Pro Pundits - Lateriser

How I am coping with football fatigue in a tough FPL season

We are into Gameweek 32 of this brutal season and being frank, a lot of Fantasy Premier League managers are just about managing to scrape through to the finish line. 

Huffing and puffing through this condensed season, a lot of FPL managers are approaching burn-out levels and it might be a good idea to tackle this issue with this article (thanks for the suggestion @FPL_Beard), especially with the amount of people deciding to quit this game recently. 

This week, I was listening to the latest episode of the brilliant FPL Surgery Podcast where the FPL General’s ‘how to deal with bad Gameweeks and bad seasons’ made for a very interesting listen.

We are at the back end of a gruelling season. There are many reasons for managers to feel FPL fatigue at the moment. I’m not even sure if its just fatigue about FPL, considering the sheer number of hours we have football on in long and dragged-out Gameweeks. As FPL managers, we are used to maybe watching two or three matches during a weekend and now there are some days where we have ten hours of football in a single day. 

The best Neto replacements and whether FPL managers should stick with Fernandes

I am convinced these long drawn-out Gameweeks are the primary reason for football fatigue and so many managers I speak to now just find watching the sport to be a little bit of a chore and I completely empathise with that. What makes it even more drawn out is that we are still very much in the middle of a pandemic and our social lives are not as active as they used to be. 

Even the break we had before the season started was a lot shorter than what we’re used to. It was barely a break if you ask me. And now we have a lot more matches condensed in a much shorter time period. Until recently, this has even affected the quality of the football that we’ve been watching. Nowadays, I find myself tuning out of games and avoiding watching football a lot more than I used to. The international break has definitely changed things though and the quality in the last two Gameweeks in the Premier League has been a lot better. A welcome change.

But yes, if you’re finding your love for football and FPL to dwindle this season, know that you’re not the only one. These are uncertain times. They are the anomaly, not the norm. Still, many will be wondering how one tackles football and FPL burnout. Well,  here are a few suggestions.

PICK YOUR GAMES

You don’t have to watch all the Premier League games to do well in FPL. We never saw all the matches in normal seasons when there were five or six games kicking off at the same time anyway. If you ask me, watching Match of the Day and absorbing some statistics is enough to do well in FPL. Give yourself some time off from football and that should definitely help dealing with FPL burnout.

WHEN YOU’RE SWITCHED OFF, STAY SWITCHED OFF

Does early FPL team news really provide an advantage?

Often when I’ve decided to not watch a game during a Gameweek, I find myself distracted while ‘doing that other activity’ I had planned to do because I’ll constantly be looking at Twitter, my FPL Whatsapp groups and there will be constant notifications from your football apps. 

And considering that we have 15 to 20 hours of football to get through every Gameweek, and you’re not able to switch off when you switch off, burnout will naturally happen. 

What I’ve started doing in the second half of the season is just have a little bit of a digital detox. I switch off notifications (highly recommend this for most of your applications so that you’re deciding when to check your phone instead of letting your phone decide that for you) on all my apps on weekends and try staying off my Whatsapp groups and Twitter. 

Social Media around FPL has grown tremendously during the last few years and if you’re an active part of the forums and Twitter, on matchdays it’ll seem like every goal that is scored by someone is highly owned by everyone else but you. This isn’t actually the case and can be unnecessarily damaging for you to believe it.

MAKE YOURSELF MISS FOOTBALL AND FPL

Do other things. I find that if I have managed to successfully switch off for a day or two, I really enjoy catching up on things on the third day because I’ve truly switched off when I’ve needed to (probably not as often as I should but that’s my choice as a content creator). 

I am hopelessly addicted to FPL and when I give myself genuine time off doing other things for a couple of days, the love for the game comes gushing back on the third day where I truly enjoy my interaction, writing and consuming football and FPL content. 

Trying to box your time during FPL and other things will really really help. You can cheat a little with how you box things and its perfectly okay to have your score update applications on during Gameweeks but I would highly recommend switching off social media during matchdays, although it all comes down to your preference and how you can handle things. 

