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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. KneejerkJoe
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Will Speroni keep his place?

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

      If he ends up on the bench then yes I think he'll keep his place

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

      Maybe, Hennessey has been awful.

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

      Should do. Hennessey hardly covered himself in glory in midweek.

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

      For this gw yeah, Hennessey played in the cup and they got thrashed. His spot to lose it seems

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

    A) Mee (NEW h)
    B) RLC (WHU h)
    C) Simpson (EVE h)

    Pick 2 to start.

    1. Js31
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      AB

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

        Ahh, somebody replied! Was thinking the same. Thank you 🙂

  3. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Looks like no Coutinho in training pics, this is becoming a regular thing.

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

      What no pics of Coutinho?

    2. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      He's obviously being managed very gently. This news has made me rethink Sterling to Coutinho

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

      Oh lord...I hope he's just camera shy. Or like Kobe and thinks he doesn't need practice.

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

        Kobe was one of the hardest working players in practice. Do you mean AI?

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

          Hahahha, its early here yes I mean AI 🙂

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

      He trains with Barca midweek

      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        LoL

      2. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Loool

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

    "A win for Man City would give them the best-ever start for any team in Premier League history after 10 matches."

    I'm sure Pep knows about this. Trashing of WBA incoming.

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

      Pep has no idea about this only we do

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    If you have goalkeepers and defenders from both teams do you:

    A) Bet on Newcastle CS
    B) Bet on Burnley CS
    C) Lower the risk/reward and mix players

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

      A

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

      C, could easily be a 0-0

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

        No chance. Toon on the up. We're going to yooorope

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

          😀 , Watford and Burnley are on their way to Europe too so keep your eyes peeled pal

          1. 32chickens
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            this ish

    3. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      C

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

    Evertons new gaffa a Martina fan? Was pretty shit only managing 10 players 2 weeks ago....

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I believe he's a life long Martina fan

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

        I bloody knew It!!! Gerrin

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

        He is indeed. Unsworth has often talked of how Martina was his hero growing up.

        1. 32chickens
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          hey Numb-you sorted your mata tournie team yet ?

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

            Getting there

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      niasse fan

    3. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Martini fan maybe

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

      I'd imagine he's worked with Kenny a lot so could favour him.

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

    Pool fans...how does Wji's return affect the line-up?

    Does Milner shift Back to LB? My thought would be that he drops out and Moreno keeps his spot...I was going with him on my free hit but it now looks risky.

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

      Milner is done at LB

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

        watch moreno get dropped and milner installed at LB

        wouldn't touch them with a barge pole

      2. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        You only needed the first 3 words.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'd be surprised if Milner played left back. It's Moreno's spot to lose. And if he lost it, it would be to Robertson.

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

        This

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

        that spot is seriously unreliable. several people can play it inadequately

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

      Doesn't anyone think Klopp could have a defensive shake up? They were shocking agaisnt Spurs, he has to do something.

      Milner could well come back in at LB or even Robertson getting a run.

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

        hmmm, hmmm

        agreed

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

    Play one:
    A) Duffy (SOU)
    B) Maguire (EVE)
    C) Mariapa (STK)

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

      B

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

      A, could see Everton scoring in a 1-1 draw

  9. klavan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A)Salah
    B)Morata
    C)Kane

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

      A is your safest bet all things considered

    2. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Salah

    3. bhscream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Morata, due a couple of goals

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I think so too

  10. vtautr
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Do you have any ideas for this team?? I want to change a lot of them based on the previous GW, but I want to hold on that WC. What is the most sane option to do??

    Forster Elliot
    Valencia Davies Cedric Mee Mbemba
    Silva Salah Eriksen Loftus Brady
    Lukaku Joselu Morata
    1.2 ITB

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

      Rather have Kane, than Kaku. Even playing away at OT.

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

        Was thinking of ditching Eriksen + Valencia for bringing in Kane. Worth the double hit?

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

          You can just do Kaku to Kane with 1.2 itb.

  11. Lone Wolf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    1. Captain: Cou, Hazard, Richarlison, or Jesus?
    2. Bench: Jones, Ward or Dunk?

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

      Haz or Cout, bench probably Jones.

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

      1. Coutinho
      2. Jones

      1. Js31
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Spurs won't score.

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

    Silva + Sane (means I can have Otamendi)

    OR

    Salah + Coutinho (means I have Monreal)

    This game week only.

    1. Lone Wolf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      ideally one each but if I had to choose I would go Pool boys

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Salah Coutinho monreal is better for a week punt

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

      ILL have one of each, whoops. I can have 3 of them total.

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

      Salah, Couts and Monreal

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

        Cheers, what I've had for awhile. Free hit chips is going to ruin or make my weekend to a very high extent haha.

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

          Seriously considering my free hit chip too but have 2 FTs so seems like a huge risk to me... I have no Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool in my team which is why I considered it but in the end will likely just bring in Salah / Gomez for free and hope Jesus Lukaku or Kane can score...

          Still not sure if it's worth holding or playing...

  13. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Eriksen -> Salah for -4?

    Good or bad idea? Have Kane but no other Poolplayer....

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

      Ehh, I don't like it. Eriksen might be a good fit if MU sit back and he can laUnch shots.

