Pro Pundits
3 August 2021 310 comments
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With a plethora of £4.5m defender options available to FPL managers this season, I thought I would have a look at a few to see which ones can be relied upon to deliver.

For this article, I will be using the fixture sensitivity chart developed by @FPLGromit on Twitter as well as stats from the Premium Members Area.

FPL pre-season: Trossard hits hat-trick from wing-back role 1

Brighton – Leeds

A popular rotation pairing I’ve seen is Brighton and Leeds: the fixture run on paper looks fantastic but let’s have a look at both teams to see how they fared defensively in ‘easier’ fixtures.

The chart shows that Brighton registered below 1.0 expected goals against (xGA) versus ‘easier’ opposition and even as the opponents got tougher, they still managed to restrict them to 1.0 xGA – so they are almost a ‘permaplay’ defensive option. 

Now we look at Leeds: they kept it tight in the so-called easier fixtures but as we see the opposition Soccer Power Index (SPI) go above 75, they started approaching the 2.0 xGA territory, which indicates they are very much a fixture-based defence rather than a permaplay one. 

Was there any balance towards home/away though? 

310 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jimjam
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    (A) Toney + Digne as 3rd defender

    (B) Antonio + Ayling/Veltman/White rotating as 3rd defender

    Currently on B

    1. AW127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      B but Ait Nouri instead of White

  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Barnes had better PPM than raph, better fixtures and is fit again
    No love for him. CS cup will be crucial

    1. Simon69
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Much better options in similar price bracket until Leeds fixtures improve imo.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Not much options.

    2. Carlton P
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I’ve got both in a 3-5-2, although considering Barnes > Greenwood/havertz

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Too much of a rotation risk. At best will just about get 60 minutes with other options available

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        When he was fit, he played full minutes every game almost

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          That was before Nacho started

    4. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Not yet. One to monitor.

    5. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      100% agree, people wanting to 'wait and see' will change their tune if he starts and bags a goal in the CS

    6. H.E. Pennypacker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I think he's not gonna start in the first 11 for the beginning of the season due to match fitness/recovering from injury

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Possible.

    7. FPL Pillars
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I trusted him and he did my dirty last season at the start, not again

    8. Flekken' Hell
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Barnes played in the friendly and Rodgers in post match said he isn't physically there yet.

      I would love to have Barnes in my team but I'm afraid his minutes will be limited especially given the options Rodgers has on his disposal in attack. Daka had a goal and an assist if I'm not wrong, and this doesn't make things any easier for us.

      For now, he is in my "one to watch" list.

  3. Carlton P
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Got a defence of
    TAA l Digne l Shaw l Ayling l white/verltman
    A) stick
    B) Shaw > 4.0 and play one of Ay or Velt/white

  4. ClothedinSun
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Want to move my team away from full template so am looking at this team, I like it a lot but I feel like I should be talked out of it, what do we think?

    Meslier,

    TAA, Dunk, Chilwell,

    Sarr, Bruno, Harrison, Salah,

    Ings, Jimenez, Wood.

    Subs: Foster, Bissouma, White, Fofana.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Wood possibly won't play GW1, looks good otherwise

      1. ClothedinSun
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Cheers, is that to do with playing for NZ in the Olympics? Or an injury, do you know?

        1. AW127
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          NZ

        2. SADIO SANÉ
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          yeah Olympics - “He comes back and will be able to re-acclimate and get a bit of recovery before he joins in with us." Dyche on Sunday I think

          1. ClothedinSun
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Nice one, Burnley will be half the team they are usually, without him then!

    2. AW127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I think that you should be talked out of it as well. Why would you have Jimenez when you could have Watkins and switch in GW4 if Jimenez looks up to standard? DCL has much better fixtures than Ings, and is the better player in the better team for the same price. Wood was playing in the Olympics, so won't be back.

      The places you've gone template are in the cheap defence bracket. Why not have Ait Nouri instead of Fofana?

      Differential for the sake of it. All players could be options at some point, but there is a reason people don't have them now.

