In our first look at post-overhaul options in the Sky Sports game, we bring you our top targets in goal and defence.
Our general preference is to aim for budget to mid-price options at the back, using the bulk of our budget for a strong attacking front seven in either a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation.
Simply put, this limits the amount of players that can net us negative points (goals conceded) and lets us focus on strong captain candidates up top.
There is an argument for spending a little more on our goalkeeper as they are rewarded with an extra two points for a clean sheet compared to defenders.
However, although this seems sensible in theory, the less-expensive keepers often still end up challenging the top end due to the high amount of saves they are forced to make, earning them regular bonus points.
Due to Sky Sports being a limited transfer game (40 total outside of overhauls) and attacking positions returning more points in general, it makes sense to try and limit transfers used at the back as best we can.
Selecting nailed-on picks for the long haul and largely ignoring fixtures aids in that quest.
Certainly, last season’s overall winner, Dan Cox, can vouch for that strategy. He used a total of four transfers on his goalkeepers and defenders throughout 2016/17 – and that was without the addition of two overhauls added for this campaign.
Goalkeeper Picks
Jonas Lossl – 5.7m – Points so far: 29
The cheapest starting keeper in the game is already nearing legendary status as three shut-outs out of three pre-overhaul was a dream come true for early adopters. He also managed to earn save bonus once, making him the highest scoring shot stopper so far.
Ben Foster – 6.4m – Points so far: 20
Two clean sheets out of three and just one goal conceded bodes well for the former England International. The Baggies seem to have addressed their leaky defence from last term and Foster currently offers the cheapest nailed-on route into their backline. Ahmed Hegazy, at 6.2m, could continue to feature given his encouraging start to life in the top flight, although as we’ll cover later, he now appears under greater threat.
Jack Butland – 6.6m – Points so far: 15
Hopefully, Butland’s injury problems are now behind him and he can be revived as a Fantasy asset. In the 2015/16 season he managed 10 shut-outs in 31 matches for the Potters and also topped the save charts with 18 bonus. We see no reason why he can’t emulate those figures, having already earned save bonus and a cleansheet. He’s also the cheapest route into Stoke’s defence.
Fraser Forster – 6.7m – Points so far: 23
Currently third in the overall goalkeeper rankings, the giant Forster does look an enticing pick. Two clean sheets and two tier one saves from his three matches is impressive work. Ultimately, his selection may depend on his colleague Jack Stephens’ pitch-time. At 6.5m Stephens offers a cheaper alternative if he can hold off the challenge of Wesley Hoedt and Virgil van Dijk.
Kasper Schmeichel – 6.7m – Points so far: 22
The Dane has started the season in fine form, picking up an impressive MoTM award already in a 2-0 loss to Man United in which he saved a penalty. With a clean sheet and a couple of save bonus thrown in, Schmeichel looks capable of picking up points from all angles. Coming in at roughly 0.5 less than his defensive counterparts also aids his cause.
Jordan Pickford – 6.8m – Points so far: 16
Despite Everton’s brutal early fixtures, the young Englishman has managed to return in each match. Pickford also has form for saves, having topped the charts last campaign just above Tom Heaton (from fewer starts too). Although he may not be as busy under his current employers, you would expect his clean sheet tally to improve under Ronald Koeman.
Defender Picks
Markus Suttner – 5.7m – Points so far: 11
Cheap nailed-on starting defenders are like gold dust in Sky Sports and Markus Suttner looks set to fit that bill. He’s not pulled up any tress yet and, in truth, at 5.7m he’s unlikely to. But he has looked a solid pick to this point. Brighton kept 12 clean sheets at home in the Championship (21 total) and Suttner comes with some impressive attacking numbers from his time in Germany. He averaged a shot every 63 minutes and a key pass every 51 minutes, so maybe there is still time for some deforestation.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah – 5.7m – Points so far: 6
Another whose price tag is the main appeal, leaving cash for the all-important attacking positions. Crystal Palace have obviously struggled so far, but there is hope the addition of Mamadou Sakho will once again transform their defence. Along with colleague Joel Ward (6.0m), they also have the added appeal of bonus points from tackles, being the joint second and third best tacklers at the back. Ironically, the signing of Sahko may result in one of them warming the bench, but the hope is Fosu-Mensah remains as the right-sided centre-back, giving us the potential for a real gem.
Kiko Femenia – 5.7m – Points so far: 13
This pick should really be ‘The Watford Defence’ because, aside from Daryl Janmaat and Jose Holebas, the Hornets backline will set you back anywhere between 6.3 and 4.4 million. Molla Wague, at 5.6m, and Femenia do look the cheapest likely starters, with the Spaniard impressing in his two starts so far. Rotation and some poor early fixtures may put Fantasy managers off, but that provides us with the opportunity to monitor from afar before taking the plunge. And the prices quoted for a defender in a Marco Silva team look worthy of our attention.
