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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. Sims
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    would u start naughton or hemed?

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

      Naughton

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

      Definitely Hemed

      1. Mince n Tatties
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I don’t have Hemed - but Naughton is my 3rd Sub in the bench - This Gameweek you shall mostly be wearing Hemed

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

      Hemed. Arsenal will score a few

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

      or tom carrol?

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

      naughton is a beast

      1. Mince n Tatties
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Was about to disagree - but just noticed he’s averaged 4 points a week - not bad for a Swansea defender - and they’ve shipped 10 goals...
        Might review his 3rd bench spot - but he is up against Arsenal - and if Wenger plays Sanchez, Ozil and Lacazette- I can only see 1 point for Naughton

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

      Hemed

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

    Start Moreno or Abraham?

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

      Abraham

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

      Moreno

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

      Moreno

    4. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Moreno for sure

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

      Moreno he might score off his shin

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

      horrible choice

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

      Moreno

    8. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      The one who is likely to get a CS and, create/score

  3. Ajax Down Trees
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot
    Jones - Cedric - Mee
    Eriksen - Silva - Sterling - Choupo
    Kane - Lukaku - Abraham

    Subs: Dunk - Davies - Carroll

    2.3 ITB. 2 FT’s. Need a good captain option, thinking maybe Salah & Richarlison in for Eriksen & Carroll. Or could look at Davies out. Any thoughts or other options please guys??

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

      Lukaku->Aguero? Or get Sanchez somehow

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

    My captaincy is on salah right now but thinking of switching to morata, mistake ?

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

      I'm on Salah and sticking. I'm waiting for Morata to hit form before captaining

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

        Thanks

  5. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    If Antonio is not ready should i take a hit for Antonio->Mahrez/Zaha?My first sub is TC.

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

      Stop messing about and get Richarlison.

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

        thanks

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

    Good to go?

    Elliot
    Otamendi Ward Duffy
    Salah(c) Hazard Richarliason Choupo
    Kane Jesus Vardy

    Fab Jones RLC Mbemba

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

      Really like that..!

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

      G2G

  7. Effendi007
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Looking to ditch Naughton. Would Van Dijk or Azpili be a better replacement?

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

      I believe Azpi been involved I more goals than any other defender in 2017. That would be my choice. I do have him.

    2. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Why? Seems good budget option to rotate?

      1. Effendi007
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        He's only kept two cleansheets in 6 without bonus or delivering many assisting opportunities, just feel I need someone a bit more likely for both and with better fixtures

  8. Junior ⚽
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero Sterling Kane

    Bench Carroll (Long Dawson)

    Out of 3 how many starts do you think I'll get?

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      *Games/Starting points, not starts

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

    also, start Elliot (bur) or Gomes (STK)

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

      Gomes

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

    Anyone else with 0 players from ARS, LIV or CHE considering free hit chip?

    Enables you to bring in 9 from those sides, and still keep Spurs assets for GW11 home to CP.

    I am torn between using my 2 FTs to bring in Salah + 1 or an early season "all in" on Sanchez / Coutinho / Salah / etc. free hit while leaving Lukaku/Kane/Eriksen behind for a week...

    Guess it may be better used down the line but it is so so tempting.

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

      I would keep free chip for gw when not many teams play.

    2. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm using the chip if Kane is injured. Waiting for the presser.

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

        Doubt that will be revealed in the press conference, right? But yeah, if he's injured, then I'll definitely hit the button...

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

      It's a good laugh that chip.

      I played mine ages ago.

  11. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT if you can please peeps any input & feedback would be great:

    Pope
    Jones Mee Otamendi
    Eriksen Salah Sane Stanislas
    Aguero (C) Kane (VC)

    Subs: Elliot,Dunk, Rangel & Carroll

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

      You’re missing a player... 🙂

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Okazaki * cheers for the reminder

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

          I like it.

    2. Minimum Bonus Points
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure about the 3-4-2 formation if I'm honest

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

      Missing a striker. Not sure would captain Aguero with chance rotated and would go Salah myself. Listen Spurs press conference for news on Kane.

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Sorry 343 with Okazaki in there will keep a eye on pressers tomorrow thanks Dunas

  12. 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 please for transfer(s) as I haven't a clue!

  13. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Drunk transfers made. Always pays off. 😀

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

      Dunk or Drunk?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        😀

        Considered him. Decided against.

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

      Kun->Jesus and Salah->Coutinho?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        WTF

        Not that drunk.. 😀

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

    Agueroooooooooooooo (c) for the weekend!!!!

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ballsy

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

      brave man, wish i had the kahoonies

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

      see you when the team sheets come out

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

    Anyone going Cityless?

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Only fools....

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

        And horses

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

        and their horses....

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

        No reason not to double/triple up atm, great options in defence, midfield and attack

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

      Why would you they’re going to win the league

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

        Cos you never know who's going to play from one game to the next

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

          Have you seen the points they score?

