Podcast

Meet the Manager #14 – Simon March


For the first time in our Meet the Manager series we chat to a prolific manager who has snatched the ultimate prize – winning the Fantasy Premier League game.

Simon March joins me to discuss the impact of his 2014/15 winning season, what it takes to conquer the game and how he dealt with pressure at the top. 

He also reveals how his victory has unlocked work opportunities and why avoiding watching matches proved a blessing in disguise in his title winning campaign.

With two top 10,000 finishes prior to his momentous victory and top 50,000 overall ranks in his subsequent three seasons he remains as committed to FPL as ever, with his masters degree in behavioural science at the London School of Economics now giving him extra motivation. 

His chat about how his academic work links up with Fantasy management proves revelatory, in particular how Swansea’s former striker Michu is still impacting on many managers transfer plans despite last kicking a ball in the English top flight five years ago. 

He also reveals his plans for the remaining Gameweeks of 2018/19, including the players he is looking to ditch and those he wants to bring in.

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

Previous Meet the Manager interviews:

Sean Tobin

Aleksander Våge Nilsen

Mark Sutherns

Mark McGettigan

Marc Rubinstein

Kenneth Tang

Jay Egersdorff

Adam Hopcroft

Matthew Jones

Richard Clarke

Will Thomas

Philman

Triggerlips

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

682 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo, need to lose a City mid and gain an Arsenal fwd:

    A) Sterling + Lacazette
    B) Sane + Aubameyang

    cheers

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

    3. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  2. LordEllison
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    1ft and 1.4 itb any transfers or GTG??

    Guaita
    Doherty - Robertson - Alonso
    Son - Pogba - Salah(c) - Jota
    Aguero - Rashford - Jimenez

    Subs: Fabianski - Digne - WB -Hojbjerg

    Thanks!

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      AWB starring ahead of Alonso for me.

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I also have alonso on my bench

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good, I would keep the ft

  3. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Eder
    Robertson WanB Doherty
    Hazard Sterling Rich Anderson
    Rash Firmino Jiminez

    Button Camarasa Digne Luiz

    I have 1.3m itb and 1ft...

    Is it wrong to take a hit for:

    Haz/Sterling > Salah/Son ???

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would

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

    Danny Injuries, more like

  5. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A)
    Salah Son Pogba JOTA
    AUBA Rashford Jim
    (RICH Digne Pereira)

    B)
    MANE HAZ Salah Son Pogba
    Rashford Jim
    (Digne Pereira QUANER)

    Jota, Auba (Rich) vs Mane, Haz (Quaner)

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      leaning A so I can captain Auba, but I have 4 nice fixtures for defenders in 27 so I can do B and bench Haz that week no problem

  6. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone doing Sane To Son?

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Done right after he was taking off at 58 mins cause I hate him 🙂

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Hes got me 53 pts while I've had him but its time to go i think.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          6 blanks in last 9 for 10.0-ish - definitely the right call

          1. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah think so

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yeah already done

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cool

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yep indeed.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nice

    4. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Done after last night's match, in rage.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        LOL

    5. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Did it Monday - or whenever Son was going to rise.

      Maybe I am the one that caused this...

  7. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Should I play

    a. Brednarek (home against Carrdiff)
    b. Pereira (away against Tottenham)
    c. Peltier (away against Southampton)

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

      Easy a

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Breadnarek

  8. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is anyone going Mane over Son?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Was just about to then realised I'm already maxed out on Liverpool.

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If you have Salah, go Son.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        What's the thinking behind that?

        1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Precisely

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Obviously if you have Salah, Son will score more points than Mane, if you don’t then Mane will score more. Are you thick?

        3. Duffy Dunk
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          LIV have not been that highscoring lately and I consider Salah the main man even if Mane has happened to be scoring.
          Son seems to be essential for TOT's attack.
          Also, next gw Son plays BUR while Mane plays MUN.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            None of this supports your original answer

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Its him or son

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

      I’ve done it from last week.

      I was not sold on Newcastle Burnley Leicester as great fixtures. In fact they look 3 of he toughest fixtures out of the top 6 for attackers.

      The temptation of Mane is that he’s a decent differential as many can’t reach him as maxed out on Liverpool. Also his fixtures look better and is a long term hedge for 31.

      Time will tell but I’m confident that over the course of 6 matches he’ll be the right choice. I’ve chosen him now as I don’t want to be swappping in and out.

