Podcast
8 December 2021 995 comments
J0E J0E
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play up…

  2. Norco
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Do we actually think Foden will feature this weekend?

    1. MOZIL
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Dont think he will start

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

      He's expected to be fine, so he should start as usual

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      #ManCity are confident of calling on Phil Foden against Wolves this weekend after an ankle scare. Nathan Ake's back injury is also not thought to be a cause for concern and he is likely to be available for selection this weekend.

      [via @Jack_Gaughan]

      https://t.co/bXpDVlfQLt

    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Feature -yes, starts or not-anybody's guess

    5. Dammit_182
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Good chance he is involved. I’d expect it to be from the start. They will all miss games over Christmas though. When it happens have a bench player at the ready.

    6. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Feature? Stays on the bench is my guess. But that's only guess and worth nothing. Yet, 1 pt cameo risk is relevant risk.

  3. MOZIL
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson essential with Leicesters players out

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You lost me at essential let alone Leicester

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Or game gets postponed and more blanks to deal with

    3. Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Leicester will smash Newcastle….

    4. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Leicester players out? why?

    5. Dammit_182
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’m hoping for a lot from Wilson this weekend. If that game is also off then might not make 11 without some hits….

  4. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus & foden to ronaldo & 4.6m bench fodder?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Foden is expected to be fit

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Has pep said that ?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          No. Usual reliable journalists

          And Pep didn't say he was injured, Pep said he subbed him off at halftime as a precaution

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Ok cheers

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Always welcome. Found the link:

              https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1468652961442185229?t=FmhKowH-96aogzmAnESV6w&s=19

              #ManCity are confident of calling on Phil Foden against Wolves this weekend after an ankle scare. Nathan Ake's back injury is also not thought to be a cause for concern and he is likely to be available for selection this weekend.

              [via @Jack_Gaughan]

              https://t.co/bXpDVlfQLt

      2. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Has anything been said about Jesus?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Annoyingly, nope

          Even more annoyingly, he's now competing with Sterling too. That's a lot of rotation over December. I've chickened out and done the Son + Jesus to Ronaldo + Bilva switch

          Still waiting for some formal news though

          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Thinking of these moves myself, seems to make sense. I only just brought Jesus in last week though 😆

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              New things came to light right after getting him, so I'd overlook that and go for points instead

              Ronaldo vs Norwich, even if we don't cap him, is an easy brace

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

            I did that move also.

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

          https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/post-rb-leipzig-manchester-city-recovery-gym-session-63774579

          He's here in their recovery training session, fwiw

          "The likes of Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus, all rested for our Champions League clash, were all pictured keep up their sharpness ahead of the weekend."

          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Hmmmm.

            Cheers!

  5. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is d luiz the best midfielder for under 4.6?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There's actually a growing list

      I like shaving 0.1m off whenever I can, so I have the 4.4s one level higher when picking

      That's Gilmour atm. Set pieces at 4.4, even for a bad side, increase the chance of lucky points off the bench

      But if you're sure you won't need that 0.1 any time soon, then D Luiz is clear to me, below 4.6. Nice fixtures too

      1. Dammit_182
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Over Christmas is the time you could well get one or two appearances from your fodder player and both those options look good.

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers v helpful

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Is Luiz nailed? I've got Brownhill just for the relentless 90mins / 2pts every week, sitting 3rd on the bench for as little money as possible. I think Jimmy Mac will be the one though, when he returns.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thought he was and villa look good

  6. Jones Kusi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC?

    0.3 ITB
    Guaita
    Taa Cancelo James Dalot Davies
    Son Salah Jota Gilmour Brownhill
    King Dennis CR7

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why would you have Son or double Spurs for that matter on a wc?

      1. Jones Kusi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Davies, Son, Brownhill > 5.5 Def, Bowen, B.Silva?

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Looks a bit light in midfield & up top

      Wouldn’t have Son in there or Davies with the Spurs news so swap for a City mid & upgrade one of the fodder mids & Watford forwards

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'll raise you, using my guess of your TV

      DDG
      TAA Cancelo James Dalot
      Salah Jota Bilva Bowen
      CR7 Benteke

      Bachmann King Guéhi Gilmour

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I dislike 2 * 4.4M. Also you will end up benching one of the Watford forwards and will get frustrated if you get it the wrong way round

  7. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Kane + Livra > Ronaldo + Manquillo for free? Manquillo is a bench player and only way i can find 0.2 to make the move.

