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

    Even Stevens.
    Don’t think he realised he said that. Brilliant. 🙂
    Great Meet The Manager ep

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

      His history is as good as I have ever seen. Knows what he is doing, no doubt.

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

      Haha, i laughed at that as well

    3. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ha, missed that. As an aside a friend of mine always deliberately says that phrase as "equal stevens". 🙂

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

        Can I knick this

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          nick away. 🙂

  2. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Fantastic interview with @AVFC82. Tom, I always look out for your posts as clearly your insight deserves a lot more airtime than many others!

    Your strategy reminds me how totally chaotic mine has been this season and the results are proving it. Calm planning always prevails!

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

      Yeah really enjoyed it.

    2. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Was really interesting to do, getting the chance to pick the brains of someone with that track record is incredible. I particularly liked the 'differental placeholder' strategy in midfield. Takes the 'price points' stategy that I use alot to another level. Learnt alot from this one.

      Have a feeling will be seeing more of Tom on video and podcast before Gameweek 13 🙂

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Completely agree I think it showed a great balance between calm discipline and reserving space for differentials/ aggressiveness as needed.

        Has made me even more gutted though about my inadvertent early transfer faux pas the other night!

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

      Looking forward to listening to this later - think we can all learn a thing or two (or three... or four!) from @AVFC82

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        With a record like that you can almost hang on his every word 😉

        When someone is lamenting a season when they finished 16k you know they are doing ok...

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

    Bottomed,
    Pick one going forward
    A) Jimmy
    B) Martial
    C) Maddison
    D) Robbo

    One of them comes in for either Greenwood, Cantwell or Kelly

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

      Tough. Think I'd probably go Robertson, me!

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

        Cheers

    2. The Bad Seed
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      long term. robbo.

      Rest are short termers.

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

    When does the captain poll update to gw13?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Next week probably

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

    Andy Robertson: “For the last two and a half weeks, I’ve not trained at all for Liverpool. I’ve trained the day before a game, could only play the last 15 minutes against Genk in the Champions League and missed the Arsenal game in the
    League Cup.”

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

      Looking for IB to get a rest. They way he played against City and others with the intensity, this is another IB injury imo.

      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Unless he’s outright lying about not training for 2-3 weeks then I think it’s more serious than that. It’s not normal to skip training for that long.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Exactly my thoughts. Would be taking PR spin a bit far if he is making such a clear statement falsely. It’s unlikely to be a lie as training sessions are recorded and (relatively) widely available for the public to see photos etx

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

          Why would him lying make it seem more serious to you? If he lied then that means that he would have been training which means that the injury isn't serious.

          1. roscola
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            You misunderstand me. If he’s lying about the training then he’s probably just angling for a rest. If he’s *not* lying about the training then I think it’s more serious than that.

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

              Oh okay. Could be the case!

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

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

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

    Pope Button
    Robertson Chilwell Rico Lundstram Reid
    Mane Sterling Mount Martial Cantwell
    Abraham Vardy Wilson

    What needs more attention?

    A Wilson to Jimenez/jota/wood
    B Mount to Tielemans/Maddison
    C Upgrade Cantwell or Reid

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

      A but not necessary this week

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

      A with Jiménez. I'm going to do it for a hit - patience with Wilson has finally caved in

  7. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mane/Salah in or hold? Feels foolish selling Auba/Sterling when they are both home vs weak defences and pool are away to a stubborn palace team.

    2FT & 0.5itb

    Pope
    TAA - Robbo - Lunds - Soy
    Sterling - Mount - Kdb
    Vardy - Tammy - Auba

    Subs: Button - Rico - Dendonker - Nakamba

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

      Both are good options.

  8. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Seriously.....am I missing something here?…....Sterling banned from playing an International because of an altercation with Joe Gomez....what an absolute joke!!…things like this happen in all sports....I would have been constantly banned in my sport!!………Pathetic....grow up and let the players get over it.