FIND SOMETHING TO PLAY FOR

If, like me, you are having a poor season, you need to indulge in little mini-games and find something to play for. I am currently ranked outside the one-million mark and I raised the white flag a few weeks ago when it comes to overall rank. 

So all I’m doing is getting players and differentials I like and trying to catch some differential hauls. I know managers that are taking multiple hits every week trying to achieve Manager of the week (because the hits don’t count) and I admire that because they are doing what they are doing to keep their interest alive in the game. 

On a personal note, I will admit it is a little bit of a relief to give up on the season and has made the game a lot more enjoyable for me when I’m watching the matches owning players that I like. Yes, you can throw the ‘points are fun’ argument in my face but I’ll argue that it is entirely subjective. I’ve concluded that I am not going to achieve my Overall Rank goal this year and a Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) goal when he’s in my team will give me a lot more joy than a 200k green arrow at this stage. My advice on FPL will definitely be more rational than the moves I make and I’m completely okay with that. 

A little bit of a sidetrack, but I’ve done some reflection on my poor decision making in 2020/21 and I’m chomping at the bit to start next season. That’s one thing you will always have when you’re having a poor season. The lessons learned during a poor campaign are usually more helpful than if you’ve had a good one and, of course, my motivation to make up for it in 2021/22 is very high. Not to mention the fact that I have the privilege to write and create podcasts definitely keeps the fire burning.

CONCLUSION

I hope you find some of my ideas helpful. I believe it is entirely feasible to play FPL, enjoy and do well in the game even by putting healthy thought-processes in place to protect our mental state.

These are only my suggestions, so please treat them as such. I am curious to know what you are doing to combat football and FPL fatigue, so feel free to let me know in the comments section. 

Here is hoping we do not have staggered kick-offs next season. Never forget. FPL itself is not a sport. It’s a game. 

If you want more detailed thoughts on the best FPL players to own for the run-in, Zophar and I discussed the fixture-swings, differentials and teams to target for the home-stretch in our latest episode of The FPL Wire which you can view below.

1,329 Comments Post a Comment
  1. oi no professionals
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Antonio >
    A. Lacazette
    B. Cavani

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      Prefer Laca's fixtures long term.

  2. El_Gigante
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Can't decide.. Raphinha or Gundo out for Son? Raphinha out for this GW it seems, Gundo likely to get rotated. Playing FH in 33 so which one is best to keep for GW35 onward (assuming Raphinha recovers by then)?

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo out - rotation and KDB influence.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo

  3. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hoping for 100+ points from this bench boost to get me into the top 500...

    Lloris, Mendy

    TAA, Coady, Semedo, Shaw, Coufal

    Lingard, Bowen, Bruno, Jota, Son

    Cavani, Kane (c), Iheanacho

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That's a lovely team!

      1. Mweene
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ha thanks - I wildcarded last week specifically to target BB for this weeks, will probably still go horribly wrong though!

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

    Has anyone else thought to run the match up between Salah and Bamford this season?

    They are essentially twins on most key stats bar the fact that one has had 6 penalties and the other 1. Goals, shots, profligacy etc match almost perfectly.

    The one oddity is how Salah has been much the better creator but is well behind on assists. He's been poorer this season than last but the decline in Salah is at least partially down to the failure of Mane to put away any of the chances he's created.

    Overall goals steady
    Pens doubled
    Assists dropped off the map

  5. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Neto and Dias > Moura and Saiss for a hit?

  6. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Rudiger (have Mendy in goal)?
    B) Holding?

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

      B

  7. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is it worth bringing a keeper in to replace Pope for -4, given that even if he played he would probably only score 2 points anyway?

    Options are Leno, Patricio and Schmeichel. Would any of them be worth it?

    I have Forster as sub.

    Cheers.

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn’t. Unless it’s a long term move. Hard to make the -4 back in 1 week

      1. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

  8. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all, which would you pick:

    A) Salah and Reguilon
    B) TAA and Jota

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

      Would be able to get Salah in for Son in near future.

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A as I think you’ll need salah for run in. I have regullion but not sure I’d bring him in...have you got shaw?

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

        Yeah got Shaw.

