This season I have made the decision to go with Branislav Ivanovic. Every year I say I’ll start with him and this time I mean it. I have also decided to go for Laurent Koscielny. An expensive base but, quite simply, I believe these two defenders will bring in the greatest number of points.
As a result I wanted to explore the best possible option for rotating the other three defensive spots around these two premium priced players, who I will start most weeks.
I have analysed the first 10 Gameweek fixtures for the best three-way, starting, budget, defensive rotation (4.5, 4.5, 4.5). I have not explicitly set out to align it to the Chelsea and Arsenal fixtures but that does play a part.
Fixture difficulty is subjective, so feel free to use as you wish. Player suggestions based on information gleaned from this site.
Top pick:
1. BOU/WAT/NOR – Suggestion Mings/Angella/Bassong
Rotation: AVL, WBA, STO, LEI, BOU, SUN, PAL, WAT, new/STO, WBA
This was a surprise as it is not the most glamourous of arrangements, but it turns out this rotation gives what appears to be a really strong set of fixtures for the first 10 Gameweeks. There is only one away tie (new GW9), though this could be changed to Stoke at home. Additionally in Gameweek 6 with Koscielny at Chelsea, this rotation offers (NEW, SUN). In Gameweek 2, with Ivanovic at Man City it provides (sun, WBA).
Other options to consider:
2. NEW/SUN/WAT – Suggestion Coloccini/O’Shea/Angella
Rotation: lei, NOR, SWA, avl, SWA, WAT, CPL, bou, NOR, NEW
This one offers fewer home ties, but still a very strong set of fixtures. There’s a worry about the Newcastle defence, but hopefully it can only improve under Steve McLaren.
3. CRY/AVL/SUN – Suggestion Ward/Richards/O’Shea
Rotation: nor, NOR, SWA, SUN, lei, WBA, wat, WBA, WHU, NEW
The away ties in this one look problematic. Plus, putting trust in the Villa defence is a risky strategy, however, it gives a strong three-way rotation for the first ten matches, with West Ham at home in Gameweek 9 perhaps being the most difficult fixture. To support my Premiums, in Gameweek 6 it gives (WBA, bou).
4. LEI/BOU/NOR – Suggestion Morgan/Mings/Bassong
Rotation: AVL, sun, STO, LEI, BOU, SUN, sto, WAT, new, WBA.
Sunderland and Stoke and Newcastle away make this potentially tricky, however, it still offers a strong rotation with budget defenders who can get points at both ends of the pitch.
However, it doesn’t offer strong cover when Arsenal and Chelsea have tougher fixtures.
Conclusion:
I believe there are a few defensive strategies that work, and that this is one of them. If you get the 4.5’s right you can make some good price increases and the premiums will hopefully take care of themselves.
My backline at the moment looks like; Ivanovic, Koscielny, Tyrone Mings/Gabriele Angella /Seb Bassong.
It compliments my GK rotation of Jack Butland/Julian Speroni.
I must admit it isn’t what I thought I would start with, but I believe it has great potential and would be interested to share options and views.
8 years, 9 months ago
Great article. May end up with one of these.