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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. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Should I save my transfer this week and wait for more info on GW31 blanks or do Masuaku > Fernandez?

    Current defence is Alonso, Jones, Simpson, Masuaku, Mbemba.

    Fernandez likely blanks in 31, although Simpson plays Man City this week so a couple goals conceded and a yc is the equivalent of a blank.

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

  2. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez + Rodriguez > Walcott + Firmino for free?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Surely keep Sanchez for one more game?

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t do it

  3. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Which one?
    A) Play Dunk
    B) Yedlin to Fernandez/Lowton and play him

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

  4. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Would you save the FT?

    DeGea
    Jones, Mee, Stones*
    Salah(c), Sterling, B.Silva, Son
    Firmino, Kane(vc), Wilson

    Elliot, Daniels, Maguire, RLC

    Thanks!

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  5. Mika-eel
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Good evening,

    About BGW31. I know there's many ways to play the game but be wary of taking too many hits. I remember taking hits just to fill my team to get a starting 11 last season, and the guy top of my ML had 5 players but captained King for his haul and almost outscored me.

    I know there's no way of telling what's going to happen but can't see anyone not captaining Salah that GW unless there's more games. Is the risk higher then this season trying to fill your team with dross with hits? Especially in defence or for a keeper just to have a full 11?

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Free hit?

      1. Mika-eel
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I suppose that's an option we didn't have last season, bit concerned about GW35. I guess we'll know closer to the time what the best option will be for those who stil have that chip.

    2. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      True. No point sacrificing 3 weeks points for 1 week

    3. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Never take a hit for a BGW. One hit or two for a DGW is ok.

      1. Mika-eel
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Think I'll play it safe and not take any.

        Lots of talk last season on FFS of the hit costing -2, but then if you don't have a WC you are stuck with those players for the next few GW's.

    4. FrankieTheGent
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I think the BGW ceiling is low.
      Your score with 4-6 players and a good captain, say, vs a full 11 (having already taken hits and or early unnessecary transfers)
      I'd rather hold the DGWers in reserve

      1. Mika-eel
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed 🙂

  6. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    So I'm thinking of saving my transfer to have two for next week to do the following have the correct money..

    Hazard Milivojevic > Mane Deulofeu Free

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Wait till next week

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Dislike

  7. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Nice article. I'm sure FPL Virg is creaming himself in a room somewhere.

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Better than in public again.

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Is the undergrowth at the back of Jonty's house considered a public place?

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Depends how dense the foliage is i guess 😀

  8. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Stones to start at the weekend?

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No chance

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        there is a chance alright. But I dont think so either

      2. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Why?

        Important CL game coming up.

  9. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What should i do here? 1FT .1 ITB

    Foster
    Alonso Jones Bauer
    Hazard Salah Sterling Willian
    Aguero Firmino Wilson

    Adrian Choupo Francis Simpson

    Think Girouod might be playing from start so not sure about Willian. Or any Chelsea player atm for that matter lol.

    A) Hold FT
    B) Willian -> Deulofeu
    C) Play Choupo over Willian
    D) Other suggestions?

    1. timPgoodwin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      E) Pick good players

    2. FC nelo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

  10. timPgoodwin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Any advice for someone who has Wild Carded this week?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Pick good players

      1. timPgoodwin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Pr*ck.

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Email FPL and ask if you can reverse it?

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        This

      2. timPgoodwin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I'm 1.4m in the world, I really doubt it matters either way.

        1. HNI
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          You truly one in a million :p

          1. timPgoodwin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            It's was either quit out of boredam/annoyance or have a complete overhaul.

            1. RoysCallerAnne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Should've waited just one more week to have the FA cup results to aid your picks.

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

      Pick two playing keepers to cover blanks and DGWs as you won't want to waste transfers on keepers down the line. I don't like going for expensive keepers (usually spend a total of £9m, maybe £9.5m max) but if there's a time to do it it's now.

    4. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah pick a lot of players that will actually play, providing you still have your bench boost?
      Cheap defs seems the way forward atm

  11. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    How many games is JRod going to miss?

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

    Any word on Alonso training today?

  13. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Start 1:

    A) Robertson (sot)
    B) Duffy (stk)
    C) Daniels (hud)

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I'd probably start A with C first sub

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        +1

    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

  14. Froes
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Will coleman start this weekend

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Nah, Lossl is first choice

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      think he should

    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      You would imagine so after that performance from Kenny Vs Arsenal.
      Don't pay 6.4 for an Everton defender though.

  15. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski or Karius considering I dont have fh for 31?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Fabs

  16. Optic1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Team GTG and bench in correct order?

    Pope
    Jones / Alonso / Mee
    Salah(c) / KDB / Sterling / Shaqiri / Walcott
    Kane / Firmino

    Joel - Ayew - Kenny - Ogbonna

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      G2g. Let's hope BUR keep Swansea quiet

      1. Optic1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

        Yes that is my only concern however i can't really drop any of my front 7 for him!

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah exactly - good week for an AOA chip lol

          1. Optic1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            This!

  17. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    I'm G2G

    De Gea
    Jones - Dunk - Otamendi - Alonso
    Salah - KDB(c) - Hazard - Ibe - Sterling
    Firmino

    Elliot - Hegazi - Obafemi - McBurnie

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Crazy team, gl

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Top 7k rank though

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah you're doing well. Between us this week it's

          DDG Jones Dunk KDB vs

          Pope Mee Son Kane

  18. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    GTG??...Just torn between who to captain??

