Pro Pundits

Why taking a break can help improve your FPL rank

Typically, international breaks are not exactly welcomed within the FPL community. Not only do they deny us this game that we love (to hate), they always seem to come about just as things are getting interesting. On top of that, there are the invariable curveballs they throw with respect to injuries or drama they create as to whether or not certain players will make it back in time for the next Gameweek.

But, and maybe I’m just speaking for myself here, this one feels almost… welcome? Maybe it’s the relentless past few months of fixtures, cancellations, rescheduling, Double Gameweeks, Blank Gameweeks etc… but, honestly, I could do with a breather. While some FPL managers will no doubt be using the break to fine-tune their strategy or plan their Wildcard, there’s an argument for also taking the time to switch off and that doing this, might actually benefit your rank more so in the long term.

The benefits of taking a break will be the focus of this week’s article.

Why are Breaks Useful?

There are a few reasons why taking a break can be useful, whether that means effectively logging out of FPL until the day before the next deadline or just taking a few moments away from your Wildcard planning and the hundred or so tabs that you probably have open on your computer.

The first reason why taking a break can be valuable is that it helps to replenish you physically and mentally. I’ve spoken in this column before about ‘decision fatigue’ and how having to make too many decisions can become detrimental to our ability to make good ones, and taking a break is one way to stave this issue off.

Productivity

Equally, taking breaks has been proven to improve productivity and this is something we all experience intuitively, whether it’s writing an essay, weeding the garden, preparing a presentation, beating a boss in Elden Ring or smashing a Wildcard draft. The problem is that, when you’re in ‘the zone’, taking a break is often the last thing you want to do, so we tend to plough on regardless of whether it’s the most effective path or not

But thinking is, in itself, literally exhausting. The brain uses 20% of the body’s energy, more than any other organ. Even when we’re highly motivated or packed full of caffeine, there is a point during its constant use when the brain’s performance starts to temporarily decline. It is at this point that we make less-considered decisions and end up with Shane Duffy (£4.1m) as our Triple Captain. Taking even a five-minute break from a big task can help avoid this kind of thing.

Motivation

Speaking of motivation, breaks are great for renewing this. However strong our desire or sense of purpose, motivation itself is a finite resource and there is only so long that it can keep propelling us forward. This is true even for the things that we enjoy, like Fantasy Football. 

While I do miss FPL each year once Gameweek 38 is over, it doesn’t take me long to appreciate the opportunity for a break and I know this is true of many FPL managers, especially content creators or those heavily involved in the community where FPL enthusiasm has become part of our identity. But then, as soon as the new game launches, I’m right back at it with renewed vigour. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say.

Letting your Subconscious Take Over

Finally, taking a break can be helpful not just because it gives the active mind a break but because it gives our subconscious mind an opportunity to take over. Everyone has probably heard the phrase ‘sleep on it’ but there’s a lot more to this than just a hackneyed phrase. Just because we’re not consciously thinking about a challenge or problem doesn’t mean we’re not thinking about it at all. In fact, our subconscious mind has far greater capacity to process information than our conscious mind does.

If you’ve ever dreamt in spreadsheets, riddles or equations (or about that boss in Elden Ring), there’s a good chance that this is a manifestation of your subconscious attempting to process a problem that you are facing in your waking world. It’s why we can bang our heads against a wall for hours trying to solve a problem only for the solution to appear seemingly out of the blue once we’ve taken a break from thinking about it.

With this in mind, if you do have big FPL decisions to make this international break, it’s worth not leaving them all to the last moment but, instead, giving them time to percolate over a few days. You might be surprised by how much better your ideas become given time to develop and evolve.

Summary

Taking breaks, big or small, can help make us sharper and more motivated FPL managers and are likely to improve the quality of our decision-making significantly. While I don’t imagine many of us are pulling 16-hour shifts of thinking about FPL during the break (though, having got to know some of you, I wouldn’t entirely rule it out either), actively inserting breaks into the time you do schedule for FPL can really pay off. For those of us who don’t have big decisions to make during this period, taking a short break from FPL altogether may well be the best thing for us.

61 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Do you want me to lap dance for you?

    I want a second series

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Yes please.

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Give him another series, you swine

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        Yes, give me another series you... hang on, this is a family forum....

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 days ago

      Vulcanised rubber, won't perish.

  2. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I decided to take a break from reading this article to post this. Now back to my reading.

  3. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Anyone with 2 FHs and a BB left considering BB33, FH36 + 1 other?
    What do the bench look like in 33?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      It's team dependent on what sort of bench you may be able to prepare.

