Pro Pundits - Simon

How holding on to your chips and transfers can lead to long-term FPL success

There is a lot of talk in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) community about the importance of patience and knowing when to act and when to wait is widely accepted as a crucial element of success.

But even a casual perusal of the desperate lamentations that echo across fantasy forums on a Saturday evening will illustrate that, while we fantasy managers often fail to act when we should, we very often act when we shouldn’t.

In fact, it’s very hard not to act, it feels good to act, especially after a bad Gameweek.

So why is patience such a virtue when it comes to fantasy football? What does science have to say about this? The answer might involve marshmallows.

The Marshmallow Experiment

Aside from perhaps the Stanford Prison and Milgram experiments (1971 & 1963 respectively), few psychological experiments have gained the notoriety of the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment (1972).

In this study, young children were sat in a room with a marshmallow placed in front of them and were told that they could eat the marshmallow now or, if they waited 15 minutes, they would be given a second marshmallow.

Inevitably, some of the children ate the first marshmallow while some avoided temptation long enough to receive the second marshmallow. And some of them just cried.

Salah benched as Matip returns for Liverpool's Palace visit

What was most interesting about the Marshmallow Experiment is that they followed up with the children 10 years later and found that those who had resisted eating the first marshmallow had largely scored better in their SATs, performed better in school generally and even had healthier BMIs.

While there is some debate as to why this correlation between the ability to delay gratification and these various measures of success should exist, it exists nonetheless.

Much like tomato ketchup and a certain Irish stout, good things come to those who wait.

While the results of the Marshmallow Experiment are still debated, the idea that there is a link between ability to delay gratification and improved prospects of success in humans has, for years, been supported by high profile and influential figures ranging from psychologist Jordan Peterson to motivational speaker Tony Robbins, both of whom, in fact, consider this ability to be among the most important indicators of success in both children and adults.

Applying the Theory to FPL

So can we as FPL managers learn anything from this?

Well, one very obvious parallel exists if you replace marshmallows with free transfers.

You can have two, but you have to avoid using the first one.

I’m a huge believer in saving the second transfer whenever possible and, while I’m not aware of any studies on the subject, I know that there is a fairly strong correlation between the success of my transfers, how well I’m doing in FPL generally and how often I’ve been able to carry a transfer.

The most obvious reason for why this might be is that, whereas with one transfer your options are limited to players within the same price bracket as the one you’re getting rid of, with two transfers you have far, far more options.

A second reason might be that waiting a gameweek to make two transfers instead of one per gameweek gives you more time to think and reduces the likelihood that you will make some sort of knee-jerk mistake that you end up regretting.

A similar principle could be applied to when you make your transfers. This season, perhaps more than any others, has shown the benefit of waiting as late as possible to make your changes.

It’s generally accepted that access to more, and more current information will typically improve decision quality and FPL is likely no exception.

Of course, being patient is easier said than done, especially off the back of a bad Gameweek where the temptation to make a change, any change, is huge.

Here, we might take a leaf out of the children of the Marshmallow Experiment’s book in that some, in an attempt to avoid temptation, simply put their hands over their eyes.

In an FPL context, this might mean avoiding looking at player prices or even spending too much time thinking about your next transfer until a day or two before the next Gameweek begins.

The principle of delaying gratification could equally apply to when you use your chips.

Serious FPL managers have long been distinguished by their tendency to keep their wildcards and chips until later in the season and, while it doesn’t always work out as intended, this approach confers all sorts of benefits including the opportunity to take advantage of Double Gameweeks, a typically higher team value to invest in players and more knowledge of who the best teams and players are.

Of course, there are also disadvantages to being patient.

Just as cautious cavemen in the Paleolithic Era were less likely to be eaten by sabre-tooth tigers, they were also less likely to find food themselves, particularly if they were too cautious.

The benefits of delaying action in FPL must always be weighed against the benefits of taking it and distinguishing which is the correct course and when, is and always has been a big part of the skill to this game.

However, knowing that a bias towards patience generally (be it natural or forced through will) is likely to produce better results overall, should be a positive step in the direction of making better and more deliberate FPL decisions.

1,918 Comments Post a Comment
  1. highsguy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas Raph Adams OUT
    Stones Lookman Antonio IN (-8)
    7->10 DGW
    BB: McCarthy, Bamford, Lookman, Holding

    Y/N??

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, and yes BB

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No IMO, -8 is a lot for that, could easily see your original 3 outscoring those even not taking the -8 into account

  2. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, please can I have your opinion on the below:

    DCL + Ferguson > Antonio + Cancelo -4 and play the BB chip?

