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. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    This season is my worst by a long distance, too.

    130,435th in 13-14 was my previous worst finish. Currently I'm in 379,327th place.

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You did ok last year by the looks of it though mate so swings and roundabouts.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hope you do awesome next season like you did last season.

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Had an OR of 235k in GW 31. Now at 31k. Hope a miracle can get me into top 20k for the first time.

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Good luck! I’m heading the other way. Hopefully this last GW can save me.

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

    Final decision to make. I am selling Jota with hit for one of below.

    1. Fraser
    2. Redmond
    3. Milovojevic
    4. Babel

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

      2 or 4, I’m going for. But definitely a Home player.

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

      I like 1 and 2, leaning towards 2, but can see a haul from Fraser

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

      2

  4. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I really want to get Wood in but who do I get rid of (even though I don’t want to): Vardy or Rondon?

    1. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Rondon if you really really have to... do you really have to?

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not really. That'd mean conceding more points.

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

      I read on here yesterday that Newcastle don’t usually do well away against London clubs. Not sure how true that is.
      So Rondon->Wood?

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

        Newcastle don't usually do well against most clubs.. ;).

      2. Burger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Newcastle 3-0 Chelsea, last day of 2018 season
        Newcastle 5-1 Spurs, last day of 2016 season
        Newcastle 2-0 West Ham, last day of 2015 season

        Suggests they finish well.

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Keep then?! Though this is an away game...

          1. Burger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Personally my view is the rule book largely gets thrown out the door on last day. There are certainly a couple of games that have the potential to be end of season corkers and there isn't any reason this game can't be.

        2. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          And against London clubs....

  5. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Where to find the most points between these two this last round?

    a. Mane + Jimenez
    b. TAA + B.Silva

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

    A) Doherty Son & Jota --> Laporte Bilva & Redmond
    B) Son and Jimmy --> Redmond & Vardy
    C) Son & Jota --> Pogba & Redmond

  7. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Mustafi benched. Arsenal in final, confirmed

  8. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Did my two free transfers already (Bednarek + Son for TAA + Moura), so this is my final lineup of the year.

    Foster (Etheridge)
    Laporte, TAA, Digne, Wan-B (Boly)
    Sterling (c), Mane, Pogba, Moura (Doucoure)
    Aguero, Wilson (Jiminez)

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

    Can anyone better my 108 points hit this season ?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      that's just 27 hits in total...not bad

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

        How many points did you spend on hits?

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          ow damn, was confusing transfers and hits, my bad.

          I am on 18 hits this season, so 72 points

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

            Thats also high I think,

            1. The 5% Team
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              yes it is, I plan to do less transfers/hits next season 🙂

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

                Thats always my plan next season, but I always fall to hits haha, I guess its just my playing style, but deffinitely need to be more careful with transfers

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

      -12 hit, I think I need to take more hits next season lol

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

        You need up your hit game

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

          yeh what's your rank?

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

            Haha Im just kidding mostly no hit strategy works best, Im at 7k

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

              damn that's good for your 1st season, I'm ranked 226,579

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

                Its not my first season, this is 3rd season Im playing seriosly, first one I came at 35k

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

                  I see different username? I thought it should show 3 years beside your name

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

                    I only registered on this site almost one year ago

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

                      Many people play 10+years but never discovered this site

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

                        that's mad lol

  10. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who will win the play offs in the championship?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’d like it to be Leeds or Derby.
      4 massive clubs involved either way.

  11. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Just going back over some of the seasons of a couple of legendary defensive FPL assets.
    Alonso has two stellar campaigns achieving 177 then 165 in 16/7 & 17/18 respectively getting to a max value of 7.1.
    Baines top two years got him 177 (to equal Alonso’s high) and 165 and a much higher max value of 7.8.

    Robbo has achieved 207 & VVD 202 with a game remaining, with TAA back on 170, but with a higher points per game score. If he can stay fit for the whole season next term he’ll be gold, especially as he’s really turned it up the last few months.

