Podcast

Meet the Manager #11 – Mark Sutherns

As the creator of Fantasy Football Scout, Mark Sutherns is one of Fantasy Premier League’s most well-known managers.

In our latest Meet the Manager video, Mark drops by to give an insight into his strategies for success over an impressive FPL career that started in 2006/07. Since then he has achieved eight top 5,000 finishes, including four in the top 500 and one in the top 50.

The search for value has been key to his success over the years, as he hunts out players that he believes will rocket in price in the future and also deliver strong points returns.

He also discusses how the fear of missing out on a player because he is £0.1m short drives this bargain-hunting ethos as well as the occasional early transfer.

As the man that brought Opta data to this site, his admission of being ‘a stats man’ is something of an understatement. Here he offers advice on the best statistics to keep an eye on and why such in-depth analysis can be a vital weapon in Fantasy managers’ armoury.

In our 50-minute chat, he also explains why ‘the eye-test’ should be treated with caution and also how he has learned from his mistakes over the years. This was particularly the case between 2013/14 and 2014/15 when he followed up his worst ever finish with his best, when he reached 42nd in the world.

Dealing with the pressure of making transfers in the public gaze is another issue covered. He also discusses how stepping back from the limelight this season has given him a new lease of life as a Fantasy manager.

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

Previous Meet the Manager interviews:

Mark McGettigan

Marc Rubinstein

Kenneth Tang

Jay Egersdorff

Adam Hopcroft

Matthew Jones

Richard Clarke

Will Thomas

Philman

Triggerlips

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1,718 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain and why?
    A) auba
    B) haz

    Play 2
    1) balbuena
    2) awb
    3) robbo

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B (fancy big Chelsea win)
      1-3

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A 1,3

      Auba as Fulham will have no Mawson or Chambers in defence.

      With Willian RLC Giroud and Hudson- Odoi out Morata will start up front which is not good for Hazard

      1. Dannyb
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I 100% agree with this. Auba if i had him.

  2. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Best GK/Def combination? 3 at the back.

    A) Alisson, TAA, Doherty, Holebas, AWB, 3.9
    B) Alisson, Lovren, Doherty, Digne, AWB, 3.9
    C) Fabianski, TAA, Lovren, Digne, Doherty, AWB

    Cheers!

  3. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Captain....

    A) Pogba
    B) Hazard
    C) Kane

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going B.

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Wow Pogba going up again tonight.
    Glad I got him last night even though it was for a hit.

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Scenes when he blanks

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Probably but worth it alone for the value.

    2. Pinturicchio10
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Can't afford him as it is. Oh well. Martial it is so.

      • Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        When a player goes up that fast they usually blank

    3. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Button Ryan
      Alonso Alderweireld Keane Doherty Jonny
      Salah Hazard Pogba Richarlison Camarasa
      Kane Jiménez Kamara

      2FTs £0.5

      Not sure I want to make any transfer and could burn one FT. I want to downgrade Alonso to TAA for GW22 and upgrade Ryan to Alisson or Kamara to Ings.

      Should I do Keane to Digne this week then for a -£0.2 ? Just to protect my 3.6K OR since Digne is hugely owned by the top 10K ?

      1. Bagheri Arce
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Nice team!

        I would do Keane to Digne!

        We have very similar teams. Same front 8, once I do Anderson to Rich next week.

        1. tafrère
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers!

          I was confused though, I just check and I have only 1FT. Would you still advice me to do Keane > Digne even if that means taking a -4 next week to get double Pool defense ?

          1. Bagheri Arce
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Probably not then. Think Keane to Digne is a good long term move but it can wait a few weeks.

            1. tafrère
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Thx.

    4. Bob B
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Play Trent or Robertson?

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Torn on same topic

        1. RashFraud
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          TAA because of free kicks

    5. Oldie99
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A few quick questions (have 2 FT):

      A. Spending a transfer on doubling up on Chelsea defense for 2 weeks is a good idea? (Luiz in with Alonso already there)

      B. Keeping Rashford AND starting him - good idea?

      C. Start 2 of these: Mitro, Holebas, Robbo, Rashford

      D. Not spending a transfer on Pogba - but instead keeping both Felipe and Rich since both have decent fixtures coming up?

      IF YOU CAN ONLY BE BOTHERED WITH ANSWERING ONE QUESTION, PICK C PLEASE 🙂

      1. Pinturicchio10
          5 years, 3 months ago

          A) wouldn't bother
          B) bit dodgy imo

          1. Pinturicchio10
              5 years, 3 months ago

              C) Mitrovic / Robertson
              D) no issue with those two at all

            • Oldie99
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              so what's your play on B Veryhairy?

