Interview

An interview with FPL world number three Håkon Mangersnes

Most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers will be playing for mini-league glory or a landmark rank as we enter the season run-in.

For a handful of Fantasy bosses, however, there is the carrot of finishing ahead of every single other FPL manager in the world.

There are few of us who will ever be in with a shout of clinching an FPL crown but there are nine Fantasy bosses who are in either our Fantasy Football Scout or Fantasy Football Scout Members mini-leagues who are in the top 50 as things stand, with two in the top three.

One of the managers currently in the podium places is Håkon Mangersnes, who sits third in the world and only four points off top spot.

Håkon, a three-year Member of Fantasy Football Scout, even briefly reached the summit halfway through Gameweek 29.

Here he answers some of our questions in an interview you can read below.

An interview with FPL world number three Håkon Mangersnes 1

Scout: For the legions of us who will never be world no.1 at any point in our lives, what did it feel like to be top of the pile when you were temporary leader in Gameweek 29? Is the overriding emotion excitement/satisfaction/fear/disbelief/anything else?

Håkon: It was obviously a great feeling, a combination of disbelief and pure joy. Having played the game for a number of years I almost considered it impossible to get to number one as so many things have to go right in order for it to happen. I did not really think it could happen that Gameweek either as there was quite a gap to top spot going into Gameweek 29, so I was surprised more than anything else, but when I finally let it sink in it felt amazing. Even though it was just for a few days it truly was the peak of my FPL career so far, and it might not ever happen again, so I tried to enjoy the moment as much as I could!


Scout: It sounds like a strange question but would you, with still eight Gameweeks to go, be happy if you ended up with a top ten place? Or is it first or bust now that you are in this position?

Håkon: Of course, I want to try and win it now, as I doubt I’ll ever be in this position again. I still think it’s rather unrealistic to actually do it, though, as there are a lot of managers with similar teams/chips that are in a great position to win it as well, but I gather I’ve got as good a chance as anyone – so I’m going for it! Before the season I would have bitten the hand of anyone who had offered me a top 1,000 position, let alone top 100 or top 10, so I’ll consider the season a success almost no matter what happens. That said, I think I’ll be a little disappointed if I don’t win, having been so close…


Scout: Has reaching the summit changed your approach/outlook to FPL? Are you looking more at your nearest rivals, for instance?

Håkon: I’ve looked a bit at the teams around me, and it’s funny to see how similar the squads are. Most of the players that have done well for me and brought me to where I am are in almost every other team around me as well. I don’t think I’ll pay much attention to that going forwards, though, and I don’t think my mindset has changed a lot. I still think the smart play is to just keep trying to bring in the players that do well. Perhaps I’ll look more at my rivals in the last few Gameweeks if I’m still in a position to win, but for now, I think it’s best not to overthink it and keep trying to target players with good fixtures/form etc.


Scout: Talk us through a normal week of managing your FPL team – do you follow a usual routine in terms of research/transfers etc?

Håkon: I scroll through Twitter a lot during the week, which is important to get news on injuries and Covid, but I also find it valuable to see which moves other managers are planning. I use social media both to confirm that my planned transfers are somewhat sound and to see if someone is moving for players I’ve not yet considered myself. If I have the time, I try to listen to some podcasts as well. My go-to is the Norwegian podcast, Fantasyrådet, but I also like Hallo Fantasy which is another Norwegian pod and FPL General’s The 59th Minute. When I’ve got an idea of what I want to do, I’ll usually discuss my planned moves with a friend before locking in the transfers. When the deadline passes, I’ll set up my ‘bus team’ before I try to enjoy the weekend and watch as many games as I can.



Scout: Are there any tools on the Fantasy Football Scout site that you use on a regular basis and find particularly helpful? How long have you been a Member?

Håkon: I’ve been a Member for three years I think, and I mainly use the stats that are accessible on the site. I have a few stats tables that I use sometimes when I’m struggling to decide between players to bring in. Occasionally I’ll read an article or two, but this year I haven’t really had too much time to spend on FPL as I’ve been rather busy. I also like the Season Ticker and the captaincy poll – I don’t really like to go against the top choice when it comes to captaincy. In previous seasons, I would watch the Scoutcast as well as the team news videos after press conferences, and I really enjoy the Meet the Manager series – it’s nice to see how others approach the game.


Scout: Have you done anything different this season to what you have done in the past?