        Team is

        Mendy
        Shaw Targett Digne
        Aubameyang Son Fernandes Lingard
        Iheanacho Kane

        Raph Dunk Lowton

    3. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  9. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which would you do?

    A play Dias
    B play gundogan
    C gundogan to Greenwood (-4)

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks

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

      Such a tough choice.

      Could make a case for all of them!

      A > C > B (but of course if Gundogan starts you’ll be sick!)

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It’s tough, especially with the fa cup games after deadline! Cheers

    4. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I've got Dias and Gundogan and I'm struggling - the one point cameos and painful and I'm inclined to get rid, even for a hit. I don't buy this suggestion that they'll put their A team out for Villa - they've got so much depth they just don't need to, and guessing whose going to play is a lottery.

      Having said that, I'd be worried about Greenwood starting but he seems to have justified his place and is playing well against a vulnerable opposition.

      It depends on your set up for next week of course but I need to shed City for the blank so, if you're confident of Greenwood, I'd probably suggest C

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks for the reply. I’m not 100% on Greenwood and although he does seem to be in form theres always chance he misses out. It’s impossible to second guess pep but id imagine Dias starts or gets zero mins so might go for him!

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

    I think lockdown has obviously made things worse too.

    Given most things are closed and no socialising, FPL and football becomes inevitably a bigger focus/ aspect of people’s lives and this causes more mental fatigue.

    The games being spread out is definitely part of it but I don’t think it would have anywhere near the same negative impact if there wasn’t a lockdown

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’ve found it a nice distraction and also played champ man and Scottish fpl this season! Agreed that the spreading out of games in a gw makes it a rollercoaster

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

        Ye it’s a 2 sided coin.

        It’s been a blessing and a curse. Imagine there had been no
        Football/ no FPL. Arguably people’s mental health would be even worse

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like others here are saying I've found it both a welcome distraction and a source of frustration. But overall I've def been grateful for FPL, and it's made a pretty mundane season without fans much more interesting.

  11. BurnMyBread
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is there a midfielder I can take a gamble on this week instead of the popular Son? I already have captain Kane.

    1. BurnMyBread
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      In that stage where I need differentials to get a good rank.

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

        How much of a gamble.

        Lucas Moura if you want to give the double a go.

        Maddison, Havertz & Greenwood perhaps interesting options from single gameweek teams

        1. BurnMyBread
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It's not really a punt, I'm looking for someone I can ideally keep for the rest of the season or at least until GW35 as well.

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who not captain son instead? Kane will be popular captain this week

      1. BurnMyBread
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I'm not free hitting in GW33 and I already have two Fulham players in addition to Kane. With Son, I'll be worrying about 4 blanks and a suboptimal bench that won't remotely compensate for their output.

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Just transfer the Fulham guys out before 33 then

        2. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          How did a man end up with 2 Fulham players lol

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mucas Loura worth a snot.

  12. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BB this team?

    Mendy (Forster)
    Robertson Fofana Coady (Holding, Rudiger)
    Son Bruno Gundogan Salah Jota
    Kane (c) Iheanacho (Vydra)

    Also with 1FT and 0.7 itb, what can I do to strengthen the team?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes think I would BB that. Maybe gundogan out if you think unlikely he plays?

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

      I think it’s worth going for it. Only slight concern is whether Gundo plays

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

        Gundo -> Lingard for sure!

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          0.1 short of doing that unfortunately :S

  13. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play one:
    A) Dallas
    B) Gundogan
    C) Bamford

  14. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chances of Sterling starting?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No idea, which is why I don't own him.

  15. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any Leicester defenders worth having for these nice next few fixtures? Or is it best to steer clear? Don’t think I’ve owned one of their defenders all season.

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don't!

  16. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning. Rivals im chasing (50 points and they have chips) all have Bruno.

    Who do I get to replace Sterling?

    A....Bruno (no decent alternatives)
    B....mount
    C....someone else

    I can't see a viable, nailed alternative and think I'll just get Bruno....

    Thanks

    1. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rashford? He would be a differential. Or Son if you don't have him.

    2. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah just get him. 50 isn't really that much. No point risking falling further back just because you wan't a differential.

