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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. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A.) Play Jones & Cedric, bench Ritchie (433)
    B.) Ritchie > Richarlison (-4), bench Jones (343)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Play Ritchie

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I did B myself

    3. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Get Richarlison in. Much more fun. You'll soon forget about that measly - 4

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

    Are any Sterling owners NOT selling him?

    1. Uncle Gamst
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm wondering why owners are!

    2. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Holding for now.. you never know with Pep.

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Me

    4. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ive already sold him twice just to make sure

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        😆

    5. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I wasn’t planning to, no

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

      Thanks for the reassurance, I'm bringing him in on my WC, but seems like everyone on here is selling him.

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

        I wouldnt be bringing him in on WC. Rather Sane probably.

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

          That 0.5m means Otamendi to Stones?

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

      I'm not. Brought him in knowing the selection problems. He will get five games, and needs to score over 30pts to be a keeper. A 1pter not a great start, needs 29 from the next four.

    8. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I had two other City attack/midfield, needed a City defender and see double Liverpool midfield as a key source of points over the coming 10 gwks at the very least so he's gone

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

        Who you going with, Salah and Coutinho?

  3. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why do people think that Sterling won't play this GW?

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

      120 minutes midweek. City have a good squad.

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

        Full game rest the weekend before though

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

          And only 60 mins in previous CL game. He really doesn't need more rest imo.

      2. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        He didn't play at the w/e and Sergio did and midweek and people are buying :-/

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Because he ain't heavy

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

      He didn’t play last one! He played mid week! They have loads of options! No body really know at all

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        They might as well put him a rest home if he plays any less!!

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A. Hazard > Salah(C)

    B. Sterling+Davies > Salah(C)+Duffy (-4)

    C. Save

    Elliot
    Otamendi • Davies • Cédric • Ward
    Sterling • Hazard • Richarlison
    Vardy • Aguero • Kane

    (Fab / RLC / Yedlin / TC)

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think A.

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        But even B is good. Think you need get rid of Davies sooner or later.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Think B is my preference! Close all though!

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm swapping vardy 'no party' for Haz after the internationals just watch that man go....

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Which you prefer then CM?

        1. The Mandalorian
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Salah is great value and has the fixtures, Haz still hasn't hit form for me yet but he will in November

      2. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Talk sh1t get banged 😉

        1. The Mandalorian
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          get the fook out ov ere....

  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Jesus will start, right?
    Aguero played 120 on Tuesday

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

      Since everyone is certain Sterling won’t

    2. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Who knows. It's gotten to a point where Dickov jokes have started.

    3. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Stop just stop.

    4. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I don't think the minutes played midweek means much other than that Pep really wanted to win the game.

      We saw Sterling get 60 mins in CL before 0 mins in the PL last week.

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

    Help is needed please

    What would you do this GW

    Ritchie > Mahrez
    Ritchie & Davies > Coutinho & Jones (- 4)

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  7. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Finalized free hit team, ill let you all know how it goes, or not, if it's a disaster 🙂

    Pope
    Monreal Moreno Duffy
    Sanchez (C) Salah Sane Coutinho Richalison
    Morata Lacazette

    Only thing I'm debating is Silva instead of Sane, any other ideas? One of the pool > Silva and I could afford Otamendi.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Looks great! Similar to a one I was toying with but gona save it!

      Elliot
      Monreal - Yoshida - Moreno
      Coutinho - Richarlison - Sanchez(C) - Salah - Sane
      Morata - Lacazatte
      (3.9, 3.9, 3.9, 4.5)

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Very nice, I'm considering Elliot over Pope to either make Monreal > Ota or to make Duffy > Yoshi or Cedric....thoughts there?

      2. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I think I'll stick with mine, home is always a better chance at a CS when it's a 50/50 call.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Yep! Looks class! No idea if will work or not! My team is decent enough so just leaving it but it is a good time to try it I think

          1. That Was Easy!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            There has to be one or two test mice 🙂

  8. RADOAFC
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot Foster 
    Kola Bavies Jones Lowe Hunemeier 
    Eriksen sterling Ritchie Carroll Silva Jesus Kane Abraham

    WC or use 1FT (Sterling to Richarlson)? So tempted to WC

    Cheers

  9. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I think playing Kane this week is a risk. If he starts he can aggrevate the problem further and might be withdrawn early hence missing more games. I would expect him not to start tbh

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

      Because he had a cramp?

