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The Technical Area – Assessing Budget Defenders

With nine Gameweeks now behind us, we’re already nearly a quarter of the way through this season’s Premier League campaign.

While surprises have been thrown up across the board – particularly in midfield – the primary concern now facing many managers has to do with their defence.

Big-ticket, fire-and-forget options in the form of Marcos Alonso and Ben Davies have stuttered of late, leaving many of us eyeing exit routes into more reliable sources of points.

This week’s Technical Area will be taking stock of the defensive situation and mapping out paths for success between now and the mid-point of the year.

Given the heavy fixture congestion facing sides over December, reliability of starts – as well as a deep bench – becomes more important than ever. As does wringing the most out of our already strained budgets.

1,007 Comments Post a Comment
  1. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot (Woodman)
    Alonso Otamendi Cedric Ward Duffy
    Hazard Salah Sterling (Brady Carroll)
    Kane Jesus (Ladapo)

    2FT, 0.2ITB, Suggestions?

    1. HALFSPACE
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Save

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        But i cant save it, I already have 2ft?

        1. HALFSPACE
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          lool my bad, nothing obvious to fix

          1. A Team Of James McCleans
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            I dont really like the 5 at the back

            1. HALFSPACE
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              Downgrade a defender to a 3.9 and upgraade Brady to Richarlison?

              1. Arn De Gothia
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 6 months ago

                this

              2. Johqvist
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 6 months ago

                Yeah was just about to say this.

  2. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on:

    A) Stirling and Bavies to Salah and Ward
    B) Stirling and Fabregas to Salah and Goss
    C) other ?
    (0.1 short of Stirling and Jesus to Salah and Morata)

    Fabs/Elliot

    Luiz/Bavies/Maguire/Cedric/Mbemba
    Stilring/Silva/Richarlison/Fabregas
    Kane/Jesus/Vardy

    2 FT, 0.8 ITB

    Advice greatly appreciated

    1. Koolswan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

  3. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    On WC playing 3-5-2 with 8.8m to get 4th and 5th defenders (have Ota, Ward, Moreno/Gomez). Which of these would you advise?

    A) 2 x 4.4 (i.e. Dunk + Cameron)
    B) Daniels + 3.9 fodder
    C) Downgrade Ward to Mee and get Dunk + Kiko

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A with Dunk + Francis

  4. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    The City team line up boils down to 3 from 4 the rest is very predictable

    Keeper - Ederson
    Defenders - Walker - Otamendi - Stones
    Midfielders - David Silva - KDB - Fernardhino

    Forwards (3 from 4) Sterling - Jesus - Sane - Aguero

    My money is on Aguero missing out

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully!

    2. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'd tend to agree, keeping Kun on WC though I think..

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      no bernado?

    4. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      *forgot to include Fabian Delph 😆

    5. justmatt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B. Silva played up top last week, so potentially 3 form 5.

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I can't see him starting

        1. Arctic_Orangutans
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          I think Sane Jesus and sterling

  5. Scout Pics
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A. Diouf and Salah.
    B. Firmino and Richarlison.

    1. SUPER MOKH
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A for sure

  6. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is a -4 worth it to make sure I have two benched starters? Have Mkhi, Bavies, Sterling and Jesus, and planning to use FT on Mkhi -> Richarlison.

    1. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Gamble on them all playing! One nailed benchman should do it.

  7. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    "Bristol City have beaten as many Premier League sides in all competitions this season as Liverpool."

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ice cold.

  8. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Ritchie -> Richarlison for free?

    1. SUPER MOKH
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Do it

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

    3. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  9. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT

    Pope-Elliot
    Ota-Luiz-Moreno (Kiko, Hunemeier)
    Alexis-Sane-Silva-Salah-Richarlison
    Kane-Diouf (Ayew)

    0.1itb

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      5.5/10.
      Don't like risky City, Liverpool defense, cheap second attacker.