  9. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Anything worth a hit

    Fabianski
    VanDijk Kolasinac Doherty Holebas
    Son Salah Pogba
    Jiminez Aubameyang Rashford

    Hamer Anderson Pereyra Danilo

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, good to go. Don't see many 4-3-3 formations about

  10. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sane third on my bench behind Bednerak and Ings even though he's injured and can't play. That'll teach him to be useless.

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

      Then sane goes and hauls against Chelsea

      FPL life

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed

  11. The Pesci challenge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth bringing in an arsenal player in this week, thinking maybe kola or laca?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      They play the schittest team in the league fella.

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I know so is it worth bringing in a defender or a striker for this game?

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

          BOTH

  12. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    pick one

    a.sane + Jimenez
    b. jota + auba.

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one. Probably just B

  13. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Interesting

    What is the general consensus for the options for when to play the WC/FH/TC/BB in the upcoming gameweeks?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Make your own route. The fpl winner very rarely follows the 'general consensus'.

      1. Marmalade Forest
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        The winner (or higher ranked players) also rarely takes the same route as me!

    2. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’m probably wildcarding gw28. Then sort out the chip order once the fixtures become clear.

  14. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who you think will score less this week?

    Hazard (mci)
    Sané (CHE)

    1. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sane.

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sane will play less minutes so would have to go for him. Plus hazard on penalties.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Have to go for hazard sorry

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I mean sane

          1. No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Long day

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

      Yea wishing I hadn’t transferred out haz over Sané now. That was before his 59min failing. Might take a -4 to push sane onto my bench and problem solved!

  15. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Rondón an option?

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

      I’m eyeing him up for my third striker once Llorente stops playing

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Very much so. I just don't like to buying players from my home team.

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

      Looks great option for wk 27. If I was using FH that week would probably go for him

  16. Stinglikeabee
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A - Bsilva and Kun to laca and son

    Or

    B - Bsilva and Kamara to Jiminez and Neves

  17. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So what do with Aguero now aub is flagged.

    You think Aguero will start with so much game time recently?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Think hes gotta start vs Chelsea

    2. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He’s very likely to start.

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

      Way too many compressed minutes for me; shipping for Auba.

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

      He will start and score as playing at home. Gutted I don’t have for this week...adding insult to injury of last gameweek

  18. jomikijiq
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A) Jimenez (-4)
    B) AWB

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  19. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    After reading some comments above I'm undecided.

    A) Mane (already own Salah)
    B) Son

    Thanks

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  20. good biashara
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Yes for me. Cheap, nailed on and might benefit from the new boy Almiron. He's coming in next week, after wol his next two are HUD and BUR!

    1. good biashara
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Reply fail to the Rondon post...

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rondon?

  21. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba injured? I'm on WC, shoild I still get him?

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      if he’s fit get him in 100% for me

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

        How will I know if presser was already held?

        1. olly:)
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          if it’s illness he should be okay, just pray.

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Praying to the porcelain god.

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

        Thanks guys, will just pray 😀

        1. child of God
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah just ask my Dad for guidance

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

      Illness. Does no one Google search anymore?

  22. olly:)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Patricio
    Kolasinac Robbo Bednarek Doherty
    Sterling Son Pogba
    Aguero Auba Rashford

    Etheridge Camarasa DavidLuiz Højbjerg

    Is considering Sterling + Aguero -> Salah(c) and Jiménez a bad idea?

    feel like i’ll get a major red arrow if Salah and Jimenez haul and I think they will score well. Could also afford to get Firmino or Vardy rather than Raúl. What do you think?

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If Auba is ill i could do Sterling and Auba instead then get Auba back for next week.

  23. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I get the feeling this auba uncertainty will have a similar outcome to kun in gw2

    1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yes

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      same to last week when there were rumours of an Aguero injury or earlier when Fraser was a doubt and proceeded to get an 18 point hauler.

  24. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Auba ‘don’t buy, don’t sell, don’t go into the cubicle after’ category this week?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      nah

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No I’d say he win the “definitely buy” category still - GW27 captain

  25. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Ok, so I plan to do Sane and Rich to Mane and Son over the next two GWs. Which transfer 1st? I'm thinking Sane > Mane.

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

      No, i guess you have Salah so better Son first with 2 good fixtures. Sonnis their talisman atm plus he is on fire.

