Pro Pundits

Fantasy Football and its effect on mental health

In his latest Pro Pundits column, former Fantasy Premier League champion Simon March looks at the impact that FPL can have on our mental health – and outlines his approach to dealing with the highs and lows of Fantasy management.


Like many Fantasy managers, I usually view international breaks with a mixture of dread, boredom and confusion as to why they are still even a thing. But, now and again, I actually find myself enjoying the break that they offer from the stresses of FPL management, and it seems I’m not alone in that sentiment.

Increasingly, voices in the Fantasy community are sharing their experiences of the sometimes negative effects that the game can have on their mental wellbeing.

To some, that might sound absurd; it is “just a game” after all and maybe we shouldn’t take it all so seriously. But it also makes a lot of sense: if playing a game can make you feel good, it stands to reason that it can also do the opposite.

So, while we take a break from the freneticism of Fantasy Football, I thought I’d dedicate this article to considering why FPL might negatively affect our mental health and what we might be able to do about it.

A good starting point might be to consider why we get so involved with FPL in the first place. There are the obvious reasons; it’s fun, often exciting, it’s a multi-faceted challenge and, of course, there’s a large and diverse community built around it. Below the surface, however, there are less obvious reasons and, sometimes, these can bring some negative effects.

It’s not unreasonable to assume that the experience of playing FPL shares some physiological similarities to that of placing a bet.

Gambling is well-studied in this respect and the act of gambling has been seen to trigger the release of dopamine, the brain’s ‘reward’ chemical. This helps to generate a pleasure-based feedback loop which encourages more of the rewarding behaviour, thus reinforcing its significance to us. If that sounds a bit like an addictive drug it’s because drug addiction often work in essentially the same way and, with this in mind, it’s not hard to see why FPL can feel so important to us or why it might affect our moods.

Another aspect might be how tied to our personalities FPL can become.

As mentioned, FPL is the basis for an enormous community along with many smaller communities such as, for example, a workplace mini-league. Humans, as social animals, are hardwired to seek out these communities but, equally, we’ve also evolved to be status driven within them.

So if you’re part of a community that revolves around FPL, it stands to reason that your FPL performance will influence your sense of status, and perhaps self-esteem, within that group and, potentially, outside of it too. The more seriously you take FPL, the more significant these effects are likely to be. While the conscious you is probably well aware that it’s “just a game”, there’s a lot going on below the surface that we don’t actively control.

So, with all that in mind, what can we do about it? Speaking as somebody who has experienced their fair share of FPL highs and lows, I thought I’d share a few ideas that have helped me.

Set your own goals

If there’s one thing that stresses me out more than anything in FPL, it’s worrying about the players that I don’t have and, since this is the significant majority, that’s a lot to worry about.

However, it seems to me that, if you average anything over 60 points a Gameweek throughout a season, you’ll typically end up with a respectable rank. I think this perspective can be quite liberating because, if you’re averaging 60 points plus each Gameweek, it doesn’t actually matter all that much what the players you don’t have are doing, so there’s less need to worry about them.

For an example of this in practice you could look at 2017 FPL champion Ben Crabtree’s performance so far this season.

Now, given that Liverpool provide many of the highest scorers in the game, you might reasonably assume that, to have done well this season, you’ll have needed Liverpool assets.

As a devout Evertonion however, Ben famously avoids Liverpool players and, yet, he is currently 24k in the world, is averaging 60.5 points per Gameweek and is 55 points clear at the top of a mini-league comprised entirely of former FPL champs (although that is, of course, only temporary…).

He also obviously won the entire thing with this policy in a season when most of us were doubling or tripling up on Liverpool players. So, when you find yourself awake at night worrying that “such-and-such player is killing my rank”, it’s worth reminding yourself that these players might not be as “essential” as they seem.

Obviously you can pick whatever number you want as a target average but, psychologically at least, even if you’re short of it, the prospect of hitting it will appear easier than overtaking, say, a million other FPL managers. As a result, it might help you keep a more positive frame of mind, even when things aren’t going well.

Create Some Distance

If you’re anything like me, you often spend Saturday afternoons frantically refreshing the football scores and cross-referencing them with your Fantasy team. It’s actually one of the FPL things I enjoy the most but, in fairness, it’s probably also more stressful than how most people spend their days off.