      1. SUPER MOKH
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Sane and Silva i think have least rotation risk. Liv defense can be replaced with Burnley defense. That cheap second striker spot will be between Diouf and Tammy based on form. Im going all out with the midfielder

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Top light but nice

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Luiz - I wouldn't touch him until kante is back.

      Moreno - don't do it to yourself 😆

      Personally I would want at least two heavy hitters up top, but your midfield is great so you may get away with it.

      1. SUPER MOKH
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        How about this?

        Pope-Elliot
        Ota-Azpi-Yoshi (Moreno, Hunemeier)
        Hazard-Sane-Silva-Salah-Richarlison
        Kane-Diouf (Ayew)

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Thing is, if I was wildcarding, a punt on Sanchez captain would be so inviting so I can see what you have done in your original team.

          Azpi is better than Luiz of course. But there's something about that Chelsea defence with no kante that just puts me off paying premium prices for them.

          What about;
          azpi to Daniels
          start Moreno this week
          and then use the 1.7M saved on hazard to Sanchez (c)

  10. FPL Bielsa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    With doubts over Aguero, Sterling, Davies and Kane and not wanting to field 10 or rely on the likes of Joselu have been toying with playing free hit chip which means I could field the following 11

    Czech - Mee Duffy Moreno - Sanchez Salah Sane Cout Rich - Lacazette Jesus

    What do people think seems like a good idea to me ?

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I’m not concerned about any of them and I have all 4

  11. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Best replacement for chalobah ?
    I have 5.8m to spend.

    a) groB
    b) choupo-moting

    Tnks

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

  12. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hi...any views in what to do here please?

    Elliot (fab)
    Luiz ota jones ward (wimmer)
    Hazard Silva richarlison (rlc carroll)
    Kane jesus vardy.

    A...save and captain Kane

    B...save and captain hazard

    C...hazard to salah (c)

    Thanks

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Clump
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      D) Save & captain Richarlison.
      *Puts on tin hat

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        That's a bit too far out for me...

  13. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Shipping Bavies tonight. Swansea def a good shout? And is Naughton worth 0.1 over Fernandez? Thanks 🙂

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Swansea have Arsenal away. Davies may have Palace next weekend. Keep.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Absolutely not..!!

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Against ARS?

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Only if your plan is to rotate with BUR

  14. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    WC team here. Everything set?

    Elliot Speroni
    Otamendi Jones Ward Dunk Yedlin
    Eriksen Salah D.Silva Richarlison T.Carroll
    Kane Morata Abraham

    Got 1m in the bank to make it easier to do Morata to Aguero/Lukaku in few weeks time.

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      very good team

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers.

  15. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think Sterling will start?

    1. FPL Bielsa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Probably not after 120 mins mid week but hey who knows the mind of Pep

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Bernardo has played last 2 games though

    2. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Think he will. Didn't play at all previous weekend. If he does start he almost certainly will not finish it.

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I do, lots don't, most importantly no one knows

  16. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Which DF 2 wk punt is best for this team

    Elliott Foster

    Maguire Bertrand Mee Dunk xxxxxxxx

    Salah Silva Coutinho Carroll Gross

    Kane Lukaku Diouf

    5.2 ITB

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  17. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Am I wrong to overlook Richarlison? Dont feel he can keep this up

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Have you seen him play? Looks very good to me

      1. Clump
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Yup. Personally, I think with his fixtures, he's got huge potential.
        Looks both a good player & a fpl prospect.

    2. FPL Bielsa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes you are wrong bought four weeks ago and is a points machine !

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I think he can keep it up

    3. lugs
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      i said the same thing about Vardy + Mahrez 2 years ago and refused to get them in all season , that turned out well 🙁

    4. Johqvist
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Just play the casual way and cover his points. Don't over think it.

  18. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot (Fabianski)
    Bellerin Cedric Jones Alonso (Tuanzabe)
    Salah Shaqiri Eriksen Ritchie (Carroll)
    Kane Lukaku (Abraham)

    2FT, 0.1 ITB, Suggestions?