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        Yes I agree, and why I was asking those following that plan

    2. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Currently thinking FH 33, BB 36, FH 37

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        I was thinking that but not sure my team value will be able to cope with getting a bench out in 36 with the big teams having good fixtures

  4. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I need a break from A or B questions... Couldn't even consider taking a break before watching perhaps one of the best FFS videos where Pras and Sonaldo discussed about FH33 and FH36 strategies. After seeing that video FH36 was more than easy decision 🙂 And yes, I had been lazy doing my homework, I admit that. But why bother with basics if you know you are going to be spoonfed anyway. And yes, there are always some decisions to be made, but now is good time wait and see what happens during itb. However, next week is good time to compare different players who I may want later and compare their stats. But it's different than trying to make decisions under pressure.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      With YouTube and Instagram etc you could probably start looking at fpl stuff again about 3 hours before the deadline and have as much info as anyone

  5. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    What do you think of this plan with FH, BB & WC left:

    Ramsdale,
    Robbo, Cancelo, Regulion, Dawson (Livra)
    Salah, Raph, Coutinho, Saka, Kulu
    Kane (Dennis) (Broja)

    GW31: Dawson & Raphina to James and Havertz (-4)
    GW32: 1FT (TBC)
    GW33: Free Hit
    GW34: Wildcard
    GW35: Roll FT
    GW36: 2FT & BB

  6. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I did one for GW36 earlier. FH vs BB.

    How about GW33?

    Which team scores more?

    FH33

    Pope
    Schar Justin Targett
    Fernandes Sancho Maddison Barnes Saka
    Ronaldo Lacazette

    BB33

    Ramsdale DDG
    TAA Cancelo Doherty Schar Livramento
    Fernandes Sancho Maddison Saka Kulusevski
    Kane Lacazette Weghorst

    I can get to BB33 team with a -4.

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Second one imo

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Id be BBing that 33 team and getting the best possible 11 in 36 on FH.

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Which scores more? I think BB33 to be honest. The FH team has too many feast or famine players for me (any of the United assets could be in that category).

      You could play FH in 33 and still not score much more than the average, or than your non-FH team.

    4. FPL Emu
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      My feeling is that with FH33, you end up getting in several players that may well disappoint, while marginally losing players that could just as well deliver. Kane the most obvious one, but others as well.

      I'd save the FH for later

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        Good point.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        But you could also argue that it's the same if you used the FH in 36 instead. I'd likely be losing Kane in a DGW in GW36 to FH with the perfect City and Liverpool assets.

        Basically, I need to add up my BB33 + FH36 projected points and figure out if that combination is higher than my FH33 and BB36 one.

        It's very hard to do because I'd need two full teams with projected points for each and to compare how each fares. Then there are the intangible benefits which are:

        If I FH33 I can use my transfers in 31 and 32 to maximize points such as buying Havertz or Foden.
        If I FH36 I can run a leaner ship on my WC34 and have a 4.5m fodder forward since I won't have to BB in 36.

        This is the core problem. And I need to figure out an approach THIS week. Because my transfers will start branching off towards one or the other.

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Taking a break from anything is beneficial but I don’t like to switch off from fpl 100% otherwise it’s a lot to catch up on

    What I like to do is take what we’d call in weightlifting is more of a ‘deload’.. basically 2 weeks or an international break of much less intensity but still doing a little bit, just enough to keep up and then get going again after that

    Cheers! Have a great weekend all

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      In the old days before all the good posters left and the community disintegrated there were always good chats to be had over the IB about football and other things as well as FPL. Kept a good balance.

  8. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I too have 2 FH's and a BB remaining.
    With this squad.
    Pickford,Sa
    TAA,Cancelo,Doherty,Tarkowski,Digne
    Salah,Saka,Odegaard,Kulusevski,Barnes
    Kane,Lacazette,Broja. 1 FT 0.5m itb

    Ideally the easy play is to FH in 33 and 36 but that means paying the BB on a single game week.
    The BB chip is doing my head in.

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Do you have a WC left? Assume not?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        nope used up.

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 days ago

          If you use BB you get up to four extra players, up to eight if they are all doublers.

          If you play FH you can get at least as many, if not more, and you can choose, within budget, the best of the best.

          This makes FH the more valuable of the two chips so I would use them in the doubles and this means saving BB for singles but at least you can plan which SGW to drop it into.

          It's worth bearing in mind that there may well be other doubles (DGW 37I think?). You are likely to be able to build towards a late mini-DGW BB with FTs.

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 4 days ago

            Thanks, yeh that is helpful. Id really like some Chelsea in and Sa could double in 37 too.
            Think I might work towards FH 33 and 36 and BB 37.

