Last but not least, the third article in our series focusing on attacking potential takes a look at the defenders. We’ve already ran the rule over the midfielders and forwards in the past couple of days and now the men at the back come under analysis. Highlighting the top 10 performers in terms of threat in our own ICT Index, we also list the top 20 for goal attempts so far and cast an eye over their underlying stats to ascertain their possible Fantasy value going forward:
Any Spurs fans on here reckon Caulker will keep his place once Assou Ekoto returns and shifts Vertonghen back to CB??
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Not a Spurs fan but i cant see it happening. BAE will be first choice as will Verthongen, and since Gallas has been their captain he should keep his place.
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Possible. I think there'll be a fair amount of rotation between Benny/Gallas/Caulker now with 2 of them playing alongside Vertonghen and Walker.
Open ControlsWell, they might rotate in cupgames but i really dont see him doing that in the league games, possibly against weaker opposition at home. Gallas will get rested in the cups and stay fresh for the league games, which is where i see Caulker figuring for the most part.
Open ControlsWe'll see. I think Gallas was used to partner Vertonghen whilst he settled into the league - I think he looks well and truly settled now.
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i wish i can see the stattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt 🙁
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You can, for the low, low price of £15.00 🙂
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Join now and receive this for free http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWI77Tln5SE
"Stop having a boring tuna, stop having a boring life"Open Controls
Boyce - Shot Accuracy 0 😆 😀
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@GeoffArsenal
Gibbs is very doubtful and Diaby 40/60 for the weekend. Tomas still not in full training. Thats all folks. #COYGOpen ControlsAnd this - Jack, Bac and Frimmy start in the behind closed doors friendly v Chelsea tomorrow.
Open Controlsyou think Mert is good option?
was going to buy Gibbs this gw but since he wont play 🙁Open ControlsNot sure if he's nailed on long term. Best to stay away and get one of the FBs after a couple of weeks, imo.
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Still so vague...doubtful to very doubtful...
I've got to say I'm full of doubt...Open Controls
If Gibbs doesn't play, it means i have to start Clyne 🙁
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Fellaini out of the QPR match?
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A or B:
A: Van Persie, Nolan and Michu
B: Giroud/Carroll, Silva and Ben ArfaOpen Controls
A: Short Term.
A: Long Term.Open Controls
This week only (in Yahoo game):
A) Jela + Rio
B) Pod / Giroud / Hazard / Silva / Pie / Nando + Rafael
if B, then which of those 6?Open Controls
Anyone think Jenkinson could hold his spot at Arsenal for a while longer? His form has been excellent, surely Wenger should let that continue.
Open Controlsbut sanga is the best RB in league....
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Better than Ivanovic?
Open Controlsat same level at least
both are greatOpen ControlsHow is he??!
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Iva is a shocking defender, coming from a Chelsea fan... Have you not watched any of our games this season 😉 ?
Open ControlsBut but he scores FPL points he must be amazing!
Open Controlslol alright
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I think 'shocking defender ' is a tad harsh. I couldn't imagine Sagna being adaptable to play CB like Ivanovic can. And his attacking threat is miles better than Sagna, as is evident with the amount of goals he gets (not forgetting that crucial goal against Napoli last season. Sagna is consistent, I'll give you that, but Ivanovic just has more to his game IMO.
Open ControlsIts not about Iva being "adaptable" to play CB, he's naturally a CB, and far better there than RB anyway. Perhaps I was harsh when calling him a rubbish defender, a rubbish RB would maybe be more apt, he just seems far to resemble a headless chicken all too often when at RB.... Saying this, I actually love the guy, and he has scored some really crucial goals, as mentioned the Napoli one and the two against Liverpool....
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Dunno about headless, but he definitely resembles a chicken with his stubby little arms...
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He gets more goals than Sagna because he's a walloping great CB really.
I prefer my defenders to defend first and then worry about the fancy stuff for me Ivan is too error prone and leaves gaping gaps behind him when at RB. He's a perfectly serviceable CB.
The real answer is Zabaleta anyway 😉Open Controls
Lofl! Ivanovic is damn near a liability at right back! The Wigan match summer him up. Skilled up
For fun by Moses then went up the other end and scored.Open Controls
Jenkinson is an average player in fairly good form (which, from what I've seen has been exaggerated anyway) Sagna is the best (or 2nd best) RB in the league.
