Defensive gems

[Notned]

I think Alderweireld, coupled with Pochettino now having a full season under his belt and his own players to implement his pressing style, will improve Spurs defence immeasurably. The fact they have focussed their recruitment there so far shows how important they view tightening up. Toby also has an ideal style suited to the new bps system, and decent attacking threat... well worth the money, in my view.

Some could argue that Lloris missing the start could be a bit detrimental, but with a more than able deputy in Vorm I don't think there is too much to worry about on that front.

[Mo Bot]

Does the Tinkerman arriving put a doubt on the nailed on-ness of the Leicester defenders?

[Notned]

Does the Tinkerman arriving put a doubt on the nailed on-ness of the Leicester defenders?

Thought the same myself, as someone who has pencilled in both Huth and Schmeichel. I think the personnel is pretty safe though, assuming no more signing; by and large I would say their defence largely picks itself, with only Fuchs/Schlupp providing much competition for each other.

I am intrigued how his playing style will affect their playing prospects though, as I can remember little of how he likes to set up his teams...

[Le Red]

I have watched enough Atletico de Madrid matches to conclude Toby Alderweireld isn't half the player people are painting around here. Moves slowly and is poor at decision making. Hasn't pulled of a lot of goals and assists either. That said, he can still be good value in FPL.

[VanGaalKnows]

Morgan, Leicester, 4.5? Suppose we'll have to see who Ranieri gets in

[Notned]

Morgan, Leicester, 4.5? Suppose we'll have to see who Ranieri gets in

At risk of missing the start of the season possibly, having played in both the Copa America and Gold Cup this summer.

Personally I prefer Huth I think anyway, as good as Morgan was last season. Sure I read somewhere that he topped the rankings for goal attempts for defenders in the last six or so games, and his combative style should suit the new bps system perfectly. Plus he has previous with Ranieri, having played under him at Chelsea, so is probably least at risk should they bring in anyone else.

[VanGaalKnows]

Morgan, Leicester, 4.5? Suppose we'll have to see who Ranieri gets in

At risk of missing the start of the season possibly, having played in both the Copa America and Gold Cup this summer.

Personally I prefer Huth I think anyway, as good as Morgan was last season. Sure I read somewhere that he topped the rankings for goal attempts for defenders in the last six or so games, and his combative style should suit the new bps system perfectly. Plus he has previous with Ranieri, having played under him at Chelsea, so is probably least at risk should they bring in anyone else.

Good point. Keep forgetting that Morgan played in the Copa America

[Notned]

Morgan, Leicester, 4.5? Suppose we'll have to see who Ranieri gets in

At risk of missing the start of the season possibly, having played in both the Copa America and Gold Cup this summer.

Personally I prefer Huth I think anyway, as good as Morgan was last season. Sure I read somewhere that he topped the rankings for goal attempts for defenders in the last six or so games, and his combative style should suit the new bps system perfectly. Plus he has previous with Ranieri, having played under him at Chelsea, so is probably least at risk should they bring in anyone else.

Good point. Keep forgetting that Morgan played in the Copa America

I think the Gold Cup is still ongoing as well, so he will have very little recovery time before the start of the season. Although I guess on the flipside that also means he will have plenty of competitive football under his belt, so match sharpness shouldn't be a problem. Fatigue could be though, as he isn't getting any younger.

[Mav3rick]

How do we think Vlaar leaving Villa affects them?

[Ezequiel]

Villa weren't a great team defensively in FPL terms with Vlaar. Him leaving hurts but they got Richards and Senderos. Some people think Senderos won't play a lot, but why would they bring him in then? He has a lot of experience which they lack at the back.

[Billy Bongo]

Senderos deary me, if he plays id captain Obertan against Villa

[Mav3rick]

Senderos is 4.0 though isn't he? If he gets the nod...

[Billy Bongo]

And Villa will never keep a cs ever again

[rootcoors]

How do we think Vlaar leaving Villa affects them?

He hasn't left?

[Mav3rick]

He's a free agent apparently, and was supposed to have flown to Italy yesterday for talks with Lazio.

[Notned]

Sunderland are one of the teams who I had always earmarked as giving one of my rotating defensive berths to, and I currently have Coates in my draft. I've just seen a rumour though that Kaboul is set for a medical there, perhaps rendering their defence a bit of a minefield in terms of guessing selection?

[froog]

sakho at 5 mill anyone?

[The Username]

sakho at 5 mill anyone?

Here, nice opening fixtures and is a bit of a boni magnet when plays.

Jonny Evans worth a shout when Evertons fixtures turn for the better.

[Notned]

Sakho could be a shout actually. He's one I have over-looked slightly, and have always thought that whilst he can be erratic at times, he is also pretty underrated. And Liverpool's defence should improve. Is he nailed? And would anyone take him over Alderweireld?

