Continuing my round-up of the fantasy season, it’s time to turn my attentions to the back four - the clean-sheet farmers who provide the regular returns while Ronaldo earns the big points up field. At least that’s the theory. This season saw the defenders get in on the act when it came to earning the goalscoring glory. That proved pretty handy given the injuries and rotation endured by fantasy managers all season.

In terms of clean sheets, this season was a predictable one. United and Chelsea shared the lead with 21 in total with Liverpool predictably ranked third with 18. Finding candidates from those top three sides for your defence however, proved far from easy. At Chelsea the entire back four suffered from injury and rotation. Similarly at Anfield, we lost the option of Agger early on to injury, while Rafa’s policy of rotation had a hit on the likes of Finnan, Arbeloa and Riise. Carragher remained the only real certainty in the back four with 35 starts, but his hefty price and a lack of a goal threat may have proved off-putting to some. United were a more reliable hunting ground for fantasy points - Evra, Ferdinand and Brown all benefiting from consistent starts, although Vidic had his fair share of injury problems that hampered his returns.

With clean sheets from the big three difficult to pin down, mid-price defenders at clubs such as Everton and Portsmouth became popular targets. In addition there was a rush on defenders who offered a significant goal threat at the other end with the likes of Lescott, Laursen, Scharner and Wheater all benefiting.

Looking towards next season, there are some major sleepers who should all offer strong returns should they rid themselves of the injury problems they’ve experienced this term. While that should mean that the likes of Terry should return as a reliable source of points, it seems likely that fantasy managers will once again be forced to turn to mid-price options to pad out their defensive line as the threat of rotation continues to hang over key defenders at Chelsea, Liverpool and to a lesser extent, United.

The Scout’s Selection

Joleon Lescott
An outstanding season by the Everton defender who found himself employed both at his customary centre-back position and also at left-back. Lescott played every game for Everton in the Premiership, earning 14 assists in the process. The key stat for Lescot however, comes in the goals column. Lescott found the net an incredible 8 times in the Premiership - matching the return of Matthew Taylor last season who was classified as a defender but played in a midfield role by Portsmouth. Another assured season and further England honours look on the cards for the Everton man, as does a significant fantasy price hike.

Rio Ferdinand
Rio was the foundation of a United defence that kept 21 Premiership clean sheets over the season. His 35 appearances were the most amongst the United backline and saw him earn 17 clean sheets in total. He also added 2 goals and an assist to his points haul, along with a fairly respectable 15 FPL bonus points. Niggling injuries to Vidic and a season-long absence for Neville, saw the United skipper emerge as the safest bet in the strongest Premiership defence. And, with Terry and Carvalho making just 21 and 19 appearances for Chelsea respectively, he became the most popular source of big investment when it came to defenders. That could carry through to next term, although the return of sleepers such as Terry and Neville could provide decent options in the light of a likely price increase for Ferdinand.

Gael Clichy
It was very close between the Arsenal left-back and United’s Evra - both had superb season’s but in fantasy terms, Clichy had the edge on price. The Arsenal defence kept a total of 15 clean sheets over the season with Clichy missing just a single game. That appearance record, by far the best of the Arsenal back four, saw him rank highly in all fantasy games and reiterates the importance of regular starts for fantasy managers. Five assists in the FPL game and six in the Fantasy League game, only added further to Clichy’s haul and by the end of the season he was also attracting FPL bonus. Next season promises another clear run of appearances in an Arsenal back four which could well boast some renewed solidity. Expect Clichy’s price to nudge up a few notches.

Martin Laursen
There’s little doubt that Laursen’s biggest acheivement this season was his 38 Premiership starts. The big Dane had been plagued by a knee injury that had seriously limited his appearances up until this term. That meant that his value in fantasy games placed him in the budget-mid price bracket - making him a bargain purchase over the season. Like Lescott, the Villa man benefited from a significant haul of points from goals scored at the other end. Unlike Lescott however, Laursen was not playing in a side that could back this up with clean sheets. Villa went through a remarkable spell of 18 games without a clean sheet, during which time Laursen’s popularity took a major dip. In the FPL game however, Laursen clocked up a hefty 27 bonus points - only FPL darling Richard Dunne, surpassed that. Outside of the FPL Laursen’s ranking wasn’t anywhere near as impressive but his price meant that he still offered value.

In Reserve

Paul Scharner
The Wigan man was always a decent bet for your initial lineup having performed in a central midfield role for much of last season. When Bruce converted him back to a central defender, things looked bleak for Scharner’s fantasy return but, as it turned out, the switch only proved a benefit. Scharner was arguably the key component in a Wigan back four that kept 8 clean sheets in the final 14 games and saw the Austrian become a major target for fantasy managers looking to generate funds. FPL bonus points - 13 in the final 11 games - recognised his contribution. In other games meanwhile, his price tag made him an ideal budget purchase. Scharner will be the target of several clubs in the summer but if he remains at Wigan, he should offer the potential for 38 starts with decent returns once more.

Glenn Johnson
The Portsmouth defence was vastly improved with the arrival of Distin in the summer and the form of James in goal providing the impetus for 15 clean sheets in total. Distin ran Johnson close as the key fantasy target in the back four. Indeed, in several fantasy games he marginally outscored him. Johnson was also valued higher in some games as a legacy of his Chelsea past but, by virtue of his significantly higher score in the Telegraph game, I’ve opted for the full-back. The right-back always threatened to add a wave of assists to his decent quota of clean sheets with his attacking instincts. As it turned out, 4 assists and a single goal were humble returns but Johnson’s 31 starts and 14 clean sheets were enough to earn him a place in my “squad of the season”.

