Members

Bournemouth’s budget defenders enhance their FPL appeal

Callum Wilson (£6.2m) and Ryan Fraser (£5.6m) have occupied a lot of column inches on this site in recent weeks thanks to their excellent underlying attacking statistics, but the Cherries’ quietly impressive defence will be the sole focus of this article.

With most of their backline available around the £4.5m price bracket in Fantasy Premier League this season, Bournemouth’s defenders are budget-friendly assets that have the potential to rack up a clean sheet or two over the next half-dozen matches at the very least: the Cherries, in fact, sit top of our Season Ticker for the coming six Gameweeks.

Eddie Howe’s backline is not one that is normally associated with solidity, of course, and there is a reason why their defensive assets are available on the cheap.

The Cherries have conceded more than 60 goals in each of their three previous seasons as a Premier League side and kept the joint-lowest number of clean sheets (six) in the top flight in 2017/18.

As we touched on in our Digest feature earlier this week, though, Howe’s troops have been posting some uncharacteristically promising defensive statistics in the first four Gameweeks of this campaign.

This Members’ piece takes a closer look at their key performance indicators (KPIs) at the back and highlights which of Bournemouth’s FPL defenders stand out from a Fantasy perspective.

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904 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    RMWCT

    Hennessey - Hamer
    Alonso - Mendy - Davies - Trippier - AWB
    Haz - Dilva - Pedro - Pereyra - Ward
    Aguero - Vardy - Wilson

    I know a lot of people will frown at Davies and Trippier double up but they are both great FPL players (top 2 chances created defenders last season) and their fixtures after LIV look good. I have good enough bench to bench them if I want to (but will probably play Trippier).

    My biggest question is Vardy. His fixtures are great, but is there a better use of that 2.x million somewhere if I downgrade to someone like Mitrovic? Thoughts?

    1. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No Liverpool is a bigger frown

    2. MrFlibbles
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      They are good differentials and should score well.

      I think mitrovic better than vardy atm, more explosive than vardy certainly and quite a bit cheaper. Could sue the extra 2m to either upgrade the keeper or upgrade pedro as I think he is a rotation risk and was very lucky to get points off the bench last time out. lacazette could be good differential pick by downgrading wilson to ings or pedro to frazer. Arsenal are gonna score goals.

    3. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      It looks really good. A bit different than most.
      My only worry would be how fit Pool assets come GW9.

      Also benching anyone expect Awb & Ward looks like a bit of waste of money.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Ward is a 4.5 mid

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Oh nevermind I see what you mean! I think its important to have one good first bench player in case of rotation.

    4. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you did Vardy to Mitro and Bavis to someone cheaper like S.Cook, could you afford Pereyra or Pedro to Mane? If so I would make those changes.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Its a good shout. I just dont fancy liverpool or Fulham fixtures right now. I can do Vardy + Davies + Pedro -> Mitro + Holebas (or another sub 5.0 defender) + Mane, but I think its better to wait for GW9.

    5. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I like it.

    6. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Keepers will let you down (getting Hamer is like building a defect in to your squad, just pay the extra .5)

      Consider Pereira for one of your Spurs defenders and use the extra cash on your keepers

      I would go Mitro and/or Ings up front and strengthen the midfield

    7. Jafoole_88
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      What's your current Overall Rank? Do you need to WC?

  2. smix
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 2 out of Wilson, Mitrovic & Ings

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro, Wilson

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mitrovic and Wilson

    3. MrFlibbles
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mitrovic is the best option then the other 2 are close, ings if the extra cash gets you a good upgrade somewhere else, otherwise go wilson.

    4. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Tough but Mitrovoic and Wilson.

    5. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro and Ings but be aware that Ings can’t play GW6.

    6. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Not Ings

    7. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro and Ings and extra £

    8. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro and Ings and extra £

  3. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Patricio
    Mendy • Alonso • TAA
    Hazard • D.Silva • Mané • Maddison
    Aguero • Mitrovic • Zaha
    /Begovic • Fraser • AWB • Bennett/

    I think I'm fairly settled on this one, except maybe Zaha and TAA who could change.

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Brilliant team

      1. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Would go for Robbo over TAA and downgrade Zaha for that upgrade.

      Other than that looks really good. D.Silva will be part of the template team soon.

