Podcast

Meet the Managers – Top Tips From FPL’s Most Successful Managers

Over the last five months 11 of Fantasy Premier League’s best competitors have given up their time to reveal their key strategies for success in our Meet the Manager series.

The FA Cup break in the Premier League schedule this month provides us with a perfect time to take stock of their advice  as we navigate the rest of the season.

Each of our interviewees has their own unique way of dealing with issues such as captaincy, value, hits and formation.

However, the series reveals a number of similarities in style.

They all are keen followers of the season ticker, with a kind set of matches on the horizon often driving their decisions.

Another common theme is that they perform best when they stick to their own tried and tested plan. In most cases rare bad seasons are caused by an attempt to try a different management style.

How they react to these poor campaigns also proves to be particularly illuminating.

In addition, they have also given an insight into how the game has changed over the last decade, including its surge in popularity, the introduction of chips and incredible rise in the wealth of online information and advice.

My thanks go to all those who have taken part.  In particular I want to thank Kenneth Tang, who was recently diagnosed with sino-nasal cancer. Our thoughts are with him at this difficult time. His good nature and sense of optimism shine through in this series as well as in an interview he gave to his local paper in Hong Kong last month, shortly after his diagnosis.

Dealing with the noise

FPL becomes more popular each year, with six million managers signed up so far in 2018/19. A product of this has been the explosion of information and advice, from increasingly accurate price change prediction sites to statistical analysis across social media. At times this barrage of information can be overbearing and presents this elite group of veterans with fresh challenges to overcome each year.

Dealing with this social media “noise” is an issue that Richard Clarke in particular deals with in his October interview.

He uses the example of how social media helped fuel a Gameweek 8 bandwagon for Harry Kane, who had an enticing home tie with Cardiff but only scored one point. Instead of following the “momentum” generated by the crowd, savvy managers blanked this out and instead calmly analysed evidence to show how Spurs tend to struggle after tricky Champions League ties, on this occasion against Barcelona.

As one of those who followed the crowd on this occasion, Richard knows first hand how important it is to edit out the “noise”.

Build up a watchlist

Mark McGettigan, aka FPL General, is another that has sought to block out the information assault. He often completely ignores price prediction sites and ownership data and instead focuses his transfer moves on his own watchlist.

He is among a minority of FPL managers to use this function in the game, which offers a quick and easy way to pinpoint potential transfer targets based on form and fixtures.  It also helps him to swerve the crowd and focus his thoughts on the players he has pinpointed as key to a rankings surge.

His three top 500 finishes in three of his last four seasons show the benefits of utlilising this often overlooked tool.

Creating your own luck

Often it is said that FPL is a luck-based game. But with so many high overall ranks this group of managers have clearly found ways to create their own fortune.

Marc Rubinstein’s interview best exemplifies this as he details how he uses 20 years experience in the financial sector to ensure his arrows are green each week.

His strategy involves careful risk management by drafting in well-owned players with the potential to score well and damage his rank if he continues to shun them. This is becoming increasingly important in recent years as the number of savvy managers playing FPL continues to grow.

This luck creation strategy also involves diversifying his “portfolio of player assets” to ensure he is not too exposed to a team’s dip in form.

He also looks for budget gems that can perform above their price tag and generate income and points for his squad.

Importance of team value

Wealth creation is an important factor behind the success of our very own Mark Sutherns, especially in recent years with the introduction of chips.

He quickly ditches players whose price and form is tumbling and pounces on strong value options to ensure he can get the most out of his chips later in the season, around double and blank Gameweeks.

He has found that this strategy has helped him create a stronger squad than his rivals when using both the Free Hit and second Wildcard chips.

To move swiftly in the market Mark must occasionally make early transfers. This risky approach is aided this season by the larger than usual array of good budget options. They have helped him create a strong bench that can be deployed should an early transfer be scuppered through injury or surprise team news.

Stay balanced

Nick, aka Triggerlips, pays close attention to team structure to ensure he is another elite manager who can swiftly tap into the transfer market. He ensures he can do this adopting a “plug and play strategy” that looks at creating a balanced team with player price points, which can be used to quickly swap in form assets.

This tactic also ensures his team has a good balance in all outfield positions enabling Nick to field good quality premium and budget assets across his team.

At the start of each season he allocates a budget for defence, midfield and attack to achieve this, which can be tailored based on initial player valuation and real life football trends.

For example at the start of the current campaign he allocated more money than usual in defence due to the increasing array of attacking backline options. He also only opted for one premium midfielder, due to the high price tag of Mohamed Salah and value centre of the park options such as Everton’s Richarlison.

Fixture planning plus

All our interviewees look at fixtures to influence their transfer plans, with Adam Hopcroft no exception.

He takes such analysis to a higher level by breaking down fixtures into a variety of categories. This involves looking at home and away form, as well as team’s performances against top six sides and lesser teams.

