Feature
23 August 2022 548 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
Share:

Researchers at The University of West London, La Trobe University and Nottingham Trent University are investigating the impact of Fantasy Football on its most passionate fans – and they want your help.

It has become a huge global game and continues to grow each year. Despite this, little is known about the positive and negative mental effects that involvement in Fantasy Football may have on individuals, with only one previous study on this topic currently published (Wilkins et al., 2021). The study you are invited to take part in focuses on this topic and aims to build on what we know so far.

You can begin the survey by clicking here

Participation involves completing a questionnaire. In addition, you will be asked five open-ended questions about your experiences of playing Fantasy Football, as well as questions about your behaviours and attitudes concerning the game.

You will also be asked about your personality and the potential effects that playing Fantasy Football has on your mental health and more general emotions. It is estimated that the study will take between 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

All data will remain confidential and anonymous. You will not be asked for your name or any other identifying features at any point. You are free to not answer any questions which you do not wish to answer. However, questions you do answer must be answered as truthfully and honestly as possible for us to obtain accurate findings.

Only the principal investigators involved can access the study data, which may also be used in future reports such as academic journals and conference presentations. However, again, no individual will be identifiable through such publication.

Participants are free to withdraw at any point, either during the data collection stage or for up to three weeks following it, by contacting the research team and providing the unique code they generated at the start of the questionnaire pack. In this eventuality, all of the withdrawing participant’s data will be destroyed immediately.

If you have any questions or thoughts about the questionnaire – or the topic in general – please feel free to contact Dr Jamie Churchyard at jamie.churchyard@uwl.ac.uk.

You can begin the survey by clicking here

References

Wilkins, L., Dowsett, R., Zaborski, Z., Scoles, L., & Allen. P. M (2021). Exploring the mental health of individuals who play fantasy football. Human Behaviour and Emerging Technologies, 3, 1004-1022.



FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

548 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA / Cancelo / James / Walker
    Salah / Martinelli / Gros
    Jesus / Haaland / Toney

    Ward / Cucurella / Da Silva / Andreas

    GTG?

    Only debating starting Gros or Cucu. Slightly tempted by Haaland to Kane too.

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Last chance for Diaz against BOU for me...

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I think for 8m bracket, Maddison and Foden are next pick. Especially Maddison

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yup, good offerings arounf that price range.

  3. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Blimey, I considered briefly selling Robbo too but this getting out of control here..

    Bournemouth and they will be desperate to win - keep CS. He stays

    1. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He's a very tough sell. Next 4 fixtures look good. Would expect a reaction for Liverpool just like United last night.

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      They are 16th and obviously need to bounce back this weekend. Cherries will get destroyed.

    3. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It hurts to keep but Liverpool are gonna bounce back sooner rather than later + fixtures look way too good

  4. C_G
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    BOTTOMED. please help

    what to do here? 1 FT

    Ward Sanchez

    TAA James Walker Neco Saliba

    Salah KDB Marty Bailey Andreas

    Kane Jesus

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’d save

    2. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Save

    3. 50ShadesOfGray
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bailey > Rodrigo?

  5. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    James or Dias on WC?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      James

  6. jimmyabs1987
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Salah & Toney

    Of

    Diaz and Haaland

    1. sirmorbach
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Tough one. Heart says A, head says B.

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Former

    3. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

  7. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Please, friends:

    Alisson (Ward)
    TAA, Cancelo, Trippier, Saliba (Neco)
    Salah, Bowen, Martinelli, Rodrigo(Andreas)
    Haaland, Jesus (Archer)

    Bowen to Maddison/Zaha/Gundo for a hit? WC material? Keep as is for one more GW?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      How can your team be WC material

      Defense - perfect.
      Midfield - replace Bowen.
      Strikers - perfect

      I would just do the Bowen t/fer on the next FT

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you, sir. It's probably disappointment from the points that aren't coming. I'll keep. Cheers.

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Only issue I see is Bowen but not worth a hit

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’d WC to your team

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you, sir. Much appreciated.

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think you need the hit. Can make the move next week

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for your thoughts!

  8. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone seen Pool Double Defence Owners?

    Last seen Buried DEEP in the MUD of Manchester

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What about one pool defence owners?

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bournemouth will make it better .

  9. Barnabus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    2FT, 0ITB

    Ward Iversen
    TAA Robbo Dias James NWilliams
    KDB Diaz Saka Bailey Andreas
    Haaland Jesus Taylor

    a) Robbo & Bailey > Perisic & Rodrigo
    b) Saka & Bailey > ASM & Rodrigo
    c) any other suggestions

    1. mcginnntonic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A but harrison

      1. Barnabus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        why Harrison over Rodrigo out of interest?

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

  10. mcginnntonic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Would you do this?