    Ederson
    Daniels/Bauer/Ogbonna
    Sterling/Salah/Walcott/Shaqiri/Mkhitaryan
    Kane/Kun

    Bench: Ayew/Dunk/Hegazi

    Overall rank 41k

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Kane!

  19. Magnets93
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Fab
    Alonso Jones Cresswell (Mbemba, Lowe)
    Lingard Salah Ramsey Sterling (TC)
    Vardy Firmino Aguero

    Thinking Jones Lingard > Valencia Gudmundsson, any advice appreciated.

    1. Magnets93
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      2 FT, 0.4 itb

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Burnley have a nice run but do you really want a player for a team with so few goals in them. Find a better value defender and get a better midfielder

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        would be better off flipping it and getting a Burnley defender and proper midfielder

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I'm hoping Jones is back, Lingard can be okay too, or Deulofeu?

  20. NachoMan
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Evening all. I have Kane and Kun. Thinking about a rogue move to get Aubameyang in for one of them and get ahead of the curve. Is that;

    a) Mad
    b) Brilliant
    c) Mad and Brilliant

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      just get firmino

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      D) none of the above is the right answer. Just get VVD and enjoy the hauls.

  21. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Play

    A Pope away to Swansea
    B Adrián home to Watford

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I've got both and I'm going with A.

  22. Waylander
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero > Kane for free this week or wait until next week?

    Cheers.

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I'm captaining Kane but in your position I'd probably save unless Aguero looks like being rested

      1. Waylander
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

        Just have to wait for presser I guess?

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I have both and captaining Kun.

      1. Waylander
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

  23. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather have Robertson or Bauer, and why?

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Bauer because I want to wait to see how to best use that third Liverpool slot. Currently I think it could be better used with van Dijk, Mane or even Karius or Can.

  24. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Ogbonna>Mariappa to put 0.2m in the bank rather than waste a transfer? Nothing else pressing as all the players I would sell - Adrian, Otamendi, Lingard, Gross - have a decent fixture this week?

    Adrian
    Alonso Otamendi Vertonghen
    Salah(c) Sterling Lingard Gross Walcott
    Kane Wilson

    Foster Mee Quaner Ogbonna

    2 FTs - 3.6m ITB

    1. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Gross to a Watford or Stoke mid maybe..

      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I had planned to sell but having had him since GW1 I feel I should stick after last week!

  25. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    The captain's poll no longer works for me. About 3 weeks. Anybody else having the problem?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Working for me. Have you tried a different browser?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        No - I'm hoping not to. Everything FPL is on Safari.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Oh yeah you're on a Mac. I can't offer much help then, I haven't got a Mac to test with. 🙁

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Works in Opera, but I have now discovered that the log in, which also doesn't work in Safari, is not secure.

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I don't look at it. Maybe if I did I'd have done better for captaincy this season

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Just checked, works on chrome on android

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Fine for me in Safari.

      Salah 35%
      Aguero 21%
      Kane 11%

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Have you upgraded to High Sierra, yet?

        Many thanks! 🙂

  26. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Otamendi Jones Alonso
    Sterling JWP Salah (C) Shaqiri Walcott
    Firmino Kane (V)

    Adrian VVD Ogbonna Quaner

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      G2g. Saving a transfer or used?

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Used it. I did Lingard > JWP. Which many will frown on, and I can see why I suppose. Rightly or wrongly I did it though. I could of saved it but Lingard was doing my head in. Personally wish I had gone for Deu now though.

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Would you play him, or VVD btw?

  27. smuggs
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Wilson-shaqiri-Vardy
    Which 2 should I play of these this week

    Pickford-mee-Daniels-Alonso
    Salah-Walcott-kdb-sterling
    Firmino the others starting

    2.8m in bank 1 free sub still this week 580k overall only bench boost and triple captain left.
    Subs Elliott - chilwell- mausakua

    Had no Kane or salah and was 2m in December so used wildcard and free hit and up to top 600k so on the up

    Any advise welcome

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

      Wilson and Shaqiri

  28. a1danslat3
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Bellerin --> VVD/Gomes or Robertson

    Current defense
    Bellerin Mee Cedric Alonso Chilwell

    I have enough itb for Chilwell to 5.4 ?

  29. machickenz
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with this team?
    1 FT 1.7 ITB

    Courtois Adrian
    Alonso* Jones*? Otamendi Masuaku* Mbemba
    Salah Sterling Mkhitaryan Walcott RLC*
    Aguero Firmino J.Ayew

    1. gunner 2727
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Upgrade masuaku or RLC I'd say

  30. gunner 2727
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Very confused here... if someone can simplify for me be much appreciated

    ------------------Adrian----------------
    -------- Jones. Ota. Alonso........
    Shaq. Haz. Salah. Sterling. Ling
    ------------- Aguero. Firmino-------
    Krul. Mee Kenny Meh
    2FT 0.7 ITB

    Want to do aguero to Kane and captain, but also need to sort Kenny and Adrian and obvious opportunity to add two for gw31. Both Alonso and otamendi are on my hit list also. Also benching mee as I stand. Current ideas are

    A) just do adrian to Pickford keep a FT
    B) ota and aguero to Bauer and Kane
    C) just do Kenny to Bauer
    B) ballsy -4 ota aguero ling to Kane Walcott Bauer.

    Not sure why it's always so complicated or if I just make that way!

    HELPPPP!