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9 September 2018 635 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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There is relatively little faith in the Manchester United defence in the Fantasy community at this moment, following their shaky start in August.

The Red Devils were the only “big six” club who didn’t possess a defender with a double-digit ownership in Fantasy Premier League going into Gameweek 4, though Luke Shaw (£5.1m) has just broken through that threshold this week.

Shaw’s popularity surge, however, can be mostly attributed to his attacking threat and cut-price cost, rather than faith in United’s ability to register clean sheets.

Over 500,000 FPL bosses currently own Shaw and they will be anxiously awaiting an update on the head injury that led to his second-half substitution in England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain last night.

David de Gea (£5.9m), who enjoyed a 30%+ ownership before the start of the season, has been sold by more FPL managers than any other goalkeeper this season.

The clean sheet United recorded in the 2-0 win over Burnley was their first of the season and marked the end of a dismal run of seven goals conceded in three league matches.

Has United’s defence statistically been that bad, though, and is the shut-out at Turf Moor a more positive sign of things to come?

In this latest Members’ article, we analyse the underlying data being recorded by United’s backline and ask if their defenders – and de Gea – are worthy of consideration in our FPL squads going forward.

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635 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. jblakes
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Pedro and taa to robbo and frazer/grey?

    Already have haz. Im not sure if taa will actually get many assists or goals.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Sideways

    4. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No way

      The way round if you had the latter two

  2. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Play two
    a) Jimenez (vs BUR home)
    b) Bellerin (vs NEW away)
    c) Mitrovic (vs MCI away)

    Cheers

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one. But I'd go with the strikers

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A)

      B)

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers both!

    4. CoffeeBean
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A and B

  3. schlupptheweek
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What would you rate Jahanbakhsh's chances of starting vs Southampton. I'm thinking of punting on him in Sky FF as a punt. He sounds like an exciting player with potential for MOTM awards.

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Not enough data to judge yet for the PL. Brilliant in Netherlands, but too punty imo. Hughton seems to be easing his signings into XI, doesnt want to disturb the already-present cohesion.

      1. schlupptheweek
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, is Murray likely to start the next 5 matches if fit or is Locadia a threat?

        1. Differential C (Mark)
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Several Brighton fans I know seem to think Locadia will eventually be handed his chance. Maybe next 1-2 matches, but beyond Im not sure.

  4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Pereira (The defender) or Holebas on wildcard? No other Leicester or Watford players on my team

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Need someone playing most weeks

    2. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Both really good options, I also like Chilwell, I currently have Holevas

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Pereira. Holebas if you need the cash, but would go Pereira.

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks! Leaning towards Pereira myself

  5. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Was all set on my WC team.
    Now Shaw looks like a „no-go” for now.
    Any other 5.0 M defenders worth looking at?
    Or rather switch from Shaw + Bennet to some 2 x 4.5 M rotating pair - which?

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Couple of options in my question above. Also Shaw replacements on WC for me

    2. Captain Vantastic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      On WC too and def is:

      Mendy Robbo Alonso Holebas and AWB

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Nice! What does your team look like?

      2. Warby84
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Same

      3. LewanGOALski
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Looks very nice, but too pricey for me

      4. Arn De Gothia
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        me too, new template?

  6. Captain Vantastic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Guys please choose one of:

    Pedro, Silva or Walcott(If comfirmed fit)

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Pedro, assuming it's B silva

    2. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think Pedro will be good value even if he won't start every game

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Wally

    4. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Pedro and Dilva both

  7. Whazza
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Would you WC this? On -8 at the moment...

    Ederson Hamer
    Robbo Mendy Alonso Bennett AWB
    Salah Mane Mkhi Wally Cairney
    Kun Wilson Ings

    Could get rid of the -8+Mkhi, Wally and Cairney are problems..

    1. nisag17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      You can easily play 5 2 3 next week as Bennett has a good fixture. Don't need to play Mkhi Wally or Cairney. Sort it out next week with more information.

      1. Whazza
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, just a bit hard to take a -8 if you can't play 3 of your 5 mids.. But maybe Walcott is fit

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      yes, to get Haz in

  8. Warby84
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Would you bench Holebas vs Utd or Walcott vs WHU

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Holebas, if Walcott is fit

    2. gergin
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Why should You bench decent forward in home game to play defender?

      1. Warby84
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Holebas is involved heavily and I think Watford will score...

