Podcast

Meet the Manager #18 – Tom Freeman

A focus on pre-season research, a weekly statistical rummage and not caring about money has helped Tom Freeman achieve a truly stellar track record of success as a Fantasy Premier League manager.

During his decade long career, he has finished in the top 1,000 on five occasions and has three more season ranks in the top 10,000.

Currently at 20,000 he is well on course for another strong finish.

In his chat with Joe, Tom reveals how ignoring team value has helped him do so well. This means he leaves transfers to the last minute and is also unafraid to ditch a player who he has profit tied up in.

Keeping tabs on pre-season minutes and form is also crucial. Especially when it comes to promoted sides. This season the Fantasy Football Scout’s pre-season coverage was particularly handy to highlight the impact of budget sensation John Lundstram.

This site’s Members area has also been a regular help each week. In the customised table section he has collected his own set of data which he can quickly look at when the Gameweek ends to give him vital information about player form.

Another issue Tom, who is one of our Pro Pundits, discusses is the importance of having a midfield slot dedicated to under the radar differential picks. His current choice for this role is particularly eye-brow raising.

Late Wildcards, why 4-4-2 is bringing him success this season and long-term captaincy strategy are also covered in this latest Meet the Manager episode.

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

Previous Meet the Manager video interviews can be found here.

Make sure you subscribe to our Youtube channel to receive alerts to all our new videos.

The series is also available as a podcast and on Soundcloud. These are available in the second and third players below.

Nominated for ‘Best in Fantasy Football – Editorial’ at the Football Content Awards 2020

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

452 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Keep Sterling or bring Mane in?
    (already have Salah and KDB)

    1. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Make that call after GW 13

    2. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling

    3. JohnBlack
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mane

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bring in Mane as you have KDB.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This

  2. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Almost essential player for now:

    Vardy, Mane, Abraham, KDB.

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KDB?

    2. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KDB depends on the pp. If there is no value tied he is certainly dispensable for now

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        If suggest he is back in that category now he is playing as a AM again, it’s not a coincidence his FPL output dropped while helping cover Gundogan while Rodri out.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'd add taa or Robertson

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vvd scored more points last year than Kdb ever has. City will focus on CL.

  3. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What is this Salah's issue? An old ankle problem or something new?

    1. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Most probably old ankle prob!!

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      We will have to wait for Klopp.

  4. Sir Edo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Just started listening, and what a Season History you have! (Reminds me of a young Sir Edo!) Great to have an active top manager in the chat community too. Keep up the good speed! 🙂

  5. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Enjoyed this very much. It is a far superior series of, let's call them articles (compared to say, pro tips,) because it has an experienced broadcaster/host, to keep it on track and help the interviewer illuminate general principles, theories and ideas, supported by examles. Things that any manager can take and consider applying to their own team. So much more interesting than the pro tips articles that tend to be lengthy walks through a dull series of personal decisions

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      *interviewee

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Form not that great and rotation risk too high, aguero has to go. Wish I made that decision earlier on. Switching for auba who I will probably captain too. Aguero owners keeping or selling and if so for who ? Thanks

    1. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yep great choice .

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Selling but definitely not for Aub. I'll be bringing in Abrahams or Vary for Aguero. If I was thinking of bringing in an arsenal attacker which I'm not it would be Lacazette.

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy $

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Have vardy and Abraham already. Arsenal next 3 fixtures are just too good to ignore imo I'm ready to gamble . He s the perfect "cash cow" too if things go wrong 🙂 thanks for reply

        1. Squeakybum99
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Jim and use the fund elsewhere.

          1. Squeakybum99
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Although Auba will return but Arse are in pathetic form.

        2. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I brought him in at the start of the supposed good run (gw7 I think) and have had very little to show for it. Not really his fault, Arsenal just aren’t creating at the moment as their midfield is pretty poor. I’m holding for the next 2 and will then likely go to Jimi, but if I didn’t have I wouldn’t be bringing him in.

    3. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      If you have Vardy & Abraham, then Jimenez or possibly Rashford.

  7. FirMinaMiMo
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Gd mrg frdz 🙂

    Heaton button
    Lund rico soy **** kelly
    Salah kdb tielemans martial ****
    Vardy tammy *****

    Pick any combo

    A Robbo Sterling Greenwood
    B Janmat Son Jiminez
    C Janmaat Sterling Mousset

    Any opinions????