              1. Pinturicchio10
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  I'd be very tempted by Rashford -> Jimmy

          2. Pinturicchio10
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Need to start one of these players, thoughts?

              A) Camarasa (TOT H)
              B) Ings (CHE A)
              C) Alexander-Arnold (CTY A)

              Thanks.

              1. Pinturicchio10
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Thinking A myself..

                  1. Oldie99
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    yeah probably A, seems the least risky

                    1. Pinturicchio10
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Ta

                • PMz
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Save transfer and G2G?

                  Fabianski (Patricio)

                  Robertson Digne Holebas

                  Salah Sane Richarlison Pogba

                  Kane Mitro Jimenez

                  Subs: AWB Schneiderlein Chambers

                  1. Pinturicchio10
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Yep gtg

                  2. Salah’s Sonnet
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Happy New Year people! 🙂

                    On a WC, and just wondered which option you’d prefer here below?

                    Fabianski
                    XXX - Robertson - XXX
                    Richarlison - Pogba - Salah - Hazard - F.Anderson
                    Jimenez - Kane
                    _______________________________
                    Speroni: Digne, AWB, Kamara

                    A) David Luiz + Jonny
                    B) TAA + Doherty

                    On B at the moment.

                    Opinions appreciated guys 🙂

                    1. grumpyman
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Good team (i.e. it's almost identical to mine). I'd go A, but move Luiz to TAA in a couple of weeks.

                      1. Salah’s Sonnet
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Cheers man. Just kinda really want Doherty, but i do back chelsea for a good few clean sheets also.

                    2. Pinturicchio10
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Yeah B

                        1. Salah’s Sonnet
                          • 12 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Cheers Pat 🙂

                      • NIKO.
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Yeah I’d go B

                        1. Salah’s Sonnet
                          • 12 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Thanks Niko

                      • SEXY SOLO SAUCE
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        B

                      • g40steve
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        B both very attack minded

                    3. Dannyb
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Someone talk me out of Sane KDB and Alonso to Lovren Salah and Richarlison.

                      1. Salah’s Sonnet
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        I won’t, i like the moves. Only if it’s for a -4 though

                        1. Dannyb
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Yeah -4, consider it done lol

                      2. twoplustwo
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Easy

                      3. FPL Mentor
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Not for me

                      4. Jafalad
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Nope - good moves.

                    4. fridge
                      • 12 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Foster
                      Digne. Trent. Doherty
                      Salah. Fanderson. Hazard. Rich. Pogba
                      Kane. Jiminez

                      Speroni. AWB. Kamara. Bednarek

                      0.7 ITB

                      1) Save transfer? Y/N
                      2) Start Trent or AWB

                      1. FPL Mentor
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Y
                        TAA

                        1. twoplustwo
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Yep

                      2. Harry's Car Window
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Save.
                        TAA - potential set-piece taker and always a bet for an assist.

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

                        Thanks all, unanimous for once

                    5. FPL Mentor
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Which to bench as 1st Sub?

                      A. Rashford

                      B. Deulofeu

                      1. The 5% Team
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        B

                      2. twoplustwo
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        B

                    6. Longlatini
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      If no other issues, Alonso to D.Luiz?

                      Would allow Son to Hazard when Son departs Asia Cup

                      1. Jafalad
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Yes. I booted Alonso weeks ago.

                        1. twoplustwo
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          He is on my cull list at the moment

                          Will be in top spot come next week

                    7. Harry's Car Window
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Who to captain:

                      A) Aube
                      B) Kane
                      C) Hazard

                      1. twoplustwo
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Going Haz so I can rage transfer to Salah if he flops

                      2. Jafalad
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Haz

                      3. RashFraud
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Same options. Currently on Kane. May go auba before deadline but pretty confident about a high scoring game at Cardiff

                        1. twoplustwo
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Poch fatigue comments have made me wary!

                          1. Alli 3',17',64�…
                            • 5 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Eriksen prolly for a benching but dont see Kane getting benched, Lorente meant to be leaving in Jan so cant seem him starting or anything like that

                            1. Alli 3',17',64�…
                              • 5 Years
                              5 years, 3 months ago

                              acutally I spose Moura could replace Kane but really dont see that happening

                              1. Peter Ouch
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 5 Years
                                5 years, 3 months ago

                                If Moura replaces Kane then I am ditching Kane.
                                He is deeper and delivers less with Moura in

                                1. Alli 3',17',64�…
                                  • 5 Years
                                  5 years, 3 months ago

                                  either way with Son going Moura gonna be regular starter soon imo

                      4. dunas_dog
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Auba for reasons further up this page and in last page

                      5. Rage Against The Raheem
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        A, Arsenal will score a few goals imo, he got like 13 points earlier in season when they played each other I think.

                      6. FPL Daniel
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Auba

                    8. twoplustwo
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Start Wilson or Rashers?