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I am hoping so, I think the main factor here is the fitness of Sagna. I think he wont get a start for a few more weeks- at least not in PL.
Open ControlsHe has only played one reserve game, so Im hoping the same. Just wondering whether to take a gamble and bring him in for the next two.
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Sterling benched for the U21s. Lovely stuff.
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Is it worth swapping RVP + Tevez, for Rooney +Aguero. Same sort of price for each pair
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what's the story behind demel's injury? is he going to be fit for match against soton? any news guys?
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Quick Poll!
Begovic Mignolet
Baines Lescott Hangeland Demel Clyne
Hazard Cazorla McClean Guthrie Noble
RVP Tevez Graham
A) Don't do anything
B) Wild card
I'm interested in getting RVP out (overpriced imo) but for who? Haz--> Mata too? etcOpen Controls
Dont bother doing anything. If you wanted to Wildcard you should have done it during last GW. Your team is fine though for now.
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So no doubt a couple of injuries tonight to really screw up two weeks' worth of planning...
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wouldn't matter.
you could plan for two weeks, make it to kick off with a full squad then watch as your new defender scores an own goal, your new midfielder gets sent off or your new forward misses a penalty.
oh yes, and the players you transferred out score big points.
don't worry, be happy.Open Controls
Afternoon lads. So what have I missed today. Been way out of the loop. Having some work done in the house, so have no power all day.
Open ControlsGibbs might not be fit. 🙁
Open ControlsVermalen on left?
with Mert+Kos at CB?
in that case i might take a punt on MertOpen ControlsIf Gibbs is unfit, that is very possible, there is Santos to factor in though
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Santos, surely? He came on for Gibbs last game.
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Priority order this week for Cuellar, Jenkinson, Demel?
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Jenkinson, Demel, Cuellar
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I'm really looking forward to seeing how Man Utd's season pans out and what tactics Fergie will implement game by game. If they stick to this diamond formation is there really room for the likes of Nani, Young and Valencia? Or will we see Man Utd revert to standard 4-4-2 in easier games?
Most importantly I wonder whether the focus will be on feeding RVP all the time or will we see a balance of styles that suit whatever opposition they're facing.
If the tactics start looking like 'Feed RVP and he will score' then I think he will be essential. But if they're mixing it up (and they certainly have the squad to do so) I think RVP wont be as essential as his price tag might suggest.Open ControlsWould only touch Val out of the three, other two will be neverendingly frustrating....
Open ControlsI'm not interested in buying any of them, what I'm wondering is will they be used much this season if the diamond formation becomes the norm. Will they be used sparingly because of Rooney and Kagawa being the main attacking players behind RVP? It seems like a lot of wasted talent to have on the bench however so surely they will play a part. Switching formations round might be the plan.
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this is true, but the Diamond was designed for 2 reasons. (as far as United go)
1) to compensate for United's lack of fir wingers (i.e lack of Valencia and Young) and Fergie's lack of apparent faith in Nani
2) To allow Rooney to tuck in behind and be the main provider for RvP, as well as giving him more freedom to drop back into midfield as necessary.
Perhaps the next couple of games will give us a clearer picture. But the team is likely to be build around RvP, it's just a matter of getting everyone fit and allowing them all to understand each other (in terms of they way they play) But i wouldn't expect RvP to be a bit-part player. Fergie does not spend £24m on a 29 year old striker not to make him the main man. Berba started that way, but gradually fell back as United adopted a different style of play that didn't suit himOpen ControlsI'm not suggesting RVP will be a bit-part player by any means. It will just be interesting to see whether RVP gets the lion's share of the goals because of the team being built around him or will the goals be spread out across the team.
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Bale, Caz, Nolan, or Jela for the armband?
I'm leaning Caz...Open ControlsJela is my VC cause i got Suarez and i am gonna C him
just look Everton away and QPR home record ( injuries as well)Open Controls
Jelly, out of that lot. He's on fire at the moment.
Open Controlsyea, that, and the facts i posted above have convinced me of Jelly Sandwich.
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Would be tempted to take a punt on Nolan out of that lot...
