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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. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any Smith Rowe news?

  2. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is this stats thing still the case with King vs. Dennis?

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

      Dennis has 5 assists and 6 goals from an xGI of 3.90.

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Great finisher, great form?

        Or not

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

          That's where your own judgement comes into it. I went King myself.

    2. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      King is supreme on stat except shot accuracy and conversion (yesterday's article). Either a great options IMO.

    3. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve gone king, Dennis drifts wide and though he’s impressed against good opposition, I think king has been a little unlucky (eye test) and like pens

  3. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso Livramento
    Salah Jota Raphinha ESR Brownhill
    Kane Antonio Pukki
    2ft, 0.3 itb
    Plan all week has been Raphinha and Kane to Bowen and Ronaldo. No hits. Stick with it you think?

  4. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vaccine Passes to attend PL games makes sense to me, a negative lateral flow test doesn't. Can't those who haven't been vaccinated just register that they have taken a negative lateral flow on the government website up to 48 hours before the match they want to attend regardless of whether they have taken a test or not, or even if it's positive ?

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah pretty much. Lateral flow tests are just sent to your home and you bin them.

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

    2FTs locked in yesterday les goh

    Toney -> Dennis
    Sanchez -> DDG

    DDG
    TAA | Cancelo | Dias | James
    Salah | Jota | Bernardo
    Vardy | Antonio | Dennis

    Foster | Livra | Gimlour | Brownhill + 1.7m

  6. Lukakus Unit
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which of the following moves this week?
    A. Son > Bowen
    B. Son > Bernardo
    C. Son > Sancho
    D. Vardy > Ronaldo

    1. evilfish
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A for me

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

      I did b and d

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      D

    4. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not D - such a good fixture for Vardy. B for me

  7. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Covid is honestly the death of winter football. Every single year there will be cancellations. At what point will players stop testing? 95% of the country don’t need to test to go to work.

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

      Well it seems this variant is milder, hopefully it just evolves to become weaker and weaker will it's called a cold! Putin describes Omicron as a live vaccine! Lol

      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Guy is one step away from being Stalin

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

          BS.. he's right. If you keep believing the narrative around COVID, it will never go away.

  8. AD2110
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What do people think of Sterling as replacement for Son? Already have Gundo

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

      I wouldn't

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

      Why are you getting rid of Son?

    3. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I considered him and rashford then realised I was basing it on previous performances.

      Think bernardo offers better value with same threat of rotation. Foden and gundo and even grealish better options.

      Mahrez and Jesus just makes sterling a headache at that price being benched

    4. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Son rumoured to have covid with 7 other Spurs players

    5. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It’s a nice differential…but a costly one.

  9. evilfish
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So my keepers are Sanchez and Foster. Better to suck it up and play without a keeper this week or is there a goalie worth taking a hit for?

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

      I'm taking a hit (Steele and Sanchez) to get ddg

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      DDG if you have no other fires (imagine you do like all of us!)

    3. clodhopper
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ddg just done it

    4. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Very rarely get more than 6 points, probably not worth a hit

    5. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Honestly what is the best case scenario you would get out of a keeper? 7 points??

      Is it worth it for one week? You are looking at best case 3 extra points, worst case -3 points. Average case -2 points.

      Unless it's a goalkeeper you want to switch to for the long term I'm not sure it's worth it.

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

        I'd say given the opposition, if choosing ddg you'd have 90% probability of 6 points, with just 10% probability of 2 points if they concede. The payoffs are therefore 6-4=2 or 2-4 = -2 and weighting them with probability yields and expected value of 0.9*2+0.10*-2 = 1.6 expected pay off. So actually just over a time horizon of 1 game the move is likely to pay dividends!

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

          That's purely on some probability percentages that you have just made up, however.

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

            Well that's the probability I have assigned to my decision, a far more advanced analysis than someone like you just guestimating -2 like above. Lol. You'd have to go as low as 50% probability of a clean sheet to get a zero expected return on 1 gameweek. I don't give Norwich anywhere near 50% chance of scoring. Plus the above looks at 1 game.. look at man utd run and the decision becomes even clearer.

        2. BOATIES FC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Norwich are only 13/2 to win the game. There's no way Man Utd are 90% to keep a clean sheet.

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

            That's what I'm getting at. This is presented as science, or maths, when it's just a guess, and not a well-informed one.