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A you need a pool defender

      1. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate 🙂

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  8. SH
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A. And Mane instead of Sterling for me

    1. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Reply fail to the post above

      1. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Which one frd?? Will yu mark it with a words to share my thoughts!

    2. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thank yu mate:)

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Depends of rest of team though ie other pool or city cover ? City could easily destroy Chelsea and sterling hauls

  9. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Going forward pick one...

    A) Mount
    B) Jimenez

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Jimmy 100% for me

    2. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Add Robertson to that list

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Have taa ?

        1. Fernando Torres
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yep

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Still Jimmy for me.then.

            1. Fernando Torres
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Thanks!

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Robbo

  10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    One of the most interesting episode of Meet the manager so far!

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      One of the best FPL Manager in the world imo.

  11. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Has HOF updated yet this season ?

  12. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wonder when Grealish will return from injury.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vs newcastle hopefully... Considering him/richarlison before WCing.

      1. dmhomag
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Not good idea against a defensive team fielding 5 man defence.

  13. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Looking at my team it seems the xmas lights have been turned on.

    Very colourful.

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Haha, nice one Now Now Brown Cow!

      Hope your team lights up this Xmas and you have a lovely festive time!

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Only a matter of time until Silva has to go

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

      Yeah. I’m selling Mina next week.

    3. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yikes, not looking good for them. West Ham too.

      No wonder City's xG is so high

    4. mookie
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      In the comments they say Lanzini out for 2 months. Did I miss that in tweets here? Or, are they reporting only the news regarding the players owned by the herd here?

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

      Nice chart. Any idea where it comes from?

    6. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Interesting, but the Southampton numbers make no sense so I’m wondering how it’s been calculated.

  14. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pope
    Rico Lundstram TAA Soyuncu
    Maddison Sterling KDB Mane
    Abraham Vardy

    Subs: Button, Mount, Tomori, Greenwood

    2FT 1m ITB. Considering swapping Mount for Jimenez

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yep. Downgrade mount either for Jimi or live def

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

      Wow I have 100% same starting line as yours.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's a very common team to be fair

  15. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What to do? What to do?

    Pope Button
    TAA Lund Soyuncu Rico Guilbert
    Salah KdB Son Maddison Dendo
    Auba Tammy Mousset

    2ft, 0.1itb

    1. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Save or Salah to Mane

    2. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Auba to Vardy, mousset to Jimenez

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I wish

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Auba to Vardy

  16. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A. Pulisic & Sterling

    Or

    B. KDB & Martial ?

    Thanks!

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

      B!

  17. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Eddie Jones saying he should have refreshed his squad for WC final as they were tired.

    lol, they played 1 game less due to the france game being cancelled.

    tw*t

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sour puss. No way he could've stopped that Bok team

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The cancelled game was also against what would have most likely been the most physically demanding in the group as well, so an even better rest!
      Always disliked jones.

  18. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Janmaat or Rico as 5th def?

    Both currently at 4.3...

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      If I’m doubt, go template - Rico!

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rico crap fixtures

  19. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I assume Walcott is Tom's differential midfield pick? No thanks.

    1. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He needed a cho replacement and went Walcott. A bit strange tbh, I think you and 99.9% managers agree, check his ownership 😆

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which 2 to bench?

    A) TAA (CRY A)
    B) Soyuncu (BHA A)
    C) Janmaat (BUR H)
    D) Lundstram (MUN H)
    E) Rico (WOL H)

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      CE

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      CE

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why is TAA on that list ya madman?

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

      I have exact same defenders, benching C and E

    5. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      CE

    6. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers!

  21. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/andy-robertson-fears-injuries-could-ruin-his-season-1-5044661/amp?__twitter_impression=true

    Doesn't look the right time to triple on Pool with Salah's & Robbo's ankles giving up.

    Might just stick with Mane & TAA till they are back from CWC.

    1. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe better to get Martial or Maddison instead of Robbo and play 352.

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Add Pulisic, Jimenez to that list. The all cost around the same as Robbo, since the base price for a defender is 0.4 lower

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There is nothing wrong with Robertson, just an excuse not to play for scotland.

    3. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      To me it sounds like Robertson wants to be fit/is going to be fit for the upcoming premier league and CL games. Agree?

