Stick or twist? Dream Team gaffers given headache by fatigued Kieran Trippier

HOW quickly things change in the world of Dream Team.

The weekend before last, Kieran Trippier (£5.3m) banked 14 points at Manchester United’s expense to underline his status as the game’s outright best defender.

Many gaffers would have considered him a must-have asset just a few days ago.

Trippier remains the top performer in his position at the time of writing having racked up 129 points this season but the outlook regarding his viability has changed dramatically.

The 33-year-old was at fault for two goals during his side’s 3-0 defeat to Everton last week.

Usually such a reliable performer, Trippier was uncharacteristically sloppy at Goodison Park with fans and pundits alike suggesting fatigue was the interfering factor – the Magpies looked leggy generally.

On Sunday, Eddie Howe’s side produced a similarly laboured performance against Tottenham with Trippier’s lethargy exposed by the brilliant Son Heung-min (£4.4m).

It’s understandable why Newcastle may be fatigued as they’re in the midst of an injury crisis that has stretched the squad thin.

Few would doubt the club have suffered rotten luck in regards to availability of late but Dream Team bosses should always focus on the raw numbers.

However you spin it, the fact is Trippier has produced just two points across his last two outings and, to make matters worse, he incurred a domestic suspension when he received his fifth yellow card of the campaign in North London.

In the wider scheme of things, this may prove to be a blessing in disguise as he looks as if he could do with a rest – he’ll miss Fulham’s trip to St James’ Park on Saturday.

But there’s no question Trippier’s one-game suspension is a pesky problem for the 32.5% of gaffers currently backing Newcastle’s No2 – he’s the seventh-most popular player in Dream Team right now.

Holding Trippier isn’t untenable because Newcastle are among the eight teams with two fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 16.

In theory, he could sit out the weekend’s league game then return for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Chelsea in midweek.

Given the majority of players will only have one fixture available to them in Gameweek 16, this is a potentially handy workaround that would negate the impact of his suspension.

However, Howe may see the secondary domestic cup as a low priority and therefore an opportunity to extend Trippier’s rest period with a view to ensuring the defender is back to his best for the Toon’s league games against Luton and Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 17.

Dream Team bosses will probably get another look at Trippier this week as Newcastle host AC Milan in their final Champions League group game with their fate in the competition hanging in the balance.

If he plays and does well then it may the worst is over and there’s no need to use a transfer.

Equally, if he continues to look below par then it may be time to analyse suitable replacements.

Tino Livramento (£2.9m) is an affordable alternative to Trippier but if Newcastle’s malaise proves to be a team-wide issue then such a move may be counterproductive.

Saying that, the Gameweek 17 double of Luton and Forest is appealing on paper.

Some Trippier owners may choose to pivot to Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m), who has racked up 44 points across the last two and a half Gameweeks.

Liverpool’s homegrown hero is now just eight points short of Trippier at the top of the defensive rankings.

So what’ll be… stick or twist?

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk