Aston Villa

What to expect from Aston Villa’s defence in FPL

Aston Villa will come back to the Premier League as an unknown quantity in 2019/20, especially in defence.

Their promotion-winning season was largely one of two halves as they changed their manager from Steve Bruce to Dean Smith several matches into the campaign.

Furthermore, there is currently some uncertainty about who will be the regular number one goalkeeper for Villa next season.

Also, a high number of loan players playing a key role in the defence will require work for the manager over the summer to bring his promotion-winning back-four up with him.

What is Aston Villa’s clean sheet potential?

Dean Smith did an impressive job turning around Aston Villa’s fortunes in 2018/19

At this stage, it is hard to predict how Villa will cope defensively in the top flight next year.

Their 2018/19 campaign was very much split into two halves, with only the second of these seeing them in anything close to promotion-form.

After the first 23 matches of the campaign, they were just 11th in the Championship table but a 10-game winning streak between March 2 and April 22 propelled them into the play-offs, which they eventually won.

Across the whole season, Villa conceded 61 goals, which was the second worst in the top six, and top-half, in fact.

“The first half of the season was an absolute catastrophe defensively. Steve Bruce was completely negligent with regards to the state he left us in defensively. James Chester has been our best player over our years in the Championship, and he has damaged his body for the rest of his career due to having to play with an injury because we only had two proper centre backs at the club up until January.” – Dan Bardell, The Villa View

In total, they kept 12 clean sheets from their 46 matches with 10 Championship sides keeping more, including both Norwich and Sheffield United.

That winning run produced a higher rate of clean sheets once Dean Smith’s January signings had time to settle in. Villa recorded shutouts in 26% of their 2018/19 league matches but did so in 50% of the games between March 2 and April 22.

“Tyrone Mings and Axel Tuanzebe have been revelations on loan, Tuanzebe will play for England, I’m absolutely certain of it.” – Dan Bardell

As we saw with Norwich, Smith’s men were not particularly solid at the back when playing at home.

The 36 goals they conceded at Villa Park was the second worst in the whole division for 2018/19.

Only Rotherham (38) shipped more than that in front of their own fans, who were relegated to League One. Even more damning was the fact that Ipswich (31), who finished bottom, and Bolton (35) both conceded fewer than Villa in home matches.

By contrast, the Villans’ defence away from home was one of the best in the league.

On their travels, they conceded 25 goals in 23 matches, with only Middlesbrough (24), Sheffield United (24) and Norwich (23) shipping fewer than that.

Once again, it is also worth pointing out that Aston Villa secured promotion with a large contingent of loan players, who may not necessarily be at the club next season.

In defence, the key figures in that respect were Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings, who made 18 starts and Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe, who made 27. These are two players particularly credited with Villa’s upturn in form during the Spring.

Either way, it is difficult to know exactly how much we can read into Villa’s defensive performances from 2018/19 when assessing their chances in the Premier League next season.

The combination of two managers in one season and major changes in January based around temporary players muddy the waters somewhat.

“Again it’s difficult to say at the moment as we need to try and get loans turned into permanent deals, and our backup defender will all most likely leave on free transfers as they’re out of contract.” – Dan Bardell

Player-by-player

Ørjan Nyland

Goalkeeper

Starts: 23 | Substitute appearances: 0 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0

Nyland was Villa’s goalkeeper for the first half of the season before a serious injury

Norwegian international Ørjan Nyland was the number one at Aston Villa at the start of the season after arriving in the summer from FC Ingolstadt.

However, he did not play a single match in 2019 after rupturing his Achilles in a December training session.

“There was nothing that could be done about it. It was just one of those things. He was warming up and then it’s just gone. He will have an operation next week and that should put him out for the season.” – Dean Smith

He is expected to be fully fit for the 2019/20 and with two years left on his contract will be hoping to stake his claim for a return to the side.

That said, Nyland did not necessarily impress before his injury. When his season-ending knock was confirmed, Villa had conceded 38 goals in 25 matches, 1.52 per game.

In his 23 appearances, Nyland recorded 2.9 saves per game, with 16 Championship goalkeepers recording better than that over the season. Although, of the Villa shot-stoppers who made more than five starts, this was actually the best.

Either way, his injury and questionable displays in the early part of the campaign make it impossible to suggest whether or not he will be first choice come August.