  9. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    We expecting Leicester to perform well over their great run of fixtures?

    I’m currently going both Vardy and Maddison on my wildcard, could be two huge differentials looking at their ownership.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Just don’t trust Leicester to score that many over these games

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Definirely, I'm looking at Pereira and one of those two

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think they will. Looking at several of their assets for next GW

    4. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think there both excellent punts. I've just gone for Maddison at the moment until i can see how they link up. Next fixture for them is Bournemouth which is normally a tight game 1-1 or 1-0 if they score big in it then i think the returns will be pretty good from vardy and maddison over the good run.

  10. People in Preston
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I'm a member who used to read the articles and avoid the chat. But I'll agree with a previous poster. These articles are getting far too wordy. They lose their impact. Now I just skim-read.

  11. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Current Team...
    Pickford
    TAA, AWB, Mendy, Alonso
    Fraser, Salah, Haz, Lucas
    Jimenez, Aguero
    Speroni, Zaha, Kabasele, Odoi

    0.7 ITB 1 FT. Opinions?

    1. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT

  12. DGW Sane TC Fail....
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What do people think the fantasy football season is going to come down to. Me personally i think it going to come down to the rotation of a few key players through the season and you captains choice. Salah/Mane/Aguero/Kane/Hazard. I think getting in these players at the right time will determine how good your season goes. Anybody see it a different way?

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think it always comes down to that and captain choice

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Captain choices is massive,as well as having the correct differentials in your squad. A squad is only as good as its least-owned player imo. So having a good squad includes a majority amount of template players + 1/2 sub-5% players who are viable to play more than the occasional GW.

    3. ATXHorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Agree that Captain pick is the biggest decision every week. Week 2 was first big pivot. Those who captained Salah instead of Aguero are probably behind. That was 20pts. right there.

      1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        What's interesting this season is you can't afford all the big hitting players in your Squad. If KDB comes back on fire the headache becomes even bigger. You have people now dropping Salah for Hazard and Salah could easy score a brace against spurs. same will Kane.. Kane over Aguero could play a huge part in the season. For me it's making it more interesting. this season the template will change every game week 🙂

  13. How I met your Mata
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Who's the popular pick on here to replace shaw excluding holebas??

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I want to know this as well

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Pereira/Chilwell seems to be gaining traction.

    3. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t know about popular pick but I like Pereira. Very attacking and plays OOP at times. Cholevas is the trendy pick. Wouldn’t go there myself.

      1. Oven Glover
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Chilwell seems to outperform Pereira in the stats, though. Might be a shrewder pick.

  14. allaboutthemagic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Best 4.5 GK got WC?

    Got patricio but thinking Hart?!

    1. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He won’t keep Heaton out forever.

      1. Mitrosonfire
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Salah

  15. gomez123
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    To get Hazard in take out A) Salah or B) Mane

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Mitrosonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. nisag17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Really depends on what you plan to do with the Money if you take out Salah and where you will get the money if you take out Mane.

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      If you're comfortable making someone else captain when 2million+ will captain him, then Salah

    5. Arn De Gothia
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      b

    6. The Abyss
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A

  16. TerryVenables
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    On wildcard...can only have one.
    (A) Mitrovic
    (B) Wilson
    Annoying Mitrovics next fixture is so bad.

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Mitro's on fire.

      1. Hooky
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I think you'll find that's Will Grigg

    2. Mitrosonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      So was Spurs away but he scored

  17. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-winger-theo-walcott-hopes-15128586
    Walcott hopefully starts!

    Although Zaha is still not on training pitches according to Ben Dinnery.

  18. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen goal

  19. EMERGING STAR
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Alonso(C).

  20. Brehmeren
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen 1-0.

  21. Mitrosonfire
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Shaw price drops untill gw5?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Friday/Saturday morning perhaps.

  22. PURPLE-RONNIE
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Which is better lads

    A: Mane and Bilva to Haz and Maddison -4

    B: Bilva to pedro

    1. Mitrosonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. The Abyss
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A

  23. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I think it has become easier to play fantasy football because of the explosion of the the number of self-styled experts on social media, websites etc.
    Not because of the advice they give.
    But because invariably most of them all think the same.
    There is rarely any real individual thought.
    So you can easily see the core players that group is picking.
    It is also easy to check on the other other group of players those that are most owned overall.
    It has now become really easy to make decisions to stay ahead of the curve because people are reluctant to stray from those two main cohorts of of players. Group think and overall ownership

    All you have to do is pick a good few the players from the third group that have not caught fire yet, with good fixtures and surely some of these will help you stay ahead of the moves the other two groups are making?

