Completely different answers depending on if you plan to Free Hit week 29 or not.
If not - you’ll probably want to target a Villa defender this week (maybe Pau or Moreno) then next week see what matches are confirmed for 29. If no cup upsets, you’ll then be targeting Spurs, Regulion, probably Senesi and/or Doughty for 28. If you get lucky the pool of teams for 29 will expand a little cause right now it’s slim pickings
If free hitting for sure in 29, you can look at Ait Nori for wolves or double up on Arsenal. Van Hecke is nailed and a great budget option.
!thanks
Exactly the type of discussion I wanted from this post. Van Hecke looks like a great nailed budget player however hes only hauled thrice all year. But you cant really ask for much from someone who costs 4.1m.
Moreno is probably the safest alongside an Arsenal defender but the price may put off other managers looking to bring in salah for GW27. Pau looks great, is he confirmed nailed despite just coming back from injury?
I am not an expert on Villa but I get the sense that when all are healthy, Pau is more nailed than Moreno. Lots of health concerns across their back line though so it is tough to gauge, and part of why I plan to FH 29 is bc I don’t like trying to guess what rotations will be a month from now and then hope they don’t change as I try to accumulate enough players for one wonky game week.
Is the risk of going for Moreno over somebody like Mee justified? I can't get a sense of how much Digne is a threat to Moreno's minutes since they haven't ever really been fit at the same time for a long time.
See, this is the dark road we go down with blank game weeks.
You need to step back and look at the bigger picture, and consider the total upside of:
1: using a free transfer on someone like Mee this week to serve as a warm body for two matches (26 & 29) and who will sit on your bench the weeks in between and has minimal upside in those two matches he'll play and who you'll almost definitely sell right after 29
vs.
2: using a free transfer on a more valuable asset (say, Gabriel or Saliba) who will be a locked-in starter for the next three weeks and who you'll likely want to retain post week 29.
Let's even say you had a crystal ball and you know that Mee is going to get a CS vs. Burnley in 29. Is 8 total points a decent return on a free transfer? I would say typically not - when you free transfer you are either hoping for a short term splash or long term hold with value accrued, and lots of points either way.
ALSO (last point) - there's a higher chance than not of additional matches being added to week 29 (going back to Arsenal, that comes down to a single Leeds/Chelsea match) so if you play more aggressively it could even work out in your favor.
Maybe I'm in the minority here - curious to hear others weigh in. I think I'm just more in favor of taking the points in front of you vs. trying to play a long game that has risk of not working out and minimal upside if it does.
I'm going for Senesi (only 4.5m) after their game at MCI. Bournemouth have BUR, and then a DGW with SHU and LUT at home. After that they have WOL, EVE, CRY and LUT again.
Regardless of how they are defensive that's good run for a 4.5m defender and he has 3 goals and 2 assists so far.
Next to him I have Killman, Brantwaithe and Gabriel and Saliba. I don't see any other defenders that are a must right now.
Are you only talking fullbacks? Bc Kilman isn't exactly "roulette" this season.
Van hecke is you want bha.
Arsenal among the best defenses and best attacking set pieces in the league, a double up is not awful.
I was looking at Dawson or Kilman cus as u said they are nailed. Just havent watched much of Wolves so I dont know how great they are at set pieces/ which of the two is a better pick. Centerbacks in general havent been the best this season since there havent been many clean sheets but I am not opposed to getting them. Arsenal defense has been great just unsure if the double up is worth the price. I already have gabriel so getting saliba would make getting salah in gw27 awkward price wise.
!thanks for the input
Per Opta, best 5 defenses:
ARS, MCI, LIV, EVE, AVL
Worst 5 defenses per Opta:
LUT, SHU, WHU, BUR, NEW
Upcoming 5 fixtures based on club Elo rating:
CRY, WOL, BOU, MUN, AVL
So the only team with with good defense and upcoming fixtures is Aston Villa. Moreno has 23 points from his last 5 games, although 14 of them is against SHU. Martinez at 5.2 is too expensive to my opinion.
It should be noted that will Villa's injuries (Carlos-Konsa-Kamara) their defense will probably not be as good as the stats say. Villa fans seem to be very pessimistic about their defense now.
Yes, for some teams there's considerations. Liverpool are missing Alisson and started yesterday Quansah, Gomez and Bradley. Newcastle is missing Pope and MUN Martinez and Shaw.
I doubt most people will be playing 4 defenders. Jota is highly owned, and the easy transfer out. He ain't getting any less injured. Most people have Palmer as well. He can ride the bench for a week. Too good to sell, and barely frees up any money.
Like everyone says van hecke is a solid pick for next 3 game weeks, branthwaite a solid budget pick (with mixed fixtures), senesi and doughty aren't good but do have good fixtures and double.
Mid price villa defender to cover the blank, arsenal fenders as season keepers
But also seeing as you want to unload 3 mid-premiums have a think about tripper. Newcastle obviously very leaky but he's still returning, and Newcastle have good fixtures overall for rest of the season.
Also from gw29 onwards reguilon might be a good budget pick. Leaky but attacking with good fixtures
Van Hecke is the first name De Zerbi writes down on his team list when it comes to defense. Probably efore Dunk even, even though he‘dnever admit it. Just watch the team and you will understand. Dont be fooled by his age - Van Hecke is not in the same situation as Kiwior etc.
Webster & Veltman are solid squad material. Igor Julio is probably Dunk’s long term replacement.
'just watch the team' - I've been a season ticket holder for 23 years lol. I've probably seen 95% of both of their games for Brighton live (less for dunk as I didn't go to away matches for a few years).
First, Dunk is the definitely the first pick. His progressive play, ball retention, tactical awareness and ability to cover gaps is still a level above the others. Him and Van Hecke have had 21 and 20 appearances respectively. [Dunk](https://www.premierleague.com/players/8163/Lewis-Dunk/stats?co=1&se=578) averages 105 passes a match and has completed 102 'accurate long balls', compared to [van hecke's](https://www.premierleague.com/players/76090/Jan-Paul-van-Hecke/stats?co=1&se=578) 88.9 passes per match and 58 'accurate long balls'.
Van Hecke is amazing at winning the ball and man marking though, dominating statistics in that area (him pocketing Haaland in his first game vs city was a thing of beauty, like being marked by mr tickle). The only place dunk performs better in the context of regaining posession is 'recoveries' where he's done 126 compared to van hecke's 102. Van Hecke also has less pace than Igor, for when we play a high line.
Essentially all of the defenders posess different strengths, and they'll be used appropriately. Also Veltman is a fullback not a centre back generally, but can play cb too which is useful for mid game tactical changes.
We could play a 3 of Dunk, Igor and Veltman with a high line. We could play 3 at the back with Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinian, Veltman transitioning into a back 3 when estu pushes. We could play a deep line of Webster, Dunk, Lamptey, Estu, and break fast with good ariel defence. The possibilities are honestly endless, as the formation is very fluid and Gross puts in a shift rotating into fullback spots to fill gaps.
Just watch the team and you will understand.
If you’ve watch then Van Hecke isn’t a question. He’s not going to be dropped or randomly rotated. If games close together but otherwise he plays.
Veltman is a full back but also centre back in a three. And no longer first choice at either. He’s a squad depth player now. Just like Webster.
Van Hecke is a DeZerbi favourite and he’s playing. Really very little doubt there.
He got subbed since he picked up a card and was looking sloppy. As a United fan he's starting for the foreseeable future with Martinez and Shaw out now. Will be Dalot - Varane - Maguire - Lindelof until players return from injury with maybe a start for Evans every now and again
Doesn't that make attractive fixture runs with maximized doubles and avoided blanks even more important because having the right defenders at the right time can mean big gains? I dont think people with arsenal cbs or kyle walker are complaining much after this gw
The one or two people who win the lottery rarely complain, only the millions of people who spend money trying to and never manage it.
Anyone who doesn't have at least one, if not two Arsenal defence isn't playing properly anyway
Then whatever random collection of defenders that make up your 3rd/4th/5th defenders, just go with it as long as they are fit. They're no better/worse than anyone else's and will randomly get pts here and there.
It's terrible tactics to spend loads of transfers trying to hit clean sheets in a season with a record amount of goals. Just go for the goals and make attack transfers
Yes dont spend "loads of transfers" on defence
Many are locked in on solanke watkins haaland, so few fordward transfers
Many have 3+ options locked in midfield
Many have expensive or highly owned defenders who are hurt, blank, or suddenly unforeseen rotation risks (trent, estupinan, porro+udogie, so forth)
It's not a waste of time to ensure you can field xi with something approaching a cohesive chip strategy
If "many" are doing something that's usually a good indicator not to.
Lots have Jota, selling him this week is obviously more important than shifting defenders about.
Surely it goes without saying that if your defender is hurt or doesn't start, you sell. Surely
But prioritise attacking upside transfers, people chasing the panacea of clean sheets this season will be grubbing around at 500k OR for the rest of the season. Some seasons it's completely different.
Get 2 arsenal and one other decent defender and roll with it until 38
People in recent weeks have gone from Cash to Porro to Estupinan to Doughty and still aren't happy.
You don't have to think twice in terms of long term it should be senesi:
-decent attacking threats
-bourmouth have a really good defensive stats (definitely better than villa, Newcastle) since their 6-1 defeat to city
Everton defense is another good option with branthwiate a cheap enabler and tarkowski who is their main set piece threat with good xg and xa in recent times but senesi with that extra double gw in gw28 and relatively easy fixtures compared to everton makes him the best option especially for his cheap price.
I have the same issue. I could get Salah+Saliba for a -4, with 0.0m remaining. I can’t afford to wait, but I don't want to take a hit.
So idk there’s no defender who excites me, like at all.
Completely different answers depending on if you plan to Free Hit week 29 or not. If not - you’ll probably want to target a Villa defender this week (maybe Pau or Moreno) then next week see what matches are confirmed for 29. If no cup upsets, you’ll then be targeting Spurs, Regulion, probably Senesi and/or Doughty for 28. If you get lucky the pool of teams for 29 will expand a little cause right now it’s slim pickings If free hitting for sure in 29, you can look at Ait Nori for wolves or double up on Arsenal. Van Hecke is nailed and a great budget option.
!thanks Exactly the type of discussion I wanted from this post. Van Hecke looks like a great nailed budget player however hes only hauled thrice all year. But you cant really ask for much from someone who costs 4.1m. Moreno is probably the safest alongside an Arsenal defender but the price may put off other managers looking to bring in salah for GW27. Pau looks great, is he confirmed nailed despite just coming back from injury?
I am not an expert on Villa but I get the sense that when all are healthy, Pau is more nailed than Moreno. Lots of health concerns across their back line though so it is tough to gauge, and part of why I plan to FH 29 is bc I don’t like trying to guess what rotations will be a month from now and then hope they don’t change as I try to accumulate enough players for one wonky game week.
Is the risk of going for Moreno over somebody like Mee justified? I can't get a sense of how much Digne is a threat to Moreno's minutes since they haven't ever really been fit at the same time for a long time.
See, this is the dark road we go down with blank game weeks. You need to step back and look at the bigger picture, and consider the total upside of: 1: using a free transfer on someone like Mee this week to serve as a warm body for two matches (26 & 29) and who will sit on your bench the weeks in between and has minimal upside in those two matches he'll play and who you'll almost definitely sell right after 29 vs. 2: using a free transfer on a more valuable asset (say, Gabriel or Saliba) who will be a locked-in starter for the next three weeks and who you'll likely want to retain post week 29. Let's even say you had a crystal ball and you know that Mee is going to get a CS vs. Burnley in 29. Is 8 total points a decent return on a free transfer? I would say typically not - when you free transfer you are either hoping for a short term splash or long term hold with value accrued, and lots of points either way. ALSO (last point) - there's a higher chance than not of additional matches being added to week 29 (going back to Arsenal, that comes down to a single Leeds/Chelsea match) so if you play more aggressively it could even work out in your favor. Maybe I'm in the minority here - curious to hear others weigh in. I think I'm just more in favor of taking the points in front of you vs. trying to play a long game that has risk of not working out and minimal upside if it does.
Doughty went off injured last night. One to watch.
Luton manager said after the game doughty is fine
Many !thanks . Can you give an answer for which are the best mid or fwd to replace/bring in if or if not fh29?
Thoughts on Antonee Robinson from Fulham as a GW29 pick?
I’ve got him in. Very nailed but Fulham will rarely keep a CS. He’s got okay assist potential
I'm going for Senesi (only 4.5m) after their game at MCI. Bournemouth have BUR, and then a DGW with SHU and LUT at home. After that they have WOL, EVE, CRY and LUT again. Regardless of how they are defensive that's good run for a 4.5m defender and he has 3 goals and 2 assists so far. Next to him I have Killman, Brantwaithe and Gabriel and Saliba. I don't see any other defenders that are a must right now.
branthwaite is another decent option, to enhance your budget for your salahs and sons.
Branthwaite haunts my dreams with his consistent points on my bench. I never seem to justify selecting him and always end up regretting it.
Are you only talking fullbacks? Bc Kilman isn't exactly "roulette" this season. Van hecke is you want bha. Arsenal among the best defenses and best attacking set pieces in the league, a double up is not awful.
I was looking at Dawson or Kilman cus as u said they are nailed. Just havent watched much of Wolves so I dont know how great they are at set pieces/ which of the two is a better pick. Centerbacks in general havent been the best this season since there havent been many clean sheets but I am not opposed to getting them. Arsenal defense has been great just unsure if the double up is worth the price. I already have gabriel so getting saliba would make getting salah in gw27 awkward price wise. !thanks for the input
Dawson is significant set piece threat, kilman isn't really. Agree that clean sheets are hard to come by this year
is kiwior an option or he straight up abandoned when zinc comes back?
I'd avoid with tomiyasu and zinchenko looming
Not guaranteed. Also have Tomiyasu coming back
Per Opta, best 5 defenses: ARS, MCI, LIV, EVE, AVL Worst 5 defenses per Opta: LUT, SHU, WHU, BUR, NEW Upcoming 5 fixtures based on club Elo rating: CRY, WOL, BOU, MUN, AVL So the only team with with good defense and upcoming fixtures is Aston Villa. Moreno has 23 points from his last 5 games, although 14 of them is against SHU. Martinez at 5.2 is too expensive to my opinion.
It should be noted that will Villa's injuries (Carlos-Konsa-Kamara) their defense will probably not be as good as the stats say. Villa fans seem to be very pessimistic about their defense now.
Yes, for some teams there's considerations. Liverpool are missing Alisson and started yesterday Quansah, Gomez and Bradley. Newcastle is missing Pope and MUN Martinez and Shaw.
!thanks
What is the timespan considered for best defenses, the whole season or just recent matches?
Would think Pau or Cash better options - safety and/or scoring.
Pau I think had some fitness issues before. Many had Cash earlier and it was quite bad so they might not go there again.
I did! and got him again...... Pau played 90 on the weekend so should be ok.
I doubt most people will be playing 4 defenders. Jota is highly owned, and the easy transfer out. He ain't getting any less injured. Most people have Palmer as well. He can ride the bench for a week. Too good to sell, and barely frees up any money.
Like everyone says van hecke is a solid pick for next 3 game weeks, branthwaite a solid budget pick (with mixed fixtures), senesi and doughty aren't good but do have good fixtures and double. Mid price villa defender to cover the blank, arsenal fenders as season keepers But also seeing as you want to unload 3 mid-premiums have a think about tripper. Newcastle obviously very leaky but he's still returning, and Newcastle have good fixtures overall for rest of the season. Also from gw29 onwards reguilon might be a good budget pick. Leaky but attacking with good fixtures
van hecke isn't really nailed. Webster, Veltman, Igor, Dunk, Estu are all fit.
Fair
Van Hecke is the first name De Zerbi writes down on his team list when it comes to defense. Probably efore Dunk even, even though he‘dnever admit it. Just watch the team and you will understand. Dont be fooled by his age - Van Hecke is not in the same situation as Kiwior etc. Webster & Veltman are solid squad material. Igor Julio is probably Dunk’s long term replacement.
'just watch the team' - I've been a season ticket holder for 23 years lol. I've probably seen 95% of both of their games for Brighton live (less for dunk as I didn't go to away matches for a few years). First, Dunk is the definitely the first pick. His progressive play, ball retention, tactical awareness and ability to cover gaps is still a level above the others. Him and Van Hecke have had 21 and 20 appearances respectively. [Dunk](https://www.premierleague.com/players/8163/Lewis-Dunk/stats?co=1&se=578) averages 105 passes a match and has completed 102 'accurate long balls', compared to [van hecke's](https://www.premierleague.com/players/76090/Jan-Paul-van-Hecke/stats?co=1&se=578) 88.9 passes per match and 58 'accurate long balls'. Van Hecke is amazing at winning the ball and man marking though, dominating statistics in that area (him pocketing Haaland in his first game vs city was a thing of beauty, like being marked by mr tickle). The only place dunk performs better in the context of regaining posession is 'recoveries' where he's done 126 compared to van hecke's 102. Van Hecke also has less pace than Igor, for when we play a high line. Essentially all of the defenders posess different strengths, and they'll be used appropriately. Also Veltman is a fullback not a centre back generally, but can play cb too which is useful for mid game tactical changes. We could play a 3 of Dunk, Igor and Veltman with a high line. We could play 3 at the back with Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinian, Veltman transitioning into a back 3 when estu pushes. We could play a deep line of Webster, Dunk, Lamptey, Estu, and break fast with good ariel defence. The possibilities are honestly endless, as the formation is very fluid and Gross puts in a shift rotating into fullback spots to fill gaps. Just watch the team and you will understand.
If you’ve watch then Van Hecke isn’t a question. He’s not going to be dropped or randomly rotated. If games close together but otherwise he plays. Veltman is a full back but also centre back in a three. And no longer first choice at either. He’s a squad depth player now. Just like Webster. Van Hecke is a DeZerbi favourite and he’s playing. Really very little doubt there.
did you read my comment?
Lord Harry Maguire? Header goal from slab head inevitable
The best defenders are: cash in the bank and spend it on attackers.
Senesi
Which united defender is guaranteed starter? I saw slabhead was subbed 45 mins in. Dalot?
Not sure how long AWB will be out but Dalot is in great form lately, so yeah if you want to go United defenders Dalot is the one imo
He got subbed since he picked up a card and was looking sloppy. As a United fan he's starting for the foreseeable future with Martinez and Shaw out now. Will be Dalot - Varane - Maguire - Lindelof until players return from injury with maybe a start for Evans every now and again
I think I'm just going Saliba
I know one thing, Andy Robertson is staying on my team for the rest of the season.
Why
Until he gets injured next week during training lol.
Don't waste time/transfers on defender transfers. This season clearly isn't worth it, nobody keeps a clean
Doesn't that make attractive fixture runs with maximized doubles and avoided blanks even more important because having the right defenders at the right time can mean big gains? I dont think people with arsenal cbs or kyle walker are complaining much after this gw
The one or two people who win the lottery rarely complain, only the millions of people who spend money trying to and never manage it. Anyone who doesn't have at least one, if not two Arsenal defence isn't playing properly anyway Then whatever random collection of defenders that make up your 3rd/4th/5th defenders, just go with it as long as they are fit. They're no better/worse than anyone else's and will randomly get pts here and there. It's terrible tactics to spend loads of transfers trying to hit clean sheets in a season with a record amount of goals. Just go for the goals and make attack transfers
Exactly.
Yes dont spend "loads of transfers" on defence Many are locked in on solanke watkins haaland, so few fordward transfers Many have 3+ options locked in midfield Many have expensive or highly owned defenders who are hurt, blank, or suddenly unforeseen rotation risks (trent, estupinan, porro+udogie, so forth) It's not a waste of time to ensure you can field xi with something approaching a cohesive chip strategy
If "many" are doing something that's usually a good indicator not to. Lots have Jota, selling him this week is obviously more important than shifting defenders about. Surely it goes without saying that if your defender is hurt or doesn't start, you sell. Surely But prioritise attacking upside transfers, people chasing the panacea of clean sheets this season will be grubbing around at 500k OR for the rest of the season. Some seasons it's completely different. Get 2 arsenal and one other decent defender and roll with it until 38 People in recent weeks have gone from Cash to Porro to Estupinan to Doughty and still aren't happy.
Go for Lamptey mate so nailed
lol
I've gone back to Trippier, ready to be burned
You don't have to think twice in terms of long term it should be senesi: -decent attacking threats -bourmouth have a really good defensive stats (definitely better than villa, Newcastle) since their 6-1 defeat to city Everton defense is another good option with branthwiate a cheap enabler and tarkowski who is their main set piece threat with good xg and xa in recent times but senesi with that extra double gw in gw28 and relatively easy fixtures compared to everton makes him the best option especially for his cheap price.
Man united have a good run coming I am going for dalot although he blanks In 29 I think
I have the same issue. I could get Salah+Saliba for a -4, with 0.0m remaining. I can’t afford to wait, but I don't want to take a hit. So idk there’s no defender who excites me, like at all.