  26. henryleeds
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sane > Mane for free? no other pressing issues (already have Son)

  27. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Quick poll please, have 1 FT (also have Pogba, Son, and 3 Liverpool players):

    1. Sane >> ??
    2. Save

    Thanks

  28. Celt Abroad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth Sane and TAA for kola and Mané? (-8)

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      TAA is back in full training

  29. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard owners, keeping or selling for Son/Mane?

  30. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which is the better option?

    A) Salah(tc) v bou
    B) fab - rondon - bednarek - awb (BB)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      BB

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

      Both are completely stupid

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Would Salah tc be stupid if he banged in a hatty ?

        So many dullards on here it’s unreal lol

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

          Do it. I could care less. Pool in great form

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

          If X happened Y would be great. Hypotheticals are fun

      2. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure triple captain on Salah home to Bournemouth is stupid at all.

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

      Neither are worth doing

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

        Salah tc is better though

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      GW36 home to Huddersfield better than all of the above surely?

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Have a look at Bournemouth’s away record

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

          With Begovic or Boruc?

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            You’re hilarious

            Boruc the new DDG?

            Hahahaha

            You mean the two games when Clyne was playing? 🙂

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

              So play the TC

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Have you seen Huddersfield play football? I'd go with Salah home to Huddersfield over Bournemouth 10 times out of 10.

          Bournemouth (on their day) can frustrate anyone. That's not to say Liverpool won't win tomorrow, they probably will, and Bournemouth are missing Wilson & possibly Brooks... but looking a bit deeper - they have beaten Fulham , Watford & West Ham away from home so not a forgone conclusion that they will get absolutely hammered (which is what you want when playing TC). And they are fundamentally a very decent side (Not what you want when playing TC).

          Huddersfield on the other hand, are so bad that words really struggle to properly describe their difficulty in playing football, they are hopelessly out of their depth at this level (failed to win 23 of their 25 games - shocking)

          So when it comes to triple captain - quite an important chip - GW36 home to Huddersfield better than all of the above surely?

          The GW36 factor will hopefully multiply that gap even further - if Liverpool are fighting for the league at that stage & need goals/goal difference, and Huddersfield are long since relegated.

          But definitely go with your gut, as if Mo does hattrick now and you didn't do it, you'd be kicking yourself!

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Maximus

            Thanks for this pal really appreciate will think long and hard before considering it now and before reposting about the use of chips

            Nice one mate

    5. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A for me, think BB is better used in a double imo

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks pal

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      With Pools recent form im not sure I'd TC Salah but then again i very reluctantly captained him against Bournemouth away and that turned out pretty well.
      Id take a TC hatty.

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah had him captain that game tonight

        Think I’ll take a punt

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah good as time as any.

    7. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      TC is a gamble and can always go both ways, personally I like to save it for the last gw of the season.

    8. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You must have more chips than most of us. You’re on every GW using one!

      On a more serious note - if you don’t have a WC left then BB looks good (since you won’t really ever have the WC to sort a BB bench)

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        lol

        Na I’ve got my wc still mate

    9. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You’re still grieving from that Sané crap aren’t you?

      A for me, don’t like BB with players on opposite team Fab v AWB

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Na wasn’t my captain sterling was so it didn’t hurt as bad

    10. kime67
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      bmouth have huge injury problems atm and they are gonna lose. im not confident on salah getting a big haul tho. im waiting for a dgw to use tc. hazard could have a triple gw

    11. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I like a man with big balls hahaha

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not many of them on here

    12. Sizo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It's not a question if A is better than B, but rather is using TC or BB smart this week. You have to compare BB this week to BB another week and same for TC.

      If you think both are good to use this week, then you need to decide what is best. For me I would not consider using BB, as I'm saving it for a DGW.

      When it comes to TC it could be fine to use it this week, but I will hold it. I think Huddersfield at home for Liverpool could be just as good as Bournemouth for Salah, and there is still a chance for a third DGW later on.

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

        I wouldn't waste it on out of form Pool with TGW still a possibility

      2. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Appreciate it

        Wish more people could of be well articulated like yourself rather than just saying it’s stupid.

        Food for thought

        Thanks

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

          Had my triple on kun at the weekend and changed at 1125 and just went with captain. moral of the story go with ye gut

    13. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’d hold both. I’m assuming you are using freehit\wildcard one dgw and benchboost/triple captain the other and have a spare chip as a result. Good planning but wait and see the full picture Liverpool still have Huddersfield if you need to tc a single gameweek make a decision when you have more detail. I wasted my tc on sane against my gut due to over planning my chip strategy, don’t be like me