Pro Pundits - Az

The importance of showing patience as an FPL manager

Oh, Fantasy Football, what do you do to us?

There are some weeks when you just have to laugh. I’ve escaped a tricky Gameweek 23 with a decent-ish score (£48m) and a green arrow but others haven’t been so lucky.

I have my own tales of woe, but that’s nothing compared to some of the stories that I’ve seen banded around the community over the last few days.

Having done the Scoutcast for a couple of years now, and being in charge of grabbing the “Roughs with the Smooths”, I’ve seen my fair share of “Roughs”.

But this Gameweek has made me wince.

The people that have traded their faltering Wolves players for soaring Saints, such as Raul Jiménez (£7.5m) for Danny Ings (£6.9m) you have my sympathy.

For anyone that (like me) that left Adama Traore (£5.7m) on the bench, I feel for you.

For anyone that, probably against their better judgement, removed long-standing goalkeepers, such as Paulo Gazziniga (£4.6m) or Nick Pope (£4.6m), and replaced with Double Gameweek ‘star’ Lukasz Fabianski (£4.9m) or budget ‘hero’ Alex McCarthy (£4.4m), you have my condolences.

For anyone that took punts on Richarlison (£8.1m), Ryiad Mahrez (£8.5m) or Djibril Sidibé (£5.4m)… you did not deserve the fate that the cruel, cruel FPL gods had in store for you.

This game can be a nightmare. We talked last year about the impact it can have on mental health, as more and more people’s enjoyment of a weekend is intrinsically linked to their FPL score. But know that you are not alone. Everyone has bad weeks. Everyone suffers when seemingly good decisions go against them. Everyone has weeks that make them want to close FPL forever and get a new hobby. But don’t. Go outside. Take a breath. Consider why you removed Jiménez for Ings (Jiménez’s fixtures do turn really bad! Ings had scored 80 points in the last 12 Gameweeks!).

To me, “Black Box Thinking” has never been about beating yourself up over making these kind of decisions, the ones where hindsight tells us it was a mistake, but general strategy tells us it was the best move.

I’m not that annoyed I benched Traore, or that I sold Pope, because I really did think it was the right thing to do with the tools at my disposal.

However, what I’m learning more and more this season, is that when it comes to 50/50 calls, when you just don’t feel that certain, the best move may be to show patience.

My last 12 Gameweeks have been the best I can remember, with just one red arrow in this period. I was trigger happy in the first 11 weeks, and when faced with a decision (to transfer, or not to transfer) I would do it.

But actually, the players we have in our teams are those that we have backed for whatever reason, and unless there is really clear evidence that they are now no longer the player we originally signed – perhaps ditching them isn’t the best move.

I’ve shown more faith in players that I’ve selected, allowed them to have a few weeks to perform, and been rewarded. 50/50 decisions for me lately have tended to go in my favour, as I have elected to do nothing, rather than make wholesale changes (often involving hits that do not pay off).

The main reason I’m not going for Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) – see my last article for the ins and out of this – is because it would tear my team apart, particularly my midfield which currently consists of Jack Grealish (£6.5m), Sadio Mané (£12.4m), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m), Anthony Martial (£7.9m) and/or Traore.

These players have been fundamental to my rise up the rankings, and the thought of binning these players off to chase a haul from one player fills me with dread.

The fact that I’m not that confident that Salah really will outscore these midfielders by such a considerable margin tells me that I shouldn’t be following the crowd.

Instead, it looks like I will be turning my attentions to a certain Robert Firmino (£9.4m) – who had a goal very cruelly ruled out against Manchester United on Sunday.

I said I wanted to see something to tempt me towards the Brazilian, and he’s been good the last few weeks, with a goal against Spurs and an unfortunate VAR call last week.

Firmino’s away form has been quite appealing as well heading into two matches outside of Anfield. In the last four away matches, for example, he has four goals compared to Salah’s one and Mane’s two – and 16 goal attempts compared to 14 for both the Liverpool midfielders.

For more detailed information on Firmino, read THIS MEMBERS ARTICLE.

