Podcast

Meet the Manager #9 – Marc Rubinstein

Fantasy Premier League managers can learn a lot from the financial sector, according to our latest Meet the Manager guest Marc Rubinstein.

With three top 5,000 finishes in his FPL career, he has a strong track record of success. This is something he attributes in part to his 20 years of experience in the financial sector, including a stint as a partner for one of Europe’s largest hedge fund firms.

In our chat, Marc looks at how key financial services issues around diversification, risk management and data analysis can be applied to Fantasy Football management.

He reveals how Richarlison will help him not to lose, but not necessarily win, and why Newcastle-era Andy Carroll may well have been one of the greatest FPL investments of all time.

The battle between luck and skill is also explored and why the proliferation of expert managers and information is making it harder each year to achieve the number one spot. This theme is explored further via this Twitter thread from Marc.

But his approach is not based purely on analysis, theory and data. Marc also reveals how his emotional ties with Liverpool has a direct impact on each of his campaigns.

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

Previous Meet the Manager interviews:

Kenneth Tang

Jay Egersdorff

Adam Hopcroft

Matthew Jones

Richard Clarke

Will Thomas

Philman

Triggerlips

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1,193 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL_WILDCARD
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Keane or Digne from the Everton defence?

    Digne on set pieces but Keane seems like a bit of a BP magnet...

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      no mina no party

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Keane looks the obvious pick in terms of FPL output so far, but with Mina lurking it might backfire.

    3. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I've gone for Keano, just gut instinct really

      Hoping for a headed goal vs the shaky Cardiff defence

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

      Seriously considering Mina as big punt. If he stays in the starting 11 he offers such a goal threat

  2. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Evening all, thoughts much appreciated, cheers 🙂

    Bench one:
    A. G2G, Pereira (bha)
    B. Alonso (tot)
    C. Fraser (ARS)
    D. Arnautovic (MCI)

    Rui Patricio
    Alonso Robertson Doherty
    Salah(v) Hazard Richarlison Fraser
    Aguero(c) Arnautovic Jiménez

    (Foster Pereira Camarasa AWB)

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      D

    2. Banana Boat
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. FPL_WILDCARD
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      Has any attacker scored against City this season?
      Pens aside.

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Sounds like attackers v City are due 🙂

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Ings filled that quota a couple games ago

    5. Mic
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I think Arnie or periera

    6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      D

  3. davies
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Dilva as an option?

    Worth the money?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Of course - finding the money is another matter though!

    2. Mic
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I think so yes

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      What's wrong with the World Mama?
      People acting like they got no Mama

      Absolutely.

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

    Getting rid of Mendy top priority? To who?

    Patricio
    Alonso Mendy VVD
    Salah Hazard Martial Fraser
    Kun Arnie Jimenez

    Stekelenburg Stephens Boly AWB

    1ft £0.0m itb wildcard still available

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      keane

    2. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      1 of the Evertons back line. Take your pick

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

      Laporte

  5. Banana Boat
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Need some advice on the better transfers for the week.

    Patricio (Hamer)
    Alonso, Robertson, Bennett (AWB, Mendy)
    Salah, Hazard, Dilva, Fraser (Hojbjerg)
    Vardy, Arnie, Wilson

    1 FT and 1.0 in the bank

    a) Mendy + Fraser > Laporte + Richarlison (-4)
    b) Mendy + Hojbjerg > Digne + Richarlison (-4)
    c) Just Mendy to any defender
    d) Just Fraser to Richarlison
    e) something else

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

      1. Banana Boat
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

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

      c

      Laporte for me.

  6. Totti
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    guys
    who have the most chance to play more mins?

    A) kelly ( with sakho and bissaka are injuried )
    B) peltier

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

      If your relying on any of them to play your in trouble

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        no i'm not
        but want to save funds
        and in the same time would get the one who has a more opportunity to play more mins

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

          I don't see any of them playing so would just be bench fodder. So for that reason I'd pick peltier and save .1m

          1. Totti
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            but bissaka tomkins sakho all are injuried
            and kelly replaced tomkins against spurs

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

              There only doubts, even if Kelly comes in for one of them this week he won't be in for long. Plus your not really going to be playing him against Man U away anyway. Would probably be your 3rd sub and then dropped the week after. Might as well just pick the cheaper bench fodder and use that .1 elsewhere

    2. Like an Egyptian Magician
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Kelly

  7. Scout15
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do?

    A) Fraser to Richa
    B) Fraser to Richa + Firm to Jimenez (-4)

    1. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A out of those two

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

      A) literally no need to take firmino out for a -4

  8. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    A) Trippier to 4.2 sub & Kenedy to Richarlison
    B) Trippier to below 5.3 (again sub this week) & Fraser to Richarlison
    C) Aubameyang to Jimenez, Hojbjerg to Richarlison

    2FT 0.1itb
    Wanna do something tonight to get Richarlison before price rise

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

  9. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Captain

    A) salah
    B) richarlison
    C) mane
    D) sterling

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      richarlison

    2. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      In my opinion if you have Salah you captain him. 13m on a player you don't captain nearly every week is a waste

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So if he had city away and a 9m (say lacazette for argument sake) forward had fulham home, you would captain salah?