Håkon: This might sound a bit odd, but I’ve spent far less time on the game this year than in previous seasons. This is partly because it’s been a busy year outside FPL, but also because of how Covid has impacted the last couple of seasons. Previously, I would spend a lot of time planning for the long run, whereas this season, the schedule has been changing a lot due to postponements, which has made short-term planning more pressing. I still try to make moves that are good for the long term, though, as I think that makes it easier to deal with injuries etc, but I don’t spend as much time tinkering during the week wondering what moves to make when games can be postponed at any time. This has forced me to be more patient when it comes to making transfers as well. Usually, I wait until Friday night/Saturday morning, and I try not to look too much a sites predicting price rises (unless I have to, of course: sometimes I’ll make sure I don’t get priced out of the moves I want to make). In previous seasons, I’ve been quite concerned about team value, and I would often make transfers early in the week to catch prise rises. Now I value information more. I also think that delaying the decision on whom to bring in helps me make the right choice; paying too much attention to price rises might sometimes force you to make a decision when you’ve not had enough time to think it through. Now I’m rather calm about team value and I think that if you bring in the right players, your team value will take care of itself.


Scout: You still have all one chip left remaining for the run-in (the Free Hit). When do you plan to play it and how will you tackle the last eight Gameweeks without further chips?

Håkon: I plan to use my Free Hit in one of the coming Double Gameweeks, but I haven’t decided which one yet. I think the rest of the season should be more or less straightforward to navigate with free transfers, unless any new, unforeseen Blank Gameweeks should occur.


Scout: Your hits have totalled -40 this season. Are you usually this aggressive with transfers or is this season a bit of a one-off given the raft of postponements, blanks/doubles etc?

Håkon: I tend to be quite aggressive with transfers – even more so in previous seasons. This is actually one of my more conservative seasons when it comes to taking hits. I do try to refrain from taking too many hits, though, as it’s always prone to backfire, and the only certainty with a hit is the minus four points. Looking back at previous seasons I do see some correlation between my rank and the number of hits I’ve taken. I still think that hits are fine in many cases, though, and as you point out I’ve taken quite a few already – and probably will take some more before the season is over. In my opinion, hits can often be justified when faced with multiple injuries/suspensions or in blanks/doubles where it’s more likely you’ll gain back the points.


Scout: Despite forwards generally flopping in 2021/22, you’ve used 4-5-1/5-4-1 on just six occasions – and a 3-4-3/4-3-3 on 15 occasions. Do you still retain faith in forwards and prefer a more attacking set-up?

Håkon: I’ve found it useful to have a solid team of 15 players for most of the season, and there’s always been a lack of forwards in the £4.5m-tier that actually get minutes consistently. Hence, I’ve had to spend more on forwards, and when they cost more I find it a bit harder to put them on the bench – I guess that’s why I’ve ended up playing with three forwards for most of the season. I don’t really expect much from my current strikers apart from Harry Kane, and having played my Bench Boost I think I might turn one of them into a non-playing one for the run-in.


Scout: You’ve had only one Everton player in your team all season, and that was Dominic Calvert-Lewin back in Gameweek 3-4. Do any of their players appeal to you for their run of doubles, starting with GW31?

Håkon: I thought their late win against Newcastle might ignite them a bit and they obviously have something to play for, which is important to keep in mind when entering the closing stages of the season. I was a bit put-off by their defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup the following game, however, but I do think we might see something different from Everton going forwards. If I go there, the players I’m considering are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and perhaps Richarlison. Calvert-Lewin would be my preferred choice but ideally, I’d like to see him start some games first.


Scout: You currently don’t have any Manchester City players in your side – is that a situation that will change in the next few weeks or will they have to wait for their double later in the season?

Håkon: Yes, I definitely want some Man City players back – they still have a lot to play for in the league and when they do I think it’s difficult to look past them (rotation risks or not). I had Joao Cancelo and Kevin De Bruyne before my Wildcard in Gameweek 28, when I got rid of both of them to be able to fit in Kane and to prepare for Double Gameweek 29 and Blank Gameweek 30. I think both are great picks and I’m looking to get one or maybe both of them back at some point. I’m not sure exactly when I’ll go for them, as I’ve got some fires to put out in my team at the moment. Man City also face Liverpool soon, so I might put it off for a few weeks.



Scout: With no Bench Boost to play, will you be retaining a solid squad of 15 rather than pouring money into your starting XI, with one eye on rotation around the Champions League/Europa League/FA Cup and the rise in Covid cases?

Håkon: I’m very happy that I got to play my Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 29 as I think it is the hardest chip to get right with all the planning that goes into it and all the compromises you might have to make in the weeks prior to and following the Gameweek you play it. Now that the Bench Boost is out of the way I am looking to put more money into my starting XI. For most of the season I’ve had a very solid squad, which has been useful with all the rotation and postponements, but it seems like things have settled down a bit now, so I think it’s okay to have at least one non-playing asset on the bench. I think putting as much money as possible into the starting XI is the best counter to those who still have their Bench Boost available.