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

      oh yeh, let any player instigate a fight and grab a team mate by the neck because he's sore for losing on the weekend. Sterling is a twat and so are you

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

      Sorry but he started having a fit with Gomez in the match over the weekend and then again has a fit with the same player while on Internatinal duty?

      Sterling is a real child.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I’m sorry but do people think this DOESN’T happen everyday on the training ground at their clubs?…It also happens get the Internationals get together.

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

      Other than Sterling taking to social media to pour cold water on 'it' - and I'm not sure he's incentivised to give a neutral perspective on the events - is it correct that we've very few proper details on what actually happened?

      None of us were actually there, so we're all speculating

      Would you give Sterling carte blanche approval of literally any action he may or may not have taken against Joe Gomez?

      There are several scenarios one could easily envisage in which the action to send him home was totally justified

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What happens on the training ground...stays there and athletes get on with it....Southgate is there ....or should be to manage incidents such as this....players move on...chat about and sometimes we used to agree to disagree ....but I suppose this is the “soft” era we live in.

        1. Reacher
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Difference is this is the England team not Sunday league, so the media side of things makes it massive...the manager has taken a stance and its one game only, nothing major IMO...move on

          1. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Exactly...it happens in all international teams and is sorted out by management and the players and yes they move on as you put it.

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

              What level of certainty do you have on what the 'it' you refer to is though?

              It sounds like your answer to my question

              [Would you give Sterling carte blanche approval of literally any action he may or may not have taken against Joe Gomez?]

              Is 'Yes'?

              1. Roy Rovers
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                In answer to your question...a “high” level of certainty as I have been part of “it” and also seen “it” on many many occasions.

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

                  You still haven't answered the original question though 🙂

                  Would you give Sterling carte blanche approval of literally any action he may or may not have taken against Joe Gomez?

                  1. Roy Rovers
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    It was a disagreement between two players of which we don’t know the full facts....my point is why ban him ...manage internally ..get the players together and move on

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

                      Question still hasn't been answered though 🙂

                      Would you give Sterling carte blanche approval of literally any action he may or may not have taken against Joe Gomez?

                      1. Roy Rovers
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 4 months ago

                        ...what action did he take?

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

                        No one knows - its speculation - that's the point 🙂

                        So let's try again:

                        If you were in Gareth Southgate's position - would you give Sterling carte blanche approval (that is - keep him with the squad, rather than send him home) for literally any action he may or may not have taken against Joe Gomez?

                      3. DAZZ
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 4 months ago

                        MBP Does make a good point. What is and isn't acceptable in a situation like this? A push? Grabbing the throat? What if Sterling punched Gomez and broke his nose? What if someone pulled out a knife? There are levels, but it is a working environment at the end of the day.

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

      Southgate has made it a cornerstone of his management that club rivalries are not brought into the England camp. How weak would he look if he let this incident slide with no repercussions?

      If the argument/scrap/handbags had been after a bad tackle in training it would be a completely different story, but by all accounts this was premeditated, unprovoked and completely one-sided.

      Great response from Southgate in my view.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I’m really sorry but if you believe that club rivalries won’t ever come into international teams you are sadly mistaken....always have and always will do....it’s within the players

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

          I didn't say that...

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      mostly because the bust up was related to rivalry between clubs, if it was just a ordinary bust up he would not been banned.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        So ...if you have an argument with another player from a rival club you get banned...oh my word!!

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Point is that they have set out a standard and premise that that kind of things they don´t appreciate because it stirs the group, so it is the circumstances that prevails this, i don´t think they cannot argue with each other if they play for different clubs.But this one related to a specific incidens from a game just the dau before. Sterlings state of mind could also be a factor here. That tackle on VVD and the minutes before he seemed a bit out of touch with himself. Should have had at least a yellow

        2. Rohirrims
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          England have more or less qualified, they are playing the worst team in their group. If ever there is a time to set culture and make an example this is it.

          Sterling has been run into the ground and he gets a few days off as a bonus and if results don't go your way he can play the game against Kosovo.