  22. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Opinions here with nothing in the bank

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lol

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It sucks to have nothing itb. My opinion

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed!

  23. Boleyn Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Morning All. Which option is best use of 2 FTs for this team. Thanks in advance:

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Soy - Lund - Tomori - Rico
    Sterling - KDB - Salah - Mount - Cantwell
    Rashford - Abraham - King

    a) De Bruyne & King > Tielemanns & Vardy
    b) King & Rashford > Ayew & Vardy

    Either option leaves me with 0.1 for Sterling > Mane

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  24. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    My "bench players" will be:
    Ryan/Pope Willems Baldock McGinn
    Surely that is enough for rotation cover.
    I could give you my whole side but it is the usual supects

    2 pool 1 Citeh 2 Chelski 2 Leicester
    Martial Jimmi are my only 'not quite" differentials.
    Lund will play every game
    I will be struggling GW18!

  25. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Still kicking myself I didn't do Sterling & Pukki --> Maddison & Vardy (-4)
    Missed out on price rises and points. No wonder i'm outside the top 1 million.

    2FT 1.2m ITB

    Pope Button
    TAA Soyuncu Otamendi Lundstram Rico
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Abraham Pukki Connolly

    A) Sterling & Pukki --> Maddison & Vardy
    B) Sterling & Pukki --> Mane & Jimenez
    C) Sterling Otamendi & Pukki --> Maddison Robertson & Vardy (-4)
    D) Sterling Connolly & Pukki --> Maddison Jimenez & Vardy (-4)
    E) Something else

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A. Nothing has changed apart from being a week late.

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Very true. Allows me to monitor Robbo's ankle injury too. Could wait another week to bring in Robbo or Jimmy then.

    3. ResultatFar
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      C or D

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Tempted by a mini WC as well. 3/4 players need to go.
        Could also do
        E) Sterling Cantwell Pukki --> Tielemans Martial & Vardy

  26. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking of WCing but stuck between keeping Söyüncü and having McGinn as my 5th mid or upgrading to Chilwell and having Hayden as 5th mid instead.

    My other mids would be Mané, KDB, Pulisic and Maddison.

    I do think Chilwell will outscore Söyüncü but I like having McGinn as back up in case Pulisic gets benched.

    Thoughts, peeps, please?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      your team looked ok...so who are the new faces?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Would be doing:

        Heaton to Henderson
        Söyüncü to Chilwell
        Otamendi to Janmaat
        Salah to Mané
        Tielemans to Maddison
        Dendoncker to Hayden
        Pukki to Jimenez

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Nice.
          No Martial?

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            If I have Martial then zi can’t have Maddison or Pulisic though.

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              of course. same dilemma here. 2 of Martial/Pulisic/Maddi unless I go Mousset....

              HEaton
              TAA Soy Lundy
              Sterling Mane Martial Pulisic Maddison
              Vardy Tammy Mousett

              1. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                I just think he’s overpriced at 7.7m, plays for an inconsistent United side and isn’t a BAPs magnet.

                All of those reasons lean me towards Maddison and Pulisic.

              2. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Moussett has decent fixtures coming up, but who would you have instead if you dropped one of the MMP’s?

  27. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Richarlison for 1 week punt worth it? Would captain him..

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I never agree with 1 week punts. Funny I do it myself so often.(Smile)

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I am taking punts here and there. Have gone 2M to 370k in just 2 gameweeks. Can't complain if 1 or 2 don't work.

        As an Evertonian yourself, what is your expectation in this Norwich game? You think you will win the game easily? Or another Bou-Nor game like beckoning?

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I have had zero confidence in Everton all season. However, Norwich are worse. Look at a 3 1 Everton win. IMO

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I did it with maupay (before his game v norwich) rather than a solid Otamendi to Soyuncu switch, cost me about 20 points in 2 weeks.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah did the same, but also did Kun & Cantwell to Vardy and Pulisic last week, worked well. Am not very much sure about Everton though.

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why not? Norwich are pants.

  28. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which is better?

    A. KDB & Martial

    B. Sterling & Pulisic

    Thanking you

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  29. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pick one out of these guys going forward

    A) Jimmy
    B) Maddison
    C) Martial
    D) Robbo

    Currently on A

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'd like all of them in my team lol.
      I'd have to see the rest of your team to make an accurate pick but B for me as i have no Lei attack