If you find that you’re getting too deeply involved or frustrated with FPL, it’s worth experimenting and trying to create some distance.

Sometimes I quite enjoy avoiding all the scores and getting them all in one go once the matches are over and, of course, there’s the infamous ‘Match of the Day Challenge’ option in which you try and avoid the scores all day until the highlights come on TV.

The benefit of these methods is that, while still fun, they avoid the real-time emotional rollercoaster that a packed Saturday afternoon schedule can bring. It’s basically the FPL equivalent of pulling the plaster off in one go.

Celebrate the highs AND lows

One by-product of engaging with the FPL community is that you will be exposed to many more good scores each Gameweek than bad ones. Scientists call this a ‘selection bias’ and you’re far more likely to see successes than failures because people are far more likely to publicise their successes than their failures.

The effect, however, is that you can get a very distorted view of how well everyone else is actually doing. Often, I think I’ve done pretty well in a Gameweek only to find that I’ve scored about 20 points less than the “average” of the scores I see on FPL forums or social media.

Obviously that can be pretty deflating and, if you’ve had a rotten Gameweek, it’s downright depressing.

Personally, if I’ve had a really bad Gameweek, I usually avoid forums or social media for a few hours, or a day, or however long it takes me to pull myself together this time and I think that this can help. But it also helps to remember that, in such a scenario, you are usually only seeing the scores of people who have done exceptionally well. Very few people will feel compelled to ‘brag’ about their captain fail and a 25-pointer.

But some managers do share when they’ve had a bad score and I think that this is also very important. More often than not when people do this, they seem to get a sympathetic or, at least, philosophical response which probably helps them.

By giving some publicity to our rough Gameweeks it can also help others who might be in the same boat. It reduces the stigma of a poor Gameweek (or season) and, in doing so, reduces the pressure to always do well. I don’t wish bad scores on anybody but, at the same time, I can’t deny that seeing a few makes me feel better about my bad score.

Ultimately this helps us get to that point where we can laugh at the situation and move on to the next Gameweek.

So, with this in mind, I’d suggest that we shouldn’t hide our worst FPL moments in shame but, instead, own them, share them and maybe even take some pride in them.

Sometimes, a poor score is the result of a courageously maverick move that didn’t quite pay off this time, but wouldn’t the world be boring if we didn’t get to join in and celebrate the intent? After all, even the absolute best FPL players have wretched Gameweeks or seasons.

Wearing these high on our sleeves makes us feel better, makes everyone else feel better and, more broadly, it makes the FPL community a more fun and inclusive place to be.


Simon March is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Simon won the FPL title in 2014/15 and has become a fixture on the punditry circuit ever since.

Nominated for ‘Best in Fantasy Football – Editorial’ at the Football Content Awards 2020

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347 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Why is Mount sold so heavily? City away is red for Chelsea defenders but not attackers, are people not watching games or what?

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

      High ownership and only one assist in 4 games.

    2. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Foolish ahead of the games Chelsea have lined up afterwards. I agree that there could be attacking returns at both ends in this match too.

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

      I expect many are swapping for Pulisic

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I think this is it

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        and that´s to me the strange one, why using one million more on a player in a team that shares the goals around? I can understand that sort of move if you picked the wrong one in another team that clearly has one or two main guys. i can understand why people want Maddison instead, but selling the most nailed guy for a tad pricier not so nailed guy in same team, hm. They should have had separate tickers for fixtures, one for defensive and one for offensive pov. Chelsea def is prob right, but attacking wise that fixture is no more than 3.

  2. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Benching headache. Does this starting XI look right?

    Pope
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Janmaat
    Mane (vc) Salah KDB
    Jimenez Vardy (c) Abraham

    Button; Rico, Mount, Elneny

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

      Mount over Soyuncu

      1. Francescoli
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        normally would favour the attacker, but Mount not in form (possibly carrying an injury). you really think he's a better option than Soy vs a toothless Brighton attack?

        1. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          This is the debate I am having with myself.

          Chelsea do score goals away though & Brighton are a different side at home

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

          Brighton score pretty well at home and think Soy's scoring at Palace makes people worry about benching another 15 pointer. City defence looks pretty ropey at the moment.