      1. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, I was thinking to wait till Liverpool's bad run of fixtures ends and Palace good run of fixtures ends and then make that move. Cheers

    3. MrFlibbles
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Why is everyone dumping salah? Clearly the stats suggest mane is overscoring and salah is underscoring and you cant just get salah back in as he's 3m more than mane. Zaha injured wait on news for that one, if its a groin then could be 4 weeks TAA could easily be Shaw liverpool might struggle for Clean sheets over the next few, and Man Utd surely must improve.

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        You hint at part of the answer in your message - Liverpool's fixtures are poor and Salah's points potential is diminished too. It is also not a case of Mane having worth stats- it is a case of Mane having more points and beginning the season 3.5 points cheaper. Salah will probably be the top scoring mid in the game but he needs to be hitting alot of points to be worth 13.0. If he scores only 30 more than Hazard, 40 more than Mane etc then he isn't worth it.
        Ultimately you can take Mane, Alonso and Robertson over Salah and two 4.5 defenders. That 3.5 is worth alot

        1. Goonsquad245
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Few things here:

          - I think saying Salah's points potential is diminished over the next few games is a little strong. Would it surprise you if Liverpool scored 3 goals in any of their individual upcoming fixtures? In particular the City game looks delicious - he will 100% be my captain that week if fit

          - It's not about how many points he outscores others by, it's about the marginal gains he gives to your team. If he outscores hazard by 30 points and your 'upgrades' brought about with the cash don't outscore your original players by 30 points, Salah was still a better pick!

          - Following on I feel like you picked a bad example with Alonso and Robertson. It's pretty easy to get ARM, Salah, Mane, and Kun into the same team, and with the likes of mitrovic performing well and a dearth of midfield options between 7 and 10m currently (barring possibly Dilva) I'm struggling to see where you'd get the gains necessary from downgrading salah to haz for example.....

          -

          1. GambO
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Having two premium strikers with good fixtures and Mitro is the strategy I believe to drop Salah for Haz

            1. GambO
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              But I have Lacazette Wilson and Kun for dropping Salah to Haz I’m happy with that... but will have to see of course

      2. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Taking a risk going Salahless of course, but I think it's worth it with the fixtures and him looking not quite on form atm. Will get him back soon though.

        Would get Shaw immediately if I knew he was nailed on

  4. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Would you put (C) on Mendy or Alonso this week?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Alonso. CS pretty much guaranteed

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        That's bound to have put the mockers on. Cue a 1 pointer. 🙁

    2. MrFlibbles
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you had to pick a defender it has to be Alonso cause City keep letting in 1 easy goal and Alonso is also more likely to score whereas Mendy more likely to assist.

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        No way - I have both.

  5. MrFlibbles
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts on why Tosun isnt quite performing atm?

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      He will get some goals, but he just isn't a great player unlike Zaha and Arnie.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Firmino-like role I guess, have to do some defensive work

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      He seems good. Maybe just not great.

  6. jamesterz23
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    How is this wildcard

    Patricio

    Holebas Mendy Alonso

    Salah Hazard Maddison Fraser

    Aguero Wilson Ings

    Subs
    Hart Doherty WanBis Richarlison

    Will normally play 352 with Ings on the bench and richy starting

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Is Hart going to keep his place do you think?
      Holebas will dry up soon enough.
      No Mane or Robbo a concern.

    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I like it. Docherty and AWB rotate perfectly to cover the fixtures when Holebas' fixtures stiffen. It looks a firing front 3. The middle 4 I all own and I am tempted to make the Pogba > Rich switch when he returns. I would look to save the 0.5m with the sub keeper and downgrade there.

      1. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Double Wolves defence though.Id rather Yedlin for Doherty.His fixtures improve massively soon and also rotates well with AWB from now to gw 30.Check rotation on season ticker.

  7. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Do you guys think Mane's performance will dry up soon? Bought him for 9.5 now he's 10, but thinking of selling to Eriksen.

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I would keep Mane until you actually see him start to dry up

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        This ^

      2. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I have never owned him but I wouldn't sell until he stopped looking likely to score.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe sell after Southampton

    3. Slaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I don't know why you would sell at the moment, Liverpool's sharpest looking attacker, maybe wait a week or two to see how CL rotation effects the team

  8. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Maddison or Schurrle?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Madders

  9. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    is there any other duo better than Pedro and Fraser for the same price? I plan on benching one by the way.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pereyra is a shout. More nailed than Pedro and very good stats.

  10. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    why people arent' buying Robertson as much as Alonso or Mendy?