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

          I said most, and Watford aren't Man city. With that being said. Im pretty sure Salah has a good record against City

      2. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        This argument is invalid as there are too many things you are ignoring for this GW such as international break and Champions league to PsG midweek

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A or D

  10. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Now that Maddison looks like being fit to start, is anyone still going to keep hold of him?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      keep

  11. Holteenderinthesky
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any Everton fans shed any light on the first choice back line. Seriously considering going against the norm and punting on Mina, just wondered how likely he keeps his place.

    Hart
    Alonso, Mendy, Doherty
    Hazard, Salah(C), Richarlson, Fraser,
    Aguero, Arnie, Jimenez

    Bettinelli, Duffy, WB, Ward.

    I'm thinking Mendy to Mina. Worse case scenario he doesn't play and Duffy comes in which I don't mind to much. The next GW I wont play him anyway which gives me a couple of weeks to swap him back out.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 4 months ago

        He played b/c Zouma couldn't so unknown. Had a look at Everton forum the other day and mixed opinion there too.

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

          I know Zouma was out, but surely long term is Mina now he is back from his long injury. They went through a lot of hassle to get him in the summer and paid 27m. Where Zouma is on loan. If I'm not mistaken didn't Mina get MOTM against Chelsea?

      • TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        the way you have described it doesn't sound too tempting, as you say:

        a) may not play
        b) would want to bench for next game (Liverpool)
        c) may swap out in a couple of weeks

        Also he is on the pricey side, so he doesn't seem to tick any boxes for me

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

          If he starts I wouldn't swap him out. Personally I have enough cover for the next GW when they play Liverpool. But then it's another two favourable home games. If it's not Mina it's one of the other Everton boys.

      • Totti
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        mendy to keane or digne

    2. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Rank these transfers in order of priority for the next 4 GWs:
      A - Kayal > Anderson / Richarlison
      B - Fraser > David Silva (have Sterling & Kun)
      C - Mane > Salah

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

        I'd be doing A) Richarlson first by a long way.

    3. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      It’s so hard to sell Fraser for Richarlison!!!!!

      Ederson
      Alonso Robbo Bennett
      Haz, Mane, Fraser, Kenedy
      Aguero, Aubameyang, Arnautovic
      Subs: Henn, Trippier, AWB, Hojbjerg
      Two FT & 0.1 itb

      Willing to do -4 (3 transfers) to get Rich in.

    4. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Am I mad for wanting to get Utd defender as Mendy replacement?

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        no

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Young could be nice differential. Is he still on some set pieces?

      2. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        yep

        they don't defend well as a team
        one clean sheet all season vs a rancid Burnley team
        not much attacking threat either

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          They had some tough fixtures tho.

          Look at their upcoming fixtures - CPL, sou, FUL. They must start picking cs.

      3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Hell no!

        Me and Jim Beam just bought two of the little blighters

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Who you bought? 😀

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I had to choose between Smalling and Young.

            I went on Red Cafe, did the You Tube goals scored thing, asked on here (awful response) and watched their last two games.

            I bought both. -8 🙂

            1. Dušan Citizen
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Woah, bold 😀

              I am between Young and Vinagre right now. Double up is risky as I already have Doherty, but idk...not sure also if Young is 1.4m more worthy.

              1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 4 months ago

                I would not get Vinegar until he has started one match.

                Get Young I think and save an attacking spot for another Citeh as that's where the fruit is.

                UTD for the Phoenix awards.

                1. Dušan Citizen
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 4 months ago

                  No money for another City attacker unless I downgrade Salah 🙂

                  1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 4 months ago

                    No don't do that.

                    I mean you may be able to wrangle it in the future. 🙂

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

      Bench one..
      A) Fraser
      B) arnie
      C) Bennett
      D) Alonso

      Really surprised by the order RMT has these 4.

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        b

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

          B) from a neutral perspective 😮

    6. Tabbara
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Which option is better:
      A:Martial and TAA/Digne for Mendy and Kennedy 2ft
      B:Robertson for Mendy
      thanks

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

        I am sure A will get you more points.

    7. HD7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      G2G

      Fab
      Digne Robbo Alonso Duffy
      Salah (C) Richa Fanderson Hazard
      Aguero Arnie

      Subs: Button, Kenedy, Success, WanB

    8. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Vinagre double up with Doherty anyone?