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      That seems a hell of a downgrade at a time we expect to need our benches more than usual. I’m not sure what the alternative is if the Spurs game is off though

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nope not for me, Ronnie also not worth it

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        🙂

  8. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Does Son + Sanchez to Bilva + DDG for -4 make sense?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Worth it imo if the Spurs fixture gets postponed

    2. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes.

      I have Sanchez but I'm keeping him and doing Foster + Kane to DDG + Ronaldo for a hit.

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Actually, I did Sanchez to DDG. No point having 0.5m tied up in a backup GK.

  9. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    If Rangnick gets a win with this XI he's officially a genius.

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

    Any thoughts what to do with my team?
    I have no flippin idea

    Got 2 FT’s, nothing in the bank and feels like half my team is flagged if the Spurs game doesn’t go ahead

    Sanchez
    taa - James - Cancelo - Reguilon
    Salah - Son - Foden - Bernardo - esr
    King

    Bench: Steele - Wilson - Toney - Duffy

    Was thinking a bit about doing a -8:
    Son, Toney, Reguilon, Sanchez ——> Sancho, Antonio, 4.7 or less def, DDG

    1. Marmalade Forest
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nah don’t do the Sanchez move.

      Take the loss on that, he was probably getting 1/2 points anyway.

      Definitely Son out, then one of Toney or Reg out

      1. Marmalade Forest
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Reckon there’s a good chance Henderson gets one of the league games in December too.

  11. TheDragon
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which do you prefer for this gameweek only:

    A) Raphinha
    B) Bowen -4

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      raph

  12. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Why’s Mark not on Black Box these days?

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cos hes having a mare

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Too busy with his job. He said he would be back in a few weeks. That was 3 weeks ago

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sore back after carrying Az on it every episode

    4. kime67
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No idea

  13. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Shaw playing tonight an indication that Rangnick prefers Telles or us us just a case of building up fitness?

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      *or is it, no idea why my phone autocorrects words then repeats them so much

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The latter I’d imagine

    3. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B team

  14. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    1. Toney + Vardy to Ronaldo + Dennis for -4 (Exact Cash)
    2. Toney + Reguilon + Raph to Dennis + Bernardo/Mount + Dias for -8 (Exact Cash)
    3. Toney to Dennis for free and Play Mbeumo

    1. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'd do 1

  15. SIDHU_MOOSE_WALA
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy & Son --> Ronaldo & Bowen or Gundogan (-4)?

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Do it for Bowen, afford mount?

      1. SIDHU_MOOSE_WALA
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I can afford Mount, not thought about him tho? Is he the answer in comparison to Bowen/Gundogan/Bilva?

        1. n-doggg
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          That is what I am pondering, looking at bsilva for now. Fixtures are too good

  16. n-doggg
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this for a -4.

    Kane, Toney, Gallagher
    Ronaldo, bsilva, locadia

    Would leave:

    Sanchez
    TAA, Alonso, cancelo, James
    Salah, Foden, jota, bsilva
    Ronaldo, king

    Steeele, livra, sissoko, locadia

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Think I'd rather Antonio over Silva if you can.

      1. n-doggg
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Can’t afford that by 0.1!!!

        Prefer mount over silva? Or Watkins?

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Balls.

          Nah, prefer Silva over Mount and Watkins.

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

      I'd do it with Bowen

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not for me, this will leave you with a terrible bench and I think you will need them soon.

      1. n-doggg
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Second option below with Bowen and Denis?

        1. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah would like to have a West ham attacker in there and Dennis or Broja over Locadia

  17. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    CHE has shipped 6 goals in their last 2 matches... and everyone on double CHE defense...

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Since I got them in. Soz

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Very few are on double Chelsea defence.

      1. Bollard
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, some of us are on triple 🙂

  18. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I know it's early in the new United era, but who would you recon a more secure pick between Dalot and Telles? Worth a punt on either?

