Opinion

Learning from the mistakes of a dreadful FPL season

It’s hard to believe Gameweek 38 is upon us already. It’s going to be a long summer without FPL.

For most, the season ending is a negative, but for me, it will be a relief.

When those final whistles blow on Sunday evening, it will feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The nightmare will be over.

In over 10 seasons, this has been my worst by a long distance. I’ve been unlucky in many ways but there have been plenty of bad decisions too. Bad luck alone doesn’t get you a poor rank.

Not doing enough tinkering/research ahead of Gameweek 1 led to a poor start to the campaign from which I never recovered.

Chasing the pack was a new position for me to be in and it didn’t suit my patient style of play.

Selling players at the wrong time occurred too often, Callum Wilson (£6.8m) early in the season when he wasn’t scoring goals but had good underlying statistics and good fixtures is a prime example of that.

Shipping Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) just before the festive fixtures was another.

In hindsight, it was poor decision-making. I’ve had most of the right players this season, just at the wrong times.

The biggest reason for my poor season is overthinking things and spending way too much time on FPL.

Anyone who plays the game seriously often overthinks every move but when you work full-time in the field and spend 9am – 5pm, Monday-Friday every week discussing FPL with other managers, it clouds your judgement.

When it came to making my own transfers on a Friday night, my head was usually fried. Transfers should only ever be made with a clear head.

To combat this next season, I intend to scale back on how much time I spend on Twitter/Reddit/listening to podcasts etc. and spend more time focusing on my own team/strategy.

With all the great content available to fantasy managers nowadays, the biggest challenge is managing yourself.

Playing your own game has never been harder.

Reading/listening/watching too much content can have a negative impact on your season. Trust yourself.

Captaincy picks have let me down big time this season. This is the one aspect I’m most determined to improve on in 2019/20.

I’ve had roughly 15 blanks from 37 captains which just isn’t good enough. If you are not consistent with the captaincy, chances are you will struggle.

Avoiding bandwagons is another thing I want to improve on next season which has been a problem this year.

Players like Ross Barkley (£5.0m), Theo Walcott (£5.9m), Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.9m) all found their way into my squad at some point. These are the types of players I’ve typically avoided in previous seasons.

I want to avoid injury-prone players next season too. Marko Arnautovic (£6.7m) and Danny Ings (£5.4m) caused me problems this season for example.

Bandwagons and injury-prone players usually result in you having to waste a transfer to get rid of them again down the line. We talk about fighting fires in FPL, when you buy a player like Arnie, it’s like going to the shop and buying matches, firelighters and kindling. You are looking for trouble.

I managed to go ten years without captaining a defender, then I gave Shane Duffy (£4.7m) the armband for his Double Gameweek. I plan to go another ten years now without falling into the same trap again.

The one and only time I made an early transfer this season it burned me. Marcos Alonso (£6.2m) was shipped for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) on a Sunday night only for news to break on the Tuesday that TAA was injured.

My tried and trusted strategy of waiting until after all the press conferences before making moves will be a staple in my strategy for next season.

I’m relishing the challenge of coming back stronger next season and hopefully bouncing back from a testing season in style. Good luck all in Gameweek 38 and enjoy the summer break. We all need one!

353 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    If you need any tips General hit me up

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Btw this is meant in good faith

    2. Daghe Munegu
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Leading ML by 4 pts.

      Rival has Kun and will cap him. He doesn't have Salah.
      Should I cap Salah ? Or Kun and just be happy to have Salah as a differential ?

      Also would you play Jota or Jimenez?

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I have no issue with defensive play if that gives you peace of mind vs a close rival. That said, I do think Salah is a better option than Aguero for the captaincy.

        Jota/Jiminez is close and I haven't decided yet, recently Jota has been shooting more but Jimmy has a higher shot frequency over the season. I'll have to look into why this is, but really this is one of those annoying almost 50/50s where whichever one you choose, be happy with the decision.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Great rank, good work.

      If you’re bored.... 1ft .8itb Very tight in money league, really struggling with what to do for the final week, suggestions?

      Toying with Son to Mili/Antonio or maybe Jime to Arnie/Wilson/Zaha. For a -4 could do Son+Jime to Mili/Vardy but don't think a hit is wise.

