TFL scout, part 2: Full-backs

SINGAPORE — The new English Premier League starts this Saturday and while all eyes on the transfer sagas involving Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney, most clubs have already sorted their defences out. The same should go for any smart, well-prepared TODAY Fantasy League (TFL) manager — and there’s no harm in setting up your team now as you have unlimited transfers up until the season kicks off. It’s a common strategy for fantasy league managers to scrimp on defenders in order to splurge on midfielders and forwards. The TFL, however, differentiates between centre-backs and full-backs as two separate positions, which means you could save on the former while investing a little in attacking full-backs. MUST-HAVES Everton’s Leighton Baines is one player you can’t do without, especially if you’re eyeing the TODAY Fantasy League grand prize of US$5,000. And Baines, at £4.7 million, is surprisingly not the most expensive full-back in the TFL. The England international was the TFL's top-scoring full-back with 94 points last season and is expected to flourish under new manager’s Roberto Martinez’s preferred 3-4-3 formation. That attack-minded system may not guarantee clean sheets for Everton but it will give Baines extra license to roam forward even more than he’s used to and put that deadly left foot to great use. Patrice Evra (£5.0m) proved that he can defend as well as attack during Manchester United’s 2-0 win in last Sunday’s Community Shield, helping the backline keep a clean sheet and providing the cross that allowed Robin van Persie to open the scoring against Wigan. The Frenchman also has little competition for his left-back slot so expect him to see plenty of game time. However, David Moyes’ men have a very tough opening round of fixtures and it’s unlikely United will be spotless at the back. Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic (£4.8m) is another defender who is equally talented at scoring goals — the Serb is particularly deadly from set-pieces — while keeping them out. The Blues are expected to be more defensive under Jose Mourinho and TFL managers would be wise to add at least one of their defenders or keepers to your squad. But as I expect the Stamford Bridge outfit to challenge for all four trophies on offer, Chelsea players may be susceptible to the dreaded rotation. MAYBES Southampton duo Luke Shaw and Nathaniel Clyne (both £3.2m) could be this season’s bargain buys in the TFL. They both like to get forward and their attacking intent, coupled with Southampton’s relatively easy start to the season, leads us to believe that Shaw and Clyne will be among the points in the opening weeks. Picking two defenders from the same team isn’t recommended, however, so if had to choose just one of the two, I’d make it Shaw. Another contender for bargain buy of the season is Everton’s Seamus Coleman. The Irishman — who costs just £3.8m — provided five assists for the Toffees last season from just 24 appearances and is expected to do more of the same this season under Martinez’s 3-4-3 system. West Ham’s Razvan Rat forward runs could also get you a few goals and assists and his £3.4m-price tag will allow you to spend more on big-name attackers. MAJOR MISTAKES Despite being a fixture in Tottenham’s starting XI, Benoit Assou-Ekotto (£4.1m) only managed a measly 25 points last season. That shows that the Cameroon international is neither good at attacking nor defending. He also has a habit of picking up silly yellow cards which will result in demerit points in the TFL. Assou-Ekotto’s North London rival Barcary Sagna (£4.3m) is also a terrible TFL option at right-back. Sure the French Gunner (of which there are many) was part of the league’s second best defence but did not score or provide an assist in the 25 games he played. To put it simply: Picking Sagna could cost you US$5,000. Man United’s troublesome right-back situation is also a cause for concern. Rafael (£4.9m) would be an absolute success if guaranteed first team football but his position is not assured, with centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling rotating into right-back at times last season. Rafael’s cause is not helped by the fact that he’s out injured until the end of September, giving his rivals a chance to stake a claim for his spot on the team-sheet. YOUR TFL PRIMER Part 1: Watch the fixture list — http://tdy.sg/TFLprimer1 Part 2: Spotting the difference — http://tdy.sg/TFLprimer2 Part 3: Rotate the armband — http://tdy.sg/TFLprimer3 Part 4: Help from the bookies — http://tdy.sg/TFLprimer4 Part 5: Musical chairs at the big clubs — http://tdy.sg/TFLprimer5 TFL SCOUT REPORT Part 1: Goalkeepers — http://tdy.sg/TFLscout1 Part 2: Full-backs — http://tdy.sg/TFLscout2 Part 3: Centre-backs — http://tdy.sg/TFLscout3 Part 4: Midfielders — http://tdy.sg/TFLscout4 Part 5: Forwards — http://tdy.sg/TFLscout5 Click here to take part in the TODAY Fantasy League now — Manager of the Season wins US$5,000.