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

        A hamstring cramp? It was clear he was feeling it. Let us wait for the presser though

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

      Wait for the presser is the best advice.

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

        Right mate

  10. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    play
    1. Elliot
    2. foRster

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Forster I'd say. Is wood out? If he is Elliot looks a good option.

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        thanks

    2. Kevinw82
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm trying to choose between Elliot and Speroni

  11. Jasօn
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any fellow risk takers taken a -12pt hit like me?

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

      What did you change?

      1. Jasօn
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ward > Davies
        Azpilicueta >Jones
        Salah > Sterling (c)
        Morata > Lukaku

      2. Jasօn
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ooops I mean

        Ward for Davies
        Azpilicueta forJones
        Salah (c) for Sterling (c)
        Morata for Lukaku

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

          I dont like the Jones move. Others are solid albeit probably not worth the -12.

        2. Jasօn
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          to be honest i knee jerked to quickly when i saw he got injured i assumed it would be long term... i know.. i know :/

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      -16 or nothing

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

      -4 but i have taken 2 x -12 and a -8 this year out of boredom and lack of patience. Guess that happens sometimes, look at Jonty last year

      1. Jasօn
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        how did it work out for you?

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

          absolutely terrible, but i've had an absolutely terrible year through and through. It doesn't matter what i do, hold tight, act decisively, it just gets worse

          i'm basically playing on a weekly basis now and waiting for next year

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

        It's somewhat ironic that "doing a Jonty" has become associated with a series of wild and uncontrolled hits because for most of the time I have watched him play FPL he has been one of the most conservative managers I know.

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

          hahaha, yes i think that's precisely why it's got that name. It's an uncharacteristicaly wild pattern of behaviour

          1. Pinky Blinders
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Weird, where I’m from it’s actually a s*x move I perfected in the 1990s.

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

      I am on -8, but i might go -12 or -16 before deadline

  12. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Which one to go for?

    A: Duffy
    B: Dunk
    C: Dann
    D: Kiko
    E: Moreno

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

      A

    2. Bald Eagle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cheapest. B

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

      Really depends who they'll be rotated with. Dann is tempting me though.

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

        Ward and Choupo. So play 2 of the three. I had Dann in gw1 and it wasnt that great.

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

          Roy is there now, and a Palace have a decent run, Dann probably has the best goal threat

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

      A positive for Dann is if Palace are chasing the game, which they invariably are, he gets to play the last 10mins as a centre forward. Hasn'rt scored yet, but there again the team have not scored many. New manager, new broom.

  13. xHolmesyx
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    GK: Ryan
    Defence: Ward, Maguire, Otamendi
    Midfield: Richarilson, Hazard, D.Silva, RLC
    Forwards: Kane, Jesus, Vardy

    Bench: Elliot, Cedric, Davies, Carroll.

    1FT 0.2itb.

    G2G?

  14. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Otamendi + Elliot

    Or

    Monreal + Pope

    Elliot the better option if Wood is ruled out?

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

      Otamendi and Pope personally. I think Otamendi has to be played pretty much every week, burnley very solid at home and pope gets save points.

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        As you can see, that's not an option 🙂

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

          I'd say Otamendi and Elliot.

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

    Thinking of swapping out sterling and jesus for richarlison and Aguero in...
    Yes or no?
    (Have silva)

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

      totally no for jesus to aguero. At least for this gw

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

        This

    2. xHolmesyx
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling to Richarlison looks good. I think bringing in aguero this week could be risky since he played 120 minutes in cup. Who knows though.

    3. Stevie B
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think no, because Aguero played 120 minutes on Tuesday and Jesus around 93 minutes. People think that Jesus will start and not Aguero. But who knows Pep.

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

      Thanks

  16. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    How many points will get

    A) Sterling
    B) Salah
    C) Richarlison and
    D) Astu

    this weekend?

    Thank you!

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      These are in fact the most pointless posts around here!

