Here’s Marc with his article on a case for the defence in fantasy football
A Case For The Defence In Fantasy Football
Photo by Антон Зайцев, CC BY 3.0
Harry Maguire has shown for England and Man U, that the modern defender is dangerous in both boxes
We all know football is a team game. Fantasy football is even more of one. It is pointless having seven or eight players who contribute regularly if you are carrying the remainder. Players who are just wearing the shirt because they are cheap and allow you to afford that star midfielder or striker could be the difference between midtable mediocrity and top of the table glory. All too often defenders are the players who are chosen to play that role. Again that can be a costly strategy. Defenders are a crucial part of your fantasy football team. Many would say they are the most important part of a successful fantasy football team.
The Reasons Defenders Are Key
It may be tempting to start with your forwards and Salah-like midfielders and then see what spare change you have left for the back four and goalie. But look at any successful team and it is the strong defence that it is built upon, and fantasy football is no different. There are also some very specific reasons that apply purely to the fantasy version of the game.
First of all, defenders are a lot less likely to suffer from squad rotation unless they play for Manchester City. We all know there is nothing more frustrating than due to an inexplicable rotation of a key attacking player or players (Pep we are looking at you again!) our whole weekend strategy goes out of the window. A solid back four (three or five) is something that is seldom messed around with barring injuries and suspensions. In a similar vein, defenders are less likely to be substituted, especially before the hour mark.
Unless a forward is scoring multiple times it is hard for them to score more points in a week than a defender who gets a clean sheet and maybe an attacking return. (The following points are taken from the Premier League Fantasy Football, but the principle is the same across all formats). With six points for a goal, as opposed to five or four for midfielders and strikers respectively, a goal-scoring defender can do significant damage. On top of that, of course, are assists, clean sheets, and bonus points. Getting points from a dour 0-0 affair is a lovely bonus.
Pick The Team Not Just the Player
Liverpool’s Alexander Arnold a point scorer at both ends of the pitch
More so than with any other position (apart from the keeper), it is crucial you consider the team he plays for as much as the player when it comes to choosing a defence. For several reasons. Liverpool have a whole team of world-class players, but the ability and form of their two full backs, and crucially, the way Klopp utilises them, are keys reasons why his team are favourites to win the EPL and are a close second to retain the Champions League. It is also why Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are such good players to have in your fantasy team. The modern-day fullback is practically a midfielder or winger. Besides goals, they will contribute with assists from open play and set pieces. Look for the centre backs who go up for corners as well. Teams such as Brighton score a lot of goals from set pieces, that is why their defenders score so heavily.
Unfortunately gone are the days when the penalty takers often came from the back four. In the early days of fantasy football, Forest’s Stuart Pearce was invaluable, not just because he was part of a more than decent defence, but because he was the team’s penalty taker, and he was lethal from the spot. It is worth keeping an eye to see if anyone in the back four suddenly is moved up to spot duty, particularly in today’s VAR dominated game.
The other reason it is important to choose the team, not just the player is an obvious one. You may have a world-class defender on your books, but if he is in a team conceding goals for fun week in week out, he is not going to do your chances any good. So, start to give your defence a higher priority, it will pay dividends. Then, with what’s left in the bank you can check out which of the star forwards you can afford.
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