Looking further ahead, I’m wondering what other players may come into our considerations. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.7m) is going to be back in a few weeks, after the dust has settled from the Double Gameweek. The golden boot chaser could easily be a major factor for those chasing the pack.

Similarly, a certain Sergio Aguero (£11.9m) has now hit consecutive double-digit hauls but remains a player who is being overlooked in favour of Liverpool’s star assets right now.

More budget-friendly options, such as Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), Lucas Digne (£5.7m) and Ismaïla Sarr (£5.6m) (injury depending) are also looking like options that can help you soar up the table. The key, it seems, is picking them for the right reasons, and sticking with them through uncertain times.

FPL can be the ultimate test of patience. But what I am increasingly learning is the importance of honing your ability to filter out poor Gameweeks, assess what happened and react – or crucially, not react – accordingly.

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

1,815 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best 4.8 defender?

    Current GK is Guaita and defence is TAA, Lundstram, Webster, Rico

    1. Akshatjazz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      holgate, stephens, Williams(Manu)

    2. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Like holgate but he'll probably get rotated next game

  2. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who are you TC'ing? Salah or TAA?

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah personally

    2. gunner79
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Taa

  3. Akshatjazz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG???

    Ryan
    TAA, Robertson, Soyunca
    Mane(TC), Martial, Kbd, Maddison
    Vardy, Ings, Dcl

    bench- stephens, Lundstrum, Dendonker

    any changes required???

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. Looks gtg imo

      1. Akshatjazz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        who r u TCing ??

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

      Good.

  4. Bumbaclot
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Votes please guys or I’ll never decide. Who to triple captain.

    A. TAA
    B. Mane
    C. Bobby

    Thanks everyone!

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      trent for me

  5. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to pick for the 3rd Liverpool player?

    Ryan
    TAA - Sidibe - Rico (Kiko, Ramsay)
    Martial - KDB - Salah - Traore - Dendoncker
    Vardy - Jimenez - Maupay

    3.0 ITB. 2 FTs

    1. Bumbaclot
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi to Bob

    2. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial to Mane

    3. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    4. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico > VVD

    5. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Long term VvD or Robbo as you have a weak defence.

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

    0FT 1.6ITB

    Gtg?

    McCarthy
    TAA Kelly Soy
    KdB Maddison Mane(C) Cantwell
    Vardy Ings Firmino

    Henderson Rico Traore Lundstram

  7. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    TAA Digne Sidibe Holgate (Stacey)
    Salah Mane KDB (Traore Cantwell)
    Vardy Ings Maupay

    First sub could be important because of Holgate - Traore or Cantwell or bring someone in? 0.3 ITB any ideas welcome

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore

  8. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who are the best combo GK's in preparation for the bench boost?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What gameweek will you use it? We don't know the double are you using it?

  9. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    McC
    TAA Lundstram Holgate Aurier
    Salah KDB Moura Mount
    Aguero Vardy

    Martin Cantwell Holgate Kelly

    A) Mount, Kelly to Dendo, VVD
    B) Aguero, Mount, Aurier to Haller, Son, Robbo -4
    C) Vardy, Mount, Aurier to Ayew, Son, VVD -4
    D) KDB, Mount to Mane, Dendoncker

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

    My bench can't really cope with Sarr being out so how's Sarr, Abraham > Mane, Tosun (-4)? Long run of decent fixtures for Palace and don't really fancy anyone around that price point, I think he looked awful whenever I watched him for Everton so will be a fun move.

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

      How much £££ you got for that striker spot?

      Who are your other 2 strikers? Vardy & Ings?

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

        Vardy and Ings yeah, 6.2 because I plan to use the remaining cash to do Vardy > Auba(C) in GW25 to try and take advantage of his ridiculous record against Burnley.

        DCL, Deeney, Deulofeu, Maupay, Tosun, Greenwood, any of them could work and any could be rubbish, I'd get Greenwood tbh because I think he's a very good pick now but my rival already has him.

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

          Maupay xG is about 0.4 I think - given fixtures I think he is the best of a mediocre bunch

          Alternatively very short term with Rich still out DCL should get points this week

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

            lol, they're all rubbish, might throw a dart.

