
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    thoughts on this lot?

    hart (boruc)
    robbo alonso awb (yedlin schindler)
    sane (vc) hazard (c) sterling rich (kenedy)
    kun arnie jimenez

    not so sure about the captain pick. could easily be arnie or sterling as well. help will be appreciated.

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

      Try to get Kane in if you can. I took out Hazard and Kun and switched to Kane and F.Anderson they both have brilliant fixtures and are in form check the stats

      1. altan8797
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        will bring in kane or auba if kun is indeed out for the rest of 2018. cheers

  8. Rushford
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Currenly at this defence:

    Alonso Robertson* AWB Doherty Bennett

    Robertson is highly unlikely not to play. Bennett was benched last GW. It’ll probably leave me with Alonso and Doherty playing each other and awb. In that case I will have to play Hojbjerg or Diangana as well. Question is: is it any defender that is worth taking in for a hit?? ( I have 2.0 Itb)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Only if it's a long term one.

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

      Depends on future transfer plans but I would consider TAA.

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

    Play one:

    A) Digne
    B) AWB

    1. Jules Rimet
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      Digne. I'm doing the same.

    3. Sarcastic Warnock
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Dinyay

  10. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    who to play:

    1-Jiminez (vs CHE Home)
    2-AWB (vs BHA Away)

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

      Jiminez easily, I know he’s playing Chelsea but he scored big against Man Utd and Spurs

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

        Thanks mate

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

      Always the attacker when in doubt is my rule.

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

        Jim then...thanks

        1. Sarcastic Warnock
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          2. He blanked against huddersfield, Chelsea is a perfect blank game for home.

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

    Scout squad this week?

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

      also waiting

  12. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Went against the crowd. What do you think?

    kept Robertson and bought TAA instead of Dunk and went for Auba instead of Kane. With a -4 (F.Anderson in for martial). I hope it pays off

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

      Good moves imo

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

        Thanks a lot AMEY. I needed someone else's opinion because I went different.

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

          GL !

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

            Thanks

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

      Good transfers. Not really against the crowd though, Auba has 2x transfers in versus Kane.

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

        Didn't know that. It's just Kane everywhere in here

    3. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I'm going to prefer auba over kane as well. at least until my wc in gw19. So, I believe it could pay off. At least auba can get you the same points Kane would

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

        I'm hoping he would outscore him. He is inform

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

      imo should have gone for kane

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

        Yeah. These 2 I couldn't choose between so I went with Auba that makes me use the money elsewhere

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

          Still have my WC though

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

      Hardly against the crowd

  13. er1d
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan
    Robertson*/Azpil/Doherty/Holebas
    Gamudson/Richa/Salah/Fraser
    Wilson/Arnautovic

    Sub: Begovic/ aguero*/ tripper*/hojb

    Have 2FT 1.4m in bnk.. What should I do?

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

    When will the next cup round be out?

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

      Gw 16

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

        cool, will take all my hits now lol

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

          My brother 😀
          #me too

  15. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Play Doherty or Jim? Easy decision?

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

      Jim

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

      Jim surely.

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

      I don't think i am good enough to advice you 😛
      But i am playing Doherty so...

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

      Yes Jim

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Jimenez I think

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

      Jim

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

      Decent striker who is very likely on pens now or a defender against Chelsea. Should be quite an easy decision.

    8. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers all.

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

      Jimenez, It might turn out that we need our benches anyways, or bench players....

  16. Joedahla
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on doing Robertson to TAA, Salah to sane And Arnie to Auba for -4? Any other suggestions for midfielders than sane is highlights appreciated!

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

      Salah+Arnie could hurt you this gw.

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I'd hold all three.

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

    Long term:
    A)Auba, Siggy,Kola/Doherty/Duffy
    B)Kane,Brooks,Bellerin

  18. theodosios
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    Dubravka
    Alonso Laporte TAA AWB
    Haz Sterling Rich
    Kane(c) Arnie Jimenez

    Cairney Vinagre Deulofeu

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      gtg

  19. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Bench order right ?

    Awb pva billing

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

      Yes.

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

      Why AWB over PVA?