Jed Steer

Goalkeeper

Starts: 18 | Substitute appearances: 1 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0

Steer helped guide Villa to promotion after being recalled from a loan at Charlton

The man who helped guide Villa to promotion from between the sticks was Jed Steer, who in December was still playing League One football on loan at Charlton.

He was recalled on December 31 following that injury to Nyland to act as cover for January signing Lovre Kalinić.

However, after just seven starts for the Croatian, he too picked up an injury, opening the door for Steer to take over in goal.

It was Steer who helped Villa to that remarkable 10-match winning run to the point that he was able to hold off competition from Kalinic, even after he returned to full fitness.

Smith’s trust in Steer was rewarded as he saved two penalties in the shoot-out against West Bromwich Albion in the play-off semi-finals.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air since he’s come back. I’m so happy for him as he works so hard every single day. He’s in the gym, the last one to leave and recently he’s got his time to prove himself and he’s done that.” – Jack Grealish

Despite Steer’s success since coming back from loan, the local press are still not completely sure who will start in goal next season.

The money spent on both Nyland and Kalinic is not believed to be cheap so that could play into Smith’s thinking.

Ahmed El Mohamady

Right-back

Starts: 35 | Substitute appearances: 6 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 8

El Mohamady will be back in FPL next season

Former Hull City and Sunderland defender Ahmed El Mohamady will be back for a seventh FPL season in 2019/20.

He may now be 31-years-old but the last 12 months proved to be the Egyptian’s most productive in English football from an attacking perspective.

In helping Aston Villa to promotion this year, El Mohamady was involved in 10 goals, more than in any of his previous league campaigns in this country.

No promoted defender managed more than his eight assists, which were provided on the back of his textbook delivery from wide areas.

When compared against the rest of the Championship, El Mohamady was one of the most creative defenders in the league during 2018/19.

Of those who made at least 20 appearances in a defensive position, the Egyptian ranked joint-second for his 1.5 chances created per game, behind only Wigan’s Reece James (1.7) and Leeds’ Barry Douglas (1.7).

El Mohamady also compares very favourably to his team-mates in this department too. In the 2018/19 season, Jack Grealish (78), John McGinn (75), Conor Hourihane (70) and were the only Villa players to play more key passes than his 53.

The other appeal of El Mohamady is his versatility. On 13 occasions this season he was deployed on the right of midfield and recorded two goals and two assists in those matches.

That number of appearances in that position is probably not sufficient to see him classified as a midfielder on FPL but is certainly enough for him to have the potential for playing out of position.

In total, El Mohamady made 35 league starts in 2018/19, more than anyone else in defence, despite the changes made when new manager Dean Smith came in. That should ensure he is nailed-on to start in the Premier League.

Perhaps the only thing to put us off initially, on top of uncertainty of clean sheets, could be price. El Mohamady looks like the only defensive option at Villa with a chance of coming in at anything more expensive than £4.5m, and might follow suit with £5.0m men Tommy Smith and Barry Douglas in recent years.

Neil Taylor

Left-back

Starts: 31 | Substitute appearances: 3 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 3

Taylor will be another returning face in FPL for 2019/20

Also relatively assured of starts in the Aston Villa defence for the new season, barring extensive summer recruitment in his position, is Neil Taylor.

The former Swansea City left-back was in the starting line-up 31 teams in 2018/19, although he offered much less than El Mohamady in terms of attacking returns.

Taylor managed just three assists and no goals, having created just 20 chances (11th-best in the Villa squad).

The data tells us that Taylor is more of a steady defensive option. In Villa’s promotion-winning campaign, he ranked third among his colleagues for tackles and fourth for tackles won – which could contribute to bonus points next season.

However, the chances of these sorts of numbers ever contributing to Fantasy appeal seem quite slim given Villa’s uncertain clean sheet potential at this stage.

James Chester

Centre-back / left-back / right-back

Starts: 28 | Substitute appearances: 0 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 0

Chester has some fitness issues to sort out over the summer before the start of the new season

As already mentioned, James Chester struggled with injury this season and missed the final 18 games with a serious knee problem. Prior to that, he was an ever-present as one of the few centre-backs at the club.

The Welsh international played through his fitness issues this season and has reportedly caused damage to his body that may have to be managed for the rest of his career.

“I’ve damaged my body indefinitely. It’s something I’m going to have to manage for the rest of my career. Hopefully, I can look after it and play for as long as possible. It is what it is, I’m a professional. I’ve been training for the last six weeks. It’s a case of managing what I do. I’m feeling better and better as the weeks go on. The break over the summer will hopefully help me do well and I can come back and give it a go next season.” – James Chester

While that is not a hugely encouraging update, provided in the wake of Villa’s play-off final victory, if Chester can get fit for the 2019/20 season, he could offer a lot to Fantasy managers.