      Lloris
      Robbo TAA Laporte Valery
      Pogba Sterling Mane
      Jime Ings Aguero

      Guaita Bedna Jota Son

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I wouldn't sell Jimmy for a -4 in this spot - If he blanks, there's a decent chance of the double LIV CS. The Son replacement decisions are tricky but I'd err on the home players, it's reasonable to think they'll want to do well in the last game in front of their fans.

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Great thanks!

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Good point on Jim and double Liverpool defence. Lots must be in the same spot.

          Generally prefer to play aggressive and not hedge. But with Pool defenders you’ve also got the attacking option too

    4. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wow great rank!

      27 pts lead but rival has triple captain and Sterling but no Aguero

      Should i play Jimenez or - 4 Eriksen to Sterling who I would captain to reduce the the pts? Thanks

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Don't mind either way, 27 pts is a heck of a gap to overhaul in one week. If it gives you peace of mind, take the hit.

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers man

    5. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He meant this for FPL General - not “in general”

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Tru dat, but oh well, I tried to answer. I don't really like answering shorthand questions because I can't see the whole team and answers aren't always simple. It's GW38 though, no long term planning required 🙂

    6. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Bilva better option than pogba??what u suggest..who will get more point from pogba/Bilva/Redmond???

  2. Pras (FPL)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    You’ll bounce back next season mate - form is temporary etc.

  3. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Folks, is it worth -4 to swap Son and Jimenez for Bilva and Rashford?

    1. PEP_TALK
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Absolutely.

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wouldnt be taking hits in final week, so no.

    3. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      maybe callum wilson though?

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Go for it, no regrets!

  4. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Epitome of a dreadful season:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=183&v=-jUp6RbLWFY

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You've been having a great run past few weeks!

      Good luck for GW38

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Lol 🙂

  5. Goodnight Kiwi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who do you think will score the most points this gameweek from the below?

    1. Fraser
    2. Bilva

    A. Arnie
    B. Rashford
    C. Rondon
    D. Wilson

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2.

      Roll a dice, I’d go A

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      1 D

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

      2
      D

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2A

    5. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2D

    6. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      All are roll a dice. All viable.

  6. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Lloris
    Robbo - Shaw - Bednarek - Valery
    Sterling - Mane - Eriksen - Son!!
    Aguero - Ings
    (Ryan - Jimenez - Jota - Ings)

    If Robertson is confirmed out:
    Robbo & Son to
    A) TAA & B.Silva
    B) Laporte & Pogba

    If Robertson is fit:
    1) Doherty & Son to TAA & B.Silva (Bench Val/Bed)
    2) Val/Bed & Son to Laporte & Redmond

    Thoughts?
    Cheers all! 🙂

    1. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A / 2

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        That's what I'm leaning towards.

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A1 imo, cause you bench Jim and Jota 🙂

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        There's some sense behind that. But I do like the look of Laporte and Redmond more as I already would have Robbo if he's fit.

        1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yes, City will have cs imo.

    3. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I have Robertson and Son too.

      Do you think we will find out anything concrete on fitness and the red card appeal?!

    4. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A 1. Trent is the one to get

  7. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How am I looking?
    GTG?

    Ederson
    Laporte Digne TAA
    Fraser Salah Mane Pogba Babel
    Wilson Aguero(C)

    Fabianski Grant AWB Rice

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Like it a lot, you taken hits?

      1. C'mon the Fylde
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers.
        No hits taken, but FT used.

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      GTG.

  8. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Only 15 captaincy blanks? I had over 30 and still made the top 10k lol!

    1. ㅤRising
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      sure Ive had over 35 and still top 10k

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Care to link your team?

      1. ㅤRising
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Its impossible to have over 30 blanks and be in top 10k, dont even bother he is lying

  9. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who is better for this week?
    A. Pogba
    B. Fraser
    C. Moura

    Thanks.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Haha don't fall for the Moura trap! Pogba for me despite form

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        This

    2. Party time
        4 years, 10 months ago

        C

      • Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Between Pogba & Moura for me.

        Slightly favour Pogba though wait for the presser let's what OGS has to say if anything about Pogba.

    3. AdamJ91
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Any suggestions on a Son replacement for his price?

      Can't have Redmond since I already have 3 Saints players.