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Bonus potential if they keep a cs

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

          PVA is gonna score soon, he's getting in some great positions. Mark my words!

  20. Joedahla
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Robbo to Doherty, Success to Auba And Salah to a Midfielder of 8.0 or less? Suggestions are appreciated

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

      get felipe anderson
      -4 or -8??

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

        -4, 2 free transfers!

      2. Sarcastic Warnock
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Not happening because I've got a better Gylfi + that will cost me -12 pts so no need.

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

    alli+chicharito OR felipe anderson+wilson ??
    Who will score more this GW??

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

  22. Sarcastic Warnock
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I am benching Sterling. I will be rotating my squad this festive period in view of various rotations from pl managers.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Don't get the point. Let pep bench him for you if he's gonna be on the bench

      1. Sarcastic Warnock
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Sometimes in life, you must show Pep who really is the Pep. This is a good time to. Although Pep knows and would play him for 15 mins.

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Good tactic, keep him fresh for next game 😀

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

        Haha

      2. Sarcastic Warnock
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Exactly this + a 1 point return is enough to make my night.

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

      Genius 🙂

  23. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg? Team order right?

    Fab
    Alonso, Robbo, Duffy, Digne
    Eriksen, Sane, Fanderson
    (K)ane, Auba, Arnie

    Hamer, Kenedy, Kayal, Stankovic

  24. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who is the best westham defender ?

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

      Balbuena

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Fpl has given him a yellow. Anything I should be worried about ?

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

          Had a knock i think. Don't get him this gw

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I want a westham defender this week. Considering zaba

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

      Balbuena but wouldn't transfer him in this GW.

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

      Fabianski

  25. QPRUTD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Which is the better Wildcard Team

    Fabainski, Hamer
    Alonso TAA Doherty AWB Kiko
    Sterling Sane Mane Son Gunnarson
    Auba Arnie Wilson
    0.5 ITB

    No kane, gone for Son instead, and I am aware Mane is a doubt, but hopefully Klopp clears him in today's presser.

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

      Sorry.
      Read the first line as RMWCT

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

      Mane to Fanderson and upgrade Gunarsson and elsewhere

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

        Arnie Fanderson Double up??

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

      Good team.
      Mane,kiko i Don't like them though. Siggy,schindler/bellerine ??

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

        Thanks 🙂

    4. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I like it. A little bit close to my team

  26. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who 1st on my bench (probably playing instead of Robbo)?

    1. Jimenez
    2. Doherty

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

      Jiminez

  27. Joedahla
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I have Two free transfers and can do almost anything I want. Suggestions?

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

      Go to a vacation in Maldives !!!

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

        or maybe do something about Trump

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

          He needs money itb for that :p

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

            Ha ha
            Good one

    2. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No link to your team?

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

        Fabianski, Ryan
        Robbo, Alonso, Balbuena, Digne, awb
        Salah, hazard, sterling, richarlison, kayal
        Wilson, Arnie, success

        I was thinking getting Aubameyang and that requires either Salah or hazard out

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

      Give one of them to me. 😀

  28. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Not happy with my back 4 (inc GK):
    Pat
    Robbo/Dunk/Alonso

    Have 0.6m ITB. I could:
    A) Upgrade Dunk to Digne
    B) Sell Alonso and bring in TAA and Laporte (Dunk out)
    C) Change keeper
    D) Something else entirely

  29. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hey guys, what you reckon am I g2g? Not sure about my Captain?

    Patrico
    Robbo alonso Laporte AWB
    Haz Rich BSilva
    Kun Arnie Auba

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

      G2G
      Arnie captain isn't a bad shout

    2. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah GTG, but tough captain choice indeed. Feeling Arnie or Rich personally

  30. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski
    Alonso Robbo Laporte
    Sterling Haz Richarlison Martial
    Auba Arnie JIminez

    Button WB Hojberg Bennett

    Captain? Is Sterling too risky?

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

      I think he has higher risk than earlier coming off a bench in this game. If Jesus starts and doesn't improve, they MIGHT need Raheem. Pep could start him as well. Who knows. It's up to you.