    3. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm thinking of keeping Sterling for this one

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Get Bruno and captain son this week if you want to punt

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yup captaining son is an option.....

        Ruashford seems to be an injury doubt. Greenwood minutes sorry me - as do Chelsea assets

        Thanks

    5. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd be tempted to keep Stirling. Seems to have fallen out of the first choice XI so likely to play more in the league

  17. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    GTG ?

    Mendy
    TAA/Castagne/Shaw
    Salah/Bruno/Son/Jota/Lingard
    Kane/Nacho

    Foster/Rudiger/Holding/Davis

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, looks good.

  18. Dragon1983
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who is more important to get in your team from now until the end of season -:

    A) TAA
    B) Jota

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota

    2. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d probably say A as he he’s more likely to start each game.

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

      Hi fellow Dragon.

      Both are super picks. I’d favour Jota slightly

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Teent

  19. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2FT's and 1.4 spare.
    Any ideas? Ideally would hold 1FT.

    Martinez
    Rudiger - Coady - Shaw
    Salah - Bruno - Lingard - Son
    Kane - Watkins - Iheanacho

    Dallas - Stones - Raphinha

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stones out looks the obvious move as team well set

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep, I think so too. Just not sure who for...

      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

  20. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Afternoon all. G2G or use FT somewhere? 1.1m ITB. Cheers.

    Martinez
    Dias - Coufal - Azpi
    Lingard - Bruno - Salah - Jota - Gundo
    Kane(C) - Ihenacho

    (McCarthy) - Bam - Dunk - Alioski

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Template

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Love it

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

      No Son the obvious Omission but no easy way to get him.

      If Gundo starts he will be a nice differential for you

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers. Yes would love to get son but not worth it

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

          I guess a transfer to at least consider is Gundo -> Moura maybe?

  21. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which Arsenal outfielders are safe from rotation now?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The ones you don't want.

  22. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play one:
    A) Dallas
    B) Gundogan
    C) Bamford

    Thanks.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

      1. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers both

  23. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ballers

    Good to go???

    Martinez,
    TAA, Holding, Reguilon, Coady
    Salah, Moura, Bruno, Jota
    Nacho, Kane - TC

    1FT (looking to hold)
    0.4 ITB

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

      Looks great!

      As long as Lingard doesn’t get his customary 20 pointer I see a green arrow in your future

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah grand team.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep Looks good, no Son or Jessie, but can't have them all.

  24. Puncheon Guly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chances of KDB playing against Villa? Gotta be pretty small, surely?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No more than 50% I would say.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        In terms of starting.

    2. Groß Misconduct
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm oddly optimistic. Though with the two cup games it's gonna be rough. Currently questioning Salah switch for -8

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Depends if he plays in the cup.

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No idea, which is why I don't own him.

  25. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2FT 0.1 itb

    A) DCL + Bruno > Kane + Lingard
    B) DCL + Salah > Kane + Jota

    Mendy Areola
    Stones Digne Targett Maguire Amartey
    Mount Bruno Salah Son Gundo
    Watkins DCL Bamford

    1. Groß Misconduct
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota for sure. The fixtures are better for him in 33 too

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks - also my thinking, just nervous about missing Jlingz v New

  26. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play Coufal or Holding this week?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Holding

  27. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anything worth a hit or g2g, bench ok?

    Areola
    TAA Dias Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Raph
    Kane Nacho

    Meslier Digne Lowton Brewster

  28. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is there a United presser today?

  29. TVPlugSockets
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bench is
    Forster - Rudiger, Vydra, Phillips

    Would you bench boost? Have 0.9 in the bank and one FT to upgrade one of them too, but not sure what I’d do.

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

      Yes - provided that you starting 11 arent rotation risks

  30. ratski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salah v son...
    I can ride out gw33 ok so thinking rest of season. Anyone think son can match Salahs returns ? With a goal last week son but start to find a bit of form and the fixtures certainly help that. My original plan was to bring in Salah but think my preference is now bamford to nacho.

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Suppose you've got 2 games to see how Son's form looks. I'd be tempted to do the swap if spurs continue to underwhelm.