Having a good squad of players who play on a regular basis, is a sure fire way to avoid these circumstances – where you lose unnecessary points for substitutes who don?t actually play or score much.

Instead of investing in all the expensive players and having 3 useless substitutes, it may be worthwhile compromising and purchasing 3 playing substitutes, who have the ability to score some points. There are plenty of bargain basement players, who have the ability to score you points on a weekly basis.

We have regularly featured lists of cheap players on this site who have good scoring potential. This week we will focus on the 4 positions – goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and strikers, and list you the value added players, we think you could add to your team, to make a difference when you get caught out by squad rotation or injuries. The first special on goalkeepers will be published tomorrow.

Goalkeeper

Tottenham is far from being a fortress at the back. However, Carlo Cudicini (4.5 mil) has a reasonable chance of finally registering his first clean sheet of the season. Burnley, the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde club, is visiting and have yet to score a goal on the road. Moreover, Spurs should maintain the lion?s share of the possession from start to finish.

Defender

With Everton visiting winless Portsmouth this weekend, look for Sylvan Distin (4.9 mil) to help Tim Howard record a second successive clean sheet. In fact, the Merseysiders must fully realise that this match, followed by home encounters with Stoke City and Wolves, offer them a gilt-edged opportunity to quickly get back to the right end of the table.

Midfielders

Ryan Giggs (6.9 mil) is in a very rich vein of form as of late so Sir Alex Ferguson will probably keep leaning on him to pull the strings in the coming weeks. After this week?s game at Stoke City, Man U host Sunderland and Bolton. As a result, Giggs should keep creating goals and bringing in the points.

Andy Reid (5.3 mil) has only become a part of Sunderland?s starting line-up since Gameweek 5. However, over that short two-week span, he?s already scored a goal and had two assists, averaging 8.5 points per week. Look for Reid?s exploits in front of goal to continue this week as the Black Cats host Wolves.

Forward

Craig Bellamy (7.9 mil) has put together highly impressive performances back to back. With Adebayor and Robinho out of the picture and Man City hosting West Ham this weekend, look for Bellamy?s impressive run to continue. In fact, if Drogba?s calf injury turns out to be quite serious, Bellamy would be a great replacement and free up some valuable funds too.

The victory gave United 80 points from 34 games. Second placed Liverpool, which has 74 from 34, is not in action until Sunday when it hosts another relegation-zone struggler, Newcastle.

Middlesbrough 0-2 Man. Utd

Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon (Digard 55), Wheater, Huth, Hoyte, O’Neil (Emnes 70), Sanli, Bates, Downing, King (Alves 55), Aliadiere.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca, Adam Johnson, Grounds.

Booked: Huth.

Man Utd: Foster, O’Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra (Rafael Da Silva 78), Park (Nani 74), Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda (Tevez 55).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Anderson, Gibson.

Booked: Macheda.

Goals: Giggs 25, Park 51.

Att: 33,767

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)