He looks at underlying statistics and performances over the last six matches in each category to gather a wealth of information on team and player performances, which is also used to influence his captaincy decisions.

Other factors can then be filtered into such decisions, in particular the history of players and whether their underlying data may be misleading. For example some strikers are consistently able to score from limited shots, while others need a number of attempts to register returns.

Focus on the wheat not the chaff

Kenneth Tang is another to look closely at fixtures but his weekly analysis is firmly focused on players from top six sides.

For Kenneth it is his selection of premium assets from such sides that will dictate his performance. With nine top 10,000 finishes, this has proved to be consistently successful.

Before constructing his Gameweek 1 squad he looks at the next six to eight fixtures for sides such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Cheaper players from lesser sides are then deployed to fit around them.

His rationale is that top teams are far more likely score a high number of goals when against lesser teams.

For example at the start of this season he doubled up on assets from both Liverpool and Manchester City due to their strong fixtures. This ensured he reached the edge of the top 10,000 by Gameweek 4.

Learning from other Fantasy games

Playing other Fantasy formats can also help with FPL management, with many top managers excelling across a number of games.

Will Thomas is among this elite group of Fantasy polymaths, with ranks of 753 and 82 in FPL and four top 100 finishes in Sky Fantasy Football.

Sky’s limited transfers have helped Will to think twice before transferring out good players in FPL.

Also Sky’s matchday captaincy selections help FPL managers pay particular attention to fixture swings.

However, playing multiple games is not without problems.

Will warns against ‘hedging’ transfers and captains across formats as this distracts from the core reason for selecting players – accumulating points.

Patience is a virtue

Matthew Jones is among the most patient of our interviewees with the bulk of his Gameweek 1 team still in place when I interviewed him in October.

Good planning, avoiding too many punts and basing decisions on strong research of form and fixtures minimises the risk of Matthew making a bad transfer. It also lessens the need to take a hit, with none taken so far this campaign. With each hit costing four points this already puts him at an advantage over less patient managers.

Matthew even waited until Gameweek 19 to use his Wildcard. This proved savvy as by focusing this chip on the festive fixtures he was able to rocket from 40,275 to the top 10,000 within just two Gameweeks.

Don’t be Afraid

In contrast to Matthew, Jay Egersdorff has found a way to achieve success by making bold moves, often involving multiple hits. Across his career he has not been shy to spend points to get in the players he hopes will take him up the rankings.

This boldness can prove costly, with a disastrous three-hit move last Christmas seeing Harry Kane jettisoned ahead of back-to-back hat-tricks. But with three top 1,000 finishes and top 10,000 overall ranks in all but two of his previous 12 seasons his gung-ho style clearly works more often than not.

His confidence in making bold moves has also helped Jay cope with the pressure that comes with being a top manager in the public eye.

Despite struggling for periods of this season, he appears on YouTube each week to discuss his latest score. His optimism in these videos is proving inspirational to those who, like him, have found themselves tumbling down the rankings this season.

Learn from mistakes

One of the most interesting aspects of this group’s FPL management is how they cope with adversity and are able to learn from their mistakes.

When a rare poor season occurs this group spend the summer analysing where it went wrong and how they can improve next time around.

In Phil Ampleford’s interview he explains in detail the reasons why in 2017/18 he struggled to make the top 100,000 after six successive top 10,000 finishes.

A key factor in this mini-slump was an attempt to try a different management style.  He eschewed his tried and test strategies of limiting the number of risky punts and building team value early on. Instead he looked to be more maverick with player selection and ignore prices.

His subsequent learning exercise paid off, with Phil back to his best this season, with an overall rank in and around the top 10,000 since Gameweek 5.

Mark is another to back this learning tactic.

Each season he looks back at the previous campaign and searches for ways he can improve. Perhaps the best example of this was after the 2013/14 season when he struggled to make it into the top 200,000. A reluctance to draft in players such as Aaron Ramsey because he’d already missed a number of points hauls was identified as a key weakness that he has not repeated since. His next season finish of 42 clearly shows the importance of this post-season analysis.

Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive alerts on all our new video content, including further Meet the Manager interviews.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,811 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Denver Omelette
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fab -> Patricio or Etheridge?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Patricio

  2. FPLAdmiral
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this lot chaps? 0FT, 0m ITB.

    Fabianski
    Robertson, TAA, Digne
    Salah (c), Hazard (vc), Pogba, Richarlison, Camarasa
    Kane, Rashford

    (Button)(Jimenez, AWB, Doherty)

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You don’t need a bench that strong. If you’re benching Jimmy each week then no need to have Doherty. Downgrade him and upgrade Digne to Luiz

      1. FPLAdmiral
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Only benching Jimenez this week because he plays City away and Camarasa plays Huddersfield at home. After this week Jimenez is a permanent starter

      2. poulteren
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry, I completely disagree. Leave Digne as Everton have great fixtures. A strong bench is key at this time of year. Why does benching Jiminez mean you dont need doherty?