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

      One mid & one striker looks a no-brainer

  16. GHB
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Start RLC or Choupo-Moting?

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

      Choupo

    2. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      CM

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

      CM, no question about it

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

        I think I was trying to get some one to convince me on RLC as hate having players against us when I'm at game 🙂

        Will break the trend and go Choupo

  17. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team ?

    Forster Elliot

    Walker Jones Moreno Mee (Mariappa)

    Salah Eriksen Sane Richarlison (RLC)

    Kane Morata Murray

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Get Sanchez

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

      whos the captain?

  18. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Do I take a minus 12 or should I hope Sterling Davies play

    Sterling to Ozil
    Davies to Moreno

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hold

    2. Dog and Fox
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hold

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

      Up to you but ive personally rolled the dice with a major hit because i was sure what I wanted going forward and have a good chance of breaking even at the very least this gw, safe bet is to hold though. Wouldn't take a hit for Ozil that being said, not been explosive in the past and heard that Swansea have been Arsenal's bogey team in the past

  19. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is Che cover required right now, and if so, who?

    No form jumping out to me to be fair

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Skip chelsea for a gw or two

  20. JJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    who to captain?

    Salah, Hazard or Richarlson
    Liverpool should get a pen call soon, it has been a while, and Salah has to start getting strikes on target a bit more- both of these are just reaching for stats to even out and probability to swing in favor.
    Hazard is bound to explode at some point this season.
    Richarlson wont' miss those kinda gimmies this weekend. what do you guys think between those 3?

    thanks

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

      'Hazard is bound to explode at some point this season.' This is fantasy logic at it's finest....

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

        he did look better last week but yeah not the best 'logic'. 😉

    2. Meppelfield
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Liverpool not getting a pen will not influence when they get their next one :).

      You've got a very tough call this week. Salah would be my number one pick but I have an awkward fear that he may be rested.

      1. Dosh
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        No chance.. they need a win

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

      I'm not set on Salah like most round here, hudders have proved they can be stubborn and Salah's most dangerous in behind and I can't see there being the space for him.

      We know Bournemouth will attack and Chelsea especially hazard love to play on the break, he's also looked sharp however lacking in shots on goal lately, although he tends to only shoot on clear cut chances.

      I wouldn't Captain Richarlison when I have the other two options.

      Can't decide? Pick your favourite. I'm going Hazard.

  21. Edge
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why doesn't Doucoure get much attention on here? 5.4, four goals, is it just because of Richarlison? Tempted to have both.

    1. Meppelfield
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Because his underlying stats suggest that his run of goals if much less sustainable than what Richarlison is producing. Doucoure is basically scoring with his only effort on goal each game, which is very similar to Capoue last year. He started insanely well and then went well over 20 gameweeks doing virtually nothing.

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

        Answers that, I've already had a Capoue, I'll stick with Richardlison!

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

      Flash in the pan...

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

      Doing a Capoue.

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

      Because of the other guy out performing him right in front of him

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

    Pep.
    Hard to live with him.
    Even harder to live without him.
    He does make FF much more interesting. Love him, or hate him?

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

      Hate him..!

    2. Meppelfield
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I enjoy having some very high risk players that can be true differentials in the game. However it seems to be spreading to other managers. Pochettino for example has been rotating quite a lot lately. If too many teams do this it'll be a complete nightmare.

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

        Difference with Poch is you know that he will play Kane,

        1. Meppelfield
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah so far:) , but who knows what happens when/if they reach the knockout stages of CL for example.

    3. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Love him.

      We need managers like him to make the sport interesting. If "the Mourinhos" take over the game, it will die slowly.

      The biggest matches will always end 0-0, 1-0,0-1

      With Pep its goals goals goals 🙂

      (I don`t like him as a FPL-manager)

  23. Cornholi0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso, Jones, Cedric

    Sterling, Silva, Salah, Atsu

    Kane, Jesus, Firmino

    Subs that plays: Naughton and Carroll and 0 mtb

    Would you do any transfer for a hit? Any suggestions?

    I don`t think all my City players will start and don`t trust my bench :/

  24. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Got La(c)azaette on free hit. Got some catching up to do

  25. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hazard or Morata?

    1. Dog and Fox
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Morata

    2. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard

    3. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      M

    4. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Morata

  26. Dog and Fox
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one: kiko, moreno, Walker, ward? Same with mids: choupo, Alli, Sterling, gross, richarlison?

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kiko
      Gross

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

      Kiko
      Choupo

    3. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not Walker for sure. Not Ward.

      I would bench Kiko.

      Morena can`t get a better match than this to to something

    4. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Moreno
      Alli

    5. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kiko

      Sterling

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

      Kiko
      Gross

  27. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling to play this week?

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

      50/50!

  28. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Richarlison to rise tonight?

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

      Probably.

    2. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers both! 🙂

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

      yes

  29. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Gtg? 0.6itb 1ft

    elliot
    jones vvd ward
    hazard coutinho(c) richarlison gross
    kane jesus vardy

    (fabianksi, rlc, wimmer, fernandez)

  30. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Morata or Laca captain?

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Boom Shaka Laca. Fancy Arsenal to do well this week, if I had him, I'd captain him.