          1. Francescoli
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            you're probably right.

            Soy first sub and Rico second then I guess.

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

              Who knows, Salah may be out and then you'll have nothing to worry about.

              1. ElliotJHP
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                I have just had a look at your team Miguel it is good to see a fellow Tomori pun

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

                  Aside from being a Chelsea fan and glad that a good, young player is getting a chance, it's great that he got in to the team so that my FPL team name isn't based on an obscure pun on a squad team player 99% of people haven't heard of.

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

                    What was you Tomori pun?

                    1. ElliotJHP
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 4 months ago

                      If Tomori Never Comes

      2. KINGS
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        No. It’s easier for Soy to get a CS than Mount getting a return

  3. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Off topic but Southgate is really starting to grind my gears.

    The England fans booing Gomez is a consequence of Southgates actions and making such a big deal out of the Sterling/Gomez in the first place. The bloke's needs to man up...

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ... I think Southgate handled it perfectly. Idiots will be idiots

      1. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yup, agree with this. Southgate handled it well.

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

        This

    2. kidzac
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Probably same england fans that are known to have a history of being hooligans showing their backing for sterling's act of hooligan?

    3. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, millionaire sportsmen should be allowed to go around grabbing people by the throat with complete impunity.

      1. dezille
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Missing the point. It's how Southgate handled it, ie internally or throwing it out to the media unnecessarily.

    4. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Shouldve played sterling as a sign that all is sorted and people can get over it and stop bringing it up, water under the bridge and all that but the route Southgate took, keeps the topic alive and the fan reaction further adds to it. Southgate is still learning man management imo, best to have gotten them both on the pitch or not at all and nip things in the bud.

      I dont condone Sterling and gomez behavior by any measure , however, if you (southgate) wanna say something is resolved then show it rather than show off the opposite imo. Both players shouldve been fined for their involvement and played or left out as a punishment, focus of everyone switches to the games and all is sorted proper.
      Playing one and punishing the other can indicate tensions are still there,

  4. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Willems a good replacement for Lascelles? Max 5.0?

    1. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      yeah rate him

    2. The Bad Seed
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I was going to get Willems, but not anymore after Lascelles injury.

      Newcastle's only strong suit (Defense) needs to be examined without Lascelles.

      1. Albert_Luque
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry, but disagree on this. Lascelles is arguably our fourth best central defender behind Schar, Lejeune (who is returning from injury imminently) and Fernandez.

        Also remember that this is a team drilled in Benitez' organised methodology for the past three years - this indoctrination doesn't disappear overnight.

  5. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Fantastic article, well researched.

    We are status driven mammals, as the article states, so if you rest your climb up the dominance hierarchy on random chance you're going to have a bad time. Once I detached myself from rank anxiety and viewed the game more as a game, I started enjoying it x100 times more.

    https://youtu.be/ZQht2yOX9Js?t=137

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely.

      My seasons typically follow the same pattern. I start out very well and often achieve pretty good ranks and then about Christmas just go aaaah sod this, this isn't actually bringing me true pleasure and fun. So in the second half of the season I tend to drop rank as I make decisions based not on optimum FPL but on enjoying myself each week. It's a game

  6. FPL Panda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What's the latest on Salah ?

  7. Numbuster
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pope Button
    Rico TAA Guilbert** Kelly** Lundstram
    Sterling** KDB Mane Hayden** Mount
    Jimenez Vardy Abraham

    1FT left

    Plan to move out Sterling + Hayden / Kelly / Guilbert here
    1) Keep FT
    2) Sterling + Hayden > Tielemans + Martial
    3) Sterling + Guilbert / Kelly > Tielemans + Robbo
    4) Sterling > Salah (worry his dodgy ankle)

    1. Numbuster
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      next week would consider Mount + Pope > Pulisic + Hendo

  8. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    SorstS by importance, can have only 2 so need help. (Have Abraham, Vardy)

    A. Jimenez
    B. Maddison
    C. Martial
    D. Pulisic

    1. Numbuster
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      AD, i put Maddy as last

    2. redsallstars
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      yeah definely AD especially fixtures coming up for Wolves

    3. Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ABCD for me, all on good form - this takes upcoming fixtures into account though. A might affect team structure depending on if you've got another 7-8 M forward

      1. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I have Aguero that need to go, and after that i have 2 much money that i dont know where to spend...

