The monthly rankings have had their weekly cuddle and have been freshly updated to sum up my current thoughts for each position over the next five games.

Anyone who has been studying my less that explosive performance from the weekly picks, will know just how much faith to put in my opinion but you may want to live dangerously. Click here if you want an explanation on how these monthly picks work.

Amongst them you should be able to decipher my current faith for Hull’s attacking instincts in my budget options (Shawcross, Geovanni, King), and my dangerous faith in Tottenham within my mid-price options (Belhadj, Modric, Bent) for the next five games. What’s more, I’ve summed up some of the logic behind the placings in the many words that follow…

There are few changes in the goalkeeping category. Both Cech and Reina continue to extend their lead in terms of clean sheets and with strong fixtures for both, particularly for Reina, they remain firmly ensconced at the top of the rankings.

United’s Van der Sar drops with difficult fixtures on the horizon against Villa, City and Spurs – all away from home. Howard sits still just behind him as Everton’s fixtures stiffen a little over the next five;Spurs and City lie in wait for them.

Turnbull and Myhill continue to rise as budget options – Sorensen is a new name to add to that list. Both have strong fixtures with just one difficult opponent in the next five in gameweek 17. Jaaskelainen rises with strong form, although his approaching fixtures with three “red games” on the season ticker in the next five.

In defence the dominance of Liverpool and Chelsea is mirrored by the ranking of Carragher, Bosingwa and Agger who occupy the top three slots. Portsmouth’s Belhadj follows that trio. In form and in favour at Portsmouth, he has very strong fixtures over the next five to score defensive and offensive points from his left midfield position.

Vidic, Turner and Laursen all drop with form and fixtures all against them. Alex sits still as his place will soon be under threat from Carvalho. Jagielka and Lescott are new entries as Everton continue to find form. Tough fixtures against Spurs and City keep them from ranking higher.

Stoke’s recent defensive strength is represented here by Shawcross who rises up the rankings with form and decent fixtures. Stoke have United next, but after that have a run of strong home games which should see a few clean sheets and even assists and goals via Delap’s long throws. If Shawcross can keep his place under threat from Sonko and Cort, then he’s my budget tip in defence for the coming month.

Lower down, both Hangeland and Steinsson have strong form but their forthcoming fixtures look tough. Fulham and two “red games” against Liverpool and Villa away, while Bolton face three in the next five against Liverpool this weekend, followed by Chelsea and Villa in gameweeks 16 and 17.

There are few surprises at the top of the rankings in midfield with Ronaldo and Lampard holding firm. Geovanni is a big climber in third with continued form (he was unlucky not to score against Bolton) and strong fixtures against mid-table opposition over the next four games. Hull struggled defensively but I see them scoring goals to counter this over the coming games.

The Liverpool pair of Kuyt and Gerrard hold firm below him but beneath them we have bevy of mid-price options that are new entries or climbers. The upsurge in Tottenham’s form sees Modric come in as an new entry, with Bentley just behind. Right now I’m preferring the gamble on Modric in his role behind the single striker, over Bentley’s right wing role. Bentley has set-pieces but hasn’t had the influence on games that Modric has had over the last two-to-three wins. Bonus points is a consideration here – I see Modric as a potential FPL darling over the next month.

Below the Spurs pairing, Nasri is a re-entry into the rankings off the back of his outstanding contribution to the win over United. There’s still a slight threat of rest hanging over him, although if Wenger keeps the 4-5-1, he could flourish further.

Stoke’s Delap climbs just behind the Arsenal man with his strong fixtures once the trip to Old Trafford is out of the way. Below this we have Everton’s Cahill and Chelsea’s Maloudo holding ground. There’s a slight threat to the latter should Scolari look to incorporate Anelka and Drogba in this formation this month.

Arteta, Ireland and Villa’s Ashley Young all drop with poor form over recent weeks. Arteta looks the most likely to recover with better fixtures over the next two gameweeks.

Arsenal’s Diaby is a good budget option while Wenger keeps faith with a 4-5-1. He is trailed by Bolton’s Taylor who climbs with his form shown by his goal at Hull last time out. His tough fixtures restrict his climb up the rankings somewhat.

Moving on to the strikers, and Defoe sits on top with very strong fixtures over the next five games. Mid and low table opposition with three in five at Fratton Park should bring him consistent returns. Bent is a big climber in second with outstanding form and strong fixtures over the next four gameweeks.

Liverpool’s Torres climbs slightly and will threaten the top two should he display any degree of sharpness in the Carling Cup or at Bolton at the weekend. Liverpool’s fixtures are ridiculously strong and profits look inevitable if the Spaniard can regain match fitness.

Chelsea’s Anelka follows him with superb form – restricted a little by the threat of Drogba who is set for a run-out this evening in the Carling Cup.

Beneath the Chelsea man we have the likes of Berbatov, Zaki, Agbonlahor and Rooney all dropping with form and fixtures against them. Robinho holds steady beneath them, with risers to follow in the shape of mid-price options – Saha, Cisse and Fulham’s Johnson and strong budget options – King and Ameobi. Yakubu and Carew have slight injury doubts below them, with Newcastle’s Martins a climber with decent form and fixtures, although the Owen threat is a factor with him.