    Robbo James Bailey > Dunk Perisic Gundogan

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Save

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No way

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Best keeper option from Ramsdale and Sanchez? Correcting my stupid late decision before the first deadline with the Leicester rejects

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      San

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I have to say Raya. His fixtures are looking really good for a long time.

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sorry, I read your question wrong. Out of these two I'd probably go with Sanchez and save 0.5 for the upcoming transfers.

    3. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I suppose Sanchez or Raya are best option

  12. Puntillimon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Looking at points so far - midfielders clearly have the edge in the game. Not been great for someone going 523 formation. At least the 2 I’ve picked did pretty well (martinelli Salah). What do you guys think, reckon the def and strikers will catch up soon?

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It’s way too early to judge but looking at historical records for past 3 seasons, Midfielders have the edge then defenders quite recently

    2. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely not the midfielders we expected to do well.

      No one was really considering Leeds, Zaha, Gros, Gundo etc.

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I wasn't much on FFS before the season started but I think that the starting template was something like Salah - Martinelli - Neto - Bailey - Pereira. If you didn't have 2-3 of those, others probably advised you to buy them. It's the same every year when it comes to most popular picks and reasons behind their inclusion.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I can advise that a cheap starting midfield might not advisable at any stage.

      2. Puntillimon
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        That’s true. It’s not just midfielders but the right ones..

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Think it's the fact the attacking defenders haven't had much in the way of attacking returns so far. A wingback getting a CS and assist and 2-3 bonus = 11-12 points.

      1. Puntillimon
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yes? Their time will come! I’m sure if it..!

        1. Puntillimon
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yes!*

  13. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I posted a question concerning mental health and how F/F affected it and the amount of replies was staggering. The results of this will be very interesting and hopefully a lot of managers will get some sort of benefit out of it and maybe some insight as to how they approach F/F in the future. I personally would be stressing during match day and constantly checking my phone and notifications even when I was out with my family and and if I had a particularly bad gameweek it affected my mood over the course of the next few days. This year I decided to not let it affect me in this way and also decided to not get involved in money leagues and it seems to be working, ironically I’ve had the worst start to this season than any other and I just it hasn’t affected me anywhere near as much as I thought it would, so if I can give any advice it would be to step back and enjoy it for what it is, a really fun football game ( that’s free) and we get to chat with all our virtual friends also 🙂 enjoy and may all your arrows be green and if not, try not to worry about it to much, as it’s just a wasted emotion that doesn’t solve anything X

    1. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Good man. I've always played FPL for fun , when it ceases to be that then I will stop. Yes it can be a frustrating game at times but there are far more important things than a virtual online game. Family and friends come first by a considerable distance every time.

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Absolutely!

    2. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bang on, it's just a game. A distraction for me personally.
      But this constant questioning (in email feeds in my workplace too) of how my mental health is, would drive anyone mad! If the editors here or the senders of those emails in work just promoted positivity, (gave you the tools to be mindful) rather than a constant "Are you OK?", "Are you OK?", "Are you OK?".
      If you are OK, you won't be much longer! Look at their constantly updated alphabet soup of acronyms for mental health disorders, and you'll be sure to find one that fits you!
      Enjoy the game, regardless 🙂

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You too BC1 🙂

    3. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thank you for commenting on the article!
      Totally agree, its just a game and I definitely try not to stress too much about bad transfers or losing rank in my mini league.
      There are lots of other things in the world and this game is a bit of escape for me and scratches the strategizing part of my brain.
      I suspect there is a strong correlation of stress and bad moods with managers who also play in cash based mini leagues.
      We play for beer in my main mini league, which probay helps with lower stress!

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Playing for beer! Sounds like a good idea SULLDADDY 🙂
        Yes, playing in money leagues without doubt exacerbates mental health issues. I definitely feel much happier and relaxed and I’m enjoying F/F a lot more…

  14. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A) Mount and Greenwood to Rodrigo and Toney
    B) Ait-Nouri and Bailey to Saliba and Rodrigo

    Very tempted by A, but B feels more sensible?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd argue A is more sensible

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ok, cheers guys!

    4. G Banger
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm considering the same move with Diaz instead of Mount

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm that is tougher, I don't think I'd lose Diaz

  15. Tcheco
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Play:

    A. Andreas (nailed, on set pieces)

    B. Bailey (risk of not starting, assist & hit the post last game)

    1. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B depending on what SG says in pressers

  16. HD7
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Save or any transfer you would make here?

    Ederson
    
TAA Robo Cancelo James Trippier
    
Salah Martinelli Rodrigo
    
Haaland Jesus

    

Bench: Ward DaSilva Pereira Greenwood

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      G2G

  17. POGON 1948
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Gentlemen I require your advice

    1FT to rule them all

    A) Neto ➡️ Aaronson
    B) Iversen ➡️ Sanchez/Meslier
    C) Delete my team

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B with Sanchez

    3. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

    4. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      cheers

    5. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      C

      1. POGON 1948
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        cheers

  18. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this wc ? James and Patterson or Perisic and Dunk?

