Podcast

Meet the Manager: FPL charity match organiser Benny Blanco

In this latest episode of Fantasy Football Scout’s Meet the Manager series, Joe chats to FPL Community Twitter favourite Benny Blanco about how to make Fantasy Football fun again, amid tough Gameweeks for many.

Impressively for Benny, this includes organising a real-life football tournament for Fantasy managers to test their silky skills on the pitch.

This ‘North v South’ football match involves a number of notable FPL managers, including FFScout’s Az, to raise money for the charity Street Child United.

Further details of this event, which takes place in Birmingham in May 2022, can be found via Just Giving and on Twitter.

In this latest episode of Meet the Manager, Benny chats about his role as an FPL Community ‘joker’ and the importance of putting the fun back into the game, even if a Gameweek has been a stinker.

But while he doesn’t take himself too seriously, he has been more conscientious about the management of his own FPL this season. Following a pair of top 50K finishes in recent years, he now finds himself on the edge of the top 10k.

He discusses his career history and why this season has been so successful. His key strategies over the year so far are also discussed.

In addition, Joe and Benny look ahead to Gameweek 16 and beyond and why these coming fixtures are so pivotal to our seasons.

This chat is available below:


The Meet the Manager series is where Joe chats to FPL managers with a strong record of success, have an interesting view of the game and/or who are offering the community a unique take on Fantasy management.

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

995 Comments Post a Comment
  1. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    First team area of Tottenham training is closed due to Covid, all but confirms Brighton game will be postponed

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yikes

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Kane owners no balls left in place to kick

  2. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Let the carnage begin...

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Ominous….

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Omicron*

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Spurs might get a TGW at some stage, hello Harold!

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Yay 6 points

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Harry Kane? Lmfao, Son, Reguilon, Moura all better options

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          You forgot Scarlett

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            LOL

      3. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        A massive 5 point haul, no doubt.

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          That's better than TC Sterling got me last season, Kane season before and Agüero before that

      4. acidicleo
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        18 points incoming as a TC..

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

        That would make TC Son a possibility.

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      The Spurs v Rennes game is off so Brighton has to be.

      1. acidicleo
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Hmm..
        Need to sort kane, reguilon and Sanchez.
        Well Toney too..

    4. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      How many Son transfers in were there before this news?

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        A lot

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        64k

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

      Rashford + Antonio
      Or
      Cr7 + Bowen

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        B

      2. space mercenary
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        B

      3. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        B

    6. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      With no lockdown and new variant surely means high risk of many postponements in next two months

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Agree. Spurs v Brighton just the start imo

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, considering how transmissible it seems to be even if initial signs show it is milder than the last variant

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah, met with my mate who’s quite high up in the NHS, but he admits there isn’t really much info on it yet bar knowing that it looks to be more transmissible.

          2. Meechoo115
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Yes. Mildness good generally. But not for players forced to miss games

            1. Baps hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              And it has been mild in South Africa, where people basically have had either delta or beta already. We have no real knowledge yet how it will affect unvaccinated or older people.

        • CRAZY TRAIN
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          No hit strategy for me for now as I fear they will be inevitable in the weeks to come

      3. DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Well I guess everyone is doing Son to Fred then?

      4. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        A. Son > Bernardo Silva -4
        B. Play Watkins vs Liverpool

        1. DycheDycheBaby
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Probably A because that's what I'll be doing.

        2. TopBinFc
            2 years, 4 months ago

            B, wouldn't take a hit with playing players on bench

        3. BIG TONES
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Been offline for a bit, so apologies if this has been asked a lot. Is Son out?

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Well Spurs aren’t playing.

            1. BIG TONES
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Didn't know that either! Been out of the loop. Cheers

              1. Rupert The Horse
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                All good. Just look up.

        4. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Do we think Origi could get a start or two before AFCON or get 30 mins or so a a game?

          He’ll surely start when Mane and Salah go also. He sorts out my money issues.

          1. TopBinFc
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Wouldn't go there, he might not be nailed when they go and they won't be gone for long, Jota or Firmino are the only options

          2. Connor's Calling
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Looks like it’s time to get a strong 15!

            Thinking
            Kane, Williams, Sissoko >>> Antonio, Bowen, James

            Decent enough?