    Martinez - 4.0
    Chilwell* - Cancelo* - Coufal* - Dallas - Taylor(?)
    Salah(C)* - Bruno* - Grealish* - Soucek* - Son
    Vardy* - Antonio* - Bamford

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      really can't see anything wrong with that, might even be tempted to go for a -8 and get a keeper in as well or does budget not allow ?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, Cancelo would have to be downgraded to Stones to get a keeper as well. Not sure if I am keen on another -4 for a keeper though.

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      the move yes, BB no

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I probably wouldn't bb unless the keeper or Taylor was addressed

      2. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate

    3. highsguy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Transfers look good
      Not sure about BB if no 2nd GK and potentially no Taylor

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

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

      You’d have a Gk blank and also Taylor possibly playing only Liverpool. It’s tight but I think I’d hold

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  3. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    yes prob give you a +8 return

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FAIL back to bed

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is that reply to me or Highsguy?

      1. highsguy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This lol

        1. McSauce
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Highsguy

  4. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost as bottomed

    Bearing in mind DGW19 what is the best 16m MF combo for this front 8 for the next few GWs

    Bruno Salah Soucek xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

    Watkins Firmino Wilson

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      kdb and Smith Rowe possible or out of budget?

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB Foden

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        oops just saw the budget KDB + SR

  5. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best move here? Bellerin to the bench if A) or C)

    A) Dier -> COUFAL (5.3 max)
    B) Bamford -> ANTONIO
    C) Dier & Bamford -> CRESSWELL & ANTONIO (-4)
    D) Save FT

    DDG
    CANCELO, TARGETT, Bellerin
    KDB, BRUNO, STERLING, Son
    WATKINS, WILSON, Bamford*

    Forster, Dier*, Martinelli, Mitchell
    Bank 0.3m, FT, all chips

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  6. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -8 to Bench Boost with Meslier, Stones, Soucek, Antonio?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  7. dsefton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    repost, sorry!
    DDG Areola
    Cancelo Stones Coufal Lowton (Tierney --> Cresswell?)
    KdB Bruno Rashford Soucek (Son --> Salah?)
    Wilson (Laca --> Antonio?) Bamford

    Assuming Tierney is out:
    A) Son + Laca + Tierney --> Salah + Watkins + Cresswell (-8) - can't do Antonio as would have 3 west ham already...
    B) Laca + Tierney --> Vardy + 4.6m def (-4)
    C) Tierney --> Cresswell (FT)
    D) Son + Laca + Tierney --> Salah + Antonio + 5.4m def (Justin?)
    E) Something else?

  8. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are these the only PL fixtures that need re-arranging?

    Everton v Man City
    Villa v Everton
    Villa v Spurs
    Man City v Southampton
    Leeds v Southampton
    Burnle v Fulham

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fulham v Spurs again too I think

  9. Scooby75
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please help me to decide:

    Martinez
    TAA Zouma Justin
    Son Bruno Salah Soucek Jones
    Kane DCL

    4.0 Alioski Mitchell Brewster

    A. DCL, TAA to Vardy, Cancelo
    B. DCL, Jones to Antonio, Foden
    C. DCL, SON to KDB, Bamford
    D. Something else

    1.4 ITB
    Thanks in advance

    1. swobe
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Scooby75
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, rival in ML has Vardy so that’s my leaning

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

    Balbuena >

    A) Lowton
    B) Holding
    C) Dawson (have Coufal)

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  11. swobe
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Charlie Taylor?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dyche was a lot more confident earlier in the week. "Charlie Taylor is a doubt for tomorrow, but the squad is coming back together now and everyone else are fine."

      Table:

        1. swobe
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers mate

  12. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with this lot? 1.6itb

    Martinez
    James Dias Cresswell Dallas
    Salah Bruno Grealish Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    Button Raphinha KWP DCL*

    A) Raphinha/Kane to KDB/Antonio -4, TC KDB(exact cash, need to complete tonight)
    B) DCL to Antonio, play BB
    C) DCL/Button to Antonio/Johnstone -4, play BB
    D) DCL/Button/KWP to Antonio/Johnstone/Cancelo -8, play BB

    Which to go or any other suggestions? Thanks.

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    RP - Which option is best? Balbuena and Son are definitely getting transferred out. Unsure with Kane to Vardy (-4)

    A. Balbuena, Son and Kane to Cresswell, Salah and Vardy (-8)
    B. Balbuena and Son to Dawson and Salah (-4)

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      just B For me

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B mate

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost this?

