Pro Pundits

How ‘Endowment Effect’ alters judgement of underperforming FPL assets

In my previous article, I talked about how ‘Loss Aversion’ (our tendency to fear losses about twice as much as we value gains) can cause FPL managers to hold on longer than they should, to players who are underperforming. This week, I’ll be discussing an arguably even more irrational cause for the same behaviour: the ‘Endowment Effect’.

Like Loss Aversion, the Endowment Effect is a cognitive bias which describes our tendency to overvalue something we own, irrespective of its objective value. 

For some reason, most studies of the Endowment Effect seem to have focused primarily on the economics of coffee mugs with various findings such as that, when somebody takes possession of a mug, they are found to typically want twice as much money to sell that mug as they would be willing to pay for the exact same type of mug. Some people are unwilling to even consider selling their mugs, seemingly at any price, with one notable example involving a student turning down $1,000 from their professor for a mug they had just been given. I know what you’re thinking; what a mug.

Some scientists believe that the Endowment Effect is simply an extension of Loss Aversion and there is some evidence for that. However, other analysis has suggested that the feeling of ‘ownership’ of something establishes a bond between object and owner. Some have gone so far as to suggest that such an object, whatever it might be, becomes internalised as a part of our personality and, thus, to give it away or even sell it would effectively be to lose a part of our ‘self’. This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective as, without the capacity to form such attachments, we wouldn’t feel attached to anything or anyone.

So how might the Endowment Effect manifest itself with regards to Fantasy Football? Well, anybody who has played a Fantasy Football draft game has probably experienced how difficult it is to make transfers with other managers in your league. They either won’t budge at all or they want something ridiculous like, Harry Kane (£11.0m) for Shane Long (£5.2m) as part of the deal. And this stubbornness seems to apply however fair the proposed deal may be. This is very likely the Endowment Effect in practice.

But we also form these attachments in Fantasy Premier League even when there is nobody else on the other side of the deal. Throughout my time playing FPL, I have definitely chosen players on the basis of sentiment (how else could I explain my three-season ‘Chris Brunt Era’?) and I know I’m not the only one. 

I see people commenting all the time about having a ‘soft spot’ for a certain player or expressing grief because they’ve been forced to transfer them out. Often simply ‘liking a player’ is cited as the primary reason for transferring a player in, above any performance metrics or rational expectation of future points. Alternatively, “he’s done well for me in the past” is another oft-seen justification.

Typically, this parasocial relationship we sometimes have with players seems to originate from them doing well for us in the past and, I’d argue, that this is particularly strong when that player was a differential at the time. I would suggest that these types of players come to form part of our personalities as Fantasy managers and having them in our team reinforces that sense of individual identity. No wonder, then, that we often find it so difficult to transfer such players out. 

As a result of this attachment, however, we are likely to give such players more time than they perhaps deserve or might be conducive to maximising our rank. We might even hold onto them through injury or suspension. This sentimental attachment to underperforming players will inevitably become problematic as it may well cause us to miss out on better opportunities.

How Leeds restricted De Bruyne to unfortunate FPL blank in Gameweek 4

So what can we FPL managers do to avoid the Endowment Effect? The obvious answer would be to try not to get too attached to certain players though, as discussed, this is easier said than done.

Perhaps the best way would be to adopt our own individual objective standards for player-related decisions. That could, for example, involve establishing a rule by which a player can only blank, say, three times before he is transferred out or can only miss one or two Gameweeks maximum through injury.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend being too intransigent about following through on such a rule if it doesn’t make sense in context (e.g. the player is about to embark on an amazing run of fixtures) but having such it in place will at least help you engage the logical part of your mind over the more emotional one and this should help improve the quality of your decision-making.

2,012 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How do i get KDB into this team?

    Martinez Steer
    Konsa, Mitchell, Robbo, Coufal, Zouma
    Bissouma Mane Zaha Ziech Son
    Kane Bamford DCL.
    1.6itb

    Mane to KDB
    Mane and Bissouma out for KDB Jota
    Zaha and Robbo out for KDB Kilman
    Son and Robbo out for KDB Chilwell
    Kane and Bissouma out for KDB Brewster

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son Robbo

    2. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

  2. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any update of Hamez's injury? Will he play this GW?

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

      Liverpool Echo reporting he should be fine

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers Miguel.

  3. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Worth making any changes?

    1FT 1.6 ITB.

    Martinez
    Robo/Reguilon/Chilwell
    Salah/Son(c)/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Kilman/Mitchell/Stephens

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks strong, gtg!

  4. HVT
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sell Trent or not?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's tough, but once you have done it it becomes easier every week. (I sold wk 3)

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Fair play, I didn’t have the gumption.
        The cash enables an upgrade on Foden or Podence.

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes.

      I looked at shipping Robbo and it does open up a world of opportunities.

  5. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I should save my free transfer and roll with this right?

    McCarthy

    Chilwell / Dallas / bellerin

    Salah / son / sterling / soucek

    Kane / Jimenez / Watkins

    Button / Justin / Mitchell / bissouma

  6. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why people thinking on transferring out Kane and Son? Each of them scored 71 points to the moment. On form. Yes, tough fixtures are coming, but there is no such rock defences as recently ManCity and Liverpool had. Especially if they are bought at 10.5 and 9.0.

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tbf, since the Europa league started, spurs hadn't been firing and they've had easy games. They could still be great values but I'm moving on to easier fixtures from other teams.