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Please look above post 🙂

        1. AdamJ91
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Was considering Pogba but Man Utd's form really puts me off.

          There's plenty of mid ranged priced options, just seems difficult choosing the right one since there's no 'stand out'.

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Good god three Saints already! I'm going Bilva cause City will score the most goals.

        1. AdamJ91
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Still have Gunn, Hojbjerg & Bednarek from my WC.

    4. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      This article is basically subtly blaming podcasts and communities for poor moves.

      Who’s game were you playing General if not “your own”?

      I honestly respect you but I actually don’t understand how too much content makes bad decisions. After all.. you can’t get all the bandwagons and aren’t you a key contributor as a full time fpl manager

      I don’t wanna sound like fpl virgin. But I have.

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Speaking of Virg, he was asking for advice after a poor season and I told him pretty much what the guy above says.
        Too much time can be spent listening to podcasts and reading blogs.
        It subliminally puts ideas in your head that you may not have considered before and they're often the wrong ideas.
        The best way to play the game is playing your own game.

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          It can also put good ideas in your head.. Doherty, Digne, AWB, Fraser, Jiminez. Who would have genuinely thought of them alone ? Especially those value defenders.

          You gotta absorb information and then filter it to the best of your ability .. that’s where “your game” comes into it !

          Avoiding stuff like Walcott is where some peoples filter needed changing

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            No one thought seriously about any of those except awb until after they started performing above expectede. It's laughable to claim that pods and articles are the reason people realized how good value they were.

            1. Richd
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              I disagree.

              You may see Doherty got a haul or two.. but until the stats are highlighted too you it would be unknown if output was a fluke or sustainable.

              Many got Jiminez as the community highlited he was nailed and only 5.5.

              The community are great at spotting players scoring with sustainable output.

              1. Brosstan
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                The community are great at spotting players perfornign above average and then pat themselves on the back when they keep performing. Jimenez is the prime example. The stats didn't support him early in the season, bit people still got him in and they're telling themselves now it was a good shout. 95% of the time a punt like that fails.

        2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I think its a balancing act. It's good to hear other peoples reasoning providing it does not blind you. Ultimately if you are making a decision just because someone else says so it is hardly worth playing.

          1. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Scotty B on.
            I mean spot on.

      2. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        It’s also an interesting approach when you yourself have a podcast and make a living from giving FPL advice

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Same for me last year. 4 straight top 7k seasons followed by a 208k. It can happen, don't rule rank bad luck out...

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        The luck is probably the reason and he’s digging too deep for an excuse.

        I’m sure he’ll be back next year in the upper ranks

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Maybe. It is probably easier for us to dip in and out of places for information rather than be constantly in the eye of the storm.

        2. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          More likely he's had a run of good luck and now he's regressing to the mean

      2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Even Mr Sutherns had one 100k plusser in his superb history...

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I suspect it hits patient types who’d never consider a minus 8 or consecutive minus 4s hardest.

        Get 4/5 injuries wrong calls and you’re stuck with something sub optimal and no way to turn it round.

        Was following someone who got stuck with Sane and Alonso for ages around first DGW. He knew he’d got it wrong but had no exit - with other fires to fight.

      4. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Bad luck can of course play a big part but there is bad luck and then there is a 500k finish...

    6. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Which option?

      A) Son to Bilva
      B) Jimenez to max. 7.3 mill. forward (Wilson, Rondon, Zaha, Rashford, Mitrovic etc.) and play Højbjerg for Son
      C) Both for -4

    7. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Those who have 3 Wolves what your plans with 1 FT?

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I wouldn't overthink it. 11 starting players is a very good jumping off point.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers,
          Cannot decide best way forward?

          Lloris
          Shaw - Trent - Laporte -??
          Salah - Sterling - Pogba - ?? - ??
          Wilson - Aguero - ??

          Foster - Jota - Jimenez - Deulofeu - Valery - Doherty

          0 bank

          1 FT

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Doherty to someone really likely to get a CS would be my fave transfer. Or Jimenez to someone like Zaha if you want to spread the risk. No harm in playing one or two Wolves players though. They're a good team and play well against the top 6.
            Besides, Liverpool will need the win and will push for a winner if the score is level. Bad for Wolves defenders but good for attackers!

          2. Pipermaru
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Doherty to Kompany, play Jimenez and one of Jota/Deulofeu.

