Insurance Times speaks to head of digital product and audience David Rattray about his strong performance in this year’s Fantasy Football league
The international breaks sure do come thick and fast at the start of the Premier League season, giving committed Insurance Times Fantasy Football League managers either welcome breaks or unwelcome interruptions to momentum, depending on your viewpoint.
However, the Premier League is back this weekend, with managers having until 11am tomorrow morning to make their transfers and set their teams, before Chelsea visit Nottingham Forest to kick off gameweek eight’s (GW8) round of fixtures.
Before that, however, Insurance Times thought it would be good to speak to its very own head of digital product and audience, David Rattray. Rattray has earned the highest points in the league for October so far, picking up a massive 101 points over GW7.
1. Congrats on being in the top 10 points scorers for GW7, how do you rate your chances of staying there for the season?
Thank you! As usual I’ve had a shocking start to the season, but it was nice to see the minus points spent reshaping my team pre-GW7 give such a positive result.
It’s most likely downhill from here until the second half of the season, when I rally far too late.
2. What are the key decisions to make ahead of GW8?
Nothing drastic. International breaks can throw up all sorts of conundrums and lead to bad decisions, so I’ve just made the one change this week and that’s more aligned with getting my remaining Chelsea player out of my team – so I’m not jinxing their performance!
The in form Woltemade is transferring in and he scored for Germany during the week too, so I’m hoping he gets a few goals against Brighton.
The quandary I’m facing this week is whether to switch Dubravka for Vicario in goal. I think Burnley might get a much needed win and clean sheet against Leeds.
3. Who would you call out as an under-rated player for everyone’s Fantasy squad?
Hate to say it with the London rivalry, but Declan Rice is an absolute steal at £6.5m with the returns he’s producing. But I wouldn’t be that sad if I’ve jinxed him now.
4. Who or what would you like to call out in the insurance industry?
Harry McNeil. I’ve spent the good part of the international break concerned for his wellbeing following comments in his previous Q&A and the Liverpool defeat at Chelsea in GW7. Is he OK?
Other than that, I’m always keen on how technology impacts the insurance industry and I’m delighted to have had a small hand in the launch of the new Insurance Times AI Claims Report 2025/26. Give it a read – and good luck everyone in GW8.
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