This evening’s Members article takes a look over the action in Sunday’s Community Shield showdown between Arsenal and City. Having assessed Alexis Sanchez’ display our lunchtime Technical Area post, we delve into the data to discover for any hints of form ahead of the weekend Gameweek 1 deadline.
He could be an important player this season.
Open ControlsWe have a good squad...a lot of exaggerating in the press can stir up anything, for example mass hatred towards Young and Clevs
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Poor first touch there from Rooney.
Open Controlsit really annoys me that the login to members isn't seamless.
Is this something ffs can have a look at?
I can probably help if you need itOpen Controlswho's taking a wild punt or two? I currently have Wilson from MU
Open ControlsTut tut
Open Controlsthat's not a punt, it's a big mistake
Open ControlsTrippier for me
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Erisken or Lamela?
Open ControlsEriksen. Certain.
Open ControlsLamy got a lot to proov
Open ControlsLive a little
Open ControlsStill very up in the air. I was the biggest Lamela sceptic when people started mentioning him, but I have reassessed my position on him due to several changes between this season and last season and would currently be more tempted by him, but for now I won't choose either until I know which one to go with. Going for Ramsey, Fab, Sterling and Siggy mid 4.
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I've not been following things that closely in regards to rotating* cheap defenders and instead of just writing "which is the best cheap defender rotation", I decided to do a bit of research and check the fixtures, pre-season and managers' comments and put it to you lot to shoot down. Since we're talking about cheap defenders, I didn't get to scientific with my analysis.
From the teams with players I am mostly confident have nailed-on players for 4.5m**, here is what I consider to be the best rotating pairs for the first 10 weeks in rough order of preference:
SWA/HUL
HUL/QPR
STO/SUN
SWA/SUN
NEW/HUL
Notes:
- Cameron would be my choice from Stoke and I am not really sure he will start vs. Villa. His versatility should see him get a fair amount of gametime, but I'm still not completely confident.
- Taylor would seem to be nailed-on for Swansea
- Rio is my pick at QPR. I don't think he would move to a promoted side to sit at the bench at this stage in his career.
- Coloccini is my Newcastle pick
- Chester would be my Hull pick. Any thoughts on Rosenior being an alternative?
- O'Shea is my man for Sunderland
At the moment I am thinking of going with Swansea/Hull or Hull/QPR given the doubts over Cameron.
*I define rotating based on difficulty of fixture, not just home/away, although of course home/away does influence how I assessed the fixtures
**I may well have missed something so please chip in if you feel you know better. I have ommited AVL and WBA as I think they either don't have players for 4.5m or less that are nailed-on for the whole of the first 10 weeks (WBA) and I wouldn't play a defender from that club in my team (AVL), although Hutton will probably be my 5th defender.Open ControlsHelpful post as always trigger
I appreciate he's 5.0 but for me Caulker stands outOpen Controls5m for a defender from a promoted side is too much for me. Goal threat is too unpredictable with defenders to invest another 0.5m
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Pva for Sunderland
Open ControlsWhy? What advantage does he have over O'Shea? Is he nailed-on?
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Cheers tinkerman, always helpful posts.
Thinking about going pva NaylorOpen ControlsI really want a Sunderland defender but my (crude) analysis is tempting me to go with a Hull defender given their propensity to get predictable home clean sheets.
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Lovely Tink. This is my sort of analysis. KISS method ftw 😉
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If I have costa,
A fabregas
B silvaOpen ControlsFab.
Open ControlsFabulicious.
But if I had the choice, I wouldn't pick either.Open ControlsAre you crazy is has to be Fabregas, fpl gold
Open ControlsNo I'm not crazy. How are you doing on this lovely evening?
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Beginning of the end for Shaw?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28763841Open ControlsHe's a central defender primarily
Open Controls^This.
Most likely going to be part of the back 3Open Controls
Would love it if his careen was over before it started. Can't stand hype.
Open ControlsI think he was just a waste of money.
Open ControlsHe's a CB/LB...
