We take a look at the highest scoring defensive displays throughout the 2019/20 season, starting with Part 1 and the defenders!
When it comes to which defensive assets to own, managers have lots of different thoughts. Should they choose full backs as they are more likely to advance up the pitch and get goals and assists or should they gamble on clean sheets and the central defenders coming up for corners? Well with ShePlays, it’s a bit different. Defence points give a great way for extra points. Players will score bonus points for the amount of tackles, clearances and interceptions they make in the game. With goalkeepers, they get bonus points for saves, claims as well as the obvious clean sheets and penalty saves. So with this in mind, we look back at the 2019/20 season with the highest scoring defensive returns of the campaign.
GOALKEEPER
Sophie Baggaley – Bristol City 0-0 Brighton – Round 1 – 18 points
The Bristol City goalkeeper got off to a flying start in Round 1 of the 2019/20 WSL season. Baggaley scored an impressive 18 points as the Robins kept Brighton to a scoreless draw at Stoke Gifford Stadium. That haul was enough for the England prospect to cement herself at number one for points scoring goalkeeping display of the campaign. She recorded nine defensive points, alongside a clean sheet and two attacking points, and at a value of £17,500 proved a vital asset for ShePlays managers.
DEFENDERS
Gemma Bonner – Manchester City 1-0 Bristol City – Round 16 – 22 points
Bonner was a ShePlays manager’s dream during the 2019/20 campaign. The Manchester City defender recorded a double digit haul in 11 of the 17 rounds as City finished second overall. It was in Round 16 where the England international scored 22 points with the only goal of a 1-0 victory over Bristol City. A steal at £22,500, Bonner was regular in the City defence keeping a series of clean sheets throughout the season and racking up the defensive points. It was her attacking prowess that benefitted in Round 16 with seven bonus attack points.
Millie Bright – Birmingham City 0-7 Chelsea – Round 7 – 29 points
The England international commands any defensive line and in Round 7 produced the stand out defender display of the 2019/20 campaign. Scoring a huge 29 points, Bright was instrumental as Chelsea swept away Birmingham in Solihull. Alongside the clean sheet, Millie scored for the London side as well as a trademark forward run setting up a goal for assist points. At £60,000, Bright was a hefty investment for any manager but proved her worth throughout the season as the Blues were eventually crowned WSL champions.
Kerys Harrop – Birmingham City 2-0 Liverpool – Round 5 – 22 points
The Birmingham City skipper inspired the Blues to a crucial victory back in Round 5 as they defeated Liverpool. Harrop scored in the tie registering an additional three attack points and five defensive. Coupled with the clean sheet, the defender scored an impressive 22 before getting an injury that would rule the inspirational defender out until round 13. At a price of £22,500, Harrop proved her worth in the early season for ShePlays managers.
Emma Mitchell – Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 West Ham United – Round 12 – 21 points
Hairs were raised when Tottenham announced the loan signing of an Arsenal player but it only took two games for Emma Mitchell to prove her worth at the Lilywhites. The defender put in a sterling display as Spurs saw off West Ham. The only return that did not include a clean sheet in this list, but Mitchell found the net while racking up 5 bonus attack points and 8 defensive points, in an important win for her new side.
So with that in mind, anything could happen! The advancing Millie Bright, the predator instinct of Gemma Bonner from set pieces, the advancing full back of Emma Mitchell or the defensive rock of Kerys Harrop. When it comes to ShePlays, the defensive points can work wonders for any fantasy team.