The Sleepers

Gary Neville
Out for the entire season with ankle and calf injuries, the United full-back is expected to return and establish himself as Ferguson’s first choice at right-back next season. Wes Brown made a strong case to stay in the side but Ferguson could well be true to his word and hand Neville back the shirt. Neville’s value in fantasy terms is always lower than the likes of Vidic and Ferdinand. That will certainly be the case for next season which could see the veteran defender offer some decent value.

Micah Richards
Richards was limited to 25 starts this term with injuries severely hampering his fantasy returns. Knee surgery at the end of this season should help clear those concerns with Richards due to return in time for City’s UEFA cup campaign in July. There’s no doubt that he’ll play a central role in City’s back four should he stay at Eastlands over the summer. I’d expect him to push for a 38 start season with a couple of goals and plenty of FPL bonus to his name. A modest return this season should be enough for him to avoid an increase in price so there should be some value in him for next term.

Gareth Bale
The Spurs signing looked a strong contender going into the season but was ruled out early on with a pre-season injury and then again weeks later after suffering ligament damage to his right ankle. Immensely strong going forward and deadly at set-pieces, 2 goals in his 7 starts underline his potential. Classed as a defender, Bale was often pushed into a midfield role and could well occupy that position for Ramos next term. His progress in pre-season will be worth monitoring.

Dan Agger
Another strong contender at the start of the season who had his campaign torn up by injury. Agger was established as first choice alongside Carragher the season before last but will now face a fight to regain that position after the arrival of Skrtel. His price should drop after just 5 appearances this term and should he show signs of edging out Skrtel then he would undoubtedly be a worthy investment. Like all Liverpool players however, rotation will always be a concern.

John Terry
The Chelsea skipper turned in 21 appearances this season but was constantly haunted by niggles and injuries that restricted his returns and fantasy potential. Despite displaying remarkable powers of recovery, his run of luck with injuries is beginning to earn him an injury-prone reputation that is likely to see him being avoided by fantasy managers. However, a drop in price across the fantasy games would seem likely after two seasons of being ranked as the highest value defender across the board. When fit, Terry is certain of a start in the Chelsea lineup and that in itself, should be worth the outlay.

The Scout is Watching…

Jose Bosingwa
Chelsea’s new £16 million signing is expected to make the right-back position his own and spell the end of Belletti’s stay at Stamford Bridge. Bosingwa will compete with fellow countryman Ferreira for the shirt but having ousted him in the Portugese national side, it is expected that he’ll have the edge in the Chelsea lineup. If there are signs that Bosingwa could at last present another stable element to the Chelsea defensive lineup then he would certainly be worth considering. Clean sheets are a given with the Chelsea defence but Bosingwa also has strong attacking instincts having played as a wide midfielder in the past.

Nicky Shorey
Despite a miserable season for Reading, Shorey remained high in the fantasy rankings thanks to a return of 10 assists in the FPL and 9 in the Fantasy League games. Three goals and 8 clean sheets added further to his tally over 36 Premierhship appearances. A move away from the Madejski looks likely and, while his destination will ultimately decide his true fantasy potential next term, he has proved that even in a relegated side, he can contribute major returns for fantasy managers.

David Wheater
An outstanding season for the young Boro centre-back. While Southgate’s men were far from being on e of the tighter Premiership units with just 8 clean sheets, Wheater established himself as the mainstay as Southgate shuffled Woodgate, Huth and Pogatez as his central defensive partner. Thirty-four starts brought 7 clean sheets, while his substantial threat at set-pieces brought 3 goals. A decent 18 FPL bonus points meanwhile, is evidence that Wheater was beginning to earn recognition for efforts in a fragile Boro defence. Next season is likely to see Wheater get close to 38 starts, and if Southgate can improve Boro defensively we should see some additional cleanies plus some further goals from those Downing set-pieces.

Leighton Baines
The Everton full-back was limited to just 12 appearances in his first full season at Goodison. Despite shelling out more than £5 million the former Wigan man, Moyes preferred to use Lescott at left-back for the bulk of the season with Baines rotating with Valente on the occasions that Yobo was rested from his partnership with Jagielka in the centre. Moyes has however, promised that Baines has a future at Everton and I’d expect him to get more opportunities next term. When he plays, Baines is a decent prospect who can contribute assists and the odd goal and I’ll be watching carefully how Moyes sets his team up in the pre-season.

Nedum Onuoha
Onuoha made just 13 starts for City this season but seems set to play a far more substantial role with the likely departure of Richard Dunne. Alongside the returning Micah Richards, he could well form a strong partnership which could offer decent returns for a decent price.

Armand Traore
Wenger employed the Frenchman in a midfield role in the end of season reserve games and could well have him earmarked for such a position next season. Certainly this is a long-shot but I’ll be monitoring the situation in pre-season to assess the potential that Traore could play a part as a midfielder whilst being classed as a defender in fantasy games.

Gary Cahill
The Bolton defence will once again be the cornerstone of Megson’s side next season. Cahill and his central defensive partner Andy O’Brien, should offer solid defensive value for fantasy managers. For me, Cahill has the edge in terms of goal threat and FPL bonus over O’Brien.

Geremi
Employed in midfield by Keegan for 8 of the remaining 9 games of the season, Geremi offered excellent value - notching 2 goals and 4 assists. I’ll be watching his classification in fantasy games next term, with every chance that he’ll be labelled a midfielder. If he retains his defensive classification however, he could offer strong value again, although his place in the Newcastle lineup is far from secure with Keegan likely to stregthen his midfield given the absence of Barton.

Wayne Bridge
Can Chelsea hold onto Bridge for another season of frustration? Just nine Premiership starts this term tell another miserable tale and it seems likely that Bridge will look to force a move away in the Summer if he has any plans of breaking into Capello’s lineup. If he gets the right move then Bridge undoubtedly offers big potential.