    McCarthy, Dallas, Adams, Raphina

    1. highsguy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's my current bench. Theoretically it's a strong bench but personally I'm not BBing unless I get at least 2 of them out for DGWers. Currently thinking about 3 of them out (see post above)

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No imo

    3. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If the rest of your team is strong then the same 4 are likely to have a DGW soon, down the line and that’s when I’d BB

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Borderline - probably yes since you have a playing benched GK but its a tough fixture against Leicester

    5. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would

    6. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mixed responses. Thanks

    7. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I had this exact same bench. Did Adams to Antonio and decided to can the BB for now. In normal season I wouldn't want to keep a strong bench but with the amount of postponements and changes it's worthwhile. And Leeds will eventually have a good double somewhere.

    8. umerlfc
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  15. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain?
    a) Kdb (TC?)
    b) Vardy
    c) Dias
    d) Bruno/Rash

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A but not TC

      1. unclesbasement
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        why not? Im going for it

  16. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For -4

    A. KDB + Stones
    B. Foden + Vardy

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A, got all four so can’t go wrong with either

  17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins or Antonio? Have a feeling Watkins can’t continue his drought much longer

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio

  18. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On BB

    Martinez*
    Lowton* - Coufal* - Stones*
    Rashford* - Bruno* - Soucek* - KDB* - Son
    Watkins* - Vardy*
    (Johnstone* - Bamford - Dallas - Strujik)

    A) Son & Strujik -> Grealish & Dias (-4)
    B) Son & Strujik -> Ghazi/Foden & Robbo (-4)
    C) any other suggestions

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A then

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice team, similar to mine.

      I have Cancelo over Lowton and Antonio over Watkins.

      I'd keep Son

  19. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am I stupid to not go KDB? Would cost me another -8, huge value to hold in a player I may not captain, but part of me thinks he could be good for a while now? What do you think?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City fixtures look great moving forward and he’s scoring well despite strongly underperforming his expected numbers. A pain to get for a -8 especially with other good captain choices but I’d have a plan to bring him in soon

  20. FPL_BUCCANEER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    Dias Cancelo Coufal Lowton
    KDB Bruno Son Rashford Soucek
    Watkins

    Martinez Bamford Dallas Brewster

    Would you do Brewster, Dallas -> Chilwell/RJames and Antonio (-4) and BB?

    Leaves me with 13 DGW, Bamford and Son

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seems a good choice, yes

  21. FPL_Pugster
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This worth a -8 to attack DGW?

    Son/Dallas/Adams OUT > KDB/Antonio/Kilman or Mitchell IN?

    Woudl only then have Bamford with single game week, but he's a long term hold anyway.

    Thanks

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not worth it imo

  22. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Nice article. Feeling persuaded to save FH.

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I still am

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good luck

        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          thx u2

  23. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option is better:

    A. DCL -> Antonio
    B. DCL -> Vardy
    C. DCL, Son -> Antonio, Salah (-4)

    Thanks.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B or C.
      Close call, maybe B

    3. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  24. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was planning to bb but as Taylor is still a doubt would need to take a -8 to swap Taylor a Dgw defender, Steer to a playing keeper and Adams to Antonio. Should I just abandon bb plans and just do Adams to Antonio and possibly Son to KDB for -4?

    Team is

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Coufal Dias
    Bruno Soucek Salah Son
    Vardy Adams Bamford

    Steer Taylor Raphinha KWP

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      In a similar situation. Think I will abandon the BB idea

  25. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski Coufal Bamford Brewster around 21 point according to RMT, so for 1 hit its 17.
    Decent, and get it over with?

    In later DGW I will stuggle to have even 1 DGW player on bench. Some might think GW26 is the week to BB, but those who have already used FH, how are you lining up for GW29? For GW26 it makes sense to have 4-5 players who play GW29 and then slowly add 3-4 more. If all DGW players on bench then GW29 will be a major struggle!

  26. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB this? Could also bring someone in for Taylor for a -4

    Meslier (BHA), Bamford (BHA), Raphinha (BHA), Taylor* (whu, liv)

    1. umerlfc
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I actually would if Taylor turns into a solid DGW defender

    2. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, I think so if good DGW defender, from WestHam or even ManCity or Chelsa if you can afford?
      But only if you have already used FH. What do you think of my situation above?

  27. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane + Son + March - > Antonio + Foden + KDB(TC) (-8) ?

    YAY OR NAY?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nay

  28. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not one for taking hits normally but minus 8 for the changes below give me extra DGW players and better players with better fixtures going forward.

    Worth it?

    Holgate, Tierney and Wilson ---> Cresswell, R.James and Antonio

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i would but not for RJames

  29. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    One final check from me:

    A) TC KdB
    B) BB - McCarthy | Bamford | Dallas | Mitchell

    Thanks

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas could be Lowton in B

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m looking at B

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wow thanks all, very surprised!

  30. Tross007
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son > KDB
    Kane > Firmino

    -4

    Thoughts?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t love Firmino..Kane could score more in one game though Firmino in 2