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not worth a punt yet. Dalot probably out of the two

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

      It's too early to be sure until the weekend

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He's been in charge 1 game - too early to take a punt on any fringe player

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Too early but Shaw, like Telles, is a capable footballer. For the way RR will want to play Dalot is a much better fit than AWB.

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This is my thinking

    5. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      To give some context, I'm considering using WC if Spurs game is postponed. Was thinking either DDG & White or Ram & Dalot/Telles

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Sure you can't afford DDG + Tavares or Coufal?

  19. BIGREDDOG
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Think this is a save? 1FT
    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA Cancelo Alonso (Livra Williams)
    Salah Jota Sancho Gundogan (Allan)
    Benteke King Vardy

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yea looks great

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ty

  20. Well you know, Triffic
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    "The seven players who haven't travelled are Lookman, Amartey, Iheanacho, Vestergaard, Perez, Benkovic, and Daley-Campbell.

    All left at home. Some have tested positive for Covid, some have an illness."

    https://twitter.com/JrdnBlackwell/status/1468636850978013184?s=20

    1. BIGREDDOG
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Great name lol

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Read it in his name 😀

    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not exactly the first team there, they might be good to beat Newcastle if not more cases.

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The risk of new cases is still significant.

  21. kime67
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    How this still happening? Are they not vaccinated?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Some are, some aren't.

      Vaccine =/= immune to catching Covid.

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

      Vaccine only helps you fight against the virus.

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

      Oh mate. I hope you’re not allowed to vote.

  22. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, Dias, James
    Salah, Foden, Jota, Bowen
    Antonio, Wilson

    King, Livra, Luiz

    1. Hold ft?
    2. Good to go — team and bench order?

    1. BIGREDDOG
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      King over Dias

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers!

  23. n-doggg
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A. Bowen and Denis (1st sub)
    B. Bsilva and locadia (3rd sub)

    Sanchez
    TAA, cancelo, James, Alonso
    Salah, Foden, jota, xxx
    Ronaldo, king

    Steele, xxx, livra, sissoko

  24. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Prob not the best wk I decided to hit the WC button with all this covid lark.

  25. Andy_Social
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Shaw A
    Greenwood G with lovely scissor kick.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Greenwood is such a talent

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Immense talent. One of the most natural finishers I've seen.

          Shame about his defending and decision making. The Liverpool and City games really highlighted how much further he has to go there. Hasn't been trusted to start a game since.

      • Brazooka
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Oh Shaw.

      • GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Great GW1 goal

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The year is 2047

      Leeds v Newcastle has just been cancelled due to Covid despite every player being on their 150th jab

      1. OverTinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        because of the oxymoron Variant or whatever the name

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

          moronic

      2. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        …in Div 1

      3. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Has Harry Kane scored a league goal yet?

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

        What do you expect in the conference?

      5. kime67
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Xd

      6. SIDHU_MOOSE_WALA
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Lmao as long as majority believes in the Covid narrative.. 150th jab will come soon enough XD

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lovely finish by Greenwood.

      Shaw assist btw. Will probably displace Telles eventually.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Shaw and Telles both attacking fullbacks and will compete.
        AWB can't do that, so 4.4 Dalot has the spot nailed.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          AWB used to be a winger. So I'm going to see what Rangnick can do with him first before writing him off.

    4. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What’s happened to benrahma? First few weeks just a flash in the pan

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He was really outperforming his stats, come back to the norm.

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

        It's not quite easy to keep scoring lots of goals when most of them are from outside the box, and some are via deflections

      3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        The template copiers still lucked into his points.

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

      What do you think about Vardy?

      I recon he may start tomorrow and then what happens vs New? Benched or could play again?

      Don’t really know what to do with him. If he sits the whole game tomorrow surely a keep?

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

        He may have covid by then.

      2. MikeS
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy is crap.. might be worth keeping for Newcastle but he's an old man who will be constantly rested here and there. I dumped him for an even older Ronaldo mind!

      3. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He was rested vs Villa with Napoli in mind so I'd be shocked if he doesn't play tomorrow, after that who knows...

        Few more cases and Leicester mightnt have a game at all.

      4. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That's my strategy. If he plays Europe, he's gone from my tram

        Wait as long as you can for COVID news.

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

      At least Leicester v spurs next week means don’t have a fifth team to worry about blanking!