    4. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      D, A, B, C.

      Given how Pulisic and Maddison are playing + upcoming fixtures I don’t think you can justify going with Martial ahead of either. Jimenez close but bou comes after he might have played Thursday early hours, then it’s SHU. Would be fine going without him.

  9. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Given his stats, Chilwell seems a tad too expensive at 5.7m. But I do like the guy, and the 22-year-old seems to improving with every game.

    Can you see an upturn in output to justify the price, or will Söyüncü and Pereira continue to be better value?

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

      Bought Soyuncu at 4.5m in GW 3 when he had an ownership of 0.8%. I'm sticking with him. Good for bonus and nailed on.

      1. Numbuster
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        this

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Wish I got him at 4.5m. I knew he'd be good value, but always had other more pressing matters. Perhaps I should have used the WC instead of saving it for Liverpool's upcoming blank.

        Have a strategy in mind for the blank Camzy, or is it not that big of a deal?

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

          I still have WC. Plan is probably to offload Salah (or Robbo) for the blank and then WC after.

          I'm not concerned at all really.

    2. Numbuster
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      i think Chilwell cant everytime to provide 19pts, and it seems slower now after the 9-0.

      in terms of unit.. i think Soy could do the same as Chilwell, plus cheaper 0.8 mil

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, I think I'll opt for him this week or next then. Still good value at 4.9m really.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have chill and soy and i hope it works out well as they sail the sea of green

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

    Good article. I quit FPL after the 2014/15 season for 4 years. I didn't have the time nor motivation to play the whole season and it was hurting my personal life quite a lot.

    4 years later, I feel refreshed, better than ever, and I no longer get emotionally attached to the game. It actually feels fun and I'm thinking clearly about decisions, planning ahead and not getting too stubborn with my decisions.

    Ditching Aubameyang last week was a prime example. Keeping him after he scored 2,2,2,8 with BOU, shu, CRY, WOL, is a mistake on Arsenal's current form. I still see a lot of stubborn players keeping faith and not switching to Vardy because of the good upcoming fixtures and it just compounds mistakes and you feel even worse about it.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I had some involuntary time out for a while and it was the best thing that could have happened. Taking a break from the game gives you some perspective.

  11. Grimlock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Yeh good article. Cheers

    Personally I think it's also good to remind yourself of the benefits of fpl mentally.
    I think doing anything (especially with a numerical bent) that keeps you active and engaged with world has positive benefits. So even if you have a crap score, simply being involved is good...
    Being part of a bigger thing, some one needs to have a crap score for other to have good one.. Etc
    Plus I end up watching football at the same time!

    Besides the best thing about football is relegation, cup glory. Whatever.. It all starts again next year.

    Alright I've bet on salah rather than mane. Despite a lot of good reasons to do the opposite. If it don't work try again next year.

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Well said mate
      Sometime we use this ‘game’ as a break from regular day life and it helps focus on areas you already have interest in. Then emotions kick in and the ups and down of a 38 week season plus preseason prep take over.
      It’s near impossible to not be so involved especially the ones in the FFS community, that’s why we’re on here to learn and share
      I too took a break for a couple of seasons which was beneficial but at the same time I was heavily involved in NBA fantasy

      We love to hate fantasy sports not to mention FOMO. That’s the joy in a nutshell

  12. BigDaveSaves
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Great article.I find after stressful and tedious weeks it's good to not get involved as much in the world of fantasy football and wait till Friday to have a look at changes etc. A little bit of time off does wonders.

  13. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hello, which to bring in out of Pulisic or Martial, and why, please? I'm keen to catch Martial's price rise tonight if the latter. Thanks.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I think Pulisic edges it. Sheffield United could be a difficult egg to crack for Martial this gameweek. I do like both players though.

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

      He won't go up tonight. Just wait and see. I took Martial last week after much umm'ing and ahh'ing over Maddison or Pulisic. Turns out it didn't really matter which I picked. All delivered.

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic better form, fixtures & team imo

    4. dezille
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have a feeling Pulisic is just the flavour of the week (as was Wilson 2 weeks ago) and everybody will be on about somebody else before you know it.