      1. AW127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        TBF, I've probably exaggerated a bit!

      2. ClothedinSun
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Yeah to be fair here, I didn't realise the situation with Wood so that I agree with. I can understand what you mean about Jimenez too as well as the fixture point with DCL. That said, I don't agree that DCL is a better player and Ings has been fairly consistent with his scoring when injury free, whoever the opposition - hence his price being the same as DCL's.

        Ait Nouri is surely the same case as Jimenez no? The hype about his OOP being from a few friendlies, though he is a great player and looked very good when he played last season. Fofana is to cover Dunk's GW3 vs Everton which I see being a tough game for Brighton. So there is something of a logic to the approach but is likely to fall foul of its own hubris, I do agree.

        Back to the tweaking I go...

        1. AW127
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Ait Nouri is a £4.5m defender, Jimenez a £7.5m striker. I know which I'd rather be making transfers on. He's a good option from GW4. Dunk and Fofana cover the first 3 well enough.

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Love it, except for your forwards

  5. 3 A
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    I pray all of us win our mini league except for those who participate in my mini league... ML.

    Who knows maybe some of them hiding and be a silent reader.. lol

  6. HaffNanner
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    A. Robertson and DCL

    B. Coufal and Son

    1. Jässi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A by far

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      B

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      B

    4. AW127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A

    5. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Actually a close call.

      B) is better over the long term. A) is better to start off the season.

  7. Jässi
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    How would you improve this 3-4-3 team? Planning to wildcard around GW 5 when there are fixture swings for many teams. Not sure about Mount, who would you take instead?

    Sanchez - Steele
    TAA - Shaw - White - Coufal - Amartey
    Salah - Bruno - Bowen - Mount - Bissouma
    DCL - Watkins - Toney

  8. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Thoughts on this?

    Pickford
    Cancelo Digne Lowton
    Salah Mane Mahrez Buendia
    Wilson Watkins Toney

    Begovic Reguilon Gilmour 4.0

    1. Jässi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Not sure about Wilson and the Salah-Mane double up. Maybe Bruno or KDB instead of Mane and swap Wilson?

      1. Aztec Kamara
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Why not Wilson? He's a great shout and scored more points per game than any other F at that price point.
        I agree on not liking the Mane pick though mainly as it limits your (c) options especially in GW3.
        Also if Liv keep many CS over their nice fx then it'll hurt.

  9. fusen
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Does anyone know which players Fabio Borges is starting with?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Next week.

  10. SweepaKeepa
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    I know you don’t want Southampton defenders.
    But, hypothetically, if you did, would you say cb pairing is Vestergaard and Bednarek? Or will Salisu, or even Stephens, get a look in?

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I'd sat vestergaard is the only safe bet

      1. SweepaKeepa
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Thanks.
        The 5.0, of course.
        There were three very specific gws I wanted cover for and Bednarek could have worked well.

  11. FPL Theorist
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Most people who have a 4.5 forward seem to be going with Obafemi or Davis.

    I'm seriously thinking of going with Nlundulu. He won't get any points, but he shouldn't drop in price before my first WC (expecting around GW7) because he is red-flagged. Obafemi and Davis will almost certainly drop in price, likely more than once. Long-term, this loss of value should hurt me more than missing out on a possible 1-pointer once or twice from a third sub.

    I'll have two 4.5 defenders as strong subs.

    I know, COVID and all that, but given that I'm willing to go with a 4.5 forward, why should it be Obafemi or Davis?

    1. Aztec Kamara
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Your point is definitely valid especially as there could well be a fire-sale of 4.5 forwards to get Kane in. If they're always going to be nailed to the end of your bench and you don't have many players that are prone to benching (MCI, CHE, Jota etc.) then a less popular choice is a good idea.

    2. TheComRED-YNWA
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Do you mean Mebude (Wat)?

  12. Pukki Party
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Are Spurs fullbacks becoming wingbacks with Nuno as manager? Looking at Reguilon (5.0) as probably more nailed but Doherty (5.0) played well under Nuno at Wolves.

    1. Berge20
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Been more of a 4-3-3 in the early days than anything. Reg still might be a good shout getting forward, but until they sort their backline out, not sure you're going to see many CS.