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure. Upcoming fixtures? He’s a bargain.

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      most have triple pool attack.

      1. Dokdok666
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        ...no?

      2. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        This is clearly not true.

    3. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Short term fixtures bad for pool...but I'm keeping him

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I got all 3 - its been fantastic so far 🙂

      1. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Holy trinity is the way to go *high five*

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Fixtures, Champions League rotation or reduced minutes

    6. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Because most people in the know about FPL already had Robertson from the start and many others less in the know went with another Liverpool defensive asset (TAA, Van Djik, Allison) - transferring seems kind of sideways when a lot of his points have come from the CS which all other assets have benefited from.

      Not many had Chelsea/Man City defenders though with the exception of Ederson.

  11. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Is Deeney a big downgrade from Mitro? Extra funds seem very useful

    1. Slaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I think he is, can't see Deeney getting anywhere near the returns of Mitro...

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No. Mitro overhyped right now. Seems better than Deeney but about the same value for your investment.

      1. Amsterhammer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah there might not be much in it. Watford look much improved across all 4 GWs. Mitro looks good but playing Burnley massively skews his points.

    3. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Cool kids are going Rondón 5.9m

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. One is fat, old and will be rotated ... the other is lean, young, nailed and the talisman of the team

      One has double the number of goal attempts, double the number of goal attempts in the box, 50% more shots on target and is a huge set-piece threat 🙂

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Hotdogs is making a convincing argument.. I'll stick with Mitro

  12. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A lukaku
    B laca +1.6

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers

  13. So Troublesome
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A) Sanchez + Milner

    B) Salah + 5.5

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Salah + 0 is better than Sanchez and Milner, so B

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        5.5 without salah is better than Sanchez and Milner

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B all day every day forever

  14. foreverton
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know if Mina is expected to start for Everton after the break?

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    WC team?

    Patricio (Hamer)
    Alonso, Mendy, Shaw (AWB, Benett)
    Hazard, Mane, D.Silva, Maddison, Frazer
    Aguero, Lukaku (Kamara)

    Any changes needed?

    1. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I’d be tempted to get Success in for Kamara.

  16. Ha Ha Land
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    After doing research with opta data I came up with this conclusion. Fpl mangers find themselves dropping Salah for Mané. But Mistake!!! Although Mané is gaining massive Fpl points Salah is the guy to punish everybody in a single GW. People are launching Salah for hazard because of the price difference. But what Fpl managers should b doing is playing Pedro. Pedro is proving a worthy cut price for Hazard. I know what you all are thinking now. You are may be thinking Pedro isn't a regular starter. Easy!!! Just get another 5th Midfielder. Ryan Fraser fits perfectly for your bench as back up for Pedro. Back to Hazard. Why are people quickly bringing In Hazard when he is averaging the same amount of points as Salah and create same opportunities and assists as Salah. It just doesn't make sense especially if you have Alonso in your team. The better pick is obviously Pedro with Ryan Fraser as back up. Whyy Fraser????Ryan Fraser is a goal scorer and a playmaker. He is created 5 big chances this season already where a player Is expected to score. He has alot of potential. A Wilson and Fraser pair up isn't a crime especially with Bournemouths kind fixtures ahead. If you play your cards right like you can fit in Kane who by the way has West Ham and Huddersfield and Many other attractive fixtures other than liverpool. Kane and Salah can be in 1 team with a very well balanced squad. It's on how you spend your money. The main point on this post is Fpl Managers shouldn't get rid of Salah not just yet Reason being he is exactly on the same points as he was as last season nd den exploded. Fpl Managers ask yourself Are You Willing To Take That Chance to Ditch The highest FPL Goalscorer Of Last Season So Early??? Especially with sooo many cut price potential like Fraser, Pedro, Maddison, Richarlison etc.
    Also another stat I might add here is, Hazard rarely scores more than two goals in a match. Only thing that goes in his favour is the baps.

    1. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pedro not certain to start though as seen last week.Think I’m sticking with Salah and Hazard.
      By the way Eden is looking electric right now.

      1. Ha Ha Land
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Only on paper! In last couple of games with all his key passes and xg he nearly blanked against poor defences.

      2. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        What about when Pedro co með on 71st minute for Willian for a 1 point cameo?