    5. Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks all - will hold fire on buying Martial in favour of Pulisic, which is also the pragmatic course of action to take for me

  14. Pinturicchio10
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Great read. I lost I terest in the sport a few years ago but continued to play fantasy. This topic was raised last season and it got me thinking about why I played and what I got out of it. Soon came to the conclusion it was just through habit that I played and maybe a bit of an addiction too, so I quit around gw27 or so and avoided all things football until the game launched this season. Had a good think about whether i wanted to play, what the goal was, and many other factors. Decided to give it a shot again and just enjoy it and have been doing just that so far. Enjoying it. Seem to be doing a bit better too although far from setting the world alight. It's so easy to get engrossed in it these days with all the information and strategic assistance there is but I'm just playing my own game for the most part, a game that lead to success back in the day, and just seeing what happens. If this game becomes a stress it's best to walk away or at least limit time spent on it each week.

      Good read cheers for that it has helped ram home previously learned lessons. Good stuff.

    • Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      On WC would folks drop Pope and just go with the easy combo of Ryan-Button over Xmas?

      Otherwise would be Pope + 4.0GK so no real chance of covering illness/no-shows.

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

        I'm considering spending a little more to buy Henderson to rotate with Pope. I don't think 0.6m is that important this season with the emergence of so many good mid-price mids.

        Pope has actually been quite predictable. His big scores have all been at home against non-top 6 sides. Joe has the right idea. I reckon Joe has probably scored the most points at goalkeeper of any FPL manager by rotating Pope and Henderson correctly. And it also gives you more depth. The other benefit, is that it helps with the bench boost to have two playing keepers not one.

        1. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers. Am sort of stretched on budget though.

          I could drop Mousset -> Greenwood to get that 0.6; or go Tielemans instead of Maddison.

    • ResultatFar
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Who would you rather own for the upcoming gw:

      1) Richarlison
      2) Deulofeu
      3) Wood
      4) Jimenez
      5) Other in that price lvl. < 8.0m who isn't Maddi or Martial

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Close between 1 and 4 but wouldn't really want 1 long term. So 4 for me.

        • Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          1, then move him to Pulisic looks good.

          1. ResultatFar
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            You read my mind, mate!

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'm on my way for my operation, hopefully I don't lose to much fpl knowledge.

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

          Best of luck - speedy recovery mate

        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          All the best Dynamic. You got this 🙂 x

        3. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks for the best wishes.

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

          Hope it goes well and we have you back on here soon 🙂

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Thank you

        5. Je suis le chat
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Best of luck with the op. Green arrows all the way from here.

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Thank you and hope so

      3. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Excellent article. Everyone should make sure they read it.

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          It was a great read, great article and all the community can understand this.

        2. Roy Rovers
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Just had a read and fully agree. Well written Simon March.

      4. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        3.2 ITB....need to spend!!!....where to upgrade?

        Schmeichel
        VVD Lundstram Mings
        Mane KDB Tielemans Mcginn
        Vardy Tammy Jimmy

        Button Mount Rico Tomori

        1. navyadav
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          - VVD to TAA and Mcginn to Martial if possible .
          - VVD to TAA and get a Leister defender maybe Chillwell (got 3 assists for England yesterday.)

          1. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Already have 3 Leicester.

        2. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Mings to Trent or Robbo?

      5. Schliegs
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Need to get rid of CHO as 4th mid and have stuff all cash to play with, I Have exact coin to do Salah + CHO > Mane + Tielemans for a -4, thoughts?

        Not usually a fan of early transfers or hits but i've dropped from 15k > 200k in the last 6 weeks and have tried to stay patient but both of these guys could be looking at limited minutes over the coming weeks, would like some opinions.

        Other options are
        a) Montoya + CHO > Jaanmat + Tielemans -4
        b) Tomori + CHO > Baldock + Tielemans -4
        c) CHO > Trossard/Barnes
        d) Hold

        1. Schliegs
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          e) Stick with the original plan

      6. Tim
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Good article. FPL Can get you down at times, and I definitely stress about players that I don't own. Over the 11/12 years I've learnt that there is so much luck involved that it doesn't worry me that much anymore.