    6. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Your use of ellipses is infuriating

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

    Best Ota replacement for 5.7 or under?
    Current back line:
    Lunds,Soyuncu,Tomori,Rico,Ota*

    Thanks

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      i'd look at downgrading elsewhere to get a liverpool defender. If not and run 3 at the back, go to a cheap nailed guy and use the cash elsewhere

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

        Yeah this is what I would do as well

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

      I would go with Janmaat and invest elsewhere. Willems or O'Connell are decent choices too.

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Janmaat PVA Chilwell

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

      Like Pool.

      If not, Charlie Taylor

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      either just go cheap and rotate the five or pick the cheap pool cb that plays alongside VVD, tricky but Matip might be ready after IB and there is really no competition. chilwell placeholder for him until you know when Matip is back?

  10. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    2 ft and 5.5 itb, what looks good?

    Pope
    Lundstram TAA Soyuncu Rico
    CHO Sterling KDB Maddo
    Vardy Tammy

    McGovern Connolly Dendonker Tomori

    Thinking of CHO and Rico to Martial and Robbo. Then Sterling to Mane/Salah the following week. Or do all in one for a hit?

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

      5.5 ITB !

      Jeez, i've never got more than 0.3 🙂

      Thinking of CHO and Rico to Martial and Robbo sounds good though - i'd never swap a premium out and in for a hit

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        yeah i usually never have this much, most of it was from Kun and Wilson to Vardy and Connolly a few weeks back (when Connolly had Norwich)

        I may captain Sterling this week so agree to keep. Away vs Palace isnt a great game for Mane

  11. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I take it from your remarks that you have never played any sport at that high level....it happens all of the time because of their competitive nature and people just used to get on with it. I won’t lower myself to your level with your last comment.

    1. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ^ Makaveli

  12. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Morning,

    How does this WC look?

    Hendo (Button)
    Clarke-Janmaat-Pereira-Taa-Lund
    Maddy-Mane-KDB-Martial-Pulisic
    Tammy-Vardy-Ayew

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ok if you dont want a keeper this GW

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. Yes I can live with that.

  13. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    go
    I take it from your remarks that you have never played any sport at that high level....it happens all of the time because of their competitive nature and people just used to get on with it. I won’t lower myself to your level with your last comment

  14. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    2 Questions for the masses this morning!

    Is it worth upgrading Mount to Maddison?

    Or should I trade Sterling for Salah (already have KDB and Mane)

    Ta!

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

      I’d do Mount to Maddison.

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

      I now have both, but assuming he's fit I'd be prioritising Pulisic over Madds. Especially if you already have Vardy

  15. kanat_karktl
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez + Martial in for Auba + Mount out?

    rest of the team: ryan, rico, lund, soyuncu, mane, kdb, willian, Maddison, Abraham, vardy

  16. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is martial essential? Thinking about Martial for Cantwell and bench Mount
    Pope
    TAA SOY LUND
    MANE MOUNT KDB MADDY
    JIMMY VARDY TAMMY

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

      Na, no one is the 'E' word - there are many routes to good FPL points

      He is a bloody good asset with a lot going for him on several fronts while he's fit though (form, fixtures, price, position, certainty of start etc)

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Good points MBP
        are you not concerned about Sheffield away. Good def. don’t think there points for him there MAYBE versus Villa. What’s your thoughts

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

          Henderson out for the game might (fortuitously) tip the scales at least a little bit - and I got him in for Bourenmouth so i was prepared for a blank or two, banking instead that the overall body of work he'd get through while he's fit would make it a worthwhile transfer

          It's all situational & very much individual team dependent though - he'll make a lot of sense as a signing for some, and less for others

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

      I think he’s a good pick. Sold Sterling for him last week mostly down to fixtures.

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He is an interesting pick, while fit as said by Maximus..
        Very tempted. Was going to bring in Robbo but worried about his fitness. Maybe wait till end of IB

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

          Yeah of course wait.
          I only ever get him with good fixtures

  17. dataisfun
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which one?