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        To get rid of Son and start one of Jota/Jimenez.

      3. Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I've got 3 (Doh Jota Jimi). Can only bench 1 due to my awful subs but struggling for alternatives. Wolves do love playing the top teams and whilst I still think Liverpool will win I can see a Jiminez goal in there. Want to swap hazard for Mane so don't think it's worth a -4 to ditch one of them unless you think someone like Redmond is worth a punt.

    8. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Play Jota or transfer for Pogba -4?

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Play Jota

    9. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      So from various LFC/ Liverpool press twitter feeds it looks like:

      Bobby = doubt for Sunday, should be fine for CL Final
      Salah = cleared to play on Sunday, should be fine for CL Final
      Robbo = unlikely to be risked for Sunday, will be fine for CL Final

      Let's hope we get something definitive in the presser. Personally I think I will just go ahead with using my FT to drop one of Jimi or Jota to a punty player and hope my bench covers any surprises - unless one of the LIV lot are confirmed out.

      What are people's plans?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Might keep Robbo and bring in Kompany for Duffy to cover his absence.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Sounds decent

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I had half considered Valery over double Liverpool defence anyway. I’ll use my bench

        One of my errors this season is that I’ve had a playable bench all the way through but almost never used and burnt transfers. Heaps of points gone south that way

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yep. My bench is likely to be:

          Jimi/ Jota, Doherty, Yoshida

          So should be good enough to cover me

    10. umerlfc
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mata decent differential?

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not even guaranteed to start.

    11. Strchld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Right, I was planning to play Vertonghen and Robbo. Now both are out and have Duffy and Doherty on bench.

      Also have Son, Jimenez and Jota and dont want to play them. So it would be -16 get out Son, Vertonghen, Robbo, Jota and Jimenez.....

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not recommended to take -16 last day of season. I would def play the wolves rather then hits.

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          absolutely this.

      2. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers.

    12. Atters
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Is Alli a good Son replacement? You'd think they'd want to go into the final off of a win and he looked pretty good against Ajax. Not many obvious replacements I can see

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        BSilva, Redmond, Fraser, Babel, Moura and Sigurdsson are all better replacements imo.

    13. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Delofeu to be rested this GW?

      Got King coming off the bench - not very optimistic.

      King => Wood (-4)?

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I wouldn’t

      2. Atters
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        King likes a haul every now and then so I wouldn't either

    14. Xhaka_Laca
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Play Jimenez or Doucoure?

    15. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I do believe that all this chips brought more “luck” factor into this game...not saying it’s bad thing...

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        There is no doubt. TC is an absolute crap shoot. Why they introduced a chip where skill can only slightly increase your odds of a good score the rest is pure luck is behind me.

        BB slightly more skilful, FH even more so. But do any of us think the game is better as a result?

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I don't mind them. Like the playoffs, it's something to keep the interest going longer once somebody starts to move into a big lead & everyone's teams become a bit templatey.

        2. Wild Card this!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I agree...but if you think about it...TC is one week...C has same effect but every week...
          Preps for BB and Free hit hasn’t been that fruitful two seasons so far, at least around DGW’s - not as much as we expected (at least for most) but we are learning to utilize them I guess...

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            I agree that they don't make much difference overall but it's annoying when best laid plans can get you -1x3 points when your rivals can end up with 20x3 🙂 same skill, same planning etc etc!

    16. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Crap season for me too. Lessons I will TRY to take into next year:

      1) Don't bin form players on WC, regardless of fixtures.
      2) If you do 1, don't be too proud to admit you've made a mistake & go back before it's too late.
      3) A good defender is for life, not just until you've built up TV enough to afford an extra premium striker.
      4) If you've saved your chips all season for the doubles, don't try to be clever & play them in a single just because you've filled your team with Brighton crap & suspended strikers.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        All great points. #1 has killed me this season, as well as not taking hits to get players who are clearly on great runs of form.

        We leave and learn!

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          *live... Sigh stupid predictive text

        2. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Took Robbo & Salah out on my 1st WC, Salah wasn't even in form then but exploded against Bournemouth literally that GW. Took 5-6 weeks to rectify that error, still I could've probably coped if not for losing Robbo too while all my rivals kept.

