Pro Pundits

Fantasy managers are masochists – and here’s why that’s a good thing

Former Fantasy Premier League (FPL) champion Simon March argues that feeling a bit of pain may not be a bad thing in our quest for a lofty overall rank.


Few would be surprised were they to discover that Fantasy Premier League is a game that attracts a community more prone than normal to masochism. No many FPL managers would last very long if they didn’t have at least an ambivalent relationship with pain and suffering. However, this tendency is not limited to FPL managers and is, in fact, present in all of us to some extent. It can also play a key role in determining which of us experiences success in life, and which of us don’t.

The significance of this propensity towards inviting pain has been seen to vary from person to person and, in the context of FPL, it may not only help explain some of the differences in playing style and risk preferences from manager to manager but, also, why we sometimes self-sabotage in our FPL decision-making. These are some questions this article will consider.

Hedonic Reversal

‘Hedonic Reversal’ is the state in which we, as humans, derive pleasure in things that cause us pain or discomfort. All of us experience this to an extent, it’s a big part of why we enjoy things like rollercoasters, horror movies or spicy food.

Hedonic reversal manifests itself biologically via the release of endorphins into the bloodstream as a response to us experiencing pain. Endorphins are, among other things, the body’s naturally occurring anaesthetic and they function in a similar fashion to opioids, both in their ability to numb pain and their tendency to create a sense of euphoria in those experiencing their release.

Runners and gym-goers might recognise this effect as the ‘runner’s high’ or a ‘pump’ respectively, and it is essentially the same mechanism. The evolutionary purpose for hedonic reversal is not entirely clear, some believe it occurs as a means of balancing out our response to emotional or physical pain, others believe it exists to reward and incentivise risk-taking, something which has helped us, overall, to advance as a species. The bottom line, however, is that a period of physical or emotional pain is likely to trigger a release of happy hormones to help cheer you up, basically.

Mavericks and Dullards

learning-from-the-great-and-the-good-19-20-the-final 3

FPL managers are known to differ greatly in their approaches to taking risks. We often colloquially refer to risk-takers as ‘Mavericks’ and risk-averse managers as ‘Dullards’. While it is true that risk preferences are the result of many factors, hedonic reversal could be a significant element of the more maverick playing style.

Everybody knows how good a feeling it is to take a risk and for it to pay off. We also know how bad it feels to take a risk and for it to backfire. But those who have experienced such backfires a few times might come to learn that, when things go wrong, it might not feel as bad as you expect. In fact, the worse it gets, the better it is likely to feel on a body chemistry level.

With this in mind, it’s not unreasonable to believe that some managers might come to fear failure less than others do. They might even get to a point, however subconsciously, where they even seek it. Win or lose, they eventually get the same positive feeling physically, so why not take risks? 

This disposition towards seeking pain could explain a lot (Spurs fans, for example) but the key insight from an FPL perspective might be that, if these quasi-masochistic tendencies manifest themselves more significantly in some people than others, they may have also a dramatic effect on the way those individuals play FPL. The natural question, therefore, is whether this is a good or a bad thing.

While it’s true that more risk does not necessarily equal more points in FPL (indeed, it could easily equal the opposite) you cannot get a really, really good rank without taking at least some chances. That could mean anything from some risky transfers to some maverick captaincy decisions. How many risks are sensible to take will always be something context-dependent, but it stands to reason that a manager who is unafraid to take an educated punt possesses a potentially valuable characteristic if they are looking for an elite-level rank or if they dream of winning FPL. As the aphorism goes; you may find plenty of risk-averse millionaires but you will find very few risk-averse billionaires. 

Of course, you will also find plenty of risk-taking people who are flat-broke so moderation is key. Allowing your FPL decisions to be driven by a subconscious desire to feel pain is likely to leave your arrows as red as that room in Fifty Shades of Grey. It’s good to take some risks but they have to be considered ones.

However, if you are a manager who is very risk-averse, perhaps to the point of detriment, experiencing a bit of the pain of failure might actually be good for you. In fact, it may be exactly what you need to remove the fear of taking risks and condition your subconscious to accept them more easily. As many have observed, our best FPL seasons seem to disproportionately follow our worst ones and so perhaps ‘learning to take a fall’ represents a key rite of passage in getting us there.


Why does good FPL form end and what can we do about it?

Elsewhere in Double Gameweek 32

Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) secured a double-digit haul as Leicester saw off West Bromwich Albion by a 3-0 scoreline.

After returning in just one match between Gameweeks 26 and 31, the Foxes’ forward notched a goal and assist against rather pedestrian opposition.