Despite making just 28 appearances in 2018/19, the centre-back scored five goals, more than any promoted defender.

All of them were netted from set pieces, as Chester presents a real threat in the air. No player in FPL managed more goals from dead-ball situations in 2018/19, Shane Duffy and Callum Wilson both scoring five each.

The 17 shots that Chester had in the box was more than any of his defensive colleagues, again impressive considering his limited minutes this year.

His total of five efforts on target was also the highest of any Villa defender this season.

But we must remember that whether Chester can be relied upon for his goal threat in the Premier League will depend on his fitness, as well as the centre-back situation at Villa…

Tyrone Mings

Centre-back / left-back

Starts: 18 | Substitute appearances: 0 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0

Mings hugely impressed during his short stay at Villa

As already mentioned, Tyrone Mings has been an incredibly important player for Villa since signing on loan from Bournemouth in January.

At a time when the club was short of options at centre-back, the 26-year-old slotted into the team and put on some impressive commanding performances.

He scored two goals during his five-month stint at Villa in 2018/19 but had just a total of seven shots in that time.

In truth, at this stage, it looks as if Mings might not have a great deal of Fantasy appeal, but whether or not he is present in Villa’s squad for 2019/20 may have an impact on their clean sheet potential.

As things stand, Mings’ loan has now expired and he remains a Bournemouth player.

According to reports in the local press, Villa manager Smith considers getting Mings on a permanent deal a serious priority for the summer transfer window.

That is understandable, given his role in that impressive 10-match winning run. Fantasy managers should definitely watch how this transfer saga develops in the close-season.

Axel Tuanzebe

Centre-back / right-back

Starts: 27 | Substitute appearances: 1 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1

It might be harder for Villa to get Tuanzebe back on loan over the summer

The same should be said about Manchester United man Axel Tuanzebe.

As already mentioned, it was his partnership with Mings that helped Villa make improvements to their defence in the final few months of the season.

Smith will certainly be hoping to bring Tuanzebe back to the club for 2019/20, but he may have to wait a while.

It was recently reported by the Daily Mirror that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to give the centre-back a pre-season campaign at Manchester United in an attempt to assess his viability for the first team in 2019/20.

That does not necessarily mean he won’t come back to Villa again, but it does suggest we’ll have to wait and see what happens with him.

Other options

Hutton has already been released by Villa manager Smith

As mentioned Villa manager Smith has already started to make changes to his side ahead of a return to the Premier League.

Despite making 33 starts this season, right-back Alan Hutton has been released by the club.

Centre-back Tommy Elphick, signed from Bournemouth three years ago, was also let go at the end of May.

Kortney Hause is another defensive player who’s future is currently uncertain.

He joined Villa on loan from Wolves in January, playing six matches at centre-back and four at left-back.

His deal reportedly allows Smith to make his move from Molineux permanent but that is subject to the go-ahead from Villa too.

79 Comments Post a Comment
  1. F0oTBall GuRu
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Zlaaaaataaaaaaaaaaaaaan
    Best Footballer EVER

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      ...to never win Champions League.

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Pele never won the champions league

        1. Andy'81
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I beg to differ

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abedi_Pele

          1. FPL Forward Thinker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Either you are suggesting I was not referring to Edson Arantes do Nascimento or you are suggesting the wee Marseille guy was better than Zlatan?

            1. ZaZaZu
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              jeez, take a joke!

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Not sure I can trust the Villa defence in FPL.

    Mings and Tuanzebe were at the heart of the defence and probably aren't good enough for the PL. Both were on loan too so there is no guarantee they will be back either.

    The rest (Chester, Taylor, Elmohamady) have been tried in the PL before and their best days are probably behind them.

    1. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      The redemption of Alan Hutton incoming

      1. Majestic Chanka
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Oh wait, didn’t read that part of the article 🙁

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hard to say someone isn’t good enough for the Prem. the gap between championship and premier league is closing slowly and many examples of defenders coming from league 1 to Championship and making the step up to Prem as well.

      Not saying they will be great but it’s madness to write players off.

      Yeah Bournemouth didn’t see Mings as part of their squad, and he’s a horrible human, but if he can avoid injury he’s surely got a chance at making the step up.

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Why's he a horrible human?

        He's become a fan favourite at VP and been a real leader, done lots of work with the homeless over the years (he was in a homeless shelter himself growing up), always talking about mental health and racism issues in society. Seems like a good guy to me.

  3. Diva
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    No Hutton, no party. 😆

  4. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I thought membership fee was £10 before the start of the season and £15 for the first 19 GWs. How come I am seeing £12.50?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      £12.50 or £17.50 now

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yep, slight price change this year, though it it's a very small one if you spread the increase out over the year.

      The reason for the change is that FFS absorbed 20% VAT and didn't pass that on to membership in the past and we have more staff/tech support/members articles. I'd also assume that the membership prices have never been adjusted with inflation, which would make a big difference with costs growing.

      Not ideal, but it was a necessary change. Hope that clears it up 🙂

      1. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Makes total sense. +1.

        I will be subscribing this forthcoming season

    3. Kane Toads
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      $22.68 AUD for me.... 🙂

      1. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        That's cool. It is almost 6,000 my country's currency.

    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It's been £12.50 pre season for a while now, it's only the regular price that has gone up this year

    5. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Mod lifestyle is is harder to maintain these days.

    6. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Actually I'm not sure it ever has been £10 at the start of the season, it has certainly been £12.50 for the last few years at least as initial offer.
      The only £10.00 pricing recently was the half-season offer that historically pops up in January, but that was for just half a season (i.e. all memberships end at end of May).

    7. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It’s not a bad price for the amount of Member content available IMO.

    8. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Because it’s £12.50. Just paid. Absolute bargain....pay up!!

  5. avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Good article, nice input from Dan.

    Villa's defence improved massively once Mings settled in. In his 18 starts, we conceded just 15 goals - impressive considering he had four different centre-back partners during that time (Tuanzebe, Hause, Elphick, Jedinak).

    Frederic Guilbert isn't mentioned and should be monitored in pre-season. He was signed from Caen in January and then loaned back for the remainder of the season, and is expected to challenge El Mohamady at right-back.

    The rumours this morning are that Etheridge will sign from Cardiff, and compete for the no1 spot with Steer, with Kalinic, who's failed to settle, heading out on loan. Seems an odd one to me, never been that impressed with his ability to play out from the back, which Smith likes us to do, but time will tell. I expect us to complete the signing of Mings soon, plus another centre-back and left-back - Neil Taylor is the weakest link and I'd be surprised if he's anything more than a squad player next season.

  6. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    After seeing the last episode of Chernobyl I have to say it is a must watch.
    So good and so sad. Powerful, terrifying, important.
    Just brilliant mini-series!

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I’m definitely looking to watch. Just need to figure out how to find it!

  7. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys,

    I’m thinking of choosing a PL team to ‘back’ as I have just moved to a new area and wouldn’t mind having a PL to get behind which isn’t one of Chelsea, Spurs, Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal or City and I have narrowed it down to these two:

    Crystal Palace
    Watford

    Any non biased suggestions?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I used to live near Crystal Palace and visited Selhurst Park several times - great stadium and fanbase, plus some exciting players too (if they can hold onto them) - Wan-Bissaka, Zaha, Milivojevic.

    2. Kane Toads
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I agree CPL have some great players and "Roy" is always an interesting character, so 'Palace it is...

      (from Spurs supporter in Australia).

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Palace are huge fun to support.

      In my 40 odd years of backing them at least 20 years have been relegation or promotion dog fights - with the very occasional cup run. This last season gone was as dull as we manage really but that still included some epic performances against Liverpool and City.

      One word of warning - it’s written in the stars we go down just before the new stand is finished - you’ve got a couple of seasons of PL footie left.

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks guys

  8. Kane Toads
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone playing Women's WC Fantasy Football?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe a bit of fantasising, but no 😉

  9. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Reckon Robbo, VVD and Laporte all come in at 7.5 next year.

    Sterling, Mane, Salah all 13... but one or more might move to FWD...

    Jimenez 8. Vardy 9.5.

    Kane 12; Son 10.5

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Robbo 7.5, VVD 7.5, Laporte 6.5, TAA 7.0, Salah 12.5, Sterling 11.5, Mane 11.5, Vardy 10.0, Kane 11.5, Son 9.5, Jimenez 8.0

    2. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I don't see how Robbo can be priced under 8m to be honest. Record points score for a defender while Baines, Vidic & Terry have all been that price in the past.