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Bloody love it Fellaini
got booed by the plastic fans and then wins the game
AVE ITOpen ControlsPrawn sandwhich, ipad carrying, brigade
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When I heard Cardiff I assumed it was at the Millenium...WTF?! This is embarrassing
Open ControlsI had a nice Fpl team I was happy with last night and completely destroyed it today with some knee jerking,now I struggling to remember the one I was happy with 🙂
Open ControlsOMG!
Open ControlsDo you want one with some 'Pool init? No defenders! 😉
Open ControlsBegovic
Chambers, Ward, Ivanovic
Ramsey(vc), Sterling, Young, Mata
Rooney(c), Sturridge, Sanogo
Green; Davis, Fonte, N Taylor ... 0.0Open Controls
if you can't remember you probably didn't pick the players and just copied a team off here?
Open ControlsEveryday.
Open Controls😀 I do most of my tinkering on a phone, so when I get a team I like I just screenshot. Got about 75 drafts now mind you 😛
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Grainy video of the Chelsea goal for those who missed it:
https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/3AA35C6C4F1111050647266287616_26d7c266d9e.2.1.15960243104045732689.mp4?versionId=DYdOm5OWB30lszIKnRaagnQTQUGlnWPyOpen ControlsStarting to think Rooney Cost Sturridge is the way to go...
Open ControlsWhere you getting your defenders from, the third division?
Open ControlsWhen you see hazard tonight you'll decide against it
Open ControlsHe's in, as is Mata
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Decision between Sturridge & Hendo or Ramsey & Giroud
Open Controlsweak defence or midfield
Open ControlsGood guess
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Who'll be on more points after gw 1, Mark or Granville?
Open Controls12 million for Shane Long 😯 😯 😯
Open ControlsUnpopular opinion time: Mata is much better in FPL than in real life. Same goes for Walcott and Kolarov.
Open ControlsKolarov for sure, he can't defend for his life
The other 2 are pretty good in general thoughOpen Controls...
Open ControlsMata is a tooop quality playmaker, Chelsea player of the season for 2 years in a row before moving to Old Trafford. I wouldn't say he's better in FPL but rather the vice versa. Walcott is also a very capable winger but he's so injury prone. Kolarov is indeed not a great full-back defensively due to his lack of speed, poor marking and tackling but his long shot, spot kicks and crosses are class.
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I think this comment from Epicfail earlier needs more attention
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/08/12/playon-returns-with-10000-pot-in-gameweek-1/?hc_page=11#hc_comment_7849890Open ControlsWhat Stoke defenders are guaranteed to start ever game when fit?
Open ControlsOff to bed.
NightOpen Controlsi have done it, sacrificed my defence to get all 3 of the big boys in....
Open ControlsYou have got Bojangles, Austin and Ulloa too?
😯Open Controls
For a second start with a new team/league I think he did very well? Just needs a little more time to gel with the rest of them
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Too high for now, but good chance he'll be worth it once he gets going and Wally is back
Open ControlsHave no idea how he could be priced above Hazard.
Open ControlsPersonally I believe it is overpriced considering he is new to the league, unproven. Ramsey offers much greater value for 1.5M less. Players like Hazard, who is 0.5M cheaper and a proven premier league player with 200+ points each season he has played seems a better choice. The top points scorer, Yaya is also only 0.5M yet is being overlooked.
I think he should have been 10.0M, if not lower.Open Controlsnone of the players you mention are in with a serious chance of playing ST though
Open ControlsIt doesn't mean he will do well though. Players like Hazard and Walcott score well on the wings where they can use their pace to terrorise the defence, easily get assists from whipping in crosses to the box, or cut inside and score.
All those players I listed score, even playing deep. It doesn't matter where they play as long as they have an eye for goal.
Yaya did not score once in the games he played as a more attacking mid, yet as a defensive midfielder he scores in 7/9 matches.Open Controlsright, players like hazard and walcott have done exceptionally well - and Sanchez is of the same mould, banged in 19 goals or so last season AND offers OoP prospects.
Hazard plays for a defence minded manager, who commits less player forward and scores less goals, Toure sits behind a whole host of players.
I'm not saying he will, but he realistically could outscore those players. Nothing wrong with his pricing IMO.Open ControlsI agree, realistically he could outscore those players, but for 10.5M as the second most expensive midfielder in the game, I would like to wait and see how he performs in the league.