Scout: Who do you think might be a breakout FPL asset in the run-in?

Håkon: If Everton can turn things around I think Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be a great option. The same goes for Harvey Barnes and James Maddison at Leicester, but I don’t think I trust them yet, and they might not have much to play for in the run-in. I also think Nick Pope could be a solid pick given Burnley’s amount of fixtures – but it’s not really an exciting pick, is it? I might have to go there myself, however, as both my keepers (Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Dubravka) are flagged at the moment.


Scout: Is your fantastic overall rank now common knowledge amongst your family and friends?

Håkon: Yes, most of the people I interact with on a daily basis have found out one way or another. It’s been great – their reactions tend to mirror my own, disbelief and excitement. Even those who’ve never played the game seem to find it somewhat impressive. Of course, to those I explain that the game is all skill, no luck. I’ll let them in on the luck part if I start falling down the rankings…


Our thanks again to Håkon, to who we wish the best of luck for the final eight Gameweeks.

312 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Calum Undisputed
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    WC31 FH33

    1. 442 (gamble on 3dgw players)
    Pope Guaita
    Cancelo James Robbo Doherty White
    Salah Martin KDB Gordon Barnes
    Kane Weg Cucho

    2. 541 (No dgw players, ramsdale fit)
    Ramsdale Schme
    Cancelo James Robbo Doherty Cresswell
    Salah Martin Mahrez Havertz Barnes
    Kane Broja Cucho

    3. 442 (2burnley essential moving on)
    Pope Guaita
    Cancelo James Robbo Doherty White
    Salah Martin Mahrez Havertz Barnes
    Kane Weg Cucho

    Hi All 1,2,3? comments? Thanks
    2nd post to get diff views

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      2 but not Schmeichel or Broja.

      Is it Martinelli?

      1. Calum Undisputed
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        yes. martinelli
        hope news on ramsdale fit b4 dateline else wun risk

  2. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    If James is fit he starts right? Or you guys think BRE is too soon? I have TSilva, thinking of going to RJames...

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      No, I don't think so. It's not too soon, but I think they could be a bit cautious with him, especially with an important UCL match coming up shortly. Although I think there's a chance that James plays against Brentford and Azpilicueta comes in for the Champions League game.

  3. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    anyone going in this week with no DGW assets?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Burnley don't count, so imagine most are.

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Of course, any serious manager should avoid Burnley and Everton assets, whether they have single, double or triple gameweek

      1. Root
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Serious managers are definitely not avoiding Burnley assets, I can guarantee you that.

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Yeah, but I haven't made any transfers yet.

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Yeah, and I've wildcarded!

  4. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Any Thoughts appreciated guys
    1ft 0.9 itb
    Forster
    Robbo Rudiger Doherty
    Salah son raph martenelli Kulu
    Lacca adams
    Ramsdale coady schar• Jimi•

    Jimi to weg obvious One? Who to bench? Save trans? Any thoughts welcome, cheers all

  5. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    So guys dubravka is fine right?

  6. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    who to bench
    a) Raph v saints
    b) Laca v palace
    c) Coutinho v Wolves

    1. Malinwa
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      d) Adams v Leeds

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        That's impossible to know.

        If it's 1 draw it out of a hat!

  7. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Thoughts here? Either Ramsdale to Pope or TAA to Robbo - current thoughts.

    Ramsdale
    Trent Cancelo Tierney Van Dijk Doherty
    Raphina Saka Kulusevski Salah
    Kane

    Subs: Foster, Barnes, Toney, Dennis

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Ramsdale to Pope or Schmeichel is are options for me, and So is TAA to Robbo, if I do get Robbo that’ll be for the rest of the season, TAA won’t be coming back

  8. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Start schmeichel or dubravka?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Schmeichel

  9. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Pope
    Trent* Rudiger Doherty Kilman
    Salah(c) Son Saka Gordon
    Kane Maupay

    Sanchez Brojan Ramsey Livramento
    0.5m 1FT (only BB left)

    A) Trent to Robertson
    B) Trent to Cancelo
    C) Maupay to Weghorst

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      B.
      Cancelo is a must have

      1. Root
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Is TAA not a must have (long-term)?

        1. FantasyClub
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Thing is there’s only 8 GW’s left, after WAT it’s MCI then UTD...and if you have a look at LIV euro schedule it’s absolutely hectic. If I get rid of TAA I’ll need an additional 0.5 to get him back, too much value tied up so if I get rid thats it for the season for me

  10. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Would you bench Barnes or Ramsey

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I’d bench Ramsey

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Cheers!

