Fantasy Football: Insurance Times’ Phil Davison Q&A

As the Premier League’s gameweek 26 gets set to begin this evening with Brentford’s visit to Leicester City, Insurance Times thought it would talk to one of its own about a strong performance in the league. 

Phil Davison, industry veteran and publisher of Insurance Times, as well as sister titles Global Reinsurance and StrategicRisk, has spent time in the Insurance Times Fantasy Football League’s top 10 this year and currently sits just 19 points outside it in twelfth. 

So, what advice does this wise, grey-maned heavyweight have for managers this week?

Please note, this journalist got ahead of himself on question two and has, in usual merciless publisher fashion, been called out on his mistake for all to see.

1. Congratulations on being in twelfth for GW25, how do you rate your chances of making the top 10 for the season?

Thanks Yiannis. It means a lot and I know this is a painful interview for you.

I have no interest in being in the top 10, I’m only interested in finishing above you and our news editor James to prove that the game is more luck than judgement.

I only pretend to like football to be honest. 

2. What are the key decisions to make ahead of GW28?

We are only on GW26 at the moment so I’m not falling for that one, as much as I like to be a long-term strategist. 

When it comes to footy management “I take it one game at a time”.

I’m bringing in City’s Omar Marmoush as Liverpool are wobbling a bit and I don’t think you should shy away from the tough fixture.

That said, when we get to GW28, if you are still interested, I will triple captain Salah against Southampton.

3. Who would you call out as an under-rated player for everyone’s Fantasy squad?

Not a player, but how about Moyes with the assistant manager chip? He was bloody awful at my club (Sunderland), but is clearly working wonders at Everton. Player-wise, I think Brentford’s Kevin Schade is a Smooth Operator.

4. Who or what would you like to call out in the insurance industry? 

I’d like to doff my cap to all the journalists past and present who work in this market.

We are blessed to work within the insurance industry – a fantastic business community full of great people and personality – and I also think we have the very best trade press.

It is telling that so many outstanding journalists stick around in this market, either working for companies within it or becoming very respected industry commentators in their own right. 

As a manager, I’m more than delighted with our dressing room and am excited to be given a budget to add to it in the next window.