    Meslier Ward
    TAA Trippier Neco *** ***
    Salah Diaz Rodrigo Martinelli Andreas
    Haaland Jesus Toney

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      The latter

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Perisic and Dunk.

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I think Maddison has shown more than Diaz in the first 3 games

  19. Big Sam Time
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Activated my wildcard and quite happy with this, any suggestions?

    Henderson
    Saliba, dier, cancelo
    Salah, aaronson, martinelli, rashford
    Kane, haaland, Jesus

    Bench, ward, dunk, Andreas, neco

    1. 50ShadesOfGray
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Rashford won’t keep form I guarantee it. Get Rodrigo

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd sacrifice Kane > Kulu and upgrade defense

      1. Big Sam Time
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Kulu?

        1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Kulusevski

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Think its a bit early to be jumping on ManU assets personally

  20. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Toney or Mitro as third striker

    Front 8
    Bailey, Rodrigo, Salah, Martinelli, Andreas
    Haaland, Jesus, Plange

    1. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Toney for now

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Toney

    3. adam wigan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve got Toney but looking at the stats Mitro looks much more of an attacking threat and is cheaper too. Fixtures not great though so perhaps Toney now then swap later

  21. Fit_to_drop
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Crystal ball time.

    Over the course of the season will Pope justify his .5m valuation over Sanchez?

    I have Pope but could let him go on the next 2FT's to upgrade my 4.5mid.

    1. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd prefer Sanchez + the .5 although not sure there's great value in 5.0 mids

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Very true. I might just go DaSilva to Andreas if the latter keeps up his form.

  22. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is Walker in danger next week? Looked very ropey vs Newcastle

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I hadnt spotted that as an owner. Hope not. But Cancelo to right and new guy at LB is a possibility. If it works out, its curtains for Walker.

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Oh dear has a pimp caught up with him ?

  23. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Don't hate my team, but the points just haven't been coming. 1 FT & 0.8m ITB - what to do here?

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Cancelo - James - Dunk
    Salah - Mount - Martinelli - Bailey
    Haaland - Jesus

    Ward - Neco - Andreas - Taylor

    A) Mount > Aaronson/Rodrigo/Gross (Bailey > Zaha next week)

    B) Roll and do A next week

    C) Other

  24. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Perisic
    Salah Martinelli Neto
    Haaland Jesus

    (Ward Bailey Andreas Archer)
    2FTs & 0.0m

    A) Robbo & Neto to Walker & Rodrigo
    B) Robbo & Neto to Dunk & Gundo
    C) Neto & Bailey to Gross & 4.5 mid
    D) Robbo, Neto & Archer to Walker, Reed & Toney -4
    E) Anything else?

    Thoughts?

    1. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Selling Robbo before BOU? Pool will be hungry after utd game.
      C

      1. sulldaddy
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Pool were supposed to be hungry FOR United game!

  25. CornerTakenQuicklyOrigi
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Correct to bench Dunk and Trippier over Maddison?

    Ederson
    James, Perisic, Saliba
    KDB, Kulu, Maddison, Martinelli
    Haaland, Jesus, Toney

    Ward, Dunk, Trippier, Andreas

  26. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Keeping Robbo through a another price drop will be very disappointing. Likewise there is always the tsimikas risk in the back of ones mind!

  27. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    On a wc and considering

    Taa gundo vs robbo foden, flip of a coin surely?

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      TAA Gundo imo

    2. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      TAA-Gundo

    3. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A.

  28. Totti
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    guys
    exact funds to do these transfers

    robertson and greenwood -> perisic and toney (-4)

    already owning arnold and salah

    A) yay
    B) nay

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A

  29. Malkmus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A'noon all. 1FT, 0.4 itb. Save FT?

    Ward (4.0)
    TTA - Cancelo - White - Nico
    Salah - KDB - Martinelli - Bailey
    Haaland - Jesus

    Subs - Andreas, Patterson, Archer

    Everybody playing at home bar Ward, so will likely WC next gw to get Ward, Bailey out and prob one of KDB or Haaland.

    Ta!

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Keep Ward. Only playing 4.0 gk.

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sell your 4.0 😉

        1. Malkmus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks!

  30. Taegugk Warrior
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Diaz, Gundo, or Gross…?
    As mount replacement.

    1. Totti
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      gundogan if you've money
      gross if you're looking for good budget midfielder