Members

The Technical Area – Assessing Budget Defences

Though every Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season has its ebbs and flows, it would certainly feel that the tides are changing with greater frequency than ever this term.

Just a few short weeks ago, driven by a strong Christmas schedule and the outstanding form of premium defenders such as Marcos Alonso and Nicholas Otamendi, numerous Fantasy managers (myself included) found themselves stacking up at the back – hoarding high-priced defensive assets from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United while making financial sacrifices further up the pitch.

Yet on the back of one of the most disappointing defensive Gameweeks in recent memory – in which a suite of premium defenders either failed to provide returns or, in many cases, feature altogether – the notion of trimming funds from the backline is becoming increasingly popular.

Moreover, a glance at the upcoming fixture list demonstrates huge potential for a number of so-called “smaller” clubs to provide strong clean sheet prospects over the medium term.

With this fact in mind, this week’s Technical Area will be assessing the defensive capabilities of these sides based on their recent form and upcoming schedules.

We’ll also appraise a number of budget defensive options in an effort to identify those lower-priced players with the potential to match bigger-budget rivals during the season’s run-in.

782 Comments Post a Comment
  1. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts this week? 1FT 0.4 ITB

    DDG - (Elliot)

    Alonso - Otamendi- Naughton - (Kenny - Ogbonna)

    Sanchez- Salah - Sterling - Lingard - Mili

    Kane - Wilson - (Niasse)

    Cheers

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      save imo

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

      Play Niasse over mili

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

        And save

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

      Save, gtg. Maybe look to ship Kenny at some point in the near future given the hectic CL schedule incoming.

      1. melvinmbabazi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

  2. fussballstadion
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play from:

    Vertonghen (ARS)
    Ogbonna (WAT)
    Dunk (stk)

  3. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/feb/08/jay-rodriguez-charged-080218

    Jay Rodriguez has been charged following an incident during the West Bromwich Albion versus Brighton and Hove Albion match on 13 January 2018.
    It is alleged he used abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.
    Rodriguez has until 16 February 2018 to respond to the charge.

    1. FantaCity
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks, that's trouble a brewin'

  4. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What to do here!? 1FT 0.9ITB

    De Gea
    Otamendi Alonso Tomkins
    Salah Sterling Shaqiri Lingard
    Kane Kun Wilson

    Elliot Maguire Carroll Mbemba

    A Mbemba to Bauer
    B Lingard to Deulofeu
    C A+B (-4)
    D Maguire Lingard to Bauer Walcott (-4)
    E Maguire to VVD

    Thanks in advance

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A from those, as long as Lingard starts he is a threat. Don't think he will be dropped.

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

    Would you save FT with this team? Kenny out for a someone?

    DDG
    Alonso Otamendi Daniels
    Salah Sterling Lingard Son
    Kun Firmino Ayew

    Elliot CM Kenny Mbemba

    1FT 2,4M ITB

    Cheers

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Get Wally

    2. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'd ship one of Kenny & Mbemba with CL coming up

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

    Adrián
    Jones | Bauer | Fernández
    Hazard (VC) | Salah | Sterling | Walcott
    Kane | Agüero (C) | Wilson

    Foster | Francis | Bardsley | McArthur

    1 FT | 0.0 ITB

    Save and gtg?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Gtg

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

    Am I wrong to bench Mkhitaryan over Pogba & Shaqiri?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Play. Miki.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

  8. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What are Tarky owners doing? Shipping him for another Burnley def or Bauer?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all...

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        😛

        I'd go Bauer if not using FH chip in GW31. Other Burnley lads are good options too.

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yep I already used my FH chip back in GW 22 so getting a GW 31 player should be my priority.. thanks 😀

  9. Olivier Bernards watch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    who's this bauer guy?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nice one

    2. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Former star of 24. Never sleeps or eats and hard to kill. Now plays full back for Stoke

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

      Cheap Stoke defender who's currently starting a lot of games in succession. Good pick for the money.

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Mawson worth 0.7m over Fernandez?

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No IMO, a Swansea defender is a Swansea defender. 😛

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        There's that too 😆 5.1m for a Swansea defender shouldn't really be considered.

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mee over Mawson.

      1. FantaCity
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This. Ward should be back too and is 0.2m cheaper than Mee

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          I'd expect Lowton to keep his place now baring injury or suspension and he's 4.3m too...

          1. FantaCity
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            I'd pay the extra for Mee or Ward for their attacking threat alone, not to mention security of starts

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

      When he gets you a goal or 2 then he might be worth it, until then its open for debate.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Fernandez does carry goal threat himself.

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Fernandez is far less prolific than Mawson.

    4. Midlands Saint73
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I went Fernandez, need the funds elsewhere, potential price rise tonight as well.

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

      I chose Mawson, just feel he is the best option in that back line. Got Mee, Maguire and Alonso too, just Kenny to deal with.

  11. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Why are Stoke defenders not considered at all?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Really? People are talking about Bauer 24/7.

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I meant this article.

        I bought Bauer this week btw.

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Weird one alright. Good option and playing in GW31 is always a bonus.

      2. Robben Mee Blind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

  12. FantaCity
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one defender to start please;
    A) S. Ward (swa)
    B) Ogbonna (WAT)
    c) Duffy (sto)

    1. FantaCity
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ah gwan gwan gwan

  13. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Coming to the end of another 24 month contract and considering the next phone to get. Pretty certain I want to stay with iPhone despite the only one that is appealing to me initially is the 10, that up front cost is hefty AF.

    Any phones that are currently in the Vodafone market that are worth going for? As for Android, the Pixel 2 looks amazing but Vodafone don't do it.

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wrong website

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Oh, you don't have a mobile?

    2. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Why bother getting a new phone? Surely FPL works on your current phone.

      Save yourself some money and get a cheap SIM only deal

  14. pokern1nja09
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Which are the teams guaranteed to have no upcoming blanks?

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

      Stoke, Everton and Watford.

      1. pokern1nja09
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yuck

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

          Could add Liverpool depending on next week.

          1. pokern1nja09
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            What has to happen for liver to not blank?

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

              WBA not making the FA Cup semi finals so roughly 80% likely.

              1. pokern1nja09
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers

  15. Patch
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Live and die by your own decisions.

    Ota to Long
    Firmino to Kane

    This leaves me with:

    DDG - Pope.

    Jones - Ogbana - Schindler - Long - Honey.

    Salah - Sterling - Wally - Lingard - Richarlison.

    Kane - Kun - Ayew.

    Minus 4

    Will I live or die?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      undead

      1. Patch
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        It just sucks I am desperate to get Ward but I can only afford Long.

        Kane seems a priority for tomorrow, so I think I need to move heaven and earth (apologies for the living/death punch)

    2. Heavy Soul
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      If Ota plays full match, I side with him and Firmino this week.

      1. Patch
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh I am thinking Ota will get 1 point so not much better than if I went in with Long from Burnley...

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

      Actually I could get Mariappa rather than Long...he will hopefully play in GW31 too...

  16. Heavy Soul
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Appreciate some help:

    Pope
    Daniels / Ota / Jones
    Salah / Sterling / Son / Shaq
    Kane / Firmino / Wilson

    (Elliot / Lingard / Gomez / Holgate) 1 FT, 1.1 ITB

    A) Lingard > Walcott / Deulo
    B) Gomez > VVD
    C) Save

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Who do you bench if you get Walcott?

    2. The Scottish Loveknot
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save

  17. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts here? 0.5 ITB 1FT.

    Hennessey (Speroni)

    VVD Ogbonna Naughton (Maguire) (Kabasele)

    Walcott Sterling Pogba Salah (Arnie)

    Kane Firmino Wilson

    TIA.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      og to bauer or mee perhaps

  18. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Get Jones or VVD in preparation for blanks?

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Errrr

    2. Heavy Soul
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      VVD more risky with perhaps more reward.

    3. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Same dilema here

  19. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I have been around top 10k for the past 8-10 games. I am a bit idealess how i can get into the top 1k, as its the same every other week. Should i just unleash the crazy transfers i the aim of getting to that target or just play that boring safe game til the end of season?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Boring take the top 10k and push with double gameweeks

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

      The blanks and DGWs will decide if you get the top 1K rank or not.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I reckon if you nail the dgws and chips and you should be fine for top 1k, especially if you avoid hits. Stay conservative, yet smart ala Ludo on the captaincy's.

    4. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all, have all chips + WC available but i think it won't hurt trying from now onwards with the punts and different low ownership captain picks?

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

        Just captain who you think scores the most, regardless of ownership.

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks and cheers TM. Good luck yourself.

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

    Evening all. 🙂

    DDG - Pereira
    Stones - Dunk - Ogbonna - Francis - Hunemeier
    Salah - Sterling - Mane - Walcott - Lingard
    Kane - Aguero - Quaner

    1 FT and 1.2m in the bank.

    Best move to make?

    1. FantaCity
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Looks fine this week, save FT

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save

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

      Cheers both.

  21. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Alonso - Otamendi - Mee
    Salah - Hazard - Lingard - Sterling - Choupo
    Kane - Firmino

    Elliot - Ogbonna - DCL - Dunk

    2 FT, 0.3 ITB

    a) Pope -> Fabianski
    b) Ogbonna -> Bauer
    c) Otamendi -> VVD

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      b

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

    Would you rather have Kane -4 or Kun this gw? Making the move for gw28 anyway if that changes anything.

    1. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Keep Aguero

    2. EMERGING STAR
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not for a hit for sure

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kun, unless captaining Kane. As a Kun owner, I'm captaining Salah and making the switch to Kane for free next week.

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

        Had the exact same strategy in mind, just having a few last second doubts with all these Kane captaincies

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

      Cheers guys

    5. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely keep. Better fixture and sure starter

  23. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking Alli > Walcott as I can't afford to do the same move with Lingard. Sound good?
    1FT, 0.9 in the bank.

    Pickford
    Jones - Otamendi - Mee
    Salah - Alli - Sterling - Shaqiri
    Kane - Firmino - Wilson

    Elliot - Dunk - Lingard - Ogbonna

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

      Yep.

    2. EMERGING STAR
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would do ling to delefoou this week

  24. EMERGING STAR
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Alonso Mee Mariappa
    Salah(c) Sterling Walcott(vc) Lingard
    Kane Firmino Wilson
    Elliot Son Ogbonna Kenny 2.2itb 2FT

    Hope the attack is good enough for this week. What would you suggest to make use atleast one FT? Doesn't fancy getting a costly defender as i am saving money for a probable Auba move.

    1. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Lingard to Shaqiri? Or maybe Kenny to someone. Good team.

      1. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Lingard out next week. But would not be getting shaqiri anyway. Kenny or Ogbonna move is tempting. But for whom?

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kenny to Bauer

      If Lingaard scores you may want to keep for couple more weeks whereas Kenny is deadweight

      1. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Decided to ship Lingard even if he scores unless Son's minutes are managed

  25. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Robertson for Liverpool too much of a rotation risk with champions league games on the horizon?

    Thanks.

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

      Yes

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would say so yes

  26. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    GtG
    Pickford
    Francis, alonso, vvd, jones
    Mane, de bruyne (vc), erikson
    Ayew, lukaku (c), Aubameyang

    Subs, elliot, martina, cork, kennedy

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No salah!! But yes hold and gtg.

  27. zotter
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg? 1 ft. Zero itb

    Foster
    Alonso. Vvd. Daniels
    Sterling. Kdb. Salah c. Richarlison. Lingaard
    Kane. Firmino

    Elliott. Ayew. Ogbonna. Mariappa

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

      Yep, all good

  28. Lignja
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    my god Lignard will finally score this week!

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Lindy makes a strange idol!

  29. Zebras
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Alonso Mee K.Long
    Salah Sterling Walcott Lingard
    Wilson Kane Firmino

    Elliot | Shaqiri Ota Kenny

    A. Do I start Shaq over Lingard
    B. Double Burnley or start Ota? Idk if I trust City to keep a cleansheet vs Leicester

    1. The Scottish Loveknot
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

  30. Patch
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like Ward is coming back,.do we think Long has a chance of becoming nailed..or Taylor will out him?

    Could Mariappa be a viable option given GW31?