            1. Eh, just one more thing ...
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Sure is.

          3. royals forever
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            In your opinion what is the best 9.5m DF/MF combo for this team for the next few GWs

            Meslier Foster

            Rudiger Cancelo Livramento Mitchell xxxxxxx

            Salah Rapinha Jota ESR xxxxxxxx

            Ronaldo Jesus Armstrong

            Any ideas would be welcomed

          4. CRAZY TRAIN
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Son > Jota it is then

          5. Assisting the assister
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Wildcard draft - any tweaks? .4 ITB

            DDG Foster
            Taa Cancelo Livra Dalot James
            Jota Salah Bowen Bernardo Brownhill
            Ron Ant Dennis

            1. waltzingmatildas
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Decent

            2. acidicleo
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Nice team..must have good TV..
              Maybe Ben Davies over Dalot for nailedness..
              Douglas over Brownhill?

          6. FDMS All Starz
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Sanchez to DDG worth a -4? Foster is backup

            1. acidicleo
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              I think yes in the long term

          7. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Son, Toney and Reguilon shaped problems to figure out then

          8. Meechoo115
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Seriously spurs postponement is only tip of iceberg imo….

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Leicester next

              1. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Probably, but there is some "luck" because Spurs vs Leicester would have been next week. So that means less chaos.

          9. tabby98
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Someone please help me here

            Guaita, Foster*
            TAA, Rudiger, Cancelo, James, Tsimikas
            Salah, Bernardo, Raphinha, ESR*, Sissoko
            Kane, Toney*, Dennis

            1FT
            £1.2m ITB

            Thinking Kane —> Ronaldo & replacing Toney for a hit?

            1. Meechoo115
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Kane ESR to Ronaldo Bowen

          10. Meechoo115
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Weird how overall UK Covid infections been high all season but footballer infections ramping up now

            1. Drip Doctor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Its not really weird with this new variant. Cases are doubling by the day.

              1. Meechoo115
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Are they? 40k to 50k each day for months

                1. Meechoo115
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 2 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Does Omicron infect footballers more?

                  1. Drip Doctor
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    2 years, 4 months ago

                    It infects people more.

                    1. Meechoo115
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 2 Years
                      2 years, 4 months ago

                      But UK infections increasing 10pc a day. Footballers being infecting much more!!

                      1. Drip Doctor
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 13 Years
                        2 years, 4 months ago

                        Because they get tested. Most of the general public won't bother getting tested.

                        1. Meechoo115
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 2 Years
                          2 years, 4 months ago

                          Good point. You should tell the government !!

                          1. Drip Doctor
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 13 Years
                            2 years, 4 months ago

                            The fact so many footballers are starting to contract the virus again is a worrying sign for the weeks ahead. Hopefully the strain is milder.

                            1. Meechoo115
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 2 Years
                              2 years, 4 months ago

                              Must be

                        2. Rupert The Horse
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 11 Years
                          2 years, 4 months ago

                          Yeah good point. I’ve never even had a test.

                          1. how now brown cow
                            • 9 Years
                            2 years, 4 months ago

                            Horses get covid?

                            1. Meechoo115
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 2 Years
                              2 years, 4 months ago

                              Omicron infects footballers and cows. Not lawyers and horses

                              1. how now brown cow
                                • 9 Years
                                2 years, 4 months ago

                                Gulp

                              2. Baps hunter
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 6 Years
                                2 years, 4 months ago

                                At least dogs should pretty safe, one has died, that I do know.

                            2. Rupert The Horse
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              2 years, 4 months ago

                              Possibly, but then I wouldn’t know as I’ve never had a test.

            2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Seems like a lifetime ago, when Boris was saying he had no problem shaking hands with everyone.

          11. Drip Doctor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            So many possibilities with Toney out. Where do you go?

            Ronaldo & some 4.5 bench fodder mid
            King & Sterling
            King & Bowen (Leaving a ridiculous amount in the bank)

            1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              I like the last one, leaves you loads of future options. Plus both are good picks.