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Considering I have Fed, demel, and Fellaini, who should I get rid of?
Fellaini --> Morrison/Nolan?Open ControlsWouldn't dream of getting rid of Fellaini if I were you, still a massive threat
Open ControlsOnly get rid of Fed if you don't have another keeper you're not happy to play. Fellani to Nolan looks good, then go for Morrison in 2 weeks after Nolan's fixtures turn.
Open ControlsOnly get rid if he is quaranteed out for this week.
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To Wild Card or not...that is the question. Been away for a bit and I'm slipping.
Begovic Mignolet
Baines Lescott Hangeland Demel Clyne
Hazard Cazorla McClean Guthrie Noble
RVP Tevez GrahamOpen ControlsI definitely would:
Lescott not nailed on, McClean injured I think, Guthrie out of favour, Noble shite, Graham shite, Tvez rotation issues.Open ControlsWho would be top choices to put into my side? Should Haz---> Mata? Piennar, HBA, Morrison?
Open ControlsI'd probably keep the GKs, definitely keep Baines and Demel, maybe Clyne, Hazard is up to you, you could downgrade for Mata maybe, if you need money. Keep Cazorla but get rid of the other 3 mids IMO.
Who to put in? Hmmm, I'd be wanting Bale for certain at the minute. Possibly some Everton cover but I'm not convinced they'll keep firing. Myabe Suarez.
I'm not sure really, it's your team.
I have:
Jassk, Beg
Cole, Clark, Davies, Demel, Nelsen
Bale, Hazard, Yaya, HBA, Sterling
RVP, Suarez, Lambert
I'll probably take out Yaya and Cole for Cazorl and a cheaper defender this week, possinly Mertesacker, though some people think that's risky.Open Controls
1 or 2
1 Vertonghen Morrison Aguero
2 Jenkisnon Mata SuarezOpen Controls
1
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Anyone captaining Berbatov?
Open ControlsThis is a challenging one:
Suarez, RVP, Berbatov, Cazorla
Which one for the big (C) mark?Open ControlsWho are the top 5 midfielders to have in the coming month?
Open ControlsHBA
Bale
Cazorla
Pienaar
Sterling/Kebe/McAnuffOpen Controlsyou're right I really should, he has less than 100 owners I think, will be fantastic when he does something. Problem is when to pick him.
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Ah I see we have a couple more Kebe lovers ... I put that to the forum yesterday without much response. Looks a shrewd move to me.
Hazard & Guthrie --> Bale/Silva & Kebe for free for me this week 🙂Open ControlsI got him last week for Noble. Currently benching him this week, but plan on playing him next week at home to Fulham and benching Adam Johnson away at Stoke.
You clearly weren't on here when Ginkapo or I were on, you'd have got a better response then. I have recruited a couple of new owners.
Be interested to know what you had to say 😀Open ControlsNot a great deal really - merely highlighted the fact he looks a good pick at 4.8m. Has previous been a double-digit goals midfielder for Reading and has already notched on his return this season.
Nice fixtures coming up for Reading, so while he's bench fodder he looks like premium bench fodder to me. 🙂Open Controlshe is, but by the same token if I wanted pure bench fodder I'd just buy Fergie. I intend to use Kebe once in a while with those fixtures. Just because he is cheap as chips doesn't automatically mean he should stay on the bench
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Is that not just your team?
Open Controlsi don't have Bale or Pienaar.
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I take it all back 😛
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Caz, Pienaar, Silva, Bale, and maybe Gaston as a value-pick?
Open ControlsGaston would a great pick, if he wasn't injured
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Berba
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Considering my options 🙂
What do you say about such team?
Begovic / McCarthy
Baines / Cuellar / Wilson / Ridgewell (or other 5.0m def) / McCartney
Mata / Cazorla / Bale / Morisson / Kaca
RVP / Aguero / BerbatovOpen ControlsMy only question now is whether we're going to get a 'Numbers Game - Threat from Between the Sticks' article before Saturday...?
Open ControlsIs it worth downgrading Hazard to Silva or Mata?
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Who to captain?
a) Suarez
b) Cazorla
c) Ba
d) Tevez
e) Michu?lol Pienaar?Open Controls
