Congratulations to Rob Mutucumarana, group financial controller at Abbey Legal, who is this season's Insurance Times Fantasy Football winner.
Team name: Rob's Dream Hotboys
Points: 1,095
Prize: home theatre system
1. What’s it like to be the 2010/2011 Fantasy Football champion?
Clearly I was delighted to have won such a fantastic prize from a free competition!
2. How did you do it?
While on honeymoon, my colleague Stephen Ferguson decided to enter me as a joke, hence the team name! Despite the team being spear-headed by the captaincy of Emile Heskey, it did well. A flurry of transfers followed and I was lucky the normal big scorers – Gerrard, Fabregas and Lampard – spent a long time injured, as the bulk of my team remained mostly unchanged for most of the season.
3. Best transfer you made?
Torres (surprisingly) – I only brought him in for four games before his move to Chelsea and he got pretty much his only three goals of the season in that time.
4. Your top three picks of the season?
Robin Van Persie – he just didn’t stop scoring in the second half of the year. Luis Suarez after arriving in the transfer window (shame he plays for Liverpool). And Charlie Adam – not many of the leaders had him and he just kept scoring.
5. Three players you wish you hadn’t picked?
Sagna – I transferred in following an injury and he got me -1 points in four weeks. Bendtner – I brought him in for one game to take advantage of Arsenal playing a game in hand. Unsurprisingly, he was subbed off without contributing. Bale – despite winning player of the year, he didn't score too many points.
6. What football manager would you compare yourself to?
I'd like to think Pep Guardiola but I think I am more likely to be a one-season wonder.
7. Who do you support and why?
Manchester United. They were playing in the first football game I ever saw and with both parents being season ticket holders, they encouraged me to follow suit.
8. You’ve won a home entertainment package – what will you be watching?
Man United (apart from when they play Barcelona) or 24.
9. What advice can you offer managers at the bottom of the table?
Making sure you change your captain each week to ensure he is playing.
10. Why do you enjoy playing Fantasy Football?
It makes watching football more interesting and there is lots of friendly banter with friends.
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This season’s 10 top overall managers
1 Rob Mutucumarana Rob’s Dream Hotboys 1,095
2 Lindsay Ramsey PSV Beethoven 1,086
3 Danny Carter CW Gooners 1,083
4 Steve Hartley Toffee Town 1,082
5 Craig Jarvis Don't Hate The Player ... 1,080
6 Kyle Munro Marry me Sarah Badham? 1,071
7 Martin Ryder Island Casuals 1,064
8 Joanne Hewitt The Jammy Todgers 1,063
9 Andy Bradnam Bogtrotters FC 1,059
10 Nick Bishop Bluemoon Army 1,058
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Managers of the month
September Scott Crundwell 50
October Ian Hutchinson 166
November Steve Larman 197
December Josh Twinn 166
January David McDonald 195
February Jessica Broderick 176
March Joanne Hewitt 100
April Derek Fallon 223
May Steve Hartley 133
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This season’s dream team
GK – Joe Hart (Man City)
FB – Leighton Baines (Everton)
FB – Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
CB – Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
CB – Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
MF – Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
MF – Nani (Man Utd)
MF – Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham)
MF – Charlie Adam (Blackpool)
ST – Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)
ST – Carlos Tevez (Man City)
Total cost: £54.4m
For more information, visit www.insurancetimes.co.uk/football.
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