    With this in mind, what do we think would be an appropriate price tag for the Liverpool trio?
    I believe 8.5 is fair for the top two and 8 for Trent.

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

      TAA could be amazing.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        He has an average of 6.1ppg. Highest of any defender. Only 4 mids have beaten that and Aguero is the only striker to equal it.

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

      8m both VVD and Robbo, Trent 7.5

    3. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      What is the highest price a defender has been priced at in past seasons at the start ?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Baines 8m

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

          I think 8m is the limit, I would be very surprised if they are 8.5 even tho 200+ points

        2. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I don’t think he was 8m

          Could be 7.5m max

        3. Wetdream
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Was he so high ? Wow

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think it was Baines, he was either 7.5 or 8.

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Has there been any defender priced more than 7m? I can’t see them anything worth than 7 or 7.5m max

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Pretty sure Baines was more and he has a lot less points.

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah probably 7.5m he was as far as I remember

          Still, I can’t see them pricing Robbo or VvD anything more than 7m

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Neither can I, but I think they should. I must add that I hope they are not.

            1. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Ban this horse

              1. Rupert The Horse
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                Haha.
                Purely looking at points achieved they really should be very expensive. Only thing is you’ll rarely Captain a defender.
                Although I stuck it on Bellerin a couple of times.

                1. La Roja
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  To be honest, if they would 7m max for next season, it’s kinda bargain at this rate.

                  1. Rupert The Horse
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    A great bargain.

      2. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Baines was 8m one year. If I recall, was Vidic potentially 8m too?

    5. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      has any defender ever started the season over £7.0? What was Ivanovic for Chelsea? £8.5m is crazy

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        But from a pricing point of view would you not say that’s fair?

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

          Even tho its hard to admit it, it is fair, but we need to stop giving them toughts that we expect them to be 8+m next season haha

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

      They will be 7.5 max

      I'd expect 7.0 7.0 and 6.5

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        This

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

          If Alonso got 7m price for 170 points, you think they will also be 7m after they got 40 more points?

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Yes or 7.5m max

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

              I think 7.5 is ok, but wouldnt be surprised if 8m even tho I would be angry seeing it haha

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

            Pricing isn't (or at least shouldn't) be based on absolute points scoring, and it's also a flawed idea to compare defenders with attackers in this case. The pricing people aren't stupid - defenders at 8.0 would seriously cripple them as options.

            1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              I like to think they have a complicated formula to calculate prices.

              But I imagine they just shout out “TAA, 7m sound reasonable?” to the rest of the office.

              1. Rupert The Horse
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                Ha. Love that image.

            2. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Not just on points scoring vs attackers, but against previous defensive FPL legends.

      2. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Im thinking similar. 7-7.5k. Although I think Trent will be priced the same as VVD and Robbo.

  12. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Evening all really stumped at what to do for last gameweek of the season would very much appreciate some outside input and ideas I have only 1 free transfer and team looks like this obviously Son it to go.....
    Foster
    Robertson TAA Valery
    Sterling(C) Mané(VC) Son* Bilva
    Aguero Vardy Jiménez
    Subs- Patricio Holberg Yoshida Jonny
    Cheers fellas

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Good team, pogba or Fraser seem popular.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate yeah I see that would maybe go Pogba being at home and on penalties out of them too and Frasers points are hard to predict at times

  13. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who knew running patreons and charging people for crap fpl advice could result in bad karma?

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

      😆

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

    What are the views on Robertson then?

    Gamble and keep him or shift him out??
    When are we likely to hear anything on his availability?

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

      I don't think he's gonna be playing.

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

        I'm thinking the same.
        But I already have Son and am chasing 15 points in ML so taking a hit is going to be tough to handle!!

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Doubt he’ll be risked

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

        TAA the obvious swap?

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah or VvD

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

            ML rival has VVD so will probably go TAA

            Do you think taking Son out for a hit is worth it? Annoying having that cash unavailable for the last week!