  9. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I can get to this team for a possible BB33 with a -4 between now and then, all other things being equal. I still have my wildcard left and a FH. Is it crazy not to try to engineer a better BB team by employing the Wildcard either before 33 or before 37?

    Caps = DGW player

    DDG
    TIERNEY Robertson Alexander-Arnold
    SAKA MARTINELLI Salah BARNES
    WEGHORST ADAMS WOOD

    DUBRAVKA James (ARS) Doherty (BHA) Son (BHA)

    Cheers x

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Before 36 I mean

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      You could always FH in 33 and WC after to set up for 36 BB and 37.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        Thanks, that is the other option because I feel that if I don't use WC to attack a DGW there is no major benefit using the WC at this stage.

        The only thing tempting me towards BB is that my team is accidentally quite well set up for it, so I would want a lot of the same players on FH. But I have been thinking that way for weeks (I've been set up quite well for a few blanks and doubles) and if I go for 'good enough' rather than 'best possible' any longer I will lose the opportunity.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      I'd argue your particular BB33 isn't worth working towards.

      My BB33 team has triple United, triple Arsenal and triple Spurs. That's stronger than what you have. My SGW players are Kane and Cancelo who have better fixtures compared to Robertson and James.

      I'm on the fence with my BB33 and if I were in your shoes without any United for captaincy either I'd just FH33 and WC34 to build a 36BB.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        Thanks Camzy, very reassuring!

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 days ago

          In a good way I mean, since I think WC to BB is the best option but I was just trying to eliminate all alternative options. I don't envy the BB/FH decision you have to make.

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 4 days ago

            I wish my BB team was worse haha. Would make the decision easier.

            If Ramsdale, TAA, James, Livramento or any other new injuries crop up I think I abandon ship on BB33 but if all goes according to plan, my BB33 could be absolutely deadly if I really do end up with a bench of:

            DDG, TAA, Doherty, Livramento

  10. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Struggling to build a wildcard 31 team because I'm 2m short of most template drafts. I know this sounds mad but what about Jota over Salah?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Doesnt really work. Most captainable player in the league to someone you can never safely captain

      1. jimmyharte
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        He blanks a fair few games.

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 4 days ago

          Very occasionally. But Jota's place isnt secure enough to captain him. I guess you could try Kane perma-cap...?

          There are much better ways to save a few mill though, like Kulusevski over Son, Sancho over Bruno, Mahrez over KDB, maybe Chalobah over Rudiger.

  11. Jonesfromthere
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I’m actually relieved that I have no chips or wildcard, taking these 2 weeks to turn off apart from an occasional scroll on here. Granted I probably won’t keep my top 50k rank

  12. mdm
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Choose one to play:

    A. Davies (NEW)
    B. Coady (AVL)
    C. Toney (che)

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      Hmm probably A

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      A

  13. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Ddg foster
    Taa Cash Cancelo Rudiger Ait nouri
    Salah Son Saka Jwp Kulusevski
    Jimenez Lacazette Weghorst

    0.5 itb 1ft

    How to continue the game ?

    33 - FH
    34 - Wild
    36 - BB.

  14. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    In some ways it’s funny to see Italy fail to qualify, but I’d 100% take a tournament win and occasional missing out.

    Over the usual English parade to qualification and then mostly poor performances at the tournaments!

    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      It was funny on the Sportsbar last night, Cundy doing his 'has anyone seen...' on everything Italian.

  15. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    I was going to sit down and maybe do a trade but now I've read this, I'm going to get weekly bars and come to it fresh next week.

  16. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    Best cheap mid to play for BB in 33
    A) Gordon
    B) Elanga
    C) Brownhill
    D) Ramsey
    E) Dewsbury-Hall

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      You can take D off the list unless you fancy 0pts 😉
      I'd go with KDH - or, if the next couple games give some indication that Elanga will start at least 1 game, then maybe he has the higher upside

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 days ago

        Of course! He is actually the one I'm replacing.
        Dewsbury-Hall has actually looked really good.
        I like Elanga as a cheap option into Utd.
        As it's a downgrade, I guess I can wait a couple of weeks to assess.
        Cheers

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 4 days ago

          There is a pretty decent chance Rashford has lost his place imo. Was abysmal v Spurs & recently, so maybe Elanga usurping him v Atletico could become a regular thing

  17. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 days ago

    FH, BB and WC left.

    Thinking FH33, WC34, BB36. Looking at GW33 though and thinking it doesn't look too appealing for a FH but when else could I use it bearing in mind I'm BB'ing in GW36?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 days ago

      There'll be some doubles in 37 as well. Or take some final GW punts? I'm likely using mine 36/7/8, no firm plan yet but I'm cool with that

  18. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 days ago

    Picture looks like Simon has a purple rinse.