    All I can say is I love the group think long may it continue.
    It is very evident where the is a collection of people doing a podcast.
    The majority of thier teams all end up the same and thier scores are always very similar.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Conclusion : FPL is easier to play now and getting a good rank should be easy too?

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I see what you did there 😀 .... of course with many more players and the standard in the top million improving, it's going to be more difficult to do well.

      2. Brehmeren
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly, this should make it tougher to get a good rank.

      3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Not necessarily of course.
        But there seems to be more of an inbuilt fear to move away from a core of players, until the majority of these two groups do so.
        Then the rest follow belatedly.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Your rank last season doesn't help your cause.

          1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            It does actually, because I was too impatient an early -12 cost me 40 points, and was behind the curve all the time rather then in front of it.
            I would have been about 70 points better off if I had no preseason wildcard last season, ruined a great side the same week Batshuayi got a brace who I transferred out among others.
            Also nearly every 50/50 decision went the wrong way as well which did not help.
            Basically If I stuck to my guns and was more patient I would have done far better, rather then following the crowd.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      “All you have to do is pick a good few the players from the third group that have not caught fire yet, with good fixtures and surely some of these will help you stay ahead of the moves the other two groups are making?”

      Easier said than done. I get what you mean, though.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Its all you had to do before..... pick players before they score

        1. Oven Glover
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Some seem to like to pick the players that have already scored.

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            😀

    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Hard when the template overperforms like they have so far, but it wont last. It will be more interesting when the popular players have slumps.

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I don't know, I find it most interesting when I get big fat pointage every week 😛

        Scraping low scores every week just puts me off after a while

        1. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Exactly this.

          This game is really not sustainable in my view. Just play it because it's popular and I like following the premier league. It's so slow and the form slumps can take months to come around. Much prefer the 2-3 months games where you have rapid fixture swings, plenty of decisions to be made and made fast as opposed to just being patient and plugging away for 9 months that's required here.

          There is a reason everyone goes sailing past ghost ships in January. The average person just can't be bothered making 1 transfer per week for 9 months and it's just so boring.

  24. Papasthathopolous
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    1FT
    Patricio (Hamer)
    Alonso Mendy Robbo AWB( Tomkins )
    Salah Mane Mkhi Neves Hughes
    Aguero King Zaha

    A) Mkhi -> Maddison
    B) Zaha + Neves -> Ings + Madison (-4)
    C) Save

    not liking my 4th and 5th midfielders

  25. Depldax
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I've somehow found myself with this mess... wildcard time?
    Ryan (don't ask) Hamer
    Mendy Robertson AWB Tomkins Peltier
    Walcott Salah Hazard Bilva Stephens
    Tosun King Aguero

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      If Walcott and Tomkins fit a -4 could do it.

    2. Depldax
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks I think I'll hold till the team news Friday

  26. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    a) 3-4-3 without Mo Salah:
    Patricio
    Mendy Shaw(if fit) Alonso
    Hazard Mane DSilva Fraser
    Kun Vardy Mitro

    b) 4-4-2 with Mo Salah:
    Patricio
    Shaw/Pereira Alonso Holebas S.Cook
    Salah Haz DSilva Fraser
    Kun Vardy

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A because it's very similar to my WC

  27. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Which would you prefer long term?

    A) Ederson, PVA, Mkhi
    B) Patricio, Shaw, Dilva

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B

  28. Arn De Gothia
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    one more week to destroy wc teams... pleace RMWCT

    Begovich / 4,0

    Alonso / Robbo / Mendy / (Bennet / WB)

    Salah / Hazard / Maddison / Frasier / Richardlison (or some placeholder)

    Aguero / Ings / Mitro

    or Mitro & Maddison -> Vardy & Höjberg

  29. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Transfer out:
    A) Mkhi
    B) Bilva

    Transfer in:
    1) Fraser
    2 Maddison

    1. Arn De Gothia
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      2

    2. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B2

  30. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What are your thoughts on Lacazette? Certainly looked Arsenal’s best player last week but has he done enough for regular start

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Too risky for me but could be a great differential. Prefer Vardy for .5 less