  13. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Curious to see what formation everyone is rocking. Currently on 3-4-3 atm but liking the 3-5-2

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      3-5-2

      1. Andy_Social
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        3-5-2 here too

    2. Sanchit
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      4-4-2

  14. SweepaKeepa
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    To comment on the article for a change…
    I think there’s an Arsenal - Spurs 4.5m rotation to consider with White or Chambers and Dier.

    1. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Aren't they looking to offload Dier?

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        He’s fluent in Portuguese and Nuno just arrived.

      2. Andy_Social
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        They are. I'd say there will be a lot of transfer activity at Spuds in the coming weeks, and I doubt any 4.5 defender will be in the starting lineup.

    2. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      There is one

      But a bit like Brighton Leeds it features a load of away fixtures from memory

      1. SweepaKeepa
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        A fair few. But to Brentford, Wolves, Burnley. Nothing too scary.
        Dier seemed to me (no expert) to be in line for starting this season.

        1. Moderately content penguin
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Oh definitely think it's a possible runner and on a 4.5 rotation quite possibly where I'd go.

          Currently simply planning to find one 4.5 and run with that as cover to my back 3 with Brownhill as other bench. Minimal bench play this time for me.

  15. Champions League Varane
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Which one all? Thanks.

    A-Dunk Coufal Buendia Antonio
    B-Havertz Webster Toney White/Fofana.

    Sanchez Foster
    Trent Shaw Ayling
    Mahrez Bruno Salah Brownhill
    Watkins Obafemi.

  16. dshv
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Sanchez foster
    Taa shaw digne (manquillo white)
    Bruno salah buendia raph (gilmour)
    Antonio watkins Wilson

    what to change

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Same as 99% on here

    2. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Yeah as has been said this is entirely template throughout. Which obviously means there’s plenty to like but hard to find much interesting to say that hasn’t been said many times before.

  17. klipp klopp
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    What team rotates with arsenal best for 4.5 mil defender. Really like the look of Ben white currently

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I guess Spurs would so Dier?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Only problem is NLD GW6, you'd have to play one of them.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Play whichever one were at home

    2. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      You're asking directly beneath the article that tells you. Brighton

      1. Andy_Social
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        The article actually says West Ham, but for me, White and Veltman work well together.

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Brighton if not already overloaded on them. Newcastle look decent from a rotation perspective, but do you really want a Newcastle defender? Maybe not.

    4. SweepaKeepa
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Scroll up 3 comments.

  18. Yordan Letchkov
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Please comment this team. Not sure about Maddison, could also be Buendia + 0.5.

    Sanchez Foster
    TAA Digné Fofana White Manquillo
    Salah Fernandes Maddison Raphina Gilmour
    Calvert-Lewin Antonio Watkins

    Thanks

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Solid.
      Havertz Toney/Maupay for me over Madders and DCL.

      That Havertz price allows you to move up to Son if needed later.

  19. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Want move away from template,

    Toni > Wilson/ Navho/Jimenez. ( have Antonio & Wilkins

    Sanchez > Schmeichel

    3/4 defender either Reguilon or Target

  20. 824545201
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is the line of reasoning that forwards tend to start seasons off very strong valid? Even cheap ones. I don't have any data or stats to back it up, but it seems like cheap and mid priced forwards tend to start their campaigns very well and most goals in the early gameweeks come from the forwards.

    This reasoning makes having a 3 striker formation a must-have, I'm currently on Watkins - Nacho - Antonio, but i have my doubts about Nacho's nailedness.

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Nacho to Wilson.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I'm not sure about validity of the idea that forwards start off particularly strong. I think it often feels that way as the biggest bandwagons tend to be early in the season when there are most active managers, when starting lineups become more clear, etc.

    3. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I agree with you, it takes a whole team to keep a cleansheet for a gamble of a 4.5 defender, but it just takes one striker to score when it comes to a 6.5 striker.

  21. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on Maupay as an alternative to Toney?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Good fixtures. But probably not on pens

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I personally think Toney is the only sub 7mil striker worth starting with. I think I'm warming to the idea of using my 3rd striker as a bench fodder and using the 2-3mil to upgrade my defense.

  22. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Tinkered my way to triple Hammers..