    2. Lone Wolf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      not for a hit

    3. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      considering this my self. salahs next 3 are stronger, gives me captaincy as well, which im not sure on this week.

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Next week for a FT then?

  14. Lone Wolf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Fabianski, Elliot
    Otamendi, Jones, Ward, Dunk, Rangel
    Cou, Hazard, Richarlison, Choupo, Carroll
    Jesus, Kane, Vardy

    1FT, 1.2 ITB. Any ideas guys? Who would you upgrade?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Save FT

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

      Save

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

    RP. Play one

    A) RLC (WHU)
    B) Davies (mun)

    And

    1) DDG (TOT)
    2) Elliot (bur)

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

      I don't think either will play but if they do, B

      2

      1. Js31
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Why won't RLC play?

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

          Played a team of quite a few fringe played & he started + they just got thrashed, not sure anyone bar PVA, maybe even he won't play, will be in the starting 11 on sunday

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

        Thanks

  16. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Jesus over Kane as C?

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

      I would

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

    So will my son (K)un be playing?

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

      Who knows? I've resigned myself to him not playing but if does I'll enjoy his non-captained points

      He's not your son btw 😀

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I thought he was Bemba's son?

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

        Oh crap, posted from the wrong account

  18. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who will start Jesus Aguero or both?

    1. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      nobody knows mate. no matter how many times its asked

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Kane Kaku Morata soon and Inwont care about rotations

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

      That’s like asking will it snow on the 25th December

  19. Sims
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    moreno nailed for now?

    more nailed than gomez?

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

      90% it seems

      Yes atm, Gomez nailedness on the up though

    2. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      no one's nailed in that defence anymore

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

        indeed, there's about four players who can play than position. Moreno 5/7 = 71%

        like those odds?

  20. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I'm so sad when pellegrini was city's manager I didn't know anything about fpl and missed that lovely aguero
    Pep ruins fantasy

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

      pellegrini ruined aguero

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

        He scored the five-goal haul on Pellegrini's watch.

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

      He also ruins punctuation it seems

    3. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Pep makes fantasy. Without him everyone would have the same triple City attack, boringing

      1. J T
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Boring *

  21. Js31
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why all the love for Jordan Ayew?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cos he's great and nice guy too 🙂

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

      Because his brother scored twice midweek?

  22. Big Al Stankovic
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A. Silva > Salah(C)

    B. Sterling+Cresswell > Salah(C)+ Moreno/Daniels/Kiko/Dann (-4)

    I’ve also Aguero, but no liverpool players.

  23. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Good evening lads! How does this look for the weekend ? Got 1FT if anything pressing

    Elliot ( Foster )

    Kolasinac - Maguirre - Davies ( Clark, Cresswell )

    Hazard (C) - Sterling - Ritchie - Carroll ( Chalobah )

    Kane - Jesus - Vardy

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      How much itb

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

        .2

  24. BananaNose Maldonado
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Choose one to bench, please:

    A) Dunk (SOU)
    B) Mee (NEW)
    C) Gomez (HUD)
    D) Femenia (STK)

    Cheers.

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      D

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      dunk

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

      D) Lowest chance of a clean sheet there

    4. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

    5. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks, all. Looks like a split decision. I'm leaning towards playing Dunk, but appreciate the feedback.

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

    Only 1 can start

    A) Abraham
    B) Mee
    C) Loftus-Cheek
    D) Jones

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

  26. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    G2G?

    Elliot
    Cedric Jones Ward
    Salah Hazard(c) Silva Atsu
    Jesus Kane Vardy

    Foster T.Carrol Naughton Mbemba

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

      Yeah, gtg

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Nice one Klopp. How's your team looking? Taken that -20 yet?

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

          Yep and looking great thanks. May have thrown away this gw at the very worst but have a team I'm very happy with going forward with 0.5m itb to get a full playing x1 or Daniels

          Elliott (Fab)
          Stones Ward Duffy (Jones Rosenoir)
          (S)alah Coutinho Silva Richarlison Choupo
          Kane Aguero (Abraham)

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Looks good mate, hope it works out for you keep me updated

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

              Will do mate and thanks

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. I'd capo Salah personally but can see why you've gone Hazard. He'll explode at some point.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers fella

  27. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    is anyone captaining jesus?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Can't risk it, I'm going Salah. If Jesus hauls, I'll gladly take the points before selling him for a hit for Kun for GW11 all being well

  28. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster - Elliot
    Davies - Jones - Otamendi - Mee - Long
    Salah - Eriksen - Sterling - Choupo M. - Carroll
    Kane - Lukaku - Abraham

    2FT 0.7 ITB

    Choupo to Richarlison and keep the other FT ?

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

    Don't like these Kane rumours. No smoke without fire. Don't trust Poch when it comes to injuries either. Had the armband on Harold all week, but starting to waver.
    Anyone else thinking twice?

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

      Wouldn't captain Kane vs United and certainly won't captain Kane with question marks over his head vs United

    2. Rog rob
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Harold? He looks more like Albert

  30. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    With Kane & Lukaku battling for the golden boot, Kane in red hot form, and Jose's bus parking, has there ever been a more certain 0-0 than Man Utd Spurs on Saturday?

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

      I think both teams will score personally.

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

        This