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

      Can you reach Chris Wood? Decent recent stats and some returns. Barnes out perhaps a draw too.

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

        I can actually, interesting, cheers.

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Personally, I would take a punt on Tosun. He has a v good record before Everton signed him and I think he could go on a run. The other strikers at that price point are a bit meh.

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

    Richarlison confirmed not available for this gameweek due to injury

    Very harsh on those who held him last week

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Feksakes

      1. Party time
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Now that is what I call a trap!

          You absolute trap-crier now in a trap. Serves you right 😆

          1. Woy_is_back
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I'm fine. Two free trannys 🙂

            1. Party time
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Great you lucky buddy 🙂

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

          Did you get rid? I can't remember.

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

            Yes I did - but unfortunately for Son

            Ironically the fact I got Son is now tempting me to get Robertson not Mane this week so I can keep Son

            It’s the butterfly effect!

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

              I've looked at ways to get Son this week, surely Spurs have to do something soon?

            2. Woy_is_back
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Son will haul this gw

        • Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            😆 They got what they deserved imo

            A slice of hot strawberry cake

          • The Mantis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Brought him in for -4

            Can't catch a break

        • JBG
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Richarlison not being ready tomorrow makes my -4 yesterday look even better now, especially as it was to get in Salah.

        • Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Cantwell + Richarlison > Trossard + Grealish 2FT?

        • Fernando Torres
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Ryan
          TAA Soyuncu Kelly
          Son Salah(TC) Mane KdB
          Vardy Ings DCL

          Subs: Button/Rico/Lund/Dendoncker

          Thoughts?

          1. Akshatjazz
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            put rico to your starting xi

          2. Reiger
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Gotta start moving out the deadweight defence - Soy, Kelly, Rico. Plenty of better options out there: Holgate, Williams, Stephens...

        • Akshatjazz
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          do you think soy is better option than Stephens no matter who they are facing ???

          1. The Mantis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I think it's time to start losing the Leicester players

            1. Akshatjazz
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              giving them one last gameweek

            2. Akshatjazz
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              I'm asking abt this gameweek ??

          2. Fit_to_drop
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Ndidi's absence one of the main reasons that Foxes defence has gone pants. No screen. And it hasnt helped Leic attackers either as they have to do more cover.

        • Bubz
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Fecking Richarlison

        • sirmorbach
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Lads, would you please help me out?

          Ryan / 4.0
          Chilwell, TAA, Sidibé / Lundstram, Simpson
          Salah, KDB, Maddison, Grealish, Traoré
          Vardy, Abraham, Ings

          Thought of Abraham, Sidibé out / DCL, Robbo in. Any other suggestions?

        • Greko82
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Play one

          A) Greenwood
          B) Grealish

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            B

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

            A

        • StoichkovFPL
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          "..when it comes to 50/50 calls, when you just don’t feel that certain, the best move may be to show patience."

          100% agree!

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

            ....or it may not be - 50% of the time it will and 50% of the time it won’t

            Enlightening

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              I 50% agree with you there!

          2. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            And in 50% of those situations it's the right thing to do.

          3. Party time
              4 years, 2 months ago

              50%

          4. G Banger
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            GTG?

            Ryan
            TAA Stephens Soyunco
            KDB Mane Salah (TC) Grealish
            Vardy DCL Jimenez

            Button Kelly Lundy Cantwell

          5. fantasyxprt11
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Captain this week?
            A) Salah
            B) Mane
            C) TAA

            Also is it worth the triple c?

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              TC i think. I'm going Mo or Trent

            2. G Banger
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              TC Salah for me

          6. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Which combo would you have?

            a. Mahrez & Bobby

            b. Mane & DCL

            Have Salah & VVD already.

            Cheers

            1. JBG
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              B imo.

            2. FirMinaMiMo
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              A to be different !
              B to lie within diffrence (i meant red arrow)

              Haha!