      7. navyadav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What changes should I make ? any suggestions

        Pope
        Soyuncu Lund VVD Pieters Dunk
        Cantwell KDB Sterling Salah Saka
        Abraham Jimenez Vardy

        Should I ship sterling that would enable Maddison and Mount/Pulisic in mid field for -4 or wait another week and then do the same changes with 2 FT? or even a Mane Salah double ahead of their great fixtures.

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Save and do it with 2ft

        2. SomeoneKnows
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I like the Maddison + Pulisic option but am against taking hits after a few that went terrebly wrong

      8. SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Any advice as to best transfer?

        Pope
        TAA, Lundstram, Rico (Soyuncu, Otamendi)
        Mane, KDB, DSilva*, Mount* (Cantwell)
        Vardy, Abraham, Rashford

        I want to bring Pulisic but not sure if instead of Dilva or wait a week and do as a double

        1. navyadav
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Dilva to maybe Martial I would say . Dont like the idea of having both pulisic and mount.

          1. SomeoneKnows
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            That was a post fail, new post below 🙂

        2. ResultatFar
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Chelsea has City away this gw. Wait a week for that transfer and transfer Otamendi out instead

      9. SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Any advice as to best transfer?

        Pope
        TAA, Lundstram, Soyuncu (Rico, Otamendi)
        Mane, KDB, DSilva, Maddison (Cantwell)
        Vardy, Abraham, Rashford

        I want to bring Pulisic but not sure if instead of Dilva, or wait a week and do a double transfer of Rashford+Cantwell >
        Ayew+Pulisic shifting to 3-5-2

      10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        If no other pressing issues..

        Cantwell -> Dendoncker to save .2
        Worth it with one FT?

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

          Dendoncker next bandwagon

      11. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        One of the better articles so far as the masses can really relate to this

        If I take it further from a fantasy perspective, I thought i would list the variables each week

        Which ones have the most impact on you?

        Biggest frustration:
        - price changes
        - injuries
        - captain fails
        - bandwagons
        - leaving points benched
        - holding players based on fixtures who don’t perform
        - other

        Biggest joys:
        - differentials
        - captain choices
        - Gameweek or season rank
        - green arrow
        - other

        Cheers!

        1. Tim
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Leaving points benched is a big one for me. Especially if you was in two minds who to play. Captain fails are annoying but you can get away with that, if there are a lot of other captain fails.

          1. dezille
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            The Lundstram 21 pointer on bench must have hurt. I had the same with Digne (19) last season. Much less frustrating when you don't actually have the players and it's out of your control. Captain blanks are fine because of ownership really.

        2. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          May have been missed last night but anyone else want to give their thoughts on this topic?

      12. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Saving WCs for an international break seems to have had its day as a strategy

      13. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Like this article as at it encourages debate, way better than the this is what im doing with my team nonsense these "pro's" often come up with.
        Best way to deal with the highs and lows is to understand we have zero control over the outcome so why worry bout it. Nothing wrong with being peed off when our players blank but let it go very quickly and move onto the next gameweek.
        Funny you say fpl has similarities with gambling, that's why gambling companies are keen to sponsor the bigger content creators, always found it a bit shady when they simultaneously promote betting and good mental health

      14. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Good article. This article is precisely the reason I keep on bellyaching about how FFS need to get writers who can inject some humor into covering FPL. Two things are pretty much inarguable about this game. Firstly, hard work and informed choices pay off over time with respect to OR history, and secondly, this game is chaotic and luck inescapably plays a great part. You simply can't play a chaotic, luck influenced game without comic relief. The insistence on taking a dry and utilitarian approach to journalism is totally inadequate for meeting the needs of humans with real emotions, the need to celebrate, to commiserate, the gallows humour when everything is against you, the fantastic gloating when everyONE was against you, the schadenfreude, the shared bliss. It's ultimately a game, and it's supposed to be fun. Come on FFS, why the serious face?!

      15. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        @SimonMarch Great article, I do find the MOTD Challenge helps me enjoy my Saturday more with my family, not checking my phone all the time, and then I can watch all the action in peace once everyone is in bed!

        1. Cahill
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          dont think I could physically do it 🙂

          1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            It is difficult. The hardest thing is avoiding the scores. Most of the time someone will text me a score or two, so have to avoid phone altogether! Can be done though.