Our panel of Fantasy Premier League managers have answered some of your questions in time for your Gameweek 7 preparation.
The questions this week all centred around the potential shift in defence for Fantasy managers. Premium options in this position have been hugely popular since the start of the campaign but are starting to losing their appeal.
Once again, we had an overwhelming response to our request for questions. Unfortunately, we can only answer a handful each week but keep your queries coming in for the rest of the season.
Who’s on the panel this week?
Az – Well-known name on Twitter and beyond, who cracked the top 1k in 2017/18 (finishing with an enviable overall rank of 817) after previously having recorded two finishes inside the top 5,000.
Joe – the host of our Scoutcast – plus many other weekly videos – and who sits 79th in our Career Hall of Fame, having recorded seven top 10,000 finishes in ten seasons of playing FPL (including an “OR” of 840 in 2013/14).
Holly Shand – Founder of the popular Fantasy Football Community website and recent video star for Official FPL.
Question 1 – Az
With some decent budget defensive options emerging, would it be wise to move away from three premiums and pick two or even one, opting to rotate defenders and pump money further up the field to afford four premium attackers and a full playing squad?
“A good question, and reminds me of last season, where preferred formations changed almost weekly. It’s really added a new dimension to Fantasy Football, as I remember in earlier seasons, moving away from a 3-4-3 formation was very dangerous and any more than one premium defender was seen as a rookie mistake.
“On first glance, it seems a good a time as any to move away from premium priced defenders if you are looking to invest in other positions. Mendy is carrying an injury, and both Alonso and Robertson have a couple of tough games.
“The problem is, I don’t suddenly think these players are going to be bad picks. They are just too consistent and are delivering week in, week out when they play. They have 12 assists between them in 6 gameweeks alone, so I think even if the clean sheets dry up, they are still likely to register attacking returns. Alonso remains the highest scoring player in the game, and Mendy sits on an average of eight points per game (Robertson isn’t far off on 6.8).
“When you factor in the fact that you can play these defenders almost every game and expect some points – suddenly the idea of trying to second guess who is going to emerge with points from the 4.5 defenders isn’t quite as appealing.
“Mendy and Alonso seem like season-keepers to me, due to their sheer attacking intent.
“It’s Robertson who I think might be the expendable one of the trio. A downgrade to Alexander-Arnold gives you a million in the bank to play with, and Trent proved last week that he is capable of getting attacking returns and even has a few set plays in his locker.
“For me, with Liverpool’s new found resilience and strong backline, a defender from their team is just as important as keeping hold of Mendy, Alonso and Wan-Bissaka. That leaves one defender spot up for grabs, assuming that you have Wan-Bissaka. There are certainly some brilliant options to go for, such as Jonny or Doherty (open play attacking prospects), Duffy (on the end of set plays), Holebas (taking free-kicks) and Chillwell (assist potential).
“Rather than looking to inject more cash up front, I’m considering a permanent switch to four, or even five at the back. This is the position where the points seem to be coming from at the moment.”
Question 2 – Joe
With Spurs’ good run of fixtures coming up, is it worth shipping Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea assets to bring in the likes of Trippier, Eriksen, Alli or Kane?
“I’m a firm believer that form follows fixtures.
“We have already seen that with Arsenal this season. The Gunners lost their first two tough games and since Gameweek 3 have beaten West Ham, Cardiff, Newcastle and Everton, scoring 10 goals along the way.
“We have already seen that to some extent with Tottenham. Against Brighton they showed renewed resilience. Winning and surviving a late onslaught from the Seagulls.
“That game, plus a fine run over the next three (hudd, CAR, whu) prompted me to get Kieran Trippier in on my Wildcard last week for Benjamin Mendy. I’d advise those still with the Frenchman in their side to do the same, unless we hear more positive news on his foot injury later in the week. Trippier’s price point also means it is simpler to get Mendy back in. The spectre of rotation always looms with the England full back, but a strong bench should cover that, especially as Trippier has either started or been given a full rest this season with no annoying one minute cameos.
“Christian Eriksen’s handing over of some set pieces to Trippier lessens his appeal in midfield, and I don’t think currently he can compete with premium midfielders from the likes of City, Liverpool or Chelsea.
“Up front though Harry Kane looks appealing. Five shots, all in the box and with just one being off target, against Brighton is the kind of underlying statistics I want to see from the Spurs striker. He looks an interesting captaincy pick this weekend away to the Terriers and especially desirable for the armband in Gameweek 8, when he hosts Cardiff and Liverpool face Manchester City.
“Which premium asset should make way for Kane?
“For me Aguero has to stay, but using money from selling Mohamed Salah to fund that move is something I’ll be seriously considering ahead of the Spurs frontman’s plum home tie with Neil Warnock’s relegation certainties.”
Question 3 – Holly
How much should we focus on getting Mendy out and is trippier the best option apart from template defenders?
“With no definitive news as yet on Mendy, I would try to stay patient until Friday before making a transfer out.
“With budget bench backup defenders like Wan-Bissaka and Ryan Bennett providing value, there should be options within our squads to replace his clean sheet potential.
“Personally, I’ve had Mendy since Gameweek 1, so would rather not transfer him out if it materialises that he’s fit for the weekend when I have profit tied up in him.
“It can be tempting to make a move though, and as price swings materialise, managers may need to act quick in order to bring the favoured replacement of Trippier.
“Consistent attacking returns, plus set piece responsibility and excellent fixtures make it a decent move on paper.
“However, Spurs have managed just one clean sheet and are without captain Lloris.
“Elsewhere, Laporte could be considered. City have kept consecutive clean sheets and he’s played every minute.
“To free up funds, consider a move for Wolves wing back Matt Doherty, with four favourable fixtures up next. Arsenal are another side with great fixtures, with full backs Bellerin and Monreal the best source of attacking returns.”
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