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

      It's very simple. They believe other options will outscore Kane/Son over their poor fixture fun. If you don't believe that, don't sell them

  7. POWERPOD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2G - 2FT used & 0ITB? Did Robbo > Dallas & Podence > Ziyech

    Martinez
    James, Saiss, Dallas
    Son, Salah, Ziyech, Grealish
    Werner, Kane, DCL

    Steer, Mitchell, Anguissa, Dunne

    Cheers!

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd bring in Coufal rather than Dallas. And yes, good moves

      1. POWERPOD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers mate. What's the reasoning behind Coufal instead of Dallas?

        1. Lucky Z
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          WHU seems better defensively + Coufal has capacity for assists

  8. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic out or utilise Dallas/Lamptey/Bissouma?

    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d play Lamptey, good option.
      Who would you bring in btw?

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Probably Ziyech as well.

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Fair enough, decent shout.

    2. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I did Ziyech in such situation. Have JRod, Reguilon and Mitchell (on bench) to much ? to keep Puli as well

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That’s a good call got caught last week myself with no bench

  9. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2G?:
    Martinez
    Bellerin, Chilwell, KWP(Kilman)
    Zaha, Son, Salah, Rashford
    Kane(c), DCL, Watkins

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

    Pick 3 defenders to start of the following :
    A) TAA (city away)
    B) C.Taylor (BHA away)
    C) Ayling (Palace away)
    D) Coady (LEI away)
    E) Coufal (Ful home)

    Cheers!

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ABE

  11. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    All set?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Lamptey Kilman
    Salah Sterling Son (c) Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL

    Forster Mitchell Brewster Dunne

    Cheers.

    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Crap bench but that’s another days work.

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        1.6 ITB

        Kane > Vardy in 2 weeks upgrades bench/Soucek

  12. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What are the best replacement for Ings and Havertz? on 2 ft

    A Kdb & Wilson
    B Ziyech & Kane

    Mccarthy/Nyland
    TAA/ Saiss/Holding/Douglas/Mitchell
    Son/Salah/Havertz/Grealish/Stephens
    Ings/Werner/Mitro

    2ft 1.1itb

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

      B

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

      A

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

      ZK

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

      B

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

    Bought Jota this week, did I buy myself a benching headache !!

    Jota, Salah, Grealish, Son, Rashford
    Wilson, Kane, Bamford

    Who the f*** do I bench?
    (Leaning towards Grealish/Bamford)

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bamford if you really have to pick one. I wouldn't want to have 8 attackers.

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Speaking as a Leeds fan, I am seriously considering benching Bamford. Leeds have a curse away to London sides. One win in London in the last 10 visits.

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I wouldn't want to bench him that's why no point having 8 attackers waste of money on bench every week and then need to hope the one you bench doesn't haul.

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Classic mistake

  14. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Morning Gents, simple one but a tough decision? FIRST TO 3 WINS

    A) Lamptey
    B) Coufal

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

      B

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

      B. Avoid the Lamptey trap

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

      A

      Avoid the Hammers trap

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        How is Lamptey a trap?

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Brighton don't keep CS, you'll just be looking at attacking returns every week.

        2. davies
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Opposite to what I said

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

      A easy

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

      B

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

      Coufal 1st to hit 3..... hmmm

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

    First on bench:

    A) Justin (WOL)
    B) Bissouma (BUR)

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Close, but B

    2. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B 3pts
      A 2pts

  16. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Feeling stuck since Sterling limiting my options, need some input to help make a decision. Team is

    Martinez
    Chilwell Boly Lamptey* Taylor (Mitchell*
    Salah Son(c) Sterling March* (Burke)
    Kane DCL Maupay

    1FT, 0.3 itb

    Looking at :

    A) Roll FT and hope at least one of the Brighton lads play
    B) Boly + March -> Coufal + Bowen -4pts
    C) March + Sterling -> RGrealish + Zaha/JRod - 4pts
    D) Taylor -Z Coufal
    E) Other?

    cheers!

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

      A

    2. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B or C u need litle bit fun with this game.

  17. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What are the best replacement for Ings and Havertz? on 2 ft

    A Zaha & Vardy
    B JWP & Kane

    Mccarthy/Nyland
    TAA/ Saiss/Holding/Douglas/Mitchell
    Son/Salah/Havertz/Grealish/Stephens
    Ings/Werner/Mitro

    2ft 1.1itb

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kane / Bowen?
      Vardy / Zieych?
      Martial / Ziyech?

  18. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anymore press? Safe to bring in Creswell?

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      should be ye

  19. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Starting XI and bench order OK?

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Lamptey, Dallas
    Salah, Son, Ziyech, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    Steer, Robbo, Kilman, Bissouma

  20. Pinturicchio10
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good stuff Simon that was an interesting read. Cheers.

    • tinear
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Help me sort this mess up. Didnt realize Havertz red flagged.

      Martinez
      TAA, Ayling, Zouma
      Salah, Son, Grealish, Havertz
      Kane, DCL, Bamford

      Steer, Saiss, Mitchell, Bissouma

      1ft 0.3itb

      1) Saiss to Coufal
      2) Havertz to Zaha / Jrod
      3) Havertz Saiss to Coufal Zaha -4
      4) Any other suggestions

    • Taking The Mkhii
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Really enjoy reading Simon's articles. I find it fascinating how he associates cognitive bias to the world of FPL. Keep up the good work !

    • Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Podence > Bowen or Fornals
      Worth a hit?
      Which one?
      Other options up to 7.2M?
      Thanks