Podcast

Meet the Manager #3 – Will Thomas

Will Thomas is among Fantasy Football’s rare polymaths, with the ability to excel in two different formats, Fantasy Premier League and Sky Fantasy Football.

In FPL he has five top 10,000 finishes including overall ranks of 753 and 82, while on Sky he has breached the top 100 on four occasions.

But as Will explains in our latest Meet the Manager video interview, juggling two different formats can have its pitfalls as well as its advantages.

He chats to me about his strategies for success and how to achieve a top finish. We also look back on his 2017/18 campaign, in which hedging his picks across two formats cost him dearly in FPL.

In addition, he reveals how Sky’s patient approach, due to limited transfers, as well as its focus on fixtures with multiple captaincy selections allowed, has helped Will to excel across most of his FPL career.

Will’s views on the current season also prove illuminating, including why managers need to take advantage of an unusually high number of budget gems this term.

He also reveals why he is shunning Harry Kane and is instead pinning his hopes for success on another, far cheaper, striker.

With a current FPL rank of 26,711, he looks to be already on his way to another strong season.

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

The first Meet the Manager video, featuring Triggerlips can be viewed here, while the second, featuring Philman, can be seen here.

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1,996 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BaconBeer
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    AWB/Laporte/TAA - Who to bench?

    1. Bialystrzelec
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Taa

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Laporte

    3. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Laporte

    4. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Laporte

  2. Bialystrzelec
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    David Silva to:

    A. Maddison
    B. Son
    C. Knockaert
    D. Keep till international break

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      D

      1. Regin
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Why? Away to Liverpool is an easy game for man city? As opposed to home games vs Everton, Cardiff or west ham? What ridiculous advice. I would say last night term a is good choice, c also good option if u want to save money

        1. Regin
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Long term*

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B looks exciting prospect this wk..

  3. mlm
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench who? Thanks

    Wilson
    Fraser
    Knockaert

  4. southernpacific
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy or Lacazette?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    2. mcrayeps
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky. I think Vardy has more going for him

  5. BaconBeer
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    AWB/Laporte/Boly - Who to bench?

  6. sergioaguero67
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Holebas or Doherty?
    Please help

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      cholevas

    2. Ynwalfc
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Doherty

  7. Ghost86
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Got 1FT what would you do?

    A) Aguero to Kane and captain other options (Salah, Hazard)

    B) King to Arnie

  8. mcrayeps
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A) Ings (CHE)
    B) Doherty (cry)
    C) AWB (WOL)

    Guys, who will play and who will be the first bench?

  9. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench?

    A) Doherty (cry)
    B) Awb (WOL)

    1. TJ
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B) I'm playing AMb over Bennett

    2. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

  10. TJ
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Play?
    A) Robertson
    B) AWB

    1. mcrayeps
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A.. Cant imagine benching robbo and play AWB instead

    2. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

  11. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Anything wrong with this WC team?

    Hart
    Alonso AWB Duffy
    Hazard Mane Richarlison Fraser
    Kun Kane Ings

    Patricio Ward TAA Bennett

    1. Kiwi Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Looks solid.

  12. Mr_Barbs
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any of these worth a hit?

    A) Mane & Zaha > Son/moura & Lacazette (-4)

    B) Aguero & Zaha > Kane & Jiminez (-4)

    C) Aguero & Mane > Kane & Son/moura (-4)

    1. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B if any

  13. Bggz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    right, im on WC from 1 min after todays deadline.

    who will the double risers be? generally you need to get the rises that first night to get a doubler

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Whoever scores well

  14. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha & Aguero to Vardy & Lacazette?

    For free?

    1. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

  15. Grounderz
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, need help with Kane in but unsure which player I should send out for. Likely options are Shaw and Wilson to fund Kane in.

    Pat Hamer
    Trippier Robbo Shaw AWB Peltier*
    Hazard Mane Moura Fraser Stephens*
    Aguero Auba Wilson

    1 FT, 1.0 in bank

    Keen on hit.