            1. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              It depends what’s the budget available for Son’s replacement and to your rival team tbh

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

                Rival also has Son.

                I'm tempted by Robertson Son and Gray > TAA Masuaku Aguero

                -8 a bit much?!

  15. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I think it took Baines more than 10,000 minutes to get his first clean sheet.

  16. Wag the Drog
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Moura or Rashford for Son's replacement?

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      sorry i meant Pogba

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Not pog

  17. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I have double LIV defence - Robbo and VVD. If Robbo is out, who would be a good replacement?

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

      TAA

  18. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Take a punt on Foden?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Nay

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      After his first half performance against Leicester I'd be surprised if he started

  19. Chi not God
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    i had a relatively good start to the season, reaching as high as 52k z then the decline started, and I went 14 weeks without a green arrow ranking low as 900k, awfully bad decisions and maybe sometimes stubbornness led to me chasing points and all.. only clawed it back since game week 23 or so, now 302k , some good chip strategies also helped me make a little Sense of the season. now just looking for a strong finish with captain Aguero!!

  20. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Derby or Villa?

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

      ?

      1. Scotty B
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Promotion

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

          Oh definitely neither of them two. Dont think either will make the final

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Leeds.

    3. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      WBA

  21. Euro Raiders
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Not sure you can learn from getting players in / out at the right time, its pure instinct or gut feeling.

    You either get it right or you get it wrong. Or something in between.

    Think the lesson for me is getting the consistent players in as early as possible and being patient.

    1. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Patience,keeping the hits down and playing safe with the odd calculated gamble are the lessons ive learned.Not the most exciting way to play but most effective for me.

  22. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Son to Fraser, Babel, Moura or someone else?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Is Moura an option now after CL hattrick?

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I very much doubt it - he'll be mentally flat after last night.

  23. Andy'81
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    David Wagner's landed the Schalke 04 job as rewards for his excellent spell at Huddersfield, I'm not confident of NUFC keeping Rafa so theirs one good manager off of the free market.

  24. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Started at 767k. Couldn’t escape from the 100-300k rank for the most part. Made it to 61k in last two weeks.

    Only five hits but there’re times when I could have taken more risk. Aguero in week 25 for instance although it was a guessing game who would start.

    Other mistakes:

    Booting Salah in week 15.
    Ross Barkley.
    Not getting Mendy at the start.
    Duffy C in that infamous dgw 34. Never again.

    It’s a pity we focus on our mistakes though. Just making it to the end is good enough.

    Good luck all in the final game week.

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

      Well, this is much more interesting.
      Someone that's posted here for years and still does.
      Haven't the foggiest who the guy that wrotethe article is.

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

      You look at your mistakes to learn how to improve.

  25. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else not taken a hit all season?

  26. jjandellis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I'm in 3rd, 4 points behind 2nd and 1 point ahead of 4th. 1st is out of sight and top 4 is a lock, but there is a few hundred quid in swings between the positions.

    Looking to ditch Son and Jimenez.

    Replacement options:

    a) Pogba & (1) Perez (2) Arny (3) Zaha (4) Mitro

    b) Babel & Numbers as above plus (4) Lacazette

    What we fancying?

  27. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Lloris
    TAA Laporte Valery Robertson*
    Mane Hazard Sterling Son*
    Aguero Ings

    Foster Long Jota Doherty

    1FT 0.1 ITB

    (If Robertson is conformed out)

    1. Son Jota > Pogba Fraser (-4)
    2. Son Long > Wilson Fraser (-4)

    I’d rather take a hit for a mid/forward than a defender personally.

    Thoughts?

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

    Why is everyone getting hard for wood?

  29. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Are all the pressers tomorrow?

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Most.

      Chelsea / Arsenal postmatch today, but at least 13 tomorrow

  30. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    2 fts and 1.6m in the bank. Any suggestions?

    Lloris
    TAA Kolasinac Bednarek Doherty Masina
    Mané Son Bilva Sterling Jota
    Aguero Wilson Jimenez