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. eamonhegg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG??

    McCarthy
    TAA / Williams / Rico
    Salah / Mane (TC) / KDB / Son
    Vardy / Ings / DCL

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

      Nice TV

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

      Bench - 4.0 / Lund / Kelly / Dendnock

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

    Bench Rico, Kelly or Soy this week?

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

      Rico

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

      Rico

  3. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg here?

    Ryan
    TAA, Robbo, Soy
    Salah, KDB, Maddison, Martial
    Vardy, Abraham, Greenwood

    Button, Targett, Dendo, Lundstram

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

    Do you guys think Ings is rested tomorrow?

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

      No chance

    2. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Most likely

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

      Nope

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

      cheers guys

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

      not sure, no game then till Feb 1st?

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

    Play one:

    A: Mount (ARS)
    B: Greenwood (BUR)
    C: Doucoure (avl)

    Cheers!

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

      B by far

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

    What about Rashford to Martial?

    Its a -4 that I was't planning to take (given Martial is counted as Midfield).

    But Upside is 2 home fixtures and Martial surely will get chances

    thoughts?

    1. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t take a -4 to get Martial in, surely you can just do Rashford to another forward?

  7. Deeney-is-a-god
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking more and more about using TC this round. Especially given the fact that loverpool have their two matches quite far apart and most of the team willl be rested on the weekend

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

      Agreed. Can’t imagine a better TC scenario than this

      1. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I mean, I could imagine one where they’re playing easier teams at Anfield.

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

          Haha, fair enough

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

    Looking for a 1-2 week punt mid bellow 6.3.

    Thinking about Doucoure, Noble or CHO

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

      Trossard

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        humm

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

      Trossard

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

      For a 1-2 week punt, Doucoure for me. Nailed, nice fixtures and playing a bit more advanced than normal. The loss of the creativity of Sarr is a downer though.

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        this player will in fact replace my dear Sarr lol

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

      Trossard or Doucouré

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        * or Snodgrass for punt

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

      Snoddy

  9. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope to McCarthy for free a move worth making?

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

    Vardy out, Firmino in. Leads to a drop 0,5 in value for Vardy. OR Jimenez and Kelly out, TAA and Greenwood in for a -4?

    1. joeyc_33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Would prioritize TAA over Firmino.

  11. The Fantasy Doctor
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    With the midfield as Az, I’m in total agreement re: Salah.

    1. The Fantasy Doctor
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *same

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

    which keeper to play?

    a. Pope

    b. McCarthy

    Cheers

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

      B

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

        Cheers

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

      Already answered !
      Cheaper and BETTER! 🙂

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

        Oh i see what you mean now lol hahaha

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

          Cheers 🙂

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

    I'm guessing it's not worth a -4 to swop Gomez to Robertson. Is Gomez safe even with Matip back, have his performances been that good?

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

      Pretty sure its Gomez place to lose now mate.

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

      Thats my major doubt !
      If matip plays at cup ...
      Then gomez will play at league ... 🙂

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

    Hoping for a couple more answers...

    Ryan Button
    TAA Stephens Soyunco Lundy Kelly
    KDB Mane Salah Cantwell Grealish
    Vardy Maupay Jimenez

    2FT with 0.4 ITB... would like to use a transfer... was thinking:

    a) Kelly => Holgate
    b) Maupay => DCL
    c) Other?

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

      B and save the other.

  15. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hendo 4.0
    TAA Robbo Soy Lord Williams
    Salah KDB Martial Maddison Hayden
    Vardy Jimmy Ings

    0.4, 2ft

    I can’t see any move I’d like to make this week and may end up burning a transfer. Have I missed anything obvious?

    Sort of tempted by Maddison to Grealish but I've enjoyed the patient approach recently.

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

      Would give Maddison/Soyuncu the West Ham game.. Hayden -> Cantwell maybe?

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

        0.3 short of that.

