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. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    We looking alright? 0FT, 0.0 ITB - plan to ditch Alonso, for Pereira/TAA atm, next GW

    Fabianski
    Robertson Doherty AWB
    Salah(c) Pogba Son Sane
    Auba Jimenez Rashford

    Boruc Camarasa Bednarek Alonso

    --

    Cheers guys.

    1. PURPLE-RONNIE
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yup gtg

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Safe and predictable

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        For now you could say that, yeah. Did Hazard and Quaner to Son and Rashford this week.

        Don't know if safe and predictable is meant as a slight or not, but don't see the need to go uber differential just yet when most of my players are performing well, have been for a wee while, and have decent fixtures for the most part? All chips still intact too to be used down the road.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Not meant as anything other than safe and predictable which is the correct way to go at the moment.

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            All right haha, my bad. Thanks mate.

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Solid

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        'preciate it lad

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Noice

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Merci

  2. PURPLE-RONNIE
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Richarlison or Sane to son?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rich

  3. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Hazard or sell for Son?

    1. PURPLE-RONNIE
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sell

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

      Sell

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      i ditched him for son - better option at least short-mid term imo. allowed me to do quaner to rashford too as a bonus

  4. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I was leaning towards keeping Aguero before Auba has illness news but looked at last 5 game weeks. Auba couple more points than Laca 27 vs 25 thanks to phantom assist + baps for Laca goal. Laca more touches, more goals, more shots on target

  5. Samwise
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    should i sub Hazard and Kamara for Aub and Hayden?? or something else? (1 ft, 0.3 in the bank)

    Patrício

    Wan-Bissaka, Robertson, Digne

    Salah, Hazard. Pogba, Son, Jota

    Agüero, Rashford

    Hamer, Bednarek, Bennett, Kamara

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 1 month ago

        "Today, Aubameyang is sick but I think he's okay for Saturday"
        https://www.arsenal.com/news/emerys-press-conference-read-every-word-7

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Done Sane > Son already, anything else worth doing or save the other ft?

      Fabianski
      Robertson Doherty Kolasinac
      Salah(c) Sterling Pogba Son
      Firmino Rashford Jimenez

      Hamer Hojbjerg AWB Digne

      Cheers all

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Get rid of Bobby

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

          Id keep Bobby this week

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What's up with aubameyang

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

        Got the sniffles apparently

      2. pjomara
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        his temperature

      3. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Photographed holding pack of lemsip

    4. 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I need a MID for 4.3 to get Auba. Who is the best option?

      Think these are the best of a bad bunch. :-/

      Bacuna
      Dendonker
      Hayden

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He’s got the sniffles

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

        Go Lacazette

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I went for Haydon

    5. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Any Gooners out there care to explain this Aubame-bloodclot-yang name they’ve given him?

      I don’t get it

      1. MTPockets
          5 years, 1 month ago

          AFTV. No I don't get it either

          1. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Would love an explanation

            1. MTPockets
                5 years, 1 month ago

                https://youtu.be/q85ZG2TsdsE?t=25

                I'd call it wannabe-jamaican-tim-westwoodish but that would come across as very middle england of me

              • THFC4LIFE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                It’s that tool they call ‘Troopz’ that started it

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

            Bludclart is Jamaican patois for sanitary pad and is an insult

          3. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Wagwan blud

          4. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            bloodclaut = Jamaican slang. AFTV lads like a bit of banter i guess

          5. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Well this clears it up. Kinda

        • cuppatea78
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Any recommendations?

          Alisson

          Robertson - Doherty - AWB - Bednarek

          Salah (c) - Hazard - Richarlison

          Jiminez - Rashford - Aguero

          Subs: Guaita - Fraser - David Luiz - Camarasa

          £1.6m ITB
          2 Free Transfers

        • BOATIES FC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I can't decide on Laca or Auba

          Auba more nailed and on pens but has been ill and playing on the wing.
          Laca has marginally better recent stats, is cheaper and plays in the middle but is he definitely gonna start the next 3 games.

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

            Auba every minute last 5. Laca only 37 mins less. I'd only get for next 3 games so leaning Laca

        • CelticBhoy1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Who's the best Digne replacement?

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

            Kolasinac

          2. cuppatea78
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Holebas?
            Doherty if you haven't got him

          3. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            i went for bednarek as a nailed cheap option.

            1. THFC4LIFE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I’ll be doing the same next week

            2. CelticBhoy1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              lol thats a possibility then strengthen midfield

        • Mind över Mata
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          GTG?

          Patricio
          Robbo, TAA, Doherty
          Salah, Pogba, Son, Richarlison
          Aguero, Rashford, Jiminez

          4.0; Bednarak, Hojbjerg, Wan-B

          Worth going Aguero -> Auba (-4)?