        1. Ha Ha Land
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Willian is not playing well enough to get a start. I guess from now on Pedro will be starting.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      "Salah is the guy to punish everybody"
      "Hazard [...] is averaging the same amount of points as Salah and create same opportunities and assists as Salah"
      "People are launching Salah for Hazard because of the price difference"

      1. GambO
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        And Hazard has better fixtures and his stats are better in the last two games that’s more why people are jumping....

    3. Bonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      “Why are people quickly bringing In Hazard when he is averaging the same amount of points as Salah and create same opportunities and assists as Salah”. If Salah only scores as many points as Hazard, then its a fail. He is 30% more expensive, so needs to score 30% more points just to get parity. Comparing upcoming fixtures, that will be difficult

  17. TerryVenables
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    (A) Lukaku + Maddison
    (B) Vardy + DSilva

    1. FPL Xylophone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Tricky one... maybe A...

  18. FPL Xylophone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Marcos and the left overs.

    Here is another argument about attacking defenders. Compare and contrast them with similarly priced midfielders and it’s clear that you’re better off with, say, Marcos Alonso than you are with Pascal Groß.

    The Chelsea man’s return of one goal, five assists and two clean sheets has him currently placed as the FPL’s highest-scoring player, so £6.8m is hardly an outlandish investment.

    There’s no reason why he shouldn’t continue in this vein – Chelsea are much more attacking under Maurizio Sarri than they were under Antonio Conte.

    Even under Conte, Alonso weighed in with half a dozen goals a season, ending the last two campaigns with points totals of 177 and 165.

    He could well break the 200 barrier this year, which would be an excellent return for a player worth £9m – let alone one in the region of £7m.

    Man City’s £6.4m Benjamin Mendy has five assists so far, while Liverpool’s £6.1m Andy Robertson has two assists and three clean sheets.

    Along with Tottenham’s £6m Kieran Trippier, there’s a strong argument to be made for fielding all of them because they’re all attacking outlets for top sides.

    Watford’s José Holebas is the only exception so far in terms of price, his value rising from £4.5m to £4.8m off the back of a goal and four assists.

    Dare you field all five? It would be a gamble, but one that could pay off spectacularly so long as you have enough in reserve for a reliable captain in midfield or attack.

    1. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I think Shaw will start flying too. 4 at the back for me, with AWB 5th, think 5 at the back every week is overkill for now

      1. AnfieldLad
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        But I’m surprised how it still seems like nearly every wildcard is 3 at the back

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yip, agree on that

        Chuck in a premium keeper too 🙂

        1. FPL Xylophone
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Which keeper though? Ederson, Alison and Keppa are occupying another spot from 3 top teams that you have already in your defence. Cech? De gea? Lloris maybe?

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Depends who your defenders are, just spread your keeper and back line over City, Pool, Chelsea, Utd & Spurs ...

    2. WesMantooth
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Both alonso and mendy, maybe even robbo, look capable of breaking 200pts. But to expect them to keep up their numbers is foolish. 200 would equal just over 5 points per game over a 38game season. Lonzo Azpi and robbo averaged 5 points per game last season.

      The problem this season is the 4.0 options in defence. WAN and Bennet come with assurances of starting games. This means that all outfield benchplayers needs to be compared up against them. If your opting for 5-3-2 or 5-2-3, at the very Least, youre loosing 1.0m more than when playing 3man defence formations. If security of starts on the bench is a must, it becomes even more expensive. Especially when not opting for 3 strikers in your formation.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        No 4.0 has an assurance of being nailed ... they may get a run of games though and great as bench backup - review this after 38 games 😉

        1. WesMantooth
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          How many players do? WAN and Bennet have started every game theyve been available. A player allways looks sure of starting until hes not.

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            It happens every year, a 4.0 gets a start for a few games and is then proclaimed as nailed. You simply can not rely on them though and they are really hard to sell on ... WB may be the exception but he is looking like bit of a liability with red and yellow cards

            1. FPL Xylophone
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Same with 4m keepers like Eliot last season and Hamer this. They can get a number of games in the beginning but they usually don't last whole season.

            2. WesMantooth
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              It is very rare that a player priced 4.0 starts the season and plays the first four games. This year has seen two such players, thats quite unique, and by the looks of it, it can stille be exploited going forwards.

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                WB hasn’t started 4 games though ? 😉

                I am not disagreeing that these players are useful, I am disagreeing with your original statement that ‘’WAN and Bennet come with assurances of starting games’’ in your argument against playing 5 at the back - they may have already started games but have are not assured of starting games, are less assured of starting than other defenders in their teams and other defenders in the game generally.