    A. Sterling + Tomori >> Tielemens + Robo

    B. Sterling + Tomori >> Maddison + TAA

    C. Sterling + Mount >> Maddison + Jimenez

    (I already have Salah + Mane)

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B from those but isnt there a another defender you can ditch instead of Tomori

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Looking ok.?

    (Shouldn’t have tripled up on Leicester attack)

    Ryan

    Lundstram TAA Robertson Rico (Hanley)

    KDB Tielemans Maddison Mane Son (C)

    Vardy Abraham (Greenwood)

    Who to start Lundstram or Rico?

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

      Triple attack from 2nd in the league.. nothing wrong with that!
      Nice team

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

      Always start the god Lundstram

  19. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Benching headache...
    Play one...

    Janmaat (BUR)
    D Luiz (NEW)
    Mount (mci)
    Soy (bha)

    Flip a 4 sided coin?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'm currently playing Janmaat ahead of Mount, feel its a good fixture for an improved Watford and he looks so attacking at times!

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He was my initial instinct, but decent arguments for all of them. Real tough one...

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I would go for one of the two defenders with the home fixture in this situation and actually trust Watford more than Arsenal for a CS!
          Feel City might handle Chelsea well enough so don't mind benching Mount for this one.

          1. Rik Waller
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            that's Douglas Luiz for AV, sorry.

  20. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wow, respect his posts on here a lot but didn't realise avfc82 had such an amazing history!
    Walcott in confirmed 😉

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

      Yeah incredible.

      Shows how little luck is actually involved

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Exactly this. It shows that consistency in approach and having a methodology is key and probably staying away from the noise and making your decisions without influence is important.

        All of which I haven’t done this year 😆

  21. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here??

    Pope
    Chilwell Soyuncu Lundstram Robertson
    Mount KDB Sterling Salah
    Vardy Abraham

    Button Rico Dendoncker Greenwood

    2 FT, 0.3 ITB

    ??

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling to Mane

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

    Was very tempted to WC but decided to hold off. Have 0m itb. Although, found out that lascelles is out for a few months

    Pope Heaton
    Taa Lundy Rico — Lascelles Tomori
    Sterling Kdb Martial Mount — Cantwell
    Tammy Rashford Vardy

    A: Sterling + Cantwell (price dropping) > Mane + Dendocker (-4)
    B: Rashford + Mount >> Maddison + Jimenez (-4)
    C: Lascelles >> 4.4m def
    D: Save FT and reassess next gw

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      D

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

      I’m in a similar situation.

      My issue is, what am I holding onto the WC for? If I leave it much longer I could run the risk of being priced out of getting the players I want.

      The next run of fixtures after GW20 are favourable for teams like Brighton and Bournemouth. Not exactly teams you want to spaff your wildcard on at the end of December......

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

        Many will use WCs to manage GW18 blanks.

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

          Most will only have TAA/Robbo/VVD, Salah or Mané missing.

          Bench can cover you that weekend.

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

            Don’t think so. Good luck though.

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

        Agree. If you haven't already biult up a team value of about 105 already, it's time to WC to get the bandwagons and extra money needed to optimize your team in the time before 2nd WC, blanks, doubles, free hit and bench boost.

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

          105! Not watched the latest meet the manager?

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

            🙂

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

            Agree on some points, some not. Getting on the bandwagons from the beginning gives you great team value AND points, and a better team value helps you during the rest of the season through affording to get the best options and maximise points for 2nd WC and chips.

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

          I’d prefer to WC for points. 🙂

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

            Building up an early team value gives you points the rest of the season, and particulary before 2nd WC, blanks, doubles, free hit and bench boost.

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

              Nah, my money is on Tom Freeman’s approach. Good luck though.

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

                Cheers, has served me well through a rank boost from December's high team value every year, although my best season was only no 3429.