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

        sterling: fish na chips and curry sauce
        salah: 2 x savaloy and large chips to share with AMoreno
        richarlison: potato scallop and scrunchings
        atsu: big battered sausage

        1. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Srunchings eh? Are they same as scraps?

      2. Stevie B
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Well. Then I know what people think or expect and can make transfer.

      3. John t penguin
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        So you are saying 0 for all of them

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

      0
      8
      9
      3

    3. rokonto
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2
      2
      5
      2

    4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      12
      15
      8
      2

  17. vandebeek
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    best replacement for lukaku by now, except Kane ?

  18. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling 0, 70, 120, benched
    Aguero 75, 0, 120, benched
    Jesus 14, 87, 82, starts

    Imo

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

      **Based on nothing whatsoever

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

        That's my favourite basis for decision making

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

      Football is almost a science nowadays. Each of these will have different fitness and recovery levels. Without knowing these the minutes mean little.

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

      What's this rubbish?

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

      The "stat" of Sterling doesn't even make sense?

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

        I'm guessing it's minutes played from from last 3 games

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

        It's in the wrong order for starters.

  19. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Pep is gona roll out Sterling Silva B.Silva KDB Sane Jesus Aguero and win us all back over 🙂

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

      Till next week when he will be satan himself again.

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

      Sane at left back?

    3. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      KDB goalkeeper?

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

    Play a or b this wkend ?

    a) speroni - home to west ham

    b) elliot - away to burnley

    Tnks.

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

      Elliot easily

    2. Kevinw82
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm deciding between the same two, everyone on here seems to say Elliot.

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

        that's because Palace haven't kept a clean sheet all season and have lost 8/9 games and have been shambolic at times defensively

  21. 2hotty
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    brighton or burnley defender as my fourth

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

      Bur

  22. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Play Dunk or Cedric?

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

      Cedric

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

    RMWCT please,

    De Gea (Elliot)
    Jones, Stones, Dunk, Francis, Mariappa
    Salah, Sane, Richalison, Stanislas
    Kane, Morata, Jesus.

    Could boost the defence by changing Sane to Sterling.

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

      Also Tom Carroll.

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

      Francis to Burnley defender. Otherwise g2g

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

        Can't afford one, Francis and Dunk both at 4.4m

    3. balint84
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      captain?

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

        Probably Salah this week

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

    What would you do in this scenario Please?

    A...captain hazard and save ft

    B....hazard to salah (c)

    Hazard looked good v Watford but just concerned he played a lot deeper than salah who is effectively playing as striker.

    Thanks

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

      I'd keep hazard, you really have no one else to captain? No city? No pool?

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

        I've got jesus but too concerned with rotation to captain him....

  25. Harvey Spector
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Should I transfer in Moreno or Gomez?

    I think Gomez is more nailed because he can play CB as well but Moreno is more attacking. Please help.

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

      both of these players are equally horrible

  26. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Daniels if he drops soon could be a bargain at 4.8

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

    Hazard + Loftus + Fernandez ---> Salah + Richarlison + Mariapa for -4?

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

      Nah for me

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

      I'd be tempted seeing it's mainly Hazard for 2.5 ins.

  28. Freddo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    In the last five seasons at the Emirates, Swansea have won three times, drawn once and lost only once.

    Bogey team.

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

      Swansea are horrible now

      Ozil and Sanchez have decide to play to wooo potential buyers.

      5-0

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

        Horrible enough to keep three clean sheets out of four on the road conceding only one goal and keeping a clean sheet against free scoring Spurs?

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

      Times change 🙄

  29. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    As a man united fan, im quite shocked at myself for saying this, but iv awile feeling that liverpool are guna hammer huddersfield this weekend, and for that reason im guna captain coutinho, two reasons one is the fact that liverpool av so much pace going forward that i think if they come straight out at huddersfield, huddersfield will struggle with them, two i thank coutinho is due a big game and this could be the game, im i mad to believe coutinho could score two and set up two???

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

      The men in white coats will be with you shortly.

      1. Where dahoud at
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        You dont agree???

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

          Kidding.

          Coutinho is a valid choice.

          1. Where dahoud at
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            I thank hes due a good game,

  30. balint84
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    captain

    A) Kane
    B) Coutinho
    C) Jesus

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B seems safest from those this gw all things considered