      Can't decide between

      A) Vinagre (nice 4 of next 5 fixtures, double up)
      B) Young (differential, beautiful fixtures, have to start picking up some cs)
      C) Digne (tricky, unreliable defence)
      D) Laporte (have feeling we are gonna concede 1 goal per match, esp with WHU and BOU, WAT are also tricky)

      Which one to get?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Young may be difficult with Valencia back fit and scoring for Ecuador. Should be some rotation around that defence although he is a good choice otherwise. VVD is my differential should prosper over Christmas with Shaq in the team. If you want to save the money though it’s definitely vinagre

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          It was Enner Valencia, not Antonio I think 😀

          Also, hasn't Valencia been fit for a long time? It seems like him and Mou have got some problem.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            No no Antonio was indeed there in the goals strangely ffs. I really don’t know and this is why i’m Not really trusting united assets this year because you never really know now Mourinho is in full break down

      2. Mic
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Digne

    9. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Who's my captain out of these?

      Pat
      Doherty Digne Robbo Alonso
      Mane Hazard Sterling
      Jimenez Lacazette Arnoutovic

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Probs Sterling out of those - though Doherty could be a ballsy punt

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Sterling

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          VC Laca or doc

    10. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      How likely is Shaqiri to start this week?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Apparently hard to drop. I hope so he’s key to Liverpool actually scoring goals

        1. Saka Punch
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          You got him too? 🙂

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            No not yet 😉 but I do have Salah and now VVD on the condition that Shaq will be playing and giving VVD good service at last over Christmas so he can get his goals like he does for the Netherlands

            1. Saka Punch
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              In the form he's in he surely should be starting every week. But what do I know

    11. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Ahhhh Jiménez set to rise maybe tonight lingering on 92. Ideally want to wait for tomorrow’s presser to put out any fires but I really don’t want to pay 5.9 for him ffs what do we do

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        wait
        he won't rise tonight
        will rise tom.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Hope so

    12. Cak Juris
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Choose One:
      A. Maddison >> Richarlison
      B. Fraser + Wilson >> Richarlison + Jimenez (-4)
      C. Fraser + Trippier >> Richarlison + Chilwell (-4)

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        A is enough as I fancy Bournemouth against arsenal

      2. Totti
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        A

    13. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Quick vote up chaps. Mendy > ???

      Current backline :
      Pat
      TAA - Alonso - AWB - Bennett

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        keane or digne

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Why the Everton love?

      2. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Laporte

    14. gilean
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Want to replace Mendy with another City defender, but can I go Delph? Or even Stones? I know Laporte is the safest option but those 0,7 saved can be used well other places

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Stones is as safe

        1. gilean
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Isn't Delph also as safe?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Not with Zinchenko and 3 atb alternatives

            1. gilean
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Good point. Cheers

    15. MartialMatas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      G2G?

      Patricio
      Alonso Digne VVD
      Salah Hazard Martial Fraser
      Kun Arnie Jimenez

      Stekelenburg Boly Stephens AWB

      0ft £1.5m itb

    16. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Reminder to Laporte bandwagoners that Pep has said more than once that Laporte will not play every game this season even though he has the arrogance to

    17. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Richarlison to rise tonight?

      1. Fingerspitzengefühl
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Very likely

      2. gilean
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Quite likely

      3. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Yep

    18. GuillermoDickero
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      What's this about Martials stats not being amazing? Or that he's outperforming them?

      I'm not an owner but looking at the stats they seem to be really promising!

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        6 goals from 13 shots including a pen seem sustainable to you?

        1. GuillermoDickero
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I don't think he will keep scoring at the rate he's been going, but I don't think any player in the league would.

          Seems to me that some people are just not considering him as an option because of this unsustainable stats piece that I've seen quotes around.

          Just a strange one

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I’d rather get a consistently involved player in an attacking team like Fraser or rich at that price

            1. GuillermoDickero
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              But it's not like he's been inconsistent. He's returned in basically every game he's played 90 minutes

    19. HD7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      GW15 fixture swing team:
      Basically is Kane Martial combo better than Salah Robbo after a few weeks?

      Fab
      Digne Alonso Bellerin
      Martial Richa FAnderson Hazard
      Aguero Arnie Kane

      Subs: Button, Kenedy, Femenia, WanB

      Current team:

      Fab
      Digne Robbo Alonso Duffy
      Salah Richa FAnderson Hazard
      Aguero Arnie

      Subs: Button, Kenedy, Success, WanB

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Like it yeah

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          But prefer keeping Salah until 17 and losing Aguero in 15 for Kane. Less transfers

    20. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Ederson Hamer

      Doherty Alonso Robertson (Balbuena WB)

      Salah Hazard Richarlison Fraser (Hoijberg)

      Aguero Arnautovic Jimenez

      1.4m in the bank. Save FT?