  23. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    If United sign Kane, would he take pens off Bruno?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Maby share them?

      But Ole’s waiting for Haaland next year, Cavani temporary this year to unite with his former student and Sancho

  24. devoncop
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Any comments on a proposed Week 1 Benchboost team......I like to BB with decent fixtures in place rather than rely on whatever the double gameweek (and rotation) throws at me...

    Meslier, Pickford

    TAA, Lowton, James,Coufal, White

    Buendia, Mahrez, Salah, Raphinia,Bowen

    Watkins,Toney,Bamford.

    Week 3 Pickford and Mahrez become Son and a 4.0 keeper using 2 free transfers.

  25. Moderately content penguin
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Chelsea experts about? Hazz are you there?

    Have been running a comparison between James and Chilwell and simply looking at data James seems an equal prospect to Chilwell on pretty much every metric and more so if you look at Tuchel era.

    Is it simply variance that Chilwell is the one who got the returns? What does eye test say about their relative threat? Is Chilwell the more direct goal threat in real terms?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I heard that Chilwell was superior in attacking threat stats but I haven't checked them myself so open to correction.

      I think the appeal of Chilwell is that he plays at wing back. James plays at CB on occasion. James almost always comes on for cameo 1pointers when he doesn't start, which is annoying.

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Cameo point a serious consideration. TY - must look into that

        But the stats are surprisingly - to me anyway - pretty even to my eye. Slightly titled in Chilwell favour in chances but in favour of James in creativity. Little in it on paper hence my question.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      They are both quality.

      I think James got brought on for a cameo appearance on more occasions than Chillwell which is frustrating when it happens.

      Still, you would assume both will start the season.

      Chilwell's spot is a less flexible than James'. Alonso may be off. Emerson doesn't really start for us (may also be off) & hasn't been in pre-season either due to Euros.

      On James's side we have Azpi who can play wing-back & CHO who can has been played at wing-back on occasion. Reece is still the first choice but there are options. If we get Kounde that may actually free up Azpi even more.

      From the way that we play & I have no stats to prove this, but I think our left side if more dangerous. Werner makes the space with this runs/passes & Mount typically operates that side.

      What you'll often get is a cross-field ball from the right side (e.g. James). If we had better poaches more of these would go in (maybe Havertz will help us here) - and James has put in some good ones. But the success rate has been low.

      You'll often see Chilwell making a run into the box to get on the end of those crosses which actually puts him in the equation for a bugger chance of a G/A.

      He does also spend a bit more time coming into the box than James as a result of this. (Well, from me watching games - not sure if true.) Chilwell is pretty decent aerially so that benefits us up top too.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I'm also not 100% sure on the corner situation. Mount has almost entirely pinned down the right-hand side corners now, which is of detriment to James.

        Chillwell did take corners too (him and James on 32 vs 33).

        But someone paying more attention might be able to tell you which side Chilwell's were primarily on.

      2. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Great thank you - terrific insight

        What you say does more or less tie in with the disparities in data as Chilwell has a theoretically greater goal threat in the box and James is the more prolific provider but no one finishes off his chances.

        Had been wondering if there was a Jonny Doherty thing going on here.

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      If it helps:

      Points per 90mins - Chilwell 5.47 (2nd best), James 4.26 (15th best)
      Points/90/million £ (this season's price of course) - Chilwell 0.91 (2nd best value), James 0.77 (16th best value)

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        In conclusion - I think Chilwell is definitely worth the extra £0.5 over James. Really keen to get him ahead of GW 7.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I also agree, on account of the starts & gameplay. Could change if we get a new striker though as we may set up slightly differently.

      2. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Ty

        I'm naturally trying to squeeze every 0.5 of value that I can in week 1 and looking for the types who may have underperformed the underlying data - the mythical underpriced one.

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Between you and me and the gatepost - the most underpriced asset in the game is Stones. His pts/90/£ and pts/90 blow everyone else out of the water.

          He will definitely be making it into my team once I WC down the line. Given his extended holiday after the Euros, I am a bit reluctant to go for him at the very start.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            TAA, Chilly and Stones are my 3 set-in-stone defenders currently.