Edit- re Evans, does he start over Stones/Jagielka? I'm not so sure. Guess with their fixtures to begin with we have plenty of time to find out before an Everton defender is a viable option, though.

[The Username]

Sakho could be a shout actually. He's one I have over-looked slightly, and have always thought that whilst he can be erratic at times, he is also pretty underrated. And Liverpool's defence should improve. Is he nailed? And would anyone take him over Alderweireld?

Edit- re Evans, does he start over Stones/Jagielka? I'm not so sure. Guess with their fixtures to begin with we have plenty of time to find out before an Everton defender is a viable option, though.

Just opinion but i expect Stones to be poor this season, hes barely had a break all summer. Similar to Barkley last.

[Stower79]

Sakho could be a shout actually. He's one I have over-looked slightly, and have always thought that whilst he can be erratic at times, he is also pretty underrated. And Liverpool's defence should improve. Is he nailed? And would anyone take him over Alderweireld?

Edit- re Evans, does he start over Stones/Jagielka? I'm not so sure. Guess with their fixtures to begin with we have plenty of time to find out before an Everton defender is a viable option, though.

It is quite possible Martinez would be looking to play all three together in a similar formation to the one he employed at Wigan.

[CptPugwash]

Are we expecting Leicester to go with a back 3 or a back 4, and how much does this effect the nailed-on-ness of their defenders.

[Notned]

Are we expecting Leicester to go with a back 3 or a back 4, and how much does this effect the nailed-on-ness of their defenders.

Ranieri has said that he won't be changing too much, and that he wants to 'instill the Italian tactical way'.. quite what this means in terms of formation I don't know, but I take it as meaning he wants a solid defence.

I imagine Fuchs, Morgan (when ready) and Huth are all nailed still... particularly Huth, being as Ranieri managed him at Chelsea. This, along with his goal threat, Morgan's likelihood of missing the start, and Fuchs higher price, make him my Leicester defender of choice.

[NoEyeDeer]

Ranieri has said that he won't be changing too much, and that he wants to 'instill the Italian tactical way'.. quite what this means in terms of formation I don't know, but I take it as meaning he wants a solid defence.

I imagine Fuchs, Morgan (when ready) and Huth are all nailed still... particularly Huth, being as Ranieri managed him at Chelsea. This, along with his goal threat, Morgan's likelihood of missing the start, and Fuchs higher price, make him my Leicester defender of choice.

I haven't heard many people mentioning Fuchs.

Apparently he is a dead ball specialist (never seen him play personally), so am I the only person thinking he is definitely worth the extra 0.5mil?

Not often you see a defender on free kicks and set pieces, so I'm thinking he could be an absolute bargain at 5mil, and potentially fantasy gold.

Have I missed something? Is the lack of interest due to the general consensus that he won't be first choice for free kicks and corners?

Any Leicester supporters care to weigh in with their thoughts please?

I would assume he won't be on pens, but if he is on direct free kicks and corners, combined with Leicester's odd clean sheet here and there, I think he could score quite well. Surely it would increase his potential of goals and assists by some margin over the likes of Huth and Morgan, no?

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this also, not just our Leicester friends.

[From4corners]

He sure is. And you will be finding him more on the opposition's half than his own half Not being a Leicester-fan myself though, but I have personally added Fuchs to my first team selection and he is still in and will most probably remain so. He will definitely be the first player for set pieces at Leicester.

[Mav3rick]

At 5.0 he starts getting expensive to bench regularly, and goals especially from set pieces can come at any time so you would have to play him every game when fit.

If you're happy to do that then he's a good choice, although I wouldn't say he's totally under the radar as I've seen him in a few rmts (I thimk I read a scout article about him over the summer so he is fairly well known). He's someone that's on my 5.0 defender shortlist, because their starting fixtures are good. His main issue to me is Huth being cheaper and with goal threat of his own and the new manager (change in formation?). Huth fits rotation strategies better as theres no premium for his goal threat.

I genuinely think there are some really good value defenders this year, an occasional foray to 4 at the back isn't out of the question when you've got the likes of Fuchs and Cedric at 5.0 and so far nothing confirmed at 4.0.

Edit... Here's the scout article I mentioned
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2 ... ian-fuchs/

[Billy Bongo]

PVA at 5m is the choice pick imo particularly with their early fixtures

[Notned]

Yeah Fuchs is a great option, particularly if as expected he gets the lion's share of set pieces, and assuming he gets in ahead of Schlupp. As is PVA.

I share Maverick's concerns though in that I think they're slightly too expensive to use as part of a rotation, particularly when it's difficult to predict which games their attacking returns will come in, but not from reliable enough teams to be starting every week.

As much as I rate them both, with team mates that come in at half a million cheaper and fit my price structure better, I think I'll have to steer clear for now.

[Billy Bongo]

With Sunderlands early fixtures he doesn't need to be rotated

[GeezLouise]

Agree with Mr Bongo. FIrst real iffy fixture is GW7.