        In sum, the team looks solid. I would get city cover and maybe change keeper.

    2. tvz32
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      We have basically the same team except I have Sane instead of Hazard and Obiang instead of Camarasa as fodder. Your TV must be pretty high to be able to afford Haz.

      Having said that, I am pretty happy with my team (bad sign) and wouldn't do anything with it. Cheers

      1. FPLAdmiral
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, my TV is 106.2. If we have similar teams hope you hit 100+ this week!

        1. tvz32
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I have a TV of only 104.3, that explains your Haz vs my Sane. Anyway, i am set on Salah with the armband but having doubts due to Brighton being quite decent at home. Thoughts?

  3. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Guita nailed on?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Seems to be. Playing well

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hennessy has always been a question mark and he played just well enough to keep his place due to hi familiarity with his defenders. Circumstances have allowed Guita to get in and I think it is his place to lose now. 5 out of six fixtures have clean sheet potential too.

  4. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Digne still worth it? From what I have seen Everton seems really shaky lately.

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t go there myself but he seems quite popular on here

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I have him so I won't change. Would I get him now? No.

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Attacking wise he is going to get returns. Trouble is Everton can’t defend. I’ve got him and Kolasinac who is also similar (great attacking potential but terrible defence) so I’m going to get rid of one of them this week for a Liverpool defender (almost certainly Kola)

      Everton fixtures are good so I think Digne is still a decent option

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That is about keeping him, not getting him. His question does not make clear what he is doing.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Ok.... getting him depends on what rest of defence looks like and budget so can’t be answered objectively without seeing his team

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Correct

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Still cant decide

    A) Salah (c) Hazard Martial
    B) Hazard (c) Son Sane

    In B would get Salah next week.
    I've been thinking that maybe it is worth keeping Son for one more and Sane could be good for next 3 City games?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is this a 1 week decision? If so it’s very close either way I think.

      Depending on your OR and whether you care about ownership / risk, A is probably slightly lower risk approach (given how lowly owned City assets currently are)

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks 😉

  6. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski and Anderson -> Guita and Salah (-4).

    Yes or no?

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Would need to see rest of your team, but just looking at those 2 transfers in isolation then it’s pretty much a no brainier. Salah is much much more beneficial then Anderson. Can you just do the Salah transfer?

      1. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I need to free up 0.4 to do Anderson -> Salah.

        It’s either Fabianski -> Guita or Rashford -> Jimenez

    3. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  7. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Hennessey completely out of favor now?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not in parts of Germany he isnt 😉

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The Palace manager does not change keepers easily. As with England, he was prone to keep a level of understanding defensively. He now knows Guita has it so he won't change back quicly IMO.

  8. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I think this bench, that I've paid pittance for, is a season keeper for me now. Nice not having to worry about bench players for the rest of the campaign for a change 🙂
    Camarasa 4.5
    AWB 4.0
    Bednarek 3.9
    Hamer 4.0

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I may go for Speroni, Puncheon, Wan Bissaka, Bednarek on WC 😆

  9. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA Doherty Digne
    Pereyra Sigurdsson Pogba Hazard
    Aubameyang Jimenez Kane

    Button Kante AWB Bednarek

    A - Hazard to Salah
    B - Aubameyang and Pereyra to Salah and Arnie/someone else -4

    1FT 2.7ITB

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A . I would rather have Auba and Pereyra than Arnie and somebody

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Arnie or someone but I get your point. Salah in either way. Thanks.

  10. space
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best striker to bring in this week at 6.6m or less?

    Already have Jim.

  11. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hoping i can save the FT or something else needs to be done this GW?

    Bego
    WB Robbo Pereira Digne
    Rich Haz Salah (c) Pogba
    Kane Jimenez

    Fab Kamara Bennett Snoddy

    1 FT and 0.7 ITB

  12. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain guys?

    Fab
    Robbo TAA Digne AWB
    Haz Sane Pogba Fanderson
    Kane Mitro

    stek, Jimenez, Doherty, camarasa

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Has to be Haz

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        This

  13. Pauntley
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all!

    Would you rather have:

    A) Salah and Richarlison

    Or

    B) Hazard and Sane?

    Keeping Kane and Auba up front. Initial thoughts are B may be better but scared to go without Salah any longer.

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A..no doubt

  14. One Man
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to bench ?

    Pogba (Tot A)
    Jimenez ( ManC A)
    Westwood (Ful H) ?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Westwood

  15. Rushford
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which is better?

    A) TAA + El Ghazi
    B) Cancelo + Grealish (-4)

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wow a post from 2018 you posted on

      1. Rushford
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It amazes me too but how did you see it?

        1. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Recent posts in the corner how did you post on it!??

          1. Rushford
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Apparently I never close old tabs on my phone..