                      1. Longlatini
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Wilson

                        1. twoplustwo
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Thanks mate, on Rashford at the moment

                      2. Jafalad
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Monitor Rash fitness first.

                        1. twoplustwo
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          How!? For GW21?

                          1. Longlatini
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 6 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Or play Rash and have Wilson first sub

                            Don’t think he plays tbh

                            1. twoplustwo
                              • 9 Years
                              5 years, 3 months ago

                              Yeah this was my thinking

                              Cheers chaps

                    9. Bubz
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Wish there were more games on tomorrow

                      1. twoplustwo
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Just thankful most players will have a fantasy interest in each game... could be Hudds Burnley!

                      2. Alli 3',17',64�…
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        i know right, hate when its split up so much. All games in one day or leave like 1 or 2 good games for the following imo. And evening games also blow..

                    10. Prison Mike
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Any Rashford news?

                      1. twoplustwo
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Don't drop the soap

                        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                          • 6 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          soapist

                    11. Fantasy Gold
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      How crazy is Salah > Hazard for free?

                      I have no way of getting him in and Southampton and Newcastle at home next, Haz feels essential

                      1. Hybrid.power
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Crazy. Salah is a season keeper.

                      2. Salah’s Sonnet
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Absolute madness

                      3. twoplustwo
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        I would trade with you if I could!

                      4. Pinturicchio10
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Wouldn't sell Salah right now form is too good. Very confident he scores vs City.

                          1. Fantasy Gold
                            • 9 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Thanks all

                        • NIKO.
                          • 6 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Yeah wouldn’t do that mate

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

                        This look OK for this gw?
                        Fabianski
                        Robertson digne Doherty
                        Pogba son siggy anderson (vc)
                        Kane aubameyang (c) jimenez
                        Hamer awb fraser balbuena

                        1. Rage Against The Raheem
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 5 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Looks ok to me, I would personally put the VC on Kane and Fraser as first sub. Other than that GTG.

                          1. waltzingmatildas
                            • 13 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Cheers, good suggestions

                        2. One Man
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Is Son not heading to the Asian games soon ?

                          1. waltzingmatildas
                            • 13 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Yes, will lose when he does

                      6. Garfield1001
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Could really do with some Rashford news - is there likely to be any tonight?

                        1. Hybrid.power
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          No

                        2. No Professionals
                          • 6 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          I'd be amazed if he starts

                          1. Garfield1001
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            More worried about a cameo tbh

                      7. A.T
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Can’t decide who to play out of Robertson and AWB. Who would you pick?

                        1. Bram
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Robbo for sure - similar (low) chance of a cs but Robbo far greater chance of attacking points.

                      8. Shack
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Evening all, Vardy to Jimmy for a FT?

                        1. Alli 3',17',64�…
                          • 5 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          no

                        2. Rage Against The Raheem
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 5 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          I wouldn't

                        3. Pinturicchio10
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Yeah I would

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

                          Cannot believe I am watching You on Netflix

                          Seems quite chick flicky.

                          I am (/was) a 33 year old Alpha Male.

                        5. One Man
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Who would you rather have

                          Kante or David Brooks or some other 5m Midfielder ?

                          1. FPL Daniel
                            • 14 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Kante

                            1. FPL Daniel
                              • 14 Years
                              5 years, 3 months ago

                              If you have money Docoure

                        6. No Professionals
                          • 6 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Rashford replacement

                          A) Jimenez
                          B) arnautovic

                          1. FPL Daniel
                            • 14 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            A

                          2. Rage Against The Raheem
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 5 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            I would keep, he looked really good yesterday and the injury doesn't seem that bad.

                          3. twoplustwo
                            • 9 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            I am riding out, he looked brilliant yesterday in terms of runs, and receiving the ball although he's still obviously quite raw

                        7. RossoneriHammer
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Hazard, Aubameyang or Kane for captain this week?!

                          1. FPL Daniel
                            • 14 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Auba

                            1. MMN
                              • 10 Years
                              5 years, 3 months ago

                              What’s your thinking about Auba over Hazard?

                          2. dunas_dog
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 8 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Aubameyang

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

                            Lol was just going to post this. Was on Auba but remembered Fulham just got their first cleanie. Have they improved at all defensively? Southampton still conceding for fun.

                        8. Digital-Real
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Toon to beat UTD

                          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                            • 6 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            +1

                        9. FPL Daniel
                          • 14 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Mitro and Alonso out for a hit for Auba and Jonny?

                          1. twoplustwo
                            • 9 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Mitro could easily score vs Arsenal... and Alonso keep a CS vs Sot

                        10. How I met your Mata
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          Do you think hennessey will get his place back??

                          1. FPL Daniel
                            • 14 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Why should he

                          2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
                            • 7 Years
                            5 years, 3 months ago

                            Wondering this too, Guaita could be a right bargain