    What are your thoughts?

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kun + Wilson > Kane + Jimenez.

      1. Grounderz
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I am set to offload Auba.

        1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Why do you ask then?

          1. Grounderz
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Sorry, think should rephrase. Set on Auba but to get Kane in, need a hit but unsure who.

    2. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not shaw or Wilson Robertson to TAA if you must do it

      1. Grounderz
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I rate Robbo and think he will do well in the coming weeks.

        Either for someone else or I just leave the team as it is and hope Auba delivers more returns than Kane, which is quite a possibility but unlikely.

    3. valurth
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero > Kane and Auba > Arnautovic / Mitrovic

      You could also downgrade Robbo to TAA

    4. Jimmy Floyd
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Auba and Wilson to Kane and Jimenez or auba and Shaw to Kane and Doherty/Jonny both look good to me

  16. SPorting
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Urgh. Dead as.

  17. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain this week?

    A Trippier
    B Moura
    C Son

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Trippier not injured or rested?

    2. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      D. Lamela

    4. Jarnathan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

  18. Regin
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    On free hit
    A. Maddison
    B. Gudmonsen

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      What is a "free hit"?

      1. Regin
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        WC for 1 week only.

        1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          If you are on WC, I'll take both.

    2. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Maddison

  19. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Keep:
    a) Alonso
    b) Dilva

    1. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A of course

  20. Puyol Self Together
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who should I start?

    King or Fraser?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      This is the kind of headache I hate reading about when so many of my 15 have awful fixtures this wk 😆

      1. Puyol Self Together
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Haha sorry mate! 🙂 Not my only headache, don't worry!

  21. Regin
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Anybody think that shampton could score against Chelsea?

    1. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think so but I hope so:p

    2. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso will score

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Of course they can, and if they do hopefully it’s Ings 🙂

  22. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who do I bench ? Feels tricky:

    A) Pereira

    B) Duffy

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Your other defenders?

    2. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

  23. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1

    A) D Silva
    B) Robbo
    C) Wilson

    1. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely don’t bench Wan

  24. Pitch Perfect
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    King to Arnie for a -4 this week?
    And play Arnie over Mane or Mitro?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No. I’d want Mane and Mitrovic starting regardless. Are you really benching King?!

      1. Pitch Perfect
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I thought he looked ineffective v CRY. Do you reckon he should he keep Holebas (BOU) and Knockaert (WHU) off the team sheet?

  25. Rocky FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    WC team, GTG?

    Patricio
    Alonso TAA. Trippier
    Hazard Rich Maddison Sterling
    Arnie Mitro Kane(C)

    Hamer, Bennet, AWB, Stephens
    Itb:0.7

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Looks ok, how are you acquiring Liverpool assets next wk?

      1. Rocky FPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I have TAA, Salah or Mane I can get many ways

        Salah using Kane,Sterling > Aguero, Salah
        Mane using Kane, Richarlison > Lacazette, Mane

  26. Azathoth
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with Eriksen? (Rest of mids Haz - Wally - Maddi - Peltier)
    a) Keep,save FT and play AWB.
    b) Oust and bring in Son/Lamela/Sterling/Someone else

    Thanx

    1. Azathoth
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not Peltier ofc,but Stephens.

  27. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Percent chances grippier starts this week.Any chance he is benched?

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Trippier

    2. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      With aurier injured, trippier should start.

  28. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who to choose for next 2/3 weeks?

    A Dilva
    B Ozil
    C Son
    D Pogba

    1. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      None of them are appealing considering form and fixtures.

  29. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Morning folks! GTG? FTs used.

    Ryan
    Alonso | TAA | Doherty | AWB
    Salah (VC) | Hazard | Fraser
    Kane (C) | Aguero | Ings

    Button | Hojbjerg | Bennett | Billing

    0ITB

    Thanks

  30. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    play one >
    a. Fraser
    b. Wilson
    c. Rich

    muchos gracias laddas:)