          1. Sid07
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Stick

          2. cuppatea78
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Stick with what you have. Not worth a hit IMO

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

            Same team, thinking this myself or the below

        • Sid07
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Who would you ditch 1st haz or sane

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            tough one. i ditched hazard finally with that nice parting gift and kept sane for now, but mainly as it freed up more £ than diching sane

        • The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sane, aguero & Digne to auba, son & Kolasinac?

          1. CelticBhoy1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            For how many hits?

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

              2

          2. CelticBhoy1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            But much for a -8

            Sane > Son is the best move for free

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

              Fair enough, much appreciated

        • Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Feel free to blame me if the Rashford train derails this GW - I finally had the FTs and $ to hop aboard and bring him in for Quaner. 🙂

          1. Numb
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Could actually possibly get a rest this weekend.

        • wulfrunian
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          What else should Rashford do to start considering him as a decent captain choice?

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

            Hes my VC

          2. STONEROSES
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I think there’s still some nervousness about his consistency levels as he endured several long goalless runs, pre-OGS.

            To be fair tho, there’s a similar feeling about Hazard. And he’s general considered best player in the EPL*

            *on his day

            1. wulfrunian
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Like other examples if Rashford's price was 10.5 many managers would captain him.Auba against Fulham would be a must captain.

          3. TheBrazilianRonaldo
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Mo salah has to be not playing a sub top 6 team

        • Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          thoughts? 1FT 0 ITB

          Fab
          Shaw Digne Doh
          Salah Sane Rich Son
          Jiminez Rash Auba
          (Button, AWB, Alonso, Brooks)

          Big worry is I have 4 players blamk plus an injured Brooks for GW 27. Can obvs use a free hit next GW but feels a bit daft if I have 2FT

          A) Hold
          B) Sane to Pogba
          C) Alonso to VVD
          D) Rich to Redmond/Moutinho

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Sane Digne Richarlison Alonso Brooks are all problems. Auba also maybe one.
            Time for hits .

        • STONEROSES
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Salah leads to captaincy poll by some way BUT is that because his ownership is so uch higher compared to Auba?

          1. MTPockets
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Maybe. Bournemouth away form is also terrible

            • George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              He's at home.
              Bournemouth concede plenty away
              Auba inconsistent
              Auba has a snotty nose.

          2. MikeLowrey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I've locked in Sterling > Son, was looking at Kun > Auba until the sickness news broke

            Any other transfers people can suggest:

            1FT, 2.6 ITB

            Fab
            Robbo AWB Doherty Digne
            Salah (C) Son Pogba (VC) Rich
            Aguero Jimenez

            (Boruc Bednarek Camarasa Ings)

            1. abaalan
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              What sickness is this?

              1. MikeLowrey
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Not 100% sure. Just heard it floating around on the forum

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

                Guys seriously Google Aubameyang and you can get quotes from Emery. How difficult is this???

          3. Numb
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Fun fact

            Aguero and Auba have exactly the same Anytime Goalscorer odds for this weekend.

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Shhhh they’ll find out!

          4. abaalan
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Laca Vs auba .. talk to me. Think best to save the cash to upgrade rich next week?

          5. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            What differentials or at least non-template picks do people have for this GW (in your starting 11)? I’m thinking anything with TSB% less than 15%

            I only have Jota in my starting 11 but also JWP, Pereira and Luiz on the bench this week waiting as my differentials for future weeks

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

              Moutinho and Kolasinac

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Nice picks

                I was v close to getting Kosc or Kola over Pereira

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

              Duffy

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Nice. Brighton have amazing fixtures. I was eyeing up Montoya at one point

            3. The 5% Team
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Guaita, Pereira, Kolasinac and Jota

              thinking of adding Rondon or Ward-Prowse

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                You playing Pereira or benching this week?

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

            Play 1:

            A) Fraser (liv)
            B) Camarassa (sou)

            1. cuppatea78
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Fraser. Liverpool have looked ropey at set pieces in recent weeks

          7. cuppatea78
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            2 free transfers.

            Richarlison -> Son
            Fraser -> Ward-prowse

            What do you think?

          8. olliejames
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Do people think Salah TC could be a wise move considering the uncertainty around the blanks and doubles this season?

          9. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I'm so stuck... thoughts? 1FT 0 ITB

            Fab
            Shaw Digne Doh
            Salah Sane Rich Son
            Jiminez Rash Auba
            (Button, AWB, Alonso, Brooks)

            Big worry is I have 4 players blamk plus an injured Brooks for GW 27. Can obvs use a free hit next GW but feels a bit daft if I have 2FT

            A) Hold
            B) Sane to Pogba
            C) Alonso to VVD
            D) Rich to Redmond/Moutinho