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The Technical Area – Burnley’s Backline

A third of the season is almost done, and Burnley’s defence is riding high as a source of Fantasy returns.

After a surprising debut campaign in which a recurring series of defensive heroics – particularly at Turf Moor – saw the Clarets survive in 16th place, their sophomore season has been altogether more impressive.

Sean Dyche’s side sit in seventh place – tied on points with both Liverpool and Arsenal –a nd have conceded fewer goals than all but the top three of Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs.

Can their defence continue to perform at such a high level throughout the campaign? And who among their array of options looks best placed to prosper from this upturn in solidity?

Our latest Technical Area article for members is heading north in search of Fantasy value from the Burnley backline.

1,473 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Phil Jones.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      TM

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

    3. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Is he fit now? Straight from the horse's mouth?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I bought a horse in Mongolia few weeks ago. Thought you'd want to know.

        1. WINNING!
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Lace the water with vodka,,,

        2. Hooky
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          How is the pound to tögrög exchange rate these days?

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            You mean you don't know?!

          2. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Haha. Probably the only currency that went up after Brexit.

  2. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Any chance Lowton could be a decent (different) way into the Burnley backline. Only slightly behind Mee on BPS this season - what are his chances of attacking returns when compared with Big Ben?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Tarkowski ownership is ridiculously low too

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        What price is he?

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          both 4.5

      2. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Sitting pretty in most leagues with an OR of 116k, not sure whether to follow the masses and go for the safe option, or grab someone who could sneak a few more (but will get the same base points)

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Perfectly good option, but still behind Mee, Ward and Pope in my view. That said - not watched him closely.

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        That's my problem - I haven't watched Burnley all season. I know Mee is pretty safe for BPS, but the number from Lowton seem to be about the same and, at LB, you'd think he would have chances to create more?

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Mee is often touted on here for attempts in the box as well as BPS if that helps.

    3. Sif
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Hard to asses Lowton's attacking threat when the eye is always drawn to Me. Always up high in the air when a corner or FK comes in and some game soon he's going to stick one in, been so close already this season.

  3. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Very disappointing that Davinson Sanchez isn't 5.5 with the Alderweireld news

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Ya but he's a top defender he deserved a 6

    2. Squires FC
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      What news?

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Out for longer than expected. On the other hand, does this mean Davies could tuck in at LCB (not ideal, but means hes not such an urgent issue)

        1. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          I would like that but would imagine they would go with Dier Sanchez and Vertonghen?

  4. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Kane a doubt? Sky saying a decision will be taken tomorrow. Why isn't he flagged?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He trained today

    2. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Poch playing NLD mindgames

  5. Squires FC
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Was all set on my wc team until I watched the scoutcast!

      1. Squires FC
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Haha cheers

  6. hustler7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Injuries and Pep's tinkering is making me lose confidence in my team!

    Currently have:

    Foster/Elliot
    Mee/Naughton/Otamendi*/Jones*/Mbemba*
    Salah/Sterling*/Choupo/Ritchie
    Kane/Lukaku/Jesus*

    1FT 0.1 ITB. I think Ota to Stones is the best transfer this week so I can field 3 defenders. I think Jones will be back the following GW and had him since the start so have a lot of value tied up in him.

    Just worried about Sterling to Jesus too, is Jesus to Morata worth it for a -4?

    Any help appreciated.

    1. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Personally, would downgrade Foster to Speroni and upgrade Mbemba for -4.

      Would set you up for the fixture pile-up.

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Don’t think it’s worth a -4 Jesus could easily outscore him (hard one though) also Jones could very easily play this week even after the comments in the mirror

  7. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    WC good to go?

    DeGea (Elliot)
    Azpilicueta / Vertonghen / Mee / Moreno (Dunk)
    Salah (vc) / Sane / Sterling / Richarlison (Loftus-Cheek)
    Kane (C) / Morata (Niasse)

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Really good. Personally a 3-4-3 man, but if I had to go with two up top, that's how I would shape up

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I like it except Vert. I reckon they will struggle with CS’s in Toby’s absence and he doesn’t offer much attacking threat either.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        What do you suggest? Go with Daniels and bank the 1.2m for a rainy day?

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Yes indeed, better shout

        2. Hedge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Or Niasse -> Abraham?

        3. BigBarn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          I think Vertonghen's an excellent pick. Spurs' defensive stats are suberb and they're well-covered for Alder's absence. It's a great WC.

    3. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I like that a lot. Did you consider Ramsey at any point?

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah i have but i think after the next 2-3 games.

        1. Rik Waller
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Yeh. Pogba is one to keep an eye on, too

    4. WINNING!
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Not Dingo wild need a few diffs to rise up in rank...

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Righto mate, calm down.

        1. WINNING!
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Understood let's stick to the herd overwise we may fall off the cliff 🙁

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

      Considering Lukaku for Morata for a few weeks? I normally don't like to plan future transfers while on a WC but the fear is real, even though both him and United have been poor lately

  8. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Need your help guys
    Do I WC?
    My current team:
    Elliot Foster
    Naughton Mbemba Jones Kola Ward
    Carroll Sterling D.Silva Richarlison Salah
    Kane Aguero Abraham

    If yes WC team:
    Elliot Speroni
    Mee Jones Alonso Daniels Duffy
    Sterling Richarlison Sane RLC Salah
    Lukaku Abraham Kane(0.0)

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I’d WC to your current teamz

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Dani Osvaldo reveals he left football because “I prefer beer and barbecue to money”.

    The former Juventus, Roma and Southampton striker retired from football to pursue a career in rock & roll, and he insists he has no regrets.
    “I decided to quit at Boca, there was too much gossip,” Osvaldo recalled, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

    “I couldn’t go out, I was afraid of people. I couldn’t do it anymore. I had offers from China and clubs in the Champions League, but I was detached.

    “I was beginning to hate what I had always loved. Football deserves respect, and I prefer asado [Argentinian barbecue] and beer to money.

    “Do you want a laugh? In December 2016 [Jorge] Sampaoli contacted me, he was at Sevilla at the time.
    “He said to me: ‘Dani, I’m not asking anything of you, you can do what you want on the pitch and off, but I need a striker’.
    “I told him ‘but boss, there’s the Cosquín Rock festival!’. He said ‘I forgot! Go, of course, you can’t miss it’. Two crazy people!

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Fair play to him, live your life the way you want to live it.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      For those that don't know who Osvaldo is he was the one chasing Lallana and Fonte with a sword during a Soton training ground bust-up.

  10. Dele
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Kane will start on Saturday 100%.

    There is no way Poch will go into the NLD without him.

    Kane has had 2 weeks off as a precaution. He's done all the media duties with Henry ahead of the derby. I don't believe it.

    Lock in as captain.

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I agree

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He should start but it's all guess work

  11. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Great article about a great unit!

    Just hope Stephen Wards head is in it after the horror show on Tuesday 🙁

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He might as well just end his career after a bad game

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        After all, not like Stephen Ward has ever had a bad game for Ireland before.

        He just reverted back to the norm for a game is all.

  12. WINNING!
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Repost (needing something to sleep on)
    Any ideas? Leaning towards ...
    Kun>Morata
    Ota>Azpil
    Fabianski, Elliot
    Kolasinic, Jones, Tarkowski, Lascelles, Otamendi
    Salah, Sterling, Gross, Choupo-M, Ritchie
    Kane, Aguero, Abraham.
    2FT 2.5 ITB

    1. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe downgrade Ritchie and Otamendi to upgrade either of Gross or Choupo and ditch the double Newcastle defence.

  13. Rhys85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Afternoon guys,

    Wildcard RMT if you please:

    Pope / Speroni
    Azpi / Jones / Daniels / Duffy / Moreno
    Salah / Sane / Sterling / Richarlison / RLC
    Morata / Kane / Murray

    Any suggestions/criticism welcome?

    Cheers

    1. Hedge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good. Murray a rotation risk with Hemed. I'd either go Abraham or go Niasse and use the 1M elsewhere

      1. Rhys85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'd keep it as it is. Murray on penalties, great form and decent fixtures (like half the time good, half the time bad) but with this team you can play 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 as well. Looks a lot like my WC team

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

    speroni
    cedric/jones/mee
    salah/sane/silva/richarlison
    kane/chicharito/morata

    Chicharito @ 75% and good fixtures

    a) Save lineup
    b) Silva > Gross and Chicharito > Jesus -4

    1. Turns
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Getting rid of Cedric seems a priority.

  15. Toby Lerone
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Has anyone bought tickets for any World Cup games? I've bought two today I can't wait!

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Good luck, I really fear it will be a disaster

      1. Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Hopefully the draw is kind and I get two really good games!

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Don't think many Irish will be Russian to get tickets anymore.

    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Nope. Tbh I wouldn't even want to go if given them.

    4. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I've been to three World Cups, 2008, 2010, 2014.

      Attended Semi final (Spain v Germany) in Durban, AMAZING!

      Attended group game (Argentina v Iran) in Belo Horizonte, Messi extra time winner.

      Get to the World Cup!

      1. Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Amazing! This will be my first one. Something off the bucket list!

      2. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I'm jealous. Just something about Russia though that puts me off....and it seems I'm not alone.

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          I wouldn't be going to Russia. In saying that i went to Brazil and South Africa.

          1. Toby Lerone
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Surely south Africa is more dodgy than Russia through?

      3. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Also attended England v Costa Rica group game. Waste of money and time that was.

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          I was at that game, along with England v Uruguay and Australia v Chile - was an awesome experience (the 90 mins in Belo Horizonte aside)

  16. PickleRick
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    Fab
    Ward / Jones / Stones / Daniels
    Silva / Sterling / Salah / Richarlison
    Kane / Morata

    Bench: Elliot / Calvert-Lewin / RLC / Maguire

    3.0 ITB and 1 FT

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Jones to Azpi?

      1. PickleRick
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I like Jones and my team is prepared in case he doesn't play.
        I already have made a transfer and it was David Luiz to Daniels although I think Chelsea will become better defensively with the return of Kante. That Azpi move is not the best for me right now unless Jones is out more than 2 weeks.

  17. FPLzebub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Repost - (bottomed).

    Assuming Jones misses out this weekend but is fit for next GW, stays healthy, is rested for all CL & cup games and can't play 3 PL games in a week that gives us:

    Plays - BRI, ars, MCI, wba, lei, SOU.

    Misses - wat, BOU, BUR, eve (although with a 2 week break after he might play this match).

    I'd fancy him for at least 4 CS from the matches he does play. Is this enough? I guess it depends on your bench.

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

    How many goals will Walcott target this Christmas and what will be the gift from his wife?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      1 goal
      If he scores she won't throw him out of the house

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

        1 goal in his football table

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He should start with appearances not goals...

  19. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    DDG
    Jones otamendi Maguire
    Sane sterling richarlison Gross
    Vardy lukaku Kane

    Bench- Duffy Carroll mbemba myhill

    0.9ITB

    A- Vardy to morata (-4)
    B- sterling to Salah (-4)

    FT - otamendi to mee

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Keep otamendi and play duffy. Jones is injured id get mee in for him

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Don't think city will keep too many CSs
        Also Jones might play

  20. Sif
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Despite Jones news it might have to be Bavies to go this week. At least you know Jones starts if fit.

    Bavis > Daniels (frees cash)
    Sterling > Sane
    Jesus > Morata
    -4

  21. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Does PVA out nail Fosu Mensah to that right back spot this week?

  22. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    so many reasonably high point scoring players that never get mentions in teams on the site anymore:

    De Gea
    Bellerin Matip Valencia
    Ramsay Son KDB
    Lacazette

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Price probably. Cheaper alternatives

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      De Gea gets a lot of mentions and the rest are just not the best options in their positions taking into account price v point potential

    3. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Every third post I make talks about how good Ramsey is.

      RAMSEY!!

  23. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Sane or Kane captain? Anyone cracked the code?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      kane, always scores v arsenal

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A London derby away from home in the early kick-off...

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Id go for Kane. Unless you have Lukaku. Morata not a bad option either. Actually think people underestimate Arsenal, so Morata could be my solution unless I do Aguero to Lukaku (look at my post below)

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        “People underestimate Arsenal”

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          😆

  24. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    On a wildcard. Is this team G2G?

    Pope - Elliot
    Jones - Daniels - Dann - Mee - Duffy
    Salah - Sane - Richarlison - RLC - Carroll
    Kane - Lukaku - Morata
    0.1ITB

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure about Dann. Rather have Moreno

    2. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I've got the exact same draft except with Dunk over Duffy. (having re-drafted 7 times)

  25. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Hello guys! Hope you are all doing well. I got some serious issues in my team that needs a good fixing if I want to keep (and improve) my OR.

    This is my team as of now:

    Elliot (Krul)
    Jones* Gomez Naughton (Cameron* TAA*)
    Alli* Salah Sterling RLC (Caroll)
    Kane Aguero* (C) Morata
    1 ft 0.1 itb

    *flagged or not starting

    Considering these moves:

    A) Aguero --> Kaku (C)
    B) Cameron --> Ben Mee (Kane (C))
    C) A + B (-4)
    D) Aguero + Caroll --> Niasse + Sane (Kane (C))

    Thoughts? If Cameron is fit im leaning towards A or D. If not then B or C.

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      D, if Cameron's fit, u don't have the defence for a 433

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Could play Caroll tho

    2. Hedge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B

  26. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    My team is:

    de Gea (Elliot)
    Ward, Duffy, Fernández (Jones) (Otamendi)
    Eriksen, Richarlison, Sterling, Choupo-Moting (Carroll)
    Lukaku (C), Kane, Vardy

    Value of the team is 102.7, 0.0 in bank and two free transfers.

    I want Salah in my team. Choupo-Moting and Vardy are not so good.

    Is Otamendi, Choupo-Moting and Vardy to Salah, Murray and a 4.5 defender good?

    Thank you!

  27. Kuzser
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero and Jones news doesn't help and now I have 2 options:
    1) Jesus, Silva, Luiz -> Lukaku, Sane and Daniels (problem is thatNaughton will play if Jones isn't fit)
    2) Vardy, Ora, Luiz-> Lukaku, Moreno, Daniels (risk if Aguero starts)

    What would you recommend?

  28. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Benteke back is kinda comforting. He's like an FPL version of an old pair of worn out slippers....useless....but just needs to be there.

  29. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    VVD to play the game of his life Saturday. Bump up that January fee, for yet another Saints - Pool transfer.

  30. Kalou
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Advice needed plz!
    Only got 2 fit defenders for this gw.....-4 hit?
    A.yes
    B.no