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

              You're clearly pretty thick

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

            Probability I have assigned are irrelevant, I've used that as an example- you'd have to go as low as 50% to break even over just one game. Then when you consider the fixtures and look forward the decision for a -4 point hit is obviously a good one for anyone with more than one brain cell

            1. BOATIES FC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              There is no need to be so rude. With this OTT reaction and nonsense figures you aren't exactly showing yourself in a good light.

    6. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      DraftHounds (bookies) have ManU with a 64% chance of CS. Maybe that helps.

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        45% acc. to drafthound

        manU would have to be playing Boreham Wood to get a CS% above 60

        1. Sergeant Slaughter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You’re correct. Not sure how I messed that up. Just looked again. Thx

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

    A) King (Raphinha bench)
    B) Bowen (Armstrong bench)

    1. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  11. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Out of the next 3,how many games do you guys think foden starts?
    2/3?

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

      2

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      0-3

  12. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hi....is this team set up correctly for the weekend please?

    Chelsea double defence seems less appealing....and not really want to bench mbeumo v watford....but think this is my best setup.....thanks

    Ramsdale
    Taa james alonso cancelo (livra)
    Salah jota bilva (mbeumo normann)
    Ronaldo antonio king

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, not much else you can do.

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

  13. boroie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sorry just heard about the Spurs Covid outbreak…

    Are there any rumours yet as to who has got it?

    Is it likely that their game at the weekend will be off?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      8 players including Son is rumoured, so good chance it’s off

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      99% sure it’s off

      Ditch all assets

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

    Is this worth a -4?

    Son, Jesus & Toney
    ->
    Bernardo, Ronaldo & Dennis

    1. MJF
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Think so.

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

        2 or possibly 3 dead weights there so looks good

      • Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, nice

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thoughts?

      Sa will be picking the ball out the net regularly
      Leicester have covid outbreak
      Toney out for two games at least
      Hopefully Chelsea don’t suffer as Kovacic had covid during training

      Who goes first?

      *Sa
      Rudiger, James, Cancelo, Trent,
      Salah, Jota, Bernardo, Gallagher,
      *Vardy, Dennis,
      Steele, Livramento, *Toney, *ESR,

      .5

      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Would you want Toney in two games’ time? If so, just bench him. I’d keep Sa as he will play and Wolves we’re heroic against Liverpool. Who knows what the crack is with ESR, so I’d lose Vardy.

        1. Vote Joke
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          *were

    3. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Kane>Antonio?

      Got Toney as well but will bench. My other striker is Dennis the Menace.

      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yep good time to get him in

      2. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Lose Mr 1 goal in 13

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

          the fraud

    4. Here is Cash, give McGinn
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone else considering this GW captaining Ronaldo over Salah?
      I have went almost whole season with Salah. This GW though Salah face improved Villa defence and Martinez vs rested Ronaldo is facing improved defence as well but still leaky.

      1. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        A Norwich side which conceded 3 to a Tottenham side that could barely score a goal.

        Not the worst idea.

    5. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Realistically speaking,Salah is surely the better captain pick in 3/4 next gameweeks right? Only except the spurs gameweek maybe Ronaldo is the better pick
      Without captaining Ronaldo it kind of lessens his appeal

      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Antonio is as good an option for me and saves 4 mill to get 15 starters

      2. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        United are the big unknown at the moment, probably wouldn't feel comfortable captaining Ronaldo until we have seen them click.

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

        Yeah. AndyLTFPL in one of his videos a week or so ago was making the point that it’s difficult to justify bringing in Ronaldo if you aren’t going to captain him iirc.

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

      Not sure how to use my FTs, have so many issues but reluctant to take more than -4, please help!

      (2FTs & 0itb)

      SANCHEZ4.5*
      Alonso - Taa - Cancelo - James
      SON10.4* - FODEN8.1* - Salah - Jota
      TONEY6.6* - Antonio

      (FOSTER4.0* - ESR5.7* - DAVIS4.4* - Manquillo)

      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        New keeper and Toney out. If -4 upgrade Davis as what’s the point?

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

        Foden maybe ok, ESR groin doubtful but wait for team news

        If one of above is declared fit you could go Son, Sanchez & Toney to something like Bowen /Bilva DDG & King with cash in the bank to upgrade the bench Dalot possibly

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

        That's hard luck

        Son to Bowen, Foden to Gallagher toney to Ronaldo.