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Baines and Vidic in 2011/12 were the last defenders to be priced at 8.0m.

        FPL have lowered the top prices for both defenders and goalkeepers since then.

        Robertson will certainly be at least 6.5m, and probably 7.0m or 7.5m, but I think 8.0m is unlikely.

        1. Diva
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Watch out, you'll be told your suggestion has "the distinct but unmistakeable whiff of fresh bollocks about it."

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      My thoughts:

      I’d say Laporte will be 6.5, not sure he’s done enough to justify 7.0 (both points wise and points per minute wise he has to be below TAA imo)

      Could honestly see Robbo & VVD being 8.0’s, although I hope to jeebus they’re not... Robbo in particular is at risk though as he not only out-pointed VVD, he did it while not starting every game (VVD started all 38)... albeit he only missed 2 games

      So in pricing terms:

      Robbo >>> VVD >>> TAA >>> Laporte >>> Digne

      Robbo 8.0
      VVD 7.5
      TAA 7.0
      Laporte 6.5
      Digne 6.0

      7.0 hopefully for TAA, he might avoid the 7.5 for one more year, he’ll be bargain of the season at 7.0

      There is no scenario where Mané is anything less than 1.0-1.5m cheaper than Salah though imo (other than Mo being shunted upfield to striker)

      They both play the same position, for the same team, with Mané having a superb season, yet Salah goes and outscores that superb season by nearly 15% / 30 points - that’s a serious price differential right there - let alone that Momwas definitely playing within himself and statistically has a scary amount of room for improvement on his season

      Same with Sterling - he has to fit in between the two Liverpool lads as he outpointed Mané from over 10% less minutes (!) yet was nearly 30 points (!) behind Salah... I think we’ll get lucky & he’ll be max 12.0 - Salah was 13.0 after scoring 300 points last year - Sterling got 230 this year which isn’t even the same postcode for pricing

      Salah 13.0
      Sterling 12.0
      Mane 11.5

      Salah is going on for nearly 600 points in nearly 80 appearances - he is an FPL phenomenon - the fact that people were wildly disappointed with him this year despite him scoring 260 points says it all really - could easily break 300 points next year (IF he stays as a mid)

    4. Diva
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I doubt any defender will come in higher than 7 if FPL sticks to their recent pricing structure.

      Sterling and Mane will be cheaper than Salah.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I’d say it’s more a case that we now have several players who have blown the recent (and all time) points structure for defenders out of the water - the price structure will have to adapt I’d say - 200 points for anything less than 7.5 may not be realistic

        1. Diva
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          FPL has been suppressing the price of good defenders in recent seasons to try to create more variety in formations. Why would they stop now there are the players to make that choice very pertinent?

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            As I say I think it’s more a function of the players recently rather than FPL’s pricing structure - we’ve never had the likes of Robbo, VVD, TAA - prime Baines, Vidic and JT were the closest and they were 8.0’s

            1. Diva
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Capping TAA, Robbo et al at 7 makes 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 5-3-2 and 5-4-1 seriously viable options. Put them at 8 and you are back to 3-4-3.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Not at all - you can still pick any viable formation you want

                Would you also mind sharing where you learned “FPL has been suppressing the price of good defenders in recent seasons to try to create more variety in formation”?

                1. Diva
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  You can, but people won't.

                  It's observation of the way the pricing structure has worked over the years. Defenders have never come in higher than 7 in recent seasons. Maybe capping is a more appropriate word.

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 9 months ago

                    I’m sorry but the FPL wanting people to play different formations thing has the distinct but unmistakeable whiff of fresh bollocks about it... a bit like a Jay Egersdorf masterclass

                    As I said, I think you’re possibly confusing the fact that we haven’t had this calibre of defender in recent seasons with us not having an 8.0 priced defender in recent seasons

                    1. Diva
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 9 months ago

                      😆

      2. Vobinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        If they price Robbo/TAA too low, every single team will have them and will make a mockery of the whole game.

        The idea is to create optimal pricing so that it makes it hard to make such decisions.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Most teams on here will have both regardless. There is already a template starting to form despite the fact the game hasn't even opened and we don't know prices or what the many transfers still to be made are 😀

        2. Diva
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          See my comment above re: formations.

          1. Vobinho
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Surely the true test of a FPL players skill is to choose between Sterling & Robbo, not to price Robbo so low that it's easy to get both.

            Pricing Robbo & TAA closer to 8m probably means that a cheaper defender in a back four would be required before stocking up on midfielders as they are higher priced anyway.