I would prefer to start with Yaya who could cause an exodus among the casuals where they will panic to buy him after GW1 for fearing last seasons performance, and hop on Sanchez once he looks like he has hit some sort of form.Open Controls
On a serious note though, i probably agree that he should've been 10m. But wouldn't compare him to Yaya. Sometimes price is given based on potential, not just previous form. And he has massive potential in this Arsenal side
Open ControlsI agree, Yaya isn't a good comparison, but I used it solely to show that he should have been priced a little lower as a new signing, compared to the top scorer.
He will do brilliant for Arsenal this season, but will take time to adjust, which is why I believe that sitting on Yaya at the start being 'cautious', then I will switch to Sanchez at some point if he looks like he has hit the ground running.
If I am going to start the season with a player at that price, I would rather it be Yaya, personally.Open Controls
Didn't see the need for the 0.5 myself but there or there abouts
Open Controlsbargain, but he's gonna have to wait 'til my GW3 WC
Open ControlsIt looks like it could take him some time. Also think he'll get subbed around the 70 mark with the CL in mind. Hoping to pick him up for cheaper later.
Open ControlsGood point about being subbed. Not gonna start with him either, but do have Ramsey should also come firing out the blocks.
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United have beat all their opponents in pre-season then.
LA Galaxy
Roma
Inter Milan
Real Madrid
Liverpool
Valencia
Not a bad start.Open ControlsUnited have won a trophy too. Sounds like last season..
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Spurs fans, speak to us all about your starting left back 🙄 ...
Open ControlsAlexis Sanchez... Do you know i think that if he was priced at 8.5 or 9.0, or even 9.5, LESS people would have him in their teams rather than more. It's a weird reverse pyschology thing around a 10.5 midfielder... Anyone else think the same? Maybe i'm crazy...
Open ControlsYou're crazy.
Open ControlsHaha fair enough!
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Everyone would have him if he was less then Ramsey.
Open ControlsI have to disagree. I am on Giroud as my Arsenal asset, slightly more appealing to me than Ramsey and cheaper. But I would have Sanchez were he costing £9m or even £9.5m. I have even made a case for his inclusion at £10.5m but it's just not a good option.
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Should I get mata or fletcher?
Open ControlsFletcher no brainer.
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Schurle at 7.5m is a good buy, trust me. I am thinking of downgrading Fabregas..
Open ControlsIs he likely to start GW1 though? Doubtful surely?
Open ControlsHe will start 25-30 games this season. GW 1. Oscar isn't back still. Tonight was our first lineup. more or less
Open ControlsOscar is a CAM, Schurrle plays on the wing.
Open ControlsSchurle plays in our winger. With Oscar our, Fabregas could play 7 and Hazard could cut inside. Our new lineup isn't sterile. Oscar not playing increases Schurle starting chances IMO def.
Even when Oscar comes back, Ramires could be out for the easier opponents. Something like:
Costa
Hazard Oscar Schurle
Fabs MaticOpen Controlsin out winger, stupid auto correct
Open ControlsSalah, Willian
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I do hope he starts, had him as a punt in my very first draft, but I think it's wishful thinking. That said, I may well go for him if I decide to drop Yaya, in my holy trinity team.
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yeah and Schurle pumped his ppm last year, Oscar is shite, Schurle is decent, even from the wing
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hummmm
Open ControlsYes agreed Daniel..... Have heard he could be one of Chelsea's key players
Open ControlsHe definitely upped his game. had great second half of last season,. great world cup and it seems to me that he is the only natural goalscorer from midfield. He is our goal threat. I might even start with him... Considering it.
Was just waiting will he be fit in time. But Jose was forcing him in the friendly matches earlier in order to become match fit.
He didn't do that with Oscar !!!Open ControlsOscar is his blue eyed boy though, giving him a rest.
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was just thinking about this change myself Daniel,
Open ControlsGive us a lot of cash to upgrade 3rd striker or getting decent defender.
Open ControlsI would have preferred Fabs playing further forward but it doesn't look like this is what is going to happen. Schurle is risky, Mourinho pulled him early a few times last season but if he can start well then he could be worth taking the risk with.
Open Controlsok Danny Boy, lets do this !!!!
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