        Or Son to Bowen, Toney to King, Sanchez to De Gea if Foden is OK ??

    7. BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Help please!

      Sanchez*
      TAA Cancelo James Reguilon*
      Salah Son* Jota B.Silva ESR*
      Vardy*

      Steele* KIng Livramebto LOcadia*

      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Wait till last minute and accept you’ll be taking a minus 4

    8. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Son and Raphinha to? Pick 2. Tempted by a Sanco punt, Ronaldo would mean a -4 and too much sacrifice.

      A) Bilva
      B) Foden
      C) Bowen
      D) Mount
      E) Sancho

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        *Sancho

      2. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I have exact same decision, Bilva is a definite for me, and its between Mount and Bowen for the other, I'm leaning towards Mount and then getting Bowen in for someone else for the Norwich(H) game.

        1. Big Ronnie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah I think Bilva and one other. Had Mount for his hat trick so could go back there

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

            Just like the output he has when he starts games and the potential for big scores, and surely at the minute he has to start given his form

    9. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Which two City midfielders would you pick from Foden, Gundogan and Silva?

      I'm currently looking at Foden +1

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

        All good tbh. I went Silva.

      2. waldo666
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Foden and Silva for me, I reckon.

      3. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Foden and silva

    10. waldo666
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thoughts here? 2 FT and 0.4 ITB

      Sanchez
      TAA James Cancelo
      Salah Mbeumo Raphinha Jota
      Ronaldo Antonio King

      (Steele Livramento White Gilmour)

      A) Cancelo and Raphinha to Dias and Bernado
      B) Raphinha to Bowen/Gallagher
      C) Sanchez and Raphinha to DDG and Bowen/Gallagher
      D) Something else

      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Raph & Mbeumo to Silva and someone else

        1. waldo666
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          That only leaves me 4.9 to replace Mbeumo

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

            Fred time

      2. The Mighty Hippo
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        C with Bowen, I reckon.

        1. waldo666
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers, exact change for that so will be touch and go.

    11. tommo1989
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Is De Gea likely to rise tonight or should I wait until tomorrow?

      1. waldo666
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Should be safe tonight but have seen players rise before on less then 92%

      2. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I reckon you can wait

      3. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        There is a possibility. I made the transfer to be safe.

      4. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Is DDG playing?

    12. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The better pick long term?
      A)Ramsdale
      B)DDG
      Have no defensive cover of either team if that helps

      1. waldo666
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        B

      2. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I’d go A as cheaper. United aren’t suddenly good.

        1. Lord of Ings
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Both same price for me
          I had sanchez

      3. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        B. United are improving at the back under Rangnick.

      4. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Gun to my head I would say Arsenal are more likely to keep a clean sheet than United. I would also expect that Arsenal will score less goals than United so Ramsdale might get more bonus points.

      5. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers guys
        Seems like a close one but since I’ve no interest in any arsenal defender and highly likely to get dalot sometime soon,Gonna go ramsdale
        Double up on either defence isn’t ideal

    13. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Already got Bowen. Would you get Ronaldo or Antonio?

      I got baited in getting Kane with the idea of new manager...but perhaps Ronaldo with his fixtures is the best option from his team.

      1. waldo666
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ronaldo

    14. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      All Spurs games off for the forseeable including Rennes.
      Leicester next.
      Just shut it all down and look forward to your free wildcard at some point in late January.

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nobody commented but the point remains.
        Switching out your players is futile, the whole league will call a break this month and with an already bloated calendar don't be surprised to see some surprising solutions like matches not get played at all and calculated averages like what happened in Scottish lower tiers.

    15. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Best option? B means I’ll play without a GK but doesn’t really bother me for one week.

      A. Son, Sanchez > Bowen, DDG (-4)
      B. Son, Antonio > Bowen, Ronaldo (-4)
      C. Son, Antonio, Sanchez > Bowen, Ronaldo, DDG (-8)

      Sanchez*
      James, TAA, Livramento, Cancelo
      Salah, B.Silva, Son*, Jota
      Antonio, Dennis

      (Steele*, Watkins, Allan, Duffy*)

    16. tommo1989
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Do we know if there are any press conferences tomorrow?

    17. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Is Toney confirmed out for Friday?

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Probably

      2. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes