FPL champion's tips: Look for early value in defence

The Scout analyses the strategies of 2020/21 Fantasy Premier League champion Michael Coone, so other managers can learn from the best.

Go cheap in defence

The Irish manager avoided expensive defenders in his opening squad, preferring to pump funds into midfield and up front.

That tactic paid off immediately. By the end of Gameweek 6 his team Teddy Bears Utd were already within the top 2,000 in the overall standings.

“It always has been my strategy to start with cheap defenders," Coone says.

"On average it’s not the highest-scoring position in the game. You are getting more points from your midfielders and forwards.”

Focus on attacking full-backs

Coone instead turned to a handful of forward-thinking full-backs who had already caught his eye towards the end of the previous campaign.

“I was watching a lot of the games that were broadcast at the end of last season,” he says.

“The likes of James Justin, Reece James and Tariq Lamptey were showing a lot of attacking potential and I was thinking, ‘They’d be great buys for next season’.”

All three were quick to reward the champion’s faith.

Leicester City’s Justin and Chelsea’s James each produced a goal and an assist in the first two Gameweeks of 2020/21.

Lamptey, meanwhile, thrived as a wing-back for Brighton & Hove Albion, supplying an assist in each of their opening three matches. 

React to form

Although Coone's cut-price picks at the back rewarded him early on, the Liverpool fan reckons being adaptable was also crucial to his success as the season unfolded.

“If there is a high-scoring defender like Trent Alexander Arnold who is hitting form, then try and manage your budget to get him in,” he says.

“I needed Trent in the last six weeks or I don’t think I would have won it. He was critical at the end.”

Invest in attack

Initially placing his faith in budget players at the back allowed Coone to start the season with four premium-priced attackers.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane all offered strong captaincy options.

Liverpool’s Salah returned 40 points with the armband against Leeds United in Gameweek 1, while Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane delivered 32 captaincy points versus West Ham United in Gameweek 5.

By seeking out value in defence from the very start, Coone was able to profit from his big-hitters and build an early platform for success.

See: Get your FPL season in review

Also in this series

Part 1: Captain Mane makes Irish Liverpool fan FPL champion
Part 2: FPL champion: It came down to the last kick
Part 4: FPL champion's tips: Don’t take risks with the captaincy
Part 5: FPL champion's tips: Plan ahead with transfers