Crystal Palace are Vardy’s next opponents, whose recent defensive form suggest another big haul could await him in Blank Gameweek 33, hence why we have chosen him for the Scout Picks.

Jonny Evans (£5.5m) came away with a double-digit score of his own as he kept a clean sheet and found the net in the first half.

Wesley Fofana (£5.0m) managed to capitalise on the shut-out early as Marc Albrighton (£5.2m) replaced him just after the hour-mark.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) stayed on the bench as an unused substitute, with suggestions that he will come back into the team against Crystal Palace.

“I’m very conscious that Ricardo is coming back from a long-term injury and I always felt between when he came back and the end of the season we’re just getting him some minutes. I don’t think he’s ready to play three games in a week, especially having played on Sunday.” – Brendan Rodgers

Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.1m) continued his scoring form, adding an eight goal in his last six Premier League matches.

However, his burgeoning ownership might have hoped for more returns as he missed a number of big chances to walk away with a hat-trick.

His persistence in front of goal, combined with a Blank Gameweek 33 meeting with Crystal Palace, has also earned Iheanacho a place in the Scout Picks…

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Jonny Evans
  • 2 – Timothy Castagne
  • 1 – Jamie Vardy
853 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A. Madds and watkins money itb
    B. Saka/martinelli and vardy. No money itb

    Thx 🙂

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably A long term

  2. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Price changes anyone?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      About half an hour.

  3. Pandastar5
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    For a hit who should i take?

    son--> salah
    cresswell --> saiss/castagne
    kane --> vardy

    ... or should i just wildcard

  4. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota to Maddison
    Or
    Kane to Vardy

    Much prefer Vardy over Maddison but means no Kane for Sheffield at home, worth it?

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

      Stick with Jota

  5. chrrizzy
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Got my WC and trying to figure out which are the best defenders to add

    As it stand this is how my backline is looking

    Sanchez Lloris

    TAA Dias Holding Rudiger Coady

    The plan is I remove Rudiger and Coady for a west ham and Everton defenders from GW35 and on.

    For the next couple of GWs though, how is this defense looking? Any other suggestions?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Trade Dias for Shaw

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Castagne was excellent for Leicester

  6. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son and Lacazette -> Salah and Cavani for - 4? Thank you!

  7. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Was is stupid to do Pope -> Lloris for - 4 and bench Sanchez or just bad luck? It cost me 7 points.

    Thank you!

  8. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dias to
    A. Fofana
    B. Castagne
    C. Shaw

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

  9. yanky
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So Jota is most likely out? Ugh I need a replacement now but already have 6 players that could blank in gw36 ( 2 CHE, 1 UTD, 1 LEI, 2 ARS) so really trying to avoid Greenwood/ lMaddison then...

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      why is he out ?

      1. yanky
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        lots of rumors going on that he has a knock. LFC said he was not pictured in training...will obviously wait for Klopp’s conference but I need a plan to field 11 if hes out, and really cant be a Utd/Che/Lei/Ars mid...

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I've been reading this but have seen no source? I currently have him in on a WC so would really like to know!

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers.

    3. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just because he wasn’t pictured in outdoor training does not mean to say that he didn’t train at all - could’ve been indoors for all we know

      1. yanky
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        right, but I need a plan if hes out, otherwise I can only field 10

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

          True mate. What about someone from Everton ? Like J Rod?
          It’s propose that they would have a double not followed by a blank.

          I’m in the same boat And considering him because of the arsenal injuries. it seems he’s picking back up form

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

            The other point is - do you want to get him back after?
            Also would it be for free? If it’s for a hit I wouldn’t bother getting a -4

            1. yanky
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              thanks dude! wasnt thinking of him but the fixtures do look great. playing holding but think they can both work as jrod has good fixtures to come. didnt think of him but seems hes back to getting 90min and finding form, DCL coming back could help too. Good shout! I like it better than Traore from Villa who was another one I was contemplating haha

              1. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Would be surprised if Hamez plays every game given his fitness

  10. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Son* Salah Jota Fernandes Lingard
    Kane* Iheanacho

    Forster Holding Vydra Kilman

    0.3 itb, 2FT

    1. Mendy Son >> Schmeichel Greenwood
    2. Son >> Greenwood (save FT)

    Thanks

  11. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    sell Kane will lose 0.4 to bring him in next gw, y/n...?
    if yes for :
    1. Vardy (double with nacho)
    2. Watkins

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Depends a bit on who plays instead if you keep Kane?

    2. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would keep Kane (and I am keeping.)

      1. Taegugk Warrior
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        other option is Son to Greenwood. Y/N..?

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

      how are you losing 0.4M

  12. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hell I went double with Fofana and Castagne.
    Come on you foxes!

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      would you do Mendy to Schmeichel ?

  13. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    VArdy (double with nacho) or watkins..?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have gone double. Just did Kane to Vardy.

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

      Vardy

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

      Vardy

  14. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Son* Salah Jota Fernandes Lingard
    Vydra Iheanacho

    Forster Holding Kane Kilma

    0.3 itb, 2FT

    1. Mendy Son >> Schmeichel Greenwood (play Holding over Jota if out)
    2. Other suggestion ?

  15. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Risers: Vardy (10.2) Watkins (6.6) Coufal (4.7)

    Fallers: De Bruyne (11.9) Cresswell (5.7)

    1. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Oh no Kane didn’t fall 🙁

      I’ll need a hit to het him back against SHU

      Unless he falls tomorrow

    2. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      cheers Ragabolly.

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

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

      Cheers RB

  16. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Whose your captain this week?

    1. bigdip
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      On Bruno atm

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

      Jesse

    3. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TAA

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mo as it stands rn, not set in stone though.

    5. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gotta be mo

  17. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BGW team gtg?
    Mendy
    Coady, Fofana, Shaw, Rudiger, Phillips
    Fernandes, Salah, Jota, Lingard
    Kane (tc), Iheanacho (Vydra)
    (Forster, Son, Kane blanks)

    A) Use FT
    B) Roll FT

    1. bigdip
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who to captain?
      A) Bruno
      B) Salah
      C) Iheanacho

      1. Wally711
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Salah

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  18. Wally711
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rate my WC plz?

    Sanchez
    TAA- castagne - Dallas
    Salah -bruno- rashford- lingard
    Vardy - nacho - watkins

    Play Phillips or Dallas?

    1. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Where's the rest of your squad

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

      Decent team, similar to my one.

      Phillips is a safer choice and much better chance of a CS, but Dallas has higher upside. Pretty 50-50 but I'd maybe lean towards Phillips.

      I'm personally not convinced by Rashfords value but he is a good differential. If it was me I would maybe swap Rashford and Watkins out

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

      Good

    4. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not bad

      1. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Now, can you answer every question I have asked so far since the beginning of time?

  19. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Does any Villa midfielder interest you?

    WBA home this week along with a possible double in 35.

    1. villian-ty
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Grealish if confirmed fit for everton

  20. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    With 4 players set to miss GW33 I originally planned 1 transfer Son -> Bruno
    With Raphinha and Jota in there i'm now considering -8 or even -12

    Dias & Son & Raph -> Castagne & Bruno & Maddison -8
    And possibly Jota to someone for a further -4

    Total disaster

  21. hshepherd
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which combo would you prefer?

    1) Kane and Greenwood
    2) Son and Vardy

    Greenwood/Vardy would play this week, while the Spurs guys would be benched to come in next week vs SHU

    1. Wally711
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2.

      Can you answer the question above

  22. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2 FTs, don't think I really need it. How worried should I be about Mendy rotation?

    A) Mendy -> Schmeichel
    B) Mendy -> Martinez (forgive me Martinez, for I come crawling back to you)
    C) Mendy -> Patricio
    D) Keep Mendy, let the FT go to waste

  23. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Capt salah this week?

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

      It’s the obvious one for me, but Newcastle are doing better recently.

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

    In the context of my 450K OR and weeks running out I was thinking Watkins over Salah for C as I don’t own Nacho.
    Inviting pain as per this article or a decent punt?
    WBA looked really poor today and some of Watkins stats are decent - he just needs an improvement in accuracy.

  25. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Maddison or Greenwood?

    Lots of people are saying Greenwood, but with those fixtures and his lack of nailedness I'm not sure. It seems tight

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think most prepared to take the risk as he's fit and in form whereas Maddison only just back and may take time to fire.

  26. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son to trossard or siggy, jus need some differential this week

  27. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any news on Lingard? Is he injured?

  28. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Raphinha still out?

  29. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alright guys hear me out. Currently 2nd in ML by 10ish points. Leader has Bruno but no Vardy. 3rd has neither but will most likely get Vardy this week.

    I really think Bruno/Bamford > Vardy/Greenwood is worth -4.

    I do have Nacho but feel i could make up ground with the double up. Please share your thoughts.

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

      like it. go for it and have some fun. enough weeks to try something else if it doesn't pay off too.

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you mate. I might just

  30. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy
    Azpi | Shaw | Robertson | Phillips
    Bruno | Jota | Lingard | Maddison
    Vardy | Iheanacho

    Lloris | Holding | Kane | Son

    What would you do here with 2FTs and 0ITB?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Any update on Mendy? Maybe shift one of your keepers is the way to go, good looking team otherwise.