  23. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I did Sterling to Mane. GTG? Any hits need to be made? and is any changes to the starting 11? (0FT, 1.7ITB)

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA / Lascelles/ Lundstram/ Digne (Rico)
    KDB/ Mane/ Maddison (Mount, Dendocker)
    Vardy (c) /Abraham / Jimenez

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      gtg

  24. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any suggestions to improve squad?

    Pope / (Button)
    Soyoncu / Guilbert / Lundstram / Montoya / (Rico)
    Salah / Sterling / McGinn/ Traore/ (Cantwell)
    Vardy / Abraham / Auba

    2FT and 2.5 itb.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Montoya to Robertson and save the other FT

  25. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lundstram,Rico,or Hanley

    (To start)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      lundstram hands down

  26. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Soysauce - Rico - Lundstram - Reid
    Sterling - KdB - Mane - Martial - Mount
    Tammy - Vardy - Wickham

    What I should to do with this? Have 2 FT and nothing itb.
    0.1 short to do Mount > Tielemans.

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

      Sterling to Maddison and get Reid out.

      If you want to keep Sterling then you have very little leeway to do anything with your team other than downgrade Mount or Martial.

      He effectively is determining your team for you.

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

        If I do Sterling to Massu and Reid to Robbo, I have a big benching headache..

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

          No, becahse you have an injured and very expensive defender to bench

  27. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Absolutely top listen, great work guys.

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

      Yeah I really enjoyed it. He was so smear and concise.

  28. Jacksc5294
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT, need a downgrade to fund Pukki to Vardy

    Opinions please!

    a) De Bruyne out, Martial/Maddison in
    b) Salah out, Son in
    c) Sterling out, Son in
    d) TAA out, Tomori/other in

    Thanks.

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

      C, if pushed.

      None of those moves make much sense to me. Why not do Sterling to Maddison/Martial and Pukki to Vardy?

      1. Jacksc5294
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I need to get Vardy in somehow. I don't really want to get any of them out but needs must!

        Feel there are goals for Spurs in the next couple of games hence Son.

        As you say, a 2 mil saving for Martial/Maddison could be better

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

      D makes the least harm to your team

  29. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    To help with the captaincy conundrum this GW, I've just done an analysis on Brighton's last 4 Home Games vs Chelsea's last 4 Away Games (assuming people are looking at City assets and Vardy).

    BRIGHTON (having played BUR, TOT, EVE, NOR):

    Goal Attempts Conceded: 33
    Goal Attempts in the Box Conceded: 20
    Big Chances Conceded: 2
    xG Conceded: 2.09
    Goals Conceded: 3

    CHELSEA (having played Wol, Sou, Bur, Wat):

    Goal Attempts Conceded: 46
    Goal Attempts in the Box Conceded: 32
    Big Chances Conceded: 9
    xG Conceded: 6.55
    Goals Conceded: 6

    This is only a brief snapsnot of both sides' defensive data, but you can clearly see that Chelsea have been giving up a lot more chances than Brighton. And the opposition were very similar for both sides during this run.

    Of course, Brighton's defensive issues could impact on this and Leicester/Vardy are in red hot form. But the data shows that Chelsea will give up a lot of chances against Man City and, with City at the Ethiad, the likes of Sterling could arguably be the best captaincy choice this GW.

  30. the Penman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Feel like there’s a “Could Be Premium Priced XI” this season in FPL...or at least “Severely Underpriced FC”.

    Something like:

    Henderson
    Lundstram Chilwell/Soyuncu Tomori
    Martial Pulisic McGinn [Mount/Tielemans/Maddison]
    Vardy Jiménez Abraham

    In theory, if you kept yourself to sub-5m keepers, sub-6m defenders, sub-9m miss and sub-10m strikers, you could still have a killer season this year. Maybe?

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

      The only thing you’d really miss is not having Mané or Salah.

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

      Yes I believe you could have a really good season with such a team. But for me, it feels uncomfortable going without the likes of Salah, Sterling etc.