Christopher Schindler – 6.0m – Points so far: 27
As above, another pick where the whole team’s defence could be an option, mainly due to price. Chris Lowe (6.1m), Tommy Smith (6.2m) and Mathias Jorgensen (5.7m) all look viable options after a trio of clean sheets to start the campaign. Lowe has looked good bonus-wise and may yet feature in some set-pieces, Smith has already earned a MoTM award after his raids forward and Jorgensen – aka Zanka – has more attempts on goal than the others, with three from inside the box. Schindler just edges it for us at this point due to him earning the most bonus points (six). He also arguably has less competition for his place.
Ahmed Hegazy – 6.2m – Points so far: 33
The star of the defensive picks so far and the overall second-highest scoring player in the game after two clean sheets, two MoTM awards and a goal in his three matches to date. The Egyptian should be an automatic pick at such a cheap price, but concerns over his starting berth have now escalated. Jonny Evans (7.4m) failed to leave the Baggies in the transfer window and last season’s six goal hero, Gareth McAuley (7.5m), is close to full fitness, both should challenge for starts at some point. Allan Nyom 6.7m could offer an alternative, having already picked up an assist and a MoTM award to go with his tackling bonus, although Craig Dawson (7.4m) could be moved over to take his full-back spot. Given the uncertainty, it looks wise to let the Baggies defence settle and opt out in this overhaul period.
Jack Stephens – 6.5m – Points so far: 15
Stephens also looks to be a great pick – if he can fend off competition and hold on to his starting place. The appeal in both cases is their price compared to the rest of the team, with the young Englishman’s colleagues coming in around the 7.5–8.2 bracket. Saints have two clean sheets out of three and a favourable fixture run until Gameweek 15, so managers may be willing to take the risk, given the position still looks like Stephens’ to lose.
Kyle Naughton – 6.7m – Points so far: 16
Naughton is currently featuring at right wing-back for the Swans, so immediately comes into our thinking as his raids forward have already produced an assist. Two away clean sheets is also impressive, considering Swansea City have usually been far more comfortable at home. Alfie Mawson (7.3m) also looks a good pick if you can stretch the budget – he managed four goals and three MoTM awards last term.
Harry Maguire – 7.4m – Points so far: 22
A player who certainly passes the ‘eye test’, Maguire’s performances for Leicester City have impressed as much as his ability to earn 22 points from three tricky fixtures. A goal an assist, a clean sheet and a MoTM award all to his name already suggest fixture difficulty won’t hinder his prospects. With goals worth seven points for defenders, Maguire looks a real asset and carries next to no threat of rotation. The term ‘fire and forget’ looks tailor-made for the twinkle-toed Englishman.
Phil Jones – 7.5m – Points so far: 21
England’s centre-back has no doubt been priced with his injury record in mind – at 7.5m he’s far cheaper than the next nailed-on asset Antonio Valencia (9.0m). Three clean sheets from three for Man United should certainly cause a few to look at Jones, especially as his form suggests it will only be the next injury that will stop him from churning out points. He has also been flirting with bonus, averaging 50 completed passes per game. If he can bump those numbers a tad, we could see a regular return of nine points from United’s number four.
Ben Davies – 8.2m – Points so far: 21
Stepping out of Danny Rose’s shadow, Davies looks an exciting pick. He has had five attempts already, with one resulting in a goal, he’s getting touches in the opponents’ box, with six so far, and he’s created more chances than any other defender (9). Davies is also taking a fair share of corners for Spurs. He really does look a solid pick and may even be worth considering over a similarly-priced midfielder in a back four. Rose’s return would change matters but, as we’ve seen for months, that continues to drag.
Marcos Alonso – 10.0m – Points so far: 28
An extortionate price for a defender, but the Spaniard could be an exception. Six goals last season in 31 starts and two already in the opening three matches certainly catches the eye. Playing at left wing-back, he regularly gets into the opponents’ box (12 touches there already) and is one of the most deadly players in the league from free-kicks in and around the area. If Chelsea can get close to the 16 clean sheets they managed last term, then Alonso could yet prove a decent pick – even when compared to his midfield counterparts.
Weekly articles and podcast
In Friday’s Sky Sports Focus I’ll reveal who has made my Overhaul line-up ahead of the weekend.
As well as the weekly Focus article this season, I’ll be talking through the week’s action and upcoming plans with FFS posters Buffrey and Lewis on our regular podcast – the latest episode can be found here.
The Fantasy Football Scout League
We’ve already set up our Fantasy Football Scout League and, after winning the League of Leagues for each of the last four seasons, we’re looking to defend our crown in 2017/18.
Get your teams in – the name is FFScout and the pin number to join is 8300422.