    17. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      nice article fpl general
      I too am having my worst season, though the cause is less clear....
      I think the breaks just havent gone my way, you usually get a few that dont work out, but all of them??!!! Its been staggering. You need a little bit of luck in fpl to grease your momentum and once youre playing catchup you have a propensity to be more impatient and more panicked over transfers and sqaud management, leading to a higher likelihood of poor decision making 🙁
      theres always next season, good luck!

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I've really learned that once a team goes bad it's really hard to turn it round. I'm not going to WC in an international break next season and I'm going to have more template players to protect my rank.

    18. Laporte In A Storm
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I am currently OR 1600 - sadly down from 500 three weeks ago, it's been an unlucky month, but still very happy.

      I have not taken a single hit all season, and I am not going to now even with 3 flags in the final week.

      There is natural variance in FPL. In one of my mini-leagues someone has not checked his team all season but has managed to choose exactly the right selection of initial players that have complimented each other virtually all season, and has achieved a mid-placed finish. Why have the teams above him finished higher?

      Because FPL is really about riding the statistics. By gradually manoeuvering your team toward players with better fixtures of 4, 5 or 6 weeks, increase your chances of scoring a handful more points. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't. But over 38 weeks, the statistics will play in your favour. Next season I am going to apply the rule - I will never take a hit unless there is a substantial injury crisis.

      The FPL community knowledge is vital. It isn't possible to listen to too much - it is simply what you do with it. You want the hive mind to tell you fixtures. You want the hive mind to tell you about underlying stats. But you need to take that information and then decide - for yourself - which is the play that you believe maximises your exposure to favourable statistics.

      For me that strategy is -
      1) Hits are never worth it unless there is a long-term injury crisis
      2) Use transfers to chase a little bit of value in the first half of the season
      3) Chasing value becomes less and less important as the season goes on
      4) Choose a long term strategy. Don't let one explosive performace deviate from it, unless you can do it within the rules of 1-3.

      That's my tuppence thoughts anyway.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        completely disagree with 1. Hits are an integral part of the game that you need to master and not be fearful of. A bit like betting, there is a risk vs reward element, yes youll never lose a bet if you dont bet, but youll also never win big.
        Being greedy or chasing last weeks points are the worst reasons to take hits, it can cloud your better judgement, but a well though out hit for sound statistical reasons and the odd punt can make a season

        1. Laporte In A Storm
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Firstly, very happy to agree to disagree and it's great you have your own strategy. But nobody said anything about being fearful of hits. I have decided they are strategically much less useful than you believe. They are not an integral part of my strategy. It's also totally cool if they are part of yours 🙂

    19. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Is Captain Laporte insane?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Nah

    20. BBC_TF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B Silva has much better stats than Pogba in the last 6 in terms of shots, chances created, touches in the box and Big chances.

      Why are we all focused on Pogba vs Cardiff instead of Bilva vs Brighton?

      1. The_Fish
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I'm staying clear of Pogba.

        Will have triple City of Laporte, Sterling and Aguero. Would consider Bilva otherwise.

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I'm also in that position, as are a lot I'd imagine. Laporte has more than justified his spot, the other two aren't going anywhere because of the ownership & captaincy factor.

        2. Bohemian Rhapsody
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          +1

    21. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      What cheap Pool mid or def do you think will play this weekend?

      Already have Trent & Mo

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Milner. Also on pens.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Good thinking, Origi & Wijnaldum worth a punt?

          1. Do I Not Like Orange
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Could be, didn't think you were looking for a forward though?

      2. zotter
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Wijnaldum should

      3. zotter
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Basically I think it’s mikner or Henderson and Origi or Sturbridge. Rest picks itself

        Milner could well play left back

    22. nyron
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      For me I got off to a brilliant start by being patient but made an awful transfer in GW11 (something I'd been planning for future GWs for a while but took the plunge 2-3 weeks early after a few drinks). My rank plummeted and I spent pretty much all the rest of the season chasing and making bad decisions trying to claw back. Next season I need to keep my head and avoid rash, illogical decisions

      This has been an awful season for me but I feel like I've learned more than in any other. We'll see if that is the case next season

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        thing is even logical well thought out decisions can go awry, just because players or teams dont perform as projected......theres nowt you can do about that.

    23. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Folks, Wilson or Rashford?