            1. Stormbringer22
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Amazing. I am currently on TAA - Cancelo - Digne with the intentions of switching to TAA - Chilwell - Stones down the line when things settle, I play my WC and the fixtures swing for Chelsea.

              1. Andy_Social
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Looking at the FDR, to me only the Liverpool game is off-putting. I don't worry about Chelsea v Arsenal and Spuds

                1. Stormbringer22
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  To be honest - I agree with you on the Chelsea front. I keep swapping Cancelo and Chilwell in my draft.

                  Does it not worry you that Stones may miss the first couple of games? That's why I have gone for Cancelo for that £6.0 slot, as I do want a City defender. Don't even know if Stones is back in training tbh...

                  TAA - Chilly - Stones should be a set and forget back 3. At least based on last season's stats.

                  1. Moderately content penguin
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 15 days ago

                    Stones had gone over well 100 matches in the PL with Everton and City without scoring before last season. He did become shot happy and may develop into a regular scorer of course.

                    Without those goals his value dips considerably. Rudiger as equal or better value this season? He has a slightly better record of goals historically.

          2. Moderately content penguin
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Have my eye on Stones

            He does however have much more serious competition this season from Laporte and right now I think is much less secure than either Chelsea wingback. Also City clean sheets I doubt more than Chelsea right now - when they come they come in spurts and are more form driven

            1. Andy_Social
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Well I'm not sure. The City defence is entirely settled - no new members or returnees.
              My drafts are done on the working assumption that Euro players will be ready for GW1 (except Kane). If there are doubts the day before deadline, I'll redraft accordingly.

              1. Moderately content penguin
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Not sure it's possible to call that defence settled really

                Dias I assume will stay more or less ever present but Laporte is a new factor this season. Happy here to see how it shakes down and ready to hop on if they start one of their cs runs.

                Also Stones value I suspect is distorted by the relatively few minutes he played and the brace he scored against Palace. He has zero record as a goal scoring CB - he may develop into one of course. Had never scored a goal previously pretty much

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      You're broadly correct. Chilwell only beats James 0.21 to 0.18 on xGA90. However, in the real world he beats him by 0.31 v 0.11 GA90 with both getting 1 additional FPL assist. I think James is the better player but Chilwell is just a better goalscorer, funny old game eh.

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Ty

        Some players do just have a nose for goal. I find it fun to look at underlying data but actual returns remain the one statistic that rules them all for me.

    5. ritzyd
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      The worry for me with James is Tuchel saying he sees him at RCB which will probably dent his appeal vs Chilwell.

  26. Sharkytect
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Bit annoying that so few of these are for pairs of 4.5 defenders

    1. I Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Indeed. It's at the point now that I'm not sure if there's a 4.5m defender rotation work going for.

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Rotation typically works for short terms only. I usually prefer some kind of hybrid model where I rotate my "last" def and my "last" mid. I don't like playing 4 at the back, but the quality I get with one 5.5 def with ok fixture over 5.5-6 mid leads me pretty often to these situations.

  27. RohanVaswani
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    A) TAA Brownhill

    Or

    B) VVD Dallas?

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Trent is almost essential imo but obviously depends on your bench. Mine isn’t the strongest but willing to take the risk!

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I have A.

  28. no kane no pain
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Gtg?

    Sanchez (Foster)
    Dias Shaw dunk White fofana
    Mount grealish gilmour kdb bruno
    Watkins toney dcl

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I take it you’re not a Pool fan.

      1. no kane no pain
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        It was sacrificing dias to fit in robbo and then compromise one of my 12m mids..

        What would you suggest as TAA well rested.. Robbo can kick on and is. 5 cheaper..

  29. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on this lot? Keeping 0.5 ITB for Coufal > Shaw or Harrison > one of the 6.5 mids.

    Sanchez
    TAA, Coufal, White
    Harrison, Salah, Bruno, Mahrez
    Watkins, Toney, Antonio

    (4.0, Veltman, Brownhill, Omobamidele)

  30. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    A) Buendia and Toney (ESR first on bench)
    B) Havertz and 4.5 fodder (Play ESR with Veltman first on bench)

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A, Havertz one to keep an eye on

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A