  19. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Forster
    Ota - Bavies - Ward
    Hazard - Couts - Richarlison - Silva
    Diouf - Kane - Vardy

    Bench: Elliot - Simpson - RLC - Mbemba
    1.9 ITB due to Rashford > Diouf

    1. Who to (c)?
    2. Any surgery needed?

  20. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Put bench in right order. Currently on CBA

    A) Cresswell (cry)
    B) RLC (WHU)
    C) Davies (mun)

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cba to do that sorry mate

  21. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    New community article - here's TopMarx with a look at how the Career Hall of Fame Top 5 got on in GWK 9.

    Very impressive showing for two of this elite group in particular.

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/10/26/top-5-career-hall-of-fame-gameweek-9-review/

  22. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why has Salah dropped??

    1. Clump
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Herd stupidity.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      People sold. Probably up 0.1 in 32 hours.

  23. Psycho
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot
    Jones - Cedric - Naughton
    Richarlison - Silva - Salah - Ramsey
    Jesus - Lukaku - Lacazette

    Foster, Carroll, Hegazi, Mbemba.

    £1.0M ITB.

    * Lukaku -> Morata this week.
    ** Lacazette -> Kane next week (0.1m short, taking a hit for that)

    Sounds like a plan?

  24. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Davies and carrick to richarlison and marriappa for -4, marriappa would be first sub and team would look like this

    Forster
    Walker Cedric Maguire Trippier
    Sane Hazard(c) Richarlison
    Kane Morata Vardy

    Bench: Elliot Marriapp Surman Carroll

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard(c) is a big concern after giving him my armband last week. Not explosive at all and touches in the box not interesting. Was a narrow escape for me with his lucky assist for Pedro wonder goal..
      I would suggest Morata as a better prospect.

  25. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Good evening!

    My current team looks like this:
    Foster Elliot
    Alonso Kola Davies TAA Suttner
    Salah Sterling Ritchie Brady Carroll
    Kun Morata Vardy
    1FT

    Unsure what I should do this week.

    What do you think?

    A) Ritchie > Richarlison
    B) Davies/Brady > VVD/Richarlison (-4)
    C) WC*

    *to something like this:
    Ryan Elliot
    Azpi Jones Daniels Mee Moreno
    Salah Sterling Sane Richarlison Carroll
    Kane Jesus Diouf

  26. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    1. Davies -> Otamendi (play him every week, already have Stones)
    2. Davies -> Ward, then RLC -> Gross and rotate the pair according to fixtures.

    DDG (Elliot)
    **Davies** Kolasinac Bertrand Stones (Mbemba)
    Richarlison Ramsey Sterling (*RLC* Carroll)
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

    Will get rid of Kola and Bertrand when fixtures turn

  27. DrunkPhilosophy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot
    Kola Ward Jones
    Salah(c) Silva Ritchie Richarlson
    Kane Vardy Jesus

    Fab RLC Davies Hunemier

    Used 1 FT to do Brady to Richarlson..

    Anything worth a hit or g2g?

  28. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Iv thought long and hard about this Kun vs Jesus conundrum and as a Silva owner I think il leave it at that

    Nothing worse than getting to the weekend and finding out your player has been rested/ rotated

    Think I’ll only consider one or the other if there is an injury

    Frustrating but Pep is going to keep rotating until the cows come home.

    1. DrunkPhilosophy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      The way you do it saves you the headache, but you're gonna miss out on hauls..

      I have Jesus and not feel confident one bit until I see City's lineup every week..

      Have RLC on the bench so hopefully when he starts being in the lineup, it wouldn't be so bad.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Silva the only City I’ll be having too....

  29. The Colonel
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I know Sterling a rotation risk but surely better to transfer out D Silva before him. Latter is back to playing deeper and much less explosive...

    1. DrunkPhilosophy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      True but Silva has guaranteed starts and can chip in with decent hauls.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think you're watching a different team to me. Silva pretty much instrumental to their attacks.

  30. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez or Salah?