              1. the dom 1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Chasing my ML Leader who is ahead by 100pts 🙁

                1. FirMinaMiMo
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Then check his prev. Gw template and choose tactically ! By having just only one diffrential in yur team to make some diffrence! 🙂

                  1. the dom 1
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Thanks Firminamimo 😉

                    1. FirMinaMiMo
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Yours welcome lad

                      1. the dom 1
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        Tammy > Bobby it is lad! 🙂

                        Mahrez you had better start and score lol

                        1. FirMinaMiMo
                          • 4 Years
                          4 years, 2 months ago

                          Since from liv vs new ! I fixed my mind that bobby should be a season keeper like kdb! ...but when time goes on ! I realized that bobby will score when the team is in danger ! Cause in-fact when mane/salah both hunts there's no work for bobby haha! ..for a recent weeks i think that its a dice for front three ! Either of them has the equal shares and chances to score ... Wht i m supposed to say is bobby and mane both outscore salah this week in any one of dgw! 🙂 Cheers !

                          And mahrez nice dribbling for a couple of weeks would be a huge shout 🙂

                          GL in-advance

          7. La vida FPL
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Please appreciate any input here. I'm at about 150k OR and chasing 60 points in my ML.

            Boils down to;

            A) Greenwood > Firmino
            B) Maddison or Grealish > Mane

            Current team:

            Martin, Fabianski
            TAA, Lundstram, Rico, Kelly, Targett
            Salah, KDB, Maddison, Grealish, Cantwell
            Vardy, Ings, Greenwood

            1. The Mighty Whites
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              You don't have a playing keeper?

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

            I'm going full circle. Just transfered in Van Dijk and Ings for Soy and Abraham for free. Good moves?

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

              Too late to ask now but seem reasonable moves

            2. the dom 1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Good moves

            3. Akshatjazz
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              you could have given few more gameweeks to soy

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

                Sure, I just didn't like the way he and Leicester defended yesterday

                1. Akshatjazz
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  That's there no doubt a last game to prove his worth still leave it Wats done is done

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

            Hi guys, please rate this in order of best to worst prospect over the next few GWs:

            A) Williams
            B) Tanganga
            C) Webster

            thanks!

            1. JBG
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              C, A, B

              1. boogle
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                thanks, where would you put Lascelles in this too?

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

            A score of £48m for the gameweek is impressive!

          11. Rbyrne95
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            aguero and greenwood or DCL and Ings? have to consider the possibility of getting rid of Sarr and Traore. may pick one along with Son

          12. marcus2704
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Anyone else thinking of ditching Vardy, and if so, who are you replacing him with?

            The temptation to swap him out for Aguero is substantial, but having got Vardy early on in the season I would lose a lot if I were to bring him back in. However I cant ignore his form, and the (lack of) form of Vardy.

            1. Woy_is_back
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              He will punish the sellers this gw. Keeping

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

            Which one would you choose for double gameweek if any and why?

            Fabinho
            Henderson
            Ox
            /
            Fornals
            Snodgrass
            Noble

            I know they are shite
            but it's a competitive draft league and the rest are taken.

            Our father who art in hea...

            1. boogle
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Henderson I guess

              1. B Sharp
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Cheers Boogle. You think hes done enough to stay put alongside fabinho? Tricky one

                1. boogle
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  yep he's been our best player over the weeks - if Fabinho comes in Henderson will be further forward too 🙂

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

                  Who did you go with?

                  1. B Sharp
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Wanted Noble but played Trossard. Happy with picks. Jimmy, Alli, martinelli, pereira and digne all did me proud

                    1. boogle
                      • 10 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Nice, Hendo would have been a decent bonus 😉

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

              How about Wijnaldum is he available?

              1. B Sharp
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Unfortunately hes a gonner! Appreciate you taking the time to reply though cheers

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

            Apologies if i missed it,

            but is there an presser scheduled for Watford/Sarrs injury?

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

              It’s already happened

              See FFS Twitter

              Pearson on Sarr: "After tomorrow's game, then this next weekend is FA Cup weekend, so hopefully we'll have him available again for the next Premier League game against Everton. But who knows, we don't know at this moment in time."

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

              Yeah it's happened, Sarr is out of the next game, might make the next PL game, might not, I'm getting rid.

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

                Chance of being back for Everton I mean but I'm not gonna risk it, hamstrings can be dodgy.

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

              Okay thanks guys. Thats a shame. Oh well...