Interview with Fred

The Fool: Hello to everyone to this years interviews with the winners. This year I thought I might do the interviews in the reverse order that I did them last year, starting with the fourth placed Fred Lunjevich, the fantasy manager of the Brummie Battlers. It is fantastic to have Fred here to talk to us about his great result after taking a year off from the 9642 Fantasy League.
Fred: No worries man, I am happy to answer your probing questions.
The Fool: Since this is your first time in the interview room, I guess a good place to start would be to tell us a bit about yourself.
Fred: I’m originally from Kaitaia with Croat descent so needless to say they’re the international team I follow closely. I love my North American sports especially Ice Hockey, which I play.
The Fool: An Ice Hockey player from the far north, that is a bit unusual. I have seen from my facebook stalking,that you are a fan Pittsburgh Penguins. You must be over the moon at the moment, I mean how awesome were they in winning back to back Stanley Cups?
Fred: Unreal. Those guys were disappointments for a while given the powerhouse players they can put out on the ice. All the persistence has paid off and once the formula was right they just developed this knack for winning, even when the team was forced to put out a team with pretty much whoever turned up at the rink on the day.
The Fool: Yeah, well that is the way to get a winning culture going in any team. However, I don’t know if that culture really translates over to your chosen premiership team, West Brom. Do you think they have a squad capable of even reaching European competition?
Fred: I don’t think the squad is capable at the moment given the calibre of the teams that were ahead of them this year. I’m actually a Villa fan but if I had to choose a premier league stand in I’ll always go with the Midlands team of the moment since I’ve lived in Birmingham on and off over the years since the Mrs is from there.
The Fool: Ahh I see, although I am not sure I can let you back into the competition next year as a Villa fan. But all joking aside, has the 3rd Annual 9642 Fantasy League changed you in anyway?
Fred: I feel like I’m a better man for it.
The Fool: That is exactly why we host this league, to help unreformed Aston Villa and Arsenal fans a way to become better people. To help the rest of us become better people and fantasy managers, can you share some of your winning strategy with us simple plebs?
Fred: One marquee forward and then really spend the money in the midfield. Don’t be afraid to spend a few points to shuffle the team when things aren’t going well for a player or two. Injuries are inevitable so give yourself permission to be flexible in the transfer department.
The Fool: That is quite a sensible strategy, and one I am sure can work for most people if they put the time and effort into it. So, what do you like to do with your time outside of 9642 Fantasy Football?
Fred: Working on maintaining an athletic physique now that I’ve recently embarked on my 40s. I’m learning both Czech and French at the moment as well as coding languages!
The Fool: Wow, that is quite an involved set of activities. I hope you master the languages quickly! As to keeping the 40 bod rocking, that is something I am yet to encounter (although my late 30’s physique is possibly less than athletic). Anyway, to keep that amazing shape, how long exactly are your walks on the beach?
Fred: Probably less than 60s. I live in Onehunga here in Auckland and our artificially created beach isn’t exactly 90 miles.
The Fool: I guess not, but then what beaches are 90 miles long really? Anyway, I understand you also work with one of our other fantasy managers, Eddy of Edsters Dreamteam fame. So, how much does Eddy smell exactly?
Fred: You’re asking me to quantify this in language? Impossible!
The Fool: I guess you are right, it might actually be impossible to quantify that using only a visual form. Ok then, nearly finished, but before we do go can you tell us if you could be any super hero, which one would you be?
Fred: One word, Wolverine.
The Fool: Good choice, and lastly do you think pineapple lumps, jaffas and pinky’s will ever taste the same now they will be made in Australia?
Fred: Nothing good came out of shifting operations to Australia but maybe they’ll respect our national treats and return them to the glory years of the 1980s. Hopefully they bring back Snifters while they’re at it.