            1. Diva
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              It's not about the first defender and the first midfielder, but the next tier.

          2. Ramboros
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            I think your point regarding formations is misguided. You find the most value in defence, not the other positions. The reason 4 atb instead of 3 has been viable the past couple of seasons is not because players like Robertson have been cheap. It's because players like Laporte, Pereira, AWB, Digne and Doherty have been priced reasonably despite offering more on paper than what their lack of earlier FPL points indicate. It's possible to keep the prices of these sort of players down while increasing the price of the highest scoring defenders of all time.

            Robertson at 7.5 is the outfield player in the game to offer the highest value. Only Digne at 5.5 would beat him, but most expect a 6.0 price tag on him. Forcing teams to spend more money on defenders that are both the most expensive in its position, and the most valuable, would mean that you need to get more value out of the rest of your team. The easiest way to find value is to increase the amount of defenders you have in your team.

            1. Diva
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              I think we're in agreement. I said it was about the next tier of players.

  10. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Gary Cahill to Aston Villa at 4/9 William Hill, looks like a done deal

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'd be surprised if a move for Cahill happens. We need to be looking at youthful, energetic players going forwards.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Don't underestimate the importance of experience at this level.

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          That's an interesting point. We've released the likes of Whelan, Jedinak and Hutton this week, and I've been thinking have we let go a bit too much PL experience / know how in one go?

          On the other hand, we're still clearing up the mess from the previous regimes - see Richards and McCormack - I'm just not sure we need to be paying huge wages on a player like Cahill who's 34 this year and has hardly played this season.

          1. Gringo Kid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Cahill is one level above, you cant compare him with Elphick and Jedinak

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Maybe but its hard to know, he's 34 this year and his last PL start was over a year ago.

            2. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              By the way, I wasn't comparing Cahill to anyone, I just wanted to outline my concerns with his age, lack of recent playing time etc. No doubt he's an upgrade on the departing CB's, I'm just not sure he's what we need right now. The basis of our promotion was built on Mings and Tuanzebe, so if the latter can't be recruited, I'd like to see us go for someone with a similar profile.

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How can Messi say that he doesn't want Barca to sign Griezmann because of his attitude, but that he'd rather they bring back Neymar (who acts like one of the biggest prats in football)...?

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      To say nothing of Suarez signing in the midst of a ban.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He does what he wants , why not say what he wants

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      LVG summed it up early days and Meatpiesausegeroll laughed
      "Ollie plays the same game as Mourinho just got luckier"

  12. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Salah's slow start last year was due to his shoulder injury, then he couldn't produce due to the pressure from last year, once he found himself again he was able to show what he can do.
    With both Mane and Salah in the African cup I keep an eye on their performance.

    On the other hand Mane produced his best season, he was so reliable at home but poor away (Kun-ing) but still didn't score more than his teammate

    Klopp doesn't like rotation anyways so I am leaning towards Salah if he's no more than 1.0 or 1.5 than Mane.

    Salah it is.

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I thought he started round about the same as the year before.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Salah is what he is. At Liverpool with their system great. Let's be real though he is not close to Hazard in ability let alone Messi. I'll take the points though

    3. Bada Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Salah is also on penalties it seems, so I'm leaning towards him over Mane as well, especially with var coming, if the price difference is not a big one.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      When you take a step back & look at the big picture - Mané had a breakout season, he was superb

      Yet Salah still outscored him by quite some margin - despite having so much room for improvement

      That says it all really -both awesome FPL players mind you

      Salah’s Points per game since he joined Liverpool is just disgusting - he’s approaching 600 points from 80 games

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        i agree ref Mane, it was his first season scoring over 160 points, been steady at around 150-160 the last few seasons, scored twice as many goals as his normal return - great season for him but I don't know for sure if he will repeat it, so for me if I had to pick one I would go salah even at 2m more

  13. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    https://sheplays.com.au/my-team

    Woman's World Cup Fantasy Site

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      "she plays", "women", "fantasy". This was never going to make it through the firewall.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yes , and she aches just like a woman.....

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Well thats a sh1t Billy Joel impression

  14. FPL Muzzy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    With a price of 5.0m in 18/19, and crucial Champion's League goals at the end of the campaign, could Divock Origi be a serious FPL option at some point next season?

    18/19 PL goals: 3
    Minutes per goal - 121...

  15. Tiamani Warrior
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any hot tips on an under priced 4.5 defender to play most weeks?