                You can go with two 4.0 defenders in a 343 and save 1.0 mill on your bench but it is a risk to have both ...

                The whole argument for 5 at the back is that your 4th and 5th premium defender in your team will out score, say, your mid priced 4th mid and third striker, and the counter argument that you put is that a cheaper bench in a 343 counters this (spend more on the team?), but I don’t think the extra 1.0 is enough to tip the balance, especially if you end up with a non playing 4.0 mill bench fodder

                Personally I like 3 premium, one 5.0 and 4.0 defenders, and two nailed 5.0/4.5 mids ... to give assurances of starts if I need to rotate the players 🙂

                You have a valid and strong overall argument though 🙂

                1. WesMantooth
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  To be honest, I feel like in recent years, I might have been one of the most vocal about investing in defence, and considering playing more than three at the back. I completely agree that its a good way of getting value for money spent.

                  Your right that both WAN and Bennet can loose their spot. But as it stands they dont look likely to do it? The scenario with two 4.0s looking as "safe" as they do is quite unique.

                  You might play 5-2-3 or 5-3-2 and have 4.5s on the bench, meaning youre only paying 1mill in "formationcosts". But that leads to a worse bench, which mean you prob need to invest more than 1.0 to Get a bench as efficient as awb-ben-3rd sub. Thats when I get unsure whether its worth it or not.

                  If i was to wildcard right now, i'd prob opt for one 4.0, and play 4 atb or have a rotational set-up with 3/4atb.

                  Also. Simply comparing the fourth and fifth def to 7th and 8th attacker is to simplistic imo. Lets say you're fourth and def outscores your 7th and 8th attacker by 10-15 pts over 10gwks, the formationcost might also prevent you from having the "in form" 10.5 with great fix, and rather have to settle for a 9.0 that falls 20-30 off over that same period. Throw potential captaincy in to the mix, and the equation becomes even more difficult.

                  Locking in to a 5man premium D at this stage of the season just seems a bit to reactive and not proactive.

  19. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Cook, Rico, Chilwell, Pereira, Holebas are all great value.

    But how do we fit them in when Alonso, Mendy, Robbo are on fire and AWB and Bennett are the perfect enablers?

    It’s been rare to have so many decent budget defenders. But we cant really get them in

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Play 4 at the back and arrange the rest of your team accordingly

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Or 5 😀

  20. white lightning
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    No pressing issues in my team so I'm going to sell Foster & get Patricio then wc in gw6 to get in Spurs, Mitrovic, etc.

    Patricio
    Alonso, Mendy, Robertson
    Salah, Mane, Bilva, Walcott
    Aguero (c), Wilson, Jimenez

    Boruc, Shaw, WB, Hughes

    Do you like the gk change Y or N. Thoughts & thanks.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Strange to see Luke Shaw on the bench but yeah changing goalkeeper is a good move IMO.

  21. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A. D.Silva, Lukaku
    B. Salah, Mitrovic

    1. white lightning
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B. for me

  22. SpursSon
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Is Jonny an option?

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Any midfielders for 5.2 or less that are worth a start in a 3-5-2?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe Neves or Kennedy

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pereira

    3. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No

  24. COYS Down Under
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Laca starts 1 in 4 games: "Gotta bring him in, he's definite to start"
    Mkhi starts 3 in 4 games: "He's a liability, drop him from your teams immediately"

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Thats how it works, latest news has more influence 😛

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yesterday’s news is today’s fish ’n chip paper

  25. jordanmcconn1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Based on Bournemouths fixtures I'm very tempted to replace Zaha with Wilson, but also tossing up between Mitrovic and Ings. Who would you pick and why?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Find it hard to go back to Wilson after last season's trolling. Mitro looks enticing but City fixture is a touch off putting (though he could be a brace merchant in a 7-2 loss!)

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I have Ings, looks to be fantastic value, but will miss GW6

  26. FC Barkerlona
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Any worthwhile hits for this GW or the next few? Already used my FT

    Hennessey / Fabianski
    Mendy / Doherty / Alonso / Pereira / Wan-Bissaka
    Hazard / Mkhitaryan / Pedro / Walcott / Gündogan
    Wilson / Aubameyang / Agüero

    Thanks

  27. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    which wolves defender is the best option?
    A)doherty
    B)boly
    C)jonny
    D)bennet

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'd say D simply based on value.