          12. tommo1989
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            If the Tottenham players that have tested positive have to isolate for 10 days, surely there’s chance even the Leicester game a week tomorrow could be postponed as well?

            1. Drip Doctor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Very good chance. Its on Thursday.

              1. Rupert The Horse
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                That’s the same as a week tomorrow.

            2. Meechoo115
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Definitely. Should be ok for spurs v Liverpool to go ahead though

              1. tommo1989
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Not great news considering I have 5 Tottenham and Brighton players! Plus Toney, Jesus and Smith Rowe..

                1. Baps hunter
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  That hurts, sorry mate. Reminds me of last year when I had 5 Spurs and MCI players when the template didn't. I was in trouble to get to top 100k after that.

                  1. tommo1989
                    • 7 Years
                    2 years, 4 months ago

                    Covid makes the game so much more about luck as it’s practically impossible to plan ahead. There will be a lot of people on -8 or -12 this week!

                2. DycheDycheBaby
                  • 8 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Oh damn. Unlucky dude

                3. WVA
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  This! It's not fair at all, FPL need to come up with something here

            3. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Especially with 7/8 Leicester players contracting it, meaning that fixture is a huge doubt. Lots of DGWS coming.

            4. pablo discobar
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Leicester have their own covid problems

            5. FPL_Crisis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              So target Spurs players for second half wildcard with 3x double game weeks?

            6. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              I got rid of Son for a -4.
              But I also have Vardy.
              I was hoping by the Leicester game - Spurs would have no choice to play it - and Vardy could run riot.

              If Brighton and Leicester matches are postponed that means Spurs have a serious pile up of fixtures. The Burnley one that was snowed off has to be played at some stage as well.

          13. Lord of Ings
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            So Reece James started today..I’m looking to buy a chelsea defender
            Is Alonso a better pick than James?
            He’s probably more likely to start the next 3 now right? I really still feel Reece is way superior but he could get benched

            1. Meechoo115
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              James far better

            2. acidicleo
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Its Reece or nobody imo.

            3. DycheDycheBaby
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              No way. Reece is far superior

            4. Baps hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Alonso may overscore him during next 3 imo.

          14. waltzingmatildas
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Best move
            A) Raph to bowen
            B) toney to king
            C) toney and Normann to broja and bowen (-4)

            1. Meechoo115
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Why not a+b

              1. waltzingmatildas
                • 13 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Yeah I could, but losing raph (a pretty nailed player) for a hit doesn't seem worth it. Whereas C upgrades normann

          15. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Cancel Christmas

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Cancelo Christmas.

            2. Assisting the assister
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              White Christmas

          16. royals forever
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Help is needed please

            In your opinion what is the best 9.5m DF/MF combo for this team for the next few GWs

            Meslier Foster

            Rudiger Cancelo Livramento Mitchell xxxxxxx

            Salah Rapinha Jota ESR xxxxxxxx

            Ronaldo Jesus Armstrong

            Any ideas would be welcomed

          17. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Time to turn the Heaton

            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Finally gets his debut, 16 years after signing for United.

            2. DycheDycheBaby
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Legend!!!! 🙂

          18. DycheDycheBaby
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            TOM HEATON IS ON!!
            Sorry got a bit excited

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              You love a Dyche keeper.

              1. DycheDycheBaby
                • 8 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Oh yes I do. Love Tom

          19. N00B
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Is Shaw an option for next games? Or do you prefer Dalot?

            1. Will Kane
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Dalot 100%. I'm convinced he will be first choice. AWB offers precisely nothing going forward.

              1. Pompel
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Strange how AWB has fallen off a cliff as an FPL assett. He was so reliable for me for a long spell last season, occasional haul even

                1. Rupert The Horse
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Wonderful option at Palace.

                2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  AWB ended up been very frustrating to own in recent years. Would get in a great position bomb forward and put in a stupid ball. It was around the time Shaw was in great form for Man United, which made it more annoying.

          20. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            I think the pools panel should just sit and decide how many fantasy points spurs players would have got.

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Liverpool would say none.