  11. CostaCoffee
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Any changes needed here, or roll ft? 0.3itb, ~300OR

    Pickford (Sa)
    Reece TAA Rudiger Doherty (Livra)
    Mount Salah Saka Raphinha (Gordon)
    Kane Richarlison (Broja)

    (Realistically Gordon and Livra will prob come off bench)

  12. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Do Liverpool stream their press conference on YouTube?

    Be interesting to hear Klopp's tone when discussing Salah, Mane and Trent and the South American players.

    https://twitter.com/FFScout/status/1509806698973831168?t=5p_NEXA-KAP4C8CPWcX1Gw&s=19

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      If the members area had a 'tone used by manager when discussed in press conference' metric, I think I'd consider subscribing.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        This would be the tipping point for me.

        Klopp can be quite tongue in cheek in his Germanic way!

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      check liverpool echo but from memory no

  13. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Would really appreciate some wildcard suggestions please…

    1) BB33 on the cards, is Dubravka worth the extra 0.3 when Foster plays BRE (yes I can see that money being useful)
    2) can I keep Dennis who I bought at 5.2 and can’t find much better. As above means double WAT on BB
    3) does it make sense to go Weg for BB then downgrade to the likes of Mateta post 33. If not best 2 forwards to join Kane for combined 12m?
    4) go Havertz for the next 3 then switch to Coutinho when their fixtures turn. Whats Havertz xMins?

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      1) Probably, depends where the funds go ofc
      2) Probably go Broja over Dennis
      3) Makes sense I guess, although not a fan of Weggy myself
      4)Idk why you'd get rid of Havertz after 33, plenty of doubles. Dependent on UCL progress and how the league table is looking, expect him to start vs Brentford up top

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        cheers for the reply.
        those little moves for extra funds are important. i owned broja for 6 weeks and he was pretty bad, but I guess he does save me 0.3 if I sold Dennis
        newcastle fixtures not great at all post 34 so maybe not worth the extra on review
        yes agree on Weg don't love it. Not sure who else to go for. Need 2 strikers combined 12m. Would be tempted by Pukki if he didn't play United for BB33

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      4. 60 mins. If at all.

  14. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    So many differing opinions on who starts for Chelsea and what formation...you guys think TSilva will be rested to face Madrid? Would like to go to RJames...

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Don't think Silva will be rested vs Brentford. Reece is 50/50, depends on whether he's ready to slot in straight away for both games. Might want to give him mins before Madrid but not too many

  15. I eat dogs
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 12 months ago

    I'm in a right pickle.

    1FT
    £2.7m ITB
    FH and BB still intact

    Plan was to FH 33 and BB 36 but open to change.

    I need Kane in my team but have 3 spurs already, leading my league but not by alot, and chasers have Kane.

    Mendy Foster
    Reguillon Doherty Saiss Rudiger Kilman
    Salah Coutinho Kulu Saka Maddison
    Broja Lacazette Jimenez

    Any thoughts of how to get Kane in to this mess without taking too much of a hit?

    Laca and Kulu out for Kane and Gordon?

    If I move Reguillon out instead of Kulu, I can only afford Tsimikas - not ideal.

    Help!!

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Find a way to get rid of Jimi to Kane

      1. I eat dogs
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 12 months ago

        I have been trying that for 18.5 hours.

        I think its going to involve a -8

      2. I eat dogs
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Kilman Kulu Jimi - OUT
        Johnson (WHU) Gordon Kane - IN

        Thoughts?

        1. FantasyClub
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Cout out instead of Kulu. Villa have Wol away then TOT then blank

          1. I eat dogs
            • 1 Year
            1 year, 12 months ago

            I have to move a spurs player out for Kane to come in, I was planning to FH in GW33 anyway.

            Unless I do:

            Reguillon - Dawson/Johnson
            Coutinho - Martinelli
            Jimi - Kane

  16. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Would u ship one of raphinha or coutinho to havertz for a -4?

  17. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Morning all. Been very out of touch this IB. G2G or transfers required? 1FT & 0.5m ITB. Using FH33, WC35 & BB36 at the mo. Cheers.

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Lamptey - Rudiger - Doherty
    Foden - Saka - Son - Salah
    Antonio - Lacazette

    (Foster) - Broja - Willock - Livra

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Antonio has to go imo

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Even against an awful Everton? Wait a week with antonio surely?

  18. makaveli
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Is anyone having problems with the Fantasy Draft site? can get any free agents for some reason

  19. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    The question is, is it even worth going TAA to Robbo for the WAT match when LIV face MCI and UTD the following GW’s respectively? If Liv don’t hold a clean sheet vs WAT it will be a failed transfer unless you intend to hold Robbo for rest of season no?