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

      I would do Soy-> Baldock or Lascelles rather then waste a transfer, I think you might want to get rid of him soon anyway and Williams is good to play as 3rd defender this week.

  16. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mistake earlier, any help appreciated!

    Play two:

    A: Mount (ARS)
    B: Greenwood (BUR)
    C: Doucoure (avl)

    Cheers!

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

      AC

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

      BC

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

      Greenwood and Doucoure then

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

      BC

  17. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather own A or B if you had Salah already.
    A) Mane Ayew
    B) Firmino Martial

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

      B

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        What about Robertson and Son?

  18. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    My team feels a bit naked without Mane going into a DGW.

    If he hauls that’s my season over. (Have TAA and Salah).

    A) KDB —> Mane
    B) Abraham to Firmino (go without Mane)

  19. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy

    Gomez Sidibe Holgate Lundstram Stephens

    Salah Mane KDB Son Hayden

    Vardy Ings DCL

    Save ft?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Have decent sub so think Gomez is worth less 2.6M than TAA

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

    Two consecutive red arrows have put a dent in my dream season. Now down to around 4k, but hoping for a strong DGW/TC bounce. Thoughts on this squad?

    1FT, 0.0 itb.

    Ryan (McGovern)
    TAA Holgate Williams (Dunk Lundy)
    KDB Salah(tc) Mane(v) Maddison Grealish
    Vardy Ings (Maupay)

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

      I wouldnt touch it personally. You could take a punt on Madds out if you think Leic are on the wane but Ndidi returning could change all of that so he might still be a hold.

  21. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison to Martial worth a -4? Or do it next week? Have the exact funds, always annoying as always I'm bound to be priced out after this weekend!

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

      I'm considering richarlison to martial myself. Mainly as I dont know if richarlison will play.
      I'd wait a week. For free would be worth it. Not for a -4 imo

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

      When is Ndidi back for the Foxes. His absence has been one of the main reasons that Leic have misfired

  22. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I want to TC Salah but it was pointed out to me that I may be better off using it on Mane to ‘protect’ my OR (37k) as he’s more widely owned and likely to have a higher EO. Thoughts?

    Gazzaniga
    TAA Soy Holgate Kelly
    Salah Mane KdB
    Vardy Haller Ings
    (Button Traore Lundstrum Cantwell)

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

      I look at it this way... TC Salah can be a nice strong differential to move up in the ranks.

  23. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2ft and happy with entire squad except Rash, so...

    Rash + Den > Son + Greenwood?

    Son is the only player in that price bracket I see as an option

  24. markmcr
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth using free hit to get 3 whu players in? Tough fixtures but would be temporily replace mount, traore and lundy?

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No.

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

        Absolutely not.
        Use FH on a later dgw

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

      Save it

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

    Do you like my team? Please do

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA / Sidibe / Dunk (Lund / Kelly)
    Salah (tc) / Mane / KDB / Grealish (Dendon)
    DCL / Ings / Vardy

    Thanks!

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

      Wouldnt change too much with it TBH

  26. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench from these?

    Grealish, KDB, Vardy, DCL, Maupay

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

      Kdb ! Vardy ! Not sure yu are trolling or serious! 🙂

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

      None if you can help it! But I'd have to go with Maupay. Never KDB

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay

  27. eamonhegg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison & Rashford > Son & Ings?

    Y or N?

    1. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If not a hit, then yeh

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

        No hit

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

    Any injury updates on Rich and Reece James?

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

      James 'hopefully' involved tomorrow, if not, definitely at the weekend.

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

        Probably rested then. Robbo in?

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

    Which or these 2 would you have in your team if you had Salah and VVD already?

    a. Mane
    b. Firmino

    Thanks in advance.

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

      Mane safe option
      Firmino if you need to gain

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

        Need to gain 🙂

